Natural Test Levels - Too low?

[ddzc]

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of research and talking to a lot of people and I'm still trying to decide what I want to do and take. I want to add muscle size but my BF% has increased considerably since I started bulking almost a year ago (24%) so I was thinking about a cycle of Anavar on a good cutting diet, slightly below maintenance.

Anyways, I talked to a trainer and was told to check my natural test levels b/c if its too low, I may need a cycle of test to boost it up in order to put muscle on. Anyways, I want to hear from you guys b/c I would rather take advice on here than the trainers I talk to.

I did a full body composition test and everything checks out good. As for my testosterone levels, the result came out to 12.1 nmol/L. The test advises I should be in between 8.4-28.8. So, it looks like I'm really on the low end of the scale. The results also show a note "Total testosterone levels may not reflect the biologically-active testosterone when SHBG levels are abnormal".

Anyways, with that being said...what are your thoughts? I was told if my natural levels are low, it would be very difficult to put on muscle, almost impossible...which I'm finding after years of working out.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

Thanks all

 

[2rude4u]

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of research and talking to a lot of people and I'm still trying to decide what I want to do and take. I want to add muscle size but my BF% has increased considerably since I started bulking almost a year ago (24%) so I was thinking about a cycle of Anavar on a good cutting diet, slightly below maintenance.

Anyways, I talked to a trainer and was told to check my natural test levels b/c if its too low, I may need a cycle of test to boost it up in order to put muscle on. Anyways, I want to hear from you guys b/c I would rather take advice on here than the trainers I talk to.

I did a full body composition test and everything checks out good. As for my testosterone levels, the result came out to 12.1 nmol/L. The test advises I should be in between 8.4-28.8. So, it looks like I'm really on the low end of the scale. The results also show a note "Total testosterone levels may not reflect the biologically-active testosterone when SHBG levels are abnormal".

Anyways, with that being said...what are your thoughts? I was told if my natural levels are low, it would be very difficult to put on muscle, almost impossible...which I'm finding after years of working out.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

Thanks all

That's your free test level. What's your total test level?

 

[ddzc]

I believe that is my total test level...I scanned the sheets from all of my tests..the test results is on the 2nd page.

i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1225_zps44a2bd54.jpg
i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1226_zps3d8c87a8.jpg
i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1227_zpsffc235ef.jpg

Thanks

 

[Next Level]

I'm in the same situation. My total test levels have been 10 and 12.6 tested 3 weeks apart recently. I've been working out for 10 years with slow gains and a small amount of stubborn belly fat.

Turns out low test can lead to near impossible to remove stubborn belly fat.

How old are you? I'm 31 and while my levels are within range, like yours, average for my age is closer to double our current levels.

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of research and talking to a lot of people and I'm still trying to decide what I want to do and take. I want to add muscle size but my BF% has increased considerably since I started bulking almost a year ago (24%) so I was thinking about a cycle of Anavar on a good cutting diet, slightly below maintenance.

Anyways, I talked to a trainer and was told to check my natural test levels b/c if its too low, I may need a cycle of test to boost it up in order to put muscle on. Anyways, I want to hear from you guys b/c I would rather take advice on here than the trainers I talk to.

I did a full body composition test and everything checks out good. As for my testosterone levels, the result came out to 12.1 nmol/L. The test advises I should be in between 8.4-28.8. So, it looks like I'm really on the low end of the scale. The results also show a note "Total testosterone levels may not reflect the biologically-active testosterone when SHBG levels are abnormal".

Anyways, with that being said...what are your thoughts? I was told if my natural levels are low, it would be very difficult to put on muscle, almost impossible...which I'm finding after years of working out.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

Thanks all

 

[2rude4u]

I believe that is my total test level...I scanned the sheets from all of my tests..the test results is on the 2nd page.

i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1225_zps44a2bd54.jpg
i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1226_zps3d8c87a8.jpg
i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1227_zpsffc235ef.jpg

Thanks

I apoloigize you are correct. It's unusual to see total test displayed as nmol/L, but it is very low. The 12.1 nmol/L converts to a standardized level of about 349 ng/dl.

 

[Brizza60]

I believe that is my total test level...I scanned the sheets from all of my tests..the test results is on the 2nd page.

i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1225_zps44a2bd54.jpg
i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1226_zps3d8c87a8.jpg
i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/ddzc/IMG_1227_zpsffc235ef.jpg

Thanks

Those test levels are low. But how old are you and when were these labs taken? Were you fasted?

 

[ddzc]

I thought the results were abnormally low...which is why I did the test. I think a cycle would definitely benefit me a lot but I may lose all the gains once I get off. What do you guys recommend? From the start, I wanted to do a cycle of just Test 500mg/week and proper post cycle therapy (pct) but lately I've been thinking about var.

brizz, I'm 30 and the test was taken a month ago...took 2-3 weeks to get the results back to the doc. It was done fasted, yes...I was told to not eat anything for 12 hours prior to the test which I followed.

