High levels on low dose TRT

[bob1111]

I am 24 and I've been on a low dose of Androgel 1% gel for a little over 3 years. I went on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with levels around 275 ng/dl, w/ no sperm, and very small nuts. Through some experimentation, my doctor and I have found a way to maintain my levels at or around 900-1200 ng/dl by taking 1.25g/2.5 g every other day. My doc prefers the levels to be a little lower, but is OK with my levels being this high. Bless him as long as this doesn't hurt me in the long run!

My first question is why if I am taking less than a low dose of Androgel (a low dose is considered 5g per day), are my levels so high? My doctor cannot explain why I respond so well to the Androgel, says it's an anomaly, and does not know whether I am making any T. I shouldn't be, right? Do any of you have any insight? As I mentioned, my nuts are very small (pea sized). Is there a test that can confirm if I still make any T without going off of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)? My LH seems to be consistently low now.

I am curious because I am considering a cycle of some sort, and/or temporarily upping my dose (with or without Doctor consent) to achieve better results, but I don't know if it's worth doing any PCT considering that my natural T may be shutdown anyway. Also, I don't want to prevent the possibility of achieving this equilibrium post-cycle because I am able to at least make slow and minor gains with my current T levels. Keep in mind that I am only considering a cycle, not necessarily planning to do one because I want to know what's up with my body first.

Sorry to lump so many questions together and be wordy. Any response is appreciated because it's hard to find answers elsewhere! Also, I can elaborate on goals, and reasons to do a cycle, but I worry that I've already included too much info, and have asked some rather obscure questions.

Thanks!!

 

[bob1111]

Is it just no love for the new guy here or are these questions just difficult to answer?

 

[BxBomber]

I had the opposite happen to me. Doc had me on 7.5 grams a day of Androgel and my labs came back at 200. It turns out i cant absorb the gel, so Doc put me on 100mg of Test E a week, woo hoo! As for your question it could be that you are a great responder to Androgel. Oh yea and like you i dont produce sperm either, doc said its probably due to the low T.

 

[Nordic11]

The short answer is everyone is different. Far too many factors to make a blanket statement about why one person can get "X" test levels with "Y" dose.

Your natural T is absolutely shut down when you are on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). PCT is for guys that cycle. If you want more info on cycling, hit up the steroid section of the forum.

 

[bob1111]

Thanks for the answers! I figured my nuts do not make any T, but my doc (probably inept) said he couldn't rule that out. That's the only reason I consider post cycle therapy (pct).

Somebody on another site suggested there might be something up with my pituitary gland, that leads me to still have higher LH levels, for example, a tumor maybe, but I have no symptoms that seem to indicate that. Note that my most recent LH was closer to 3 (units/per something), but it was for a long time above 25 even on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

Before I start any cycle and just for curiosity, I'm planning to get a few tests done via Lab Corps to see where I'm at with my hormones, including e2, t, free t, LH, thyroid panel, and possibly IGF-1.

Thanks again! It's too early for me to post in the steroid forumn, because I don't want to post stupid questions, but I will if I decide to take the plunge.