I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 10 years ago. Prior to that, I was always a top level athlete. Top 10% in most physical pursuits.
As of the last 5-7 years, I have been declining. Although still in great shape I always found that I could not push pass a certain level. Since that my weight has been on a sharp increase. About 15 pounds a year. 5 years ago a strong 160, now sitting at a soft 220.
I also find that my T levels are “within range”. but all the way at the bottom.
Can anyone recommend possible supplements or stacks that could help me get back to or as close as possible to my former self. I have never used any supplements or steroids before but I am open to good quality and low-level stacks. I hope to get back to a lean build 170-185 lean muscle mass. I run, rock climb, kickbox and CrossFit about 6 days a week. (No longer in comps)
Any advice?
The bottom ranges is extremely hypogonadal and it’s too late to do anything about, you have the hormones levels of a 100 year old man.
You don’t solve it being this low, it’s too late. I’m all about solving it naturally, maybe if you were in the 400’s, I’ve just never seen anyone recover T levels from the bottom ranges back to youthful levels.
Have you suffered any head trauma or PTSD?
Both, while in the military.
Reason I asked is head trauma, PTSD and even gun fire can cause disruption in sex steroids and growth hormone deficiencies do to neuroendocrine disturbances. It’s seen in contact sports and even boxing. The emotional trauma by itself is enough to cause problems, combine both and the odds of growth hormone deficiencies do to neuroendocrine disturbances increases dramatically.
It’s doubtful the average doctor will be able to help you, you need some extensive labs drawn and a doctor who has treated these conditions. The VA pushes multiple different drugs at you which only masks the symptoms never truly fixing the imbalance as they are ill equipped to deal with these types of conditions.
Go to youtube → type “Traumatic Brain Injury and Hormonal Dysfunction Syndrome By Mark L. Gordon, MD”
Systemlord, Where are you based? Also, what would your recommendation be moving forward?
I’m in California. The easy way out, Defy Medical and no travel is necessary.
Great resources TOT Revolution, email the site owner and he can put you in touch with the best in your area. Jay Campbell has connections to the best doctors like Mark Gordon.
Few doctors even know what tests to run in cases like yours, your condition requires special attention from the best, these doctors separate the boys from the men.
I just sent them an email. I am on the East Coast in Philadelphia. Any trusted web sites you use for supplements?
Honestly I get most of my supplements on Amazon, protein powder at Costco. A lot of low SHBG guys do well on calcium D glucarate and DIM which help with estrogen metabolism, estrogen is one of those hormones that lingers in the body longer if liver clearance is slow.
It might take awhile before Jay gets back to you, he responds to people all over the planet.
Do you do TRT through a doctor or on your own?
Endocrinologist prescribes TRT but doesn’t have the knowledge to monitor and balance my hormones, doesn’t even know what tests to run as is the case with all insuranced based doctors. It’s like dealing with a teenager on his first job, quite pathetic. If I was him I’d be embarrassed.
If you want to feel normal on TRT it’s going to have to be a doctor who doesn’t take insurance, they don’t receive any training whatsoever in male hormones and isn’t covered in med school, the dirty little secret is TRT doesn’t bring in much profit.
You attempt to go to an endocrinologist, you’re in for a rude awakening and nothing but suffering.
So you asked if I do TRT on my own, pretty much. Doctor put me on the wrong protocol and it wasn’t until I did research found out here it was completely wrong, I request more injections, they provide what I want. I run my own labs, decide to lower or raise dosage on my own.
I’m so sick of it I’m willing to pay $1500 a year for what cost me a $10 copay twice per year. I’m saving up for Defy.
What is defy? And where can I pay to get it? If the doctor won’t give it to me then I will pay but I would of course, prefer the doc.
Defy Medical. It is a HRT clinic based in FL and they do treatment via the phone.
You can search for them in the web.
Does anyone have a rough estimate on pricing?
Yes its legal. There are quite a few docs who do phone or Skype interviews. Then they order your labs and you get them done locally. They they figure out your protocol and write your prescriptions. I think its roughly around $1200 a year with the first year costing a little more for the initial consultation.
Depending on your protocol, between $1200-2000 a year.
As stated above, the first year is probably the most expensive while you get dialed in. Figure on labs multiple times in the first year and then less the following years.
Once you get things dialed and learn what your labs mean. You can then seek out a local Doctor who will trust that you know what you are doing and write you the prescriptions you need and this will cost you much less.
Just an update: I have finished all the test and scheduled my initial consultation the end of this month. I will update as soon as I know more. Also in regards to money I am about 450-500 dollars in. That’s is prior to the purchase of any TRT or anything else. I have done blood work, and in order to schedule the initial consultation you had to pay the cost (250) prior.