Non-TRT solutions to low test

Pharma
1

I recently had bloodwork done, for general health. I asked the lab to include a testosterone test. All they did was free test though, which seems stupid but never mind. The figure is quite worrying though - I got 4.99pg/ml and the reference range is 4.81-22.42, so this is very low within the normal range, just. The soonest I can do a new set of tests is in the summer. I intend to do the whole lot though to get as full a picture as possible of the situation.

My question is, assuming it is very low, what are my options? I don’t want to jump on TRT unless 100% absolutely necessary as I think being dependent on exogenous hormones for the rest of my life is not the best situation to be in either. I was wondering if the drugs bodybuilders and other populations who jump on gear use after they come off a cycle to kick start endogenous production might be a better alternative, but I do not know much about these drugs, such as side effects, are they a one-off or do you need to keep using them etc. The other consideration is if the problem, if there is even one, is in the testes or the pituitary gland.

If anybody has any advice/experience they would like to share, that would be great.

Incidentally, I had asked about tests for low test a few years ago but never acted upon it as I convinced myself it was all in my head. The advice I got then was the following tests. Would anybody add to/remove from this list?

total testosterone
free testosterone
estradiol
FSH
LH
prolactin
SHBG
DHEA-S
IGF-1
PSA
vitD
TSH
freeT4
freeT3
lipids
CMP
CBC

2

The free T number is pretty meaningless without other supporting bloodwork.
Many things effect your natural teat levels such as bodyfat, when you trained last in relation to the bloodwork, diet etc.

Why?
You can order bloodwork directly from Quest

or even better Marek Health.

3

Hey! Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah I need to get some more tests done. My libido is low, but everything is still working, and I don’t feel rested after I sleep even if I sleep 7-9 hours. I had assumed this was stress but I have got an extra team member recently and workload is much better, and I am doing well at work. Diet is good and I train regularly but I could do with losing a few kg (probably 4-5). Fat stores around my hips and ass, not so much my stomach. On the additional tests, good to know there are online options but I do not live in a country that these services are available in and the healthcare system here is terrible so I need to wait until I am next back in a developed country, which will be summer.

4

You can try HCG 500iu 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Its 3 boxes.

Or you can try Nolvadex (tamoxifen) for 3 months at least, LH FSH increase.

If you are prone to having male tits, i would suggest Nolva.

5

If you have hypogonadism, you need T, HCG, or clomid to correct it. There is no other way.