Hello everyone, first time poster
I am in my early 30s and last month my doctor had me take a testosterone testâ?¦. As she looked over the results I could see big concern in her face and she immediately said “WOW, your T levels are 113 and free at 18!!!” We need to get you on T replacement immediately!!!
Now over the years in my 20’s I had my hair recede by the age of 20 at age 26 I gained weight from 175 to 210 no matter how low my caloric intake was or working out. For the past 5 or so years I have been on a strict diet and exercise but could never drop the excess fat, particularly on my belly and my lower back. If you look at me you wouldn’t say I was obese, as my frame looks OK all over except those 2 areas gut and lower back.
After finding out that my T levels are so low it started to all make sense. Could low T be the reason my hair thinned and fell out so young? A drop of T from age 28 to present (last 3 years), leading to the belly and back fat? Did low T contribute to my lack of sleep, insomnia? Would low T contribute to emotional issues (very sensitive)? How the hell could my levels be so low at 33 years old!!!
However, one strange aspect is that through all of these issues I always have had a extremely high libido, I’ve always been highly motivated towards sex and women (however, the past year my erections weren’t full and never have morning wood anymore).
So my doc started me on Androgel 1.62 at initial dose of 2 pumps. The first day I took it after 2 hours I got a huge rush of speed energy (not cracked out adderall energy though…it was a nice energy) That energy lasted the first week but over the last 2 weeks the energy rush has gone away. I still have more energy but itâ??s not so much like a “high” anymore. If I’m being honest I was really excited about the prospect of T therapy because of the energy, erections, muscle and fat loss benefits.
I’m 3 weeks into the therapy and to see if the T was making a difference I did not change my diet or exercise routines. I figured since Iâ??ve not been able to see any changes on this regimen, then if after the T replacement begins I see changes then it can be ruled a product of T.
I have been keeping my carbs mid level (45%), low quality fats low, and high quality animal fat (20%) and proteins high (about a gram per pound so 175-200 g p/day of protein) (35%). You guys think this is a good ratio to help the T do its job most efficiently???
I started a photo log in which I take posing pics every Saturday. From Day 1 start to week 2 (14 days) I’m starting to see that there is a combination of fat loss and muscle growth. Particularly in my chest and my arms. I’ve always been a good muscle gainer and I’m definitely pumped up in my chest and my arms are cutting fat so the Bi & Tri are starting to show. My abdomen sides are starting to drop fat (love handles) and my upper abs are starting to show, however I have more fat to burn around my belly button. My lower back has dropped a little. So the biggest change is now the lines of fat from my back around to my belly are more prominent, meaning I can see those stubborn fat areas better as opposed to a smooth fat all over the areas.
Because my levels were so low, my body is now able to take that T and utilize it immediately because itâ??s been so starved? Does it work like that??? The changes in 2 weeks are more then Iâ??ve seen in months!!!
I assume I should go get my levels tested again to see how much it changed and that will help me figure out the next step, if I should up the dosage or move to injections. My guess is because Iâ??m so low that this is a small dose and probably isnâ??t getting me to normal levels yet.
I see on the forums that most suggest injections, especially for people like me whom are really low, but could it be possible that my body is absorbing the gel at a higher level then most??? Or, is the reason the energy has gone down a little is because my body is stabilizing it?? I immediately am now have strong erections and morning wood and even random ones for no reason…I hear thatâ??s because Androgel helps your libido better then injections??? I like that!!!
I’d like to hear any advice you may have for me with such low levels. And do you think having a high intake of protein is contributing to the relatively quick muscle swelling or is it just fat burning off to expose my muscles (cutting effect). Could I be getting all these T positives even if I’m still below normal, since I was so low in the first place?
My end goal is to be jacked at 190-200 with body fat around 15%. Right now Iâ??m 205 22% BF. Am I on the right track with my diet? How often should I exercise to get maximum benefits of T? If the gel is absorbing correctly for me, should I still try to get the injections? (I really donâ??t mind rubbing it on etc etc., in fact I like doing it because I feel like Iâ??m dosing up haha)
Thanks guys!!!