Hello guys, thanks in advance for the reply. First time posting but trying to read and absorb all the important info in this forum. The lab results are from last week, I will def. ask at drs. office for the first they took (1 yr and half ago) and post them here later. Let’s start with the stats:
-age: 32 y/0
-height: 6’0
-waist: 35
-weight: 240ish
-describe body and facial hair: facial: thick , grows fast. Body hair has increased since I started my 30’s, not very hairy but its all over my body.
-describe where you carry fat and how changed: always been in same area lower pec, bf% has decreased after a carb timing diet I started couple of months ago
-health conditions, symptoms [history]: Low T levels
-Rx and OTC drugs, any hair loss drugs or prostate drugs ever: no
– real dangers! see this http://propeciahelp.com/overvi…
-lab results with ranges: last lab tests 1 week ago:
( the ones that I’m concerned about)
TESTOSTERONE FREE, 6.9 PG/ML (8.7-25.1)
TESTOSTERONE SERUM 504 NG/DL (348-1197)
-describe diet [some create substantial damage with starvation diets]: high protein, moderate good fats, moderate complex carbs, low or 0 simple carbs (sugars)
-describe training [some ruin there hormones by over training]: 4-5 days intense but short, compound movements, progression of weight.
-testes ache, ever, with a fever? no
-how have morning wood and nocturnal erections changed : I will say morning woods 3- 4 times a week, at one time it was daily.
This is a brief explanation of what is going on…1 year and a half ago I did a very “basic” steroid cycle, 10 weeks 500mg of test cyp, used AI during cycle, and HCG, and used Nolvadex 4 weeks 40/40/20/20 as post cycle…anyways after 2 month of that was feeling tiered, specially in the afternoons, so I did lab tests, and T levels were very low at that time (105), dr. started HRT with Androgel 1% 6 pumps. During this year and a half, the T levels have been increasing in the different lab tests I made, and the dosage of Androgel was reduce. Now I’m using 2 pumps (since last year). The idea of my primary DR. was to decrease it until I just dont use it anymore.
During this time I really never had any major issue, The most important is really bad lethargy (I dont’ want to move form the couch)specially in the afternoons after work, and specially when I dont go to work out (days off from gym). When I’m on the gym I always feel great and ready to lift heavy. Libido is good, morning woods are like every other day. I lost some weight but I’m assuming (hoping) is bf% and water from my new diet (I’m assuming this because I lost a size in pants, but my lifts are increasing in the gym and measurements of arms, chest are same).
My main concern is T levels are really not as they should be. After 1 year and a half using Androgel, I think they should be normal. I suffer from anxiety disorders as well and being a bodybuilder just makes me crazy the idea of having low T levels knowing that all the hard work at the gym, diet and supplements can be affected by my low t levels. My main concern is how much better (strength and size) I can be if I had normal T levels. And I read different things on this. My primary DR. believes that you don’t need to be on the high end of the range of T levels, that you can live and be the best of you in the T levels that genetically you have, is that true?,
I went for the first time to an endo last week, and yes he was an idiot…had to first talk with a nurse and then nurse practitioner to finally talk with him, I just think this is not something I want to discuss with everyone, but anywways he gave me 2 options: 1) Assume that I have Hypogonadism and continue with HRT all my life, he told me that he works with Androgel only because shots gives you a rise and a peak for some days and then goes low again, so he wouldn’t prescribe me shots (he made that clear). 2) 6 weeks off Androgel and do labs after that to see If I really have hypogonadism or it was just the effect of the cycle (I told him that I took some test booster pills OTC).
My questions are:
-
Should I continue with the primary DR’s. idea “tappering off” Androgel and see if I go above normal “someday” and then go off any HRT?
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Should I assumed by my numbers that are low after already year and a half with Androgel, that maybe I have hypogonadism either because of genetics or after the cycle. and should I continue the HRT avoiding 6 weeks off the Androgel?
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If I decide to do the HRT should I find a DR. that can prescribe injections instead of Androgel? Or is this guy right and shots spike fast but then you get a crash?
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If I decide to take the lab tests after the hiatus of Androgel, I was thinking to “tapper it off” gradually not “cold turkey” like he told me, maybe reduce to 1 pump daily and then 1 pump every other day, what are your thoughts?
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Finally, how much do you think guys will affect me those 6 weeks off Androgel,this Dr. wants me to be, in terms of mood, libido, and specially muscle mass / fat?
Thank you so much for any piece adivce, I hope I din’t bored you guys, really looking forward for replies, and I’m sorry If I made any grammar mistake, as english is not my first language (is the 3rd langauge I learned so I prob. made some mistakes).