Hey guys, I have just been browsing these forums for quite some time and well I finally have a question that I just couldnt find the answear. I am 25 (figured I would get a better answear in the 35+ fourm) and I’ve been having some medical problems that were consistant with low test levals.
So I got tested and my test levels were 189. So the doc gives me androderm…what an effin joke! So its been about three weeks and the patches are actually burning my skin. I called the doc and told him, he said he would call in a script. I go down to the pharm and ask what I got and he said, “gel”…wtf. I called the doc again and he said injectables were illegal…wtf again. Now by this point Im pissed so I call an Endo and I have an appt for tuesday. Now here comes the questions: Is TRT gonna hurt my baby makin chances or has that ship already sailed with these low test numbers?
Depending on if I get injectables should I run HCG? Is HCG something I can get from my doc or is it self medicate? If I get injectables should I run a AI? I dont know much about this doc except that he has alot of vowels in his name lol. So I dont know what to expect. Thanks in advanced.
Read the “protocol for injections” sticky, all will be revealed.
Read the sticky on estrogen.
These stickies have a lot of general postings in them that are off=topic. You will have to wade through them.
You need testing for LH&FSH and that really needs to be done before TRT starts. This can determine if the problem is in your testes or your pituitary. Pituitary output of gonadotrophins declines with age. With young men, one needs to consider a possible pituitary adinoma [tumor]. If you have lost some peripheral vision, that can be from a pituitary adinoma pressing on optic nerves.
If your testes are smaller and scrotum is up close to your body, that indicates low LH.
Any TRT will shut you HPTA down and you will need hCG to preserver your testes/fertility.
hCG is a schedule III controlled substance.
Understand why you need T+AI+hCG
Read:
The book is not correct re injections and predates Arimidex/anastrozole.
Thanks KSman, of course now ya got me worried about a tumor. From what you are saying about low LH I dont think that is my problem as I have balls of a rhino and they hang to my knees.
Thanks KS you have been a huge help, this is a really big issue for me and my wife since kids are a big deal for her. I just want to make sure I do this all right to avoid trouble down the road.
[quote]adveragejoe wrote:
Do docs prescribe HCG? I mean besides to young boys and women. Would they give it to me or would I have to go black market?[/quote]
Mine started prescribing it for me after I showed him Dr. Crisler’s article, HCG Update. The article can be downloaded from All Things Male - Center for Men's Health
You may, however, be getting the cart before the horse. You have a lot of reading and learning to do. Then, and this is very likely the most difficult, you have to find a competent physician. The alternative is to educate yourself and find a physician who is willing to learn with you.
I have no doubt that I am putting the cart before the horse. This just has me worried and its all happening so fast. One day I think Im fine and the next I find I have virtually no test production, so I am freaking out alittle. I totally agree that I have tons to learn about this and I am trying to cram as much info into my head before I see the Doc tomorrow (feel like Im back in college).
There is soo much info out there and it all says something different so my head is spinning trying to weed out broscience from actual science.
See an andrologist, a urologist with a fellowship in andrology. This shit is so damn easy to fix up. I’ve had hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism since I was 22 (30 now) and I’ve been ever since I went to see a top-notch andrologist. I can recommend some to you, being that we don’t live far from one another.
5 to 10 grams of Androgel is all that’s needed for hypogonadism.
Having kid is NOT a problem, as any andrologist worth his salt will prescribe Clomid or HCG when you decide to have a kid; that’s what mine is going to prescribe.
Actually, the first time I was diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism, my doc put me on HALF a tab of Clomid and my T value shot from 240 to 790 ng/dL!
I use 10 grams of Androgel regularly and my T levels are consistently between 800 to 1,100 ng/dL. Not once have I had a problem with estrogen.
To imply that one can let their testes atrophy then wake them up with hCG later for a pregnancy is wrong. Some will have severe irreversible damage and sterility. There are other reasons to keep the testes functioning when one does not have any needs for more pregnancies or has a vasectomy. TRT without hCG will drive down pregnenolone and DHEA levels which causes numerous secondary negative effects.
What are your serum estradiol lab results?
None of what you describe requires an andrologist. This is not rocket science.
All you have for TRT is Androgel? If so, he is not worth his salt. We have lots of mindless script monkeys doing T-gel mono therapy.
“5 to 10 grams of Androgel is all that’s needed for hypogonadism.” is stating that there is never any need for or benefit from using anastrozole or hCG. Those with low thyroid levels typically cannot absorb any transdermal T products. Those who sweat and shower a lot will not have good or constant results. Dads in contact with young kids can transfer transdermal T from their skin to the kids. Transdermals are not “all that is needed”. You are also neglecting the dimensions of cost. T-gels [and patches] are very costly and self injections are very inexpensive. Someone has to pay for these things. For those who pay out-of-pocket, T-gels are completely unjustifiable relative to injections.