Thanks

 

[2rude4u]

I thought the results were abnormally low...which is why I did the test. I think a cycle would definitely benefit me a lot but I may lose all the gains once I get off. What do you guys recommend? From the start, I wanted to do a cycle of just Test 500mg/week and proper post cycle therapy (pct) but lately I've been thinking about var.

brizz, I'm 30 and the test was taken a month ago...took 2-3 weeks to get the results back to the doc. It was done fasted, yes...I was told to not eat anything for 12 hours prior to the test which I followed.

Thanks

What time of day was the draw? Fasting, contrary to what many believe does not affect test levels significantly. However, the time of day can. Fasting will affect other results, primarily glucose.

 

[DreDay187]

What time of day was the draw? Fasting, contrary to what many believe does not affect test levels significantly. However, the time of day can. Fasting will affect other results, primarily glucose.

Do you happen to have a link to information regarding that. I've seen literature showing insulin release from glucose can result in up to 25% reduction. Not saying that's what will happen to the average person but that would be a significant reduction if accurate.

 

[Grundle McButterpants]

I apoloigize you are correct. It's unusual to see total test displayed as nmol/L, but it is very low. The 12.1 nmol/L converts to a standardized level of about 349 ng/dl.

Damn. I wish my natural levels were that high. I had mine tested twice and it came back 256 and 252 about a month apart. I will be 45 in July. That's low for a dead guy.

 

[ddzc]

What time of day was the draw? Fasting, contrary to what many believe does not affect test levels significantly. However, the time of day can. Fasting will affect other results, primarily glucose.

The tests were done at 11AM.

 

[ddzc]

Any suggestions?

 

[2rude4u]

Any suggestions?

What is your age and have ever taken steriods before? Is there anything you can think of that would explain your low test levels?

One thing that stands out is that your bf is fairly high. This can lead to high estro, that will in turn reduce test levels. What are your estro levels? It appears to be on the third page of your labs, but I can't read it.

 

[ddzc]

I'm 30 and have never taken steroids before. I have no idea why they're so low and the doc says it's normal.

Would a cycle of Anavar (var) with a cutting diet be a good start before doing a cycle of test on a clean bulk diet?

Estro is 101 pmo/L and the test advises that I should be <150 range.

 

[SpartacusOmega]

349 ng/dl , yea your total test levels are at the low end. Endogenous optimize around 1000+ ng/dl range.

 

[2rude4u]

I'm 30 and have never taken steroids before. I have no idea why they're so low and the doc says it's normal.

Would a cycle of Anavar (var) with a cutting diet be a good start before doing a cycle of test on a clean bulk diet?

Estro is 101 pmo/L and the test advises that I should be <150 range.

No it's not normal for your age... it's just within the range, so most docs will say it's normal. If you were 70 it would be normal.

Also, your estro is huge in comparison to your test levels, again the range means nothing in your case. Bringing it down to the 30-40 level would probably significantly increase your natty test. It would not be surprising to see a 200-300 pt increase by doing so.

And no... Anavar (var) without test would not be a good idea. You need to reduce your estro and reevaluate after updated labs before making a decision.

 

[ddzc]

I've never heard of this problem or issue. How do estro levels get high and how can I reduce it? You wouldn't recommend a cycle of test at this time?

 

[2rude4u]

I've never heard of this problem or issue. How do estro levels get high and how can I reduce it? You wouldn't recommend a cycle of test at this time?

High estro levels in men are caused 99% of the time by excess body fat and/or old age. You don't need a cycle right now, you need to get your diet and estro in check.

As I said previously, bring your estro down to the 30-40 range and you will see a significant increase in test levels. Running a low dose of Aromasin can help you accomplish this, but it won't do much good without diet and exercise.

 

[ddzc]

My diet was recently overhauled and is looking good. I had it checked out by a few guys and adjusted the carb/fat intake. I can post it somewhere on the forum to have it double checked.

If fat loss is the cause and problem, a cycle of Anavar and a clean cutting diet would rapidly help me lower my BF% significantly. What are your thoughts?

 

[2rude4u]

My diet was recently overhauled and is looking good. I had it checked out by a few guys and adjusted the carb/fat intake. I can post it somewhere on the forum to have it double checked.

If fat loss is the cause and problem, a cycle of Anavar and a clean cutting diet would rapidly help me lower my BF% significantly. What are your thoughts?

Here's the thing... you started this thread with concerns about low natty t. Now are you concerned with increasing your natty t or do you just want to justify a cycle to yourself?

I like many others don't mind helping you out, but I need to know if you are serious about increasing your test levels or just looking for an excuse to cycle. Running a cycle is not the answer to increasing your natural test level.

I personally don't care what you do, but I would like know which conversation we're having.