On the program - seeking input and advice

[Sentinel]

I'm a new member to the forums here and am hoping for some extra guidance and suggestions and am open to ridicule and criticism. My objective is to lean down with hormone optimization and not put on too much additional mass. I have had experience in the past with different hormones, peptides, and ancillary compounds and would say that I am a well-rounded athlete. I favor endurance sports as much as weight training in a quest for overall fitness; I love to cycle, run, and swim as well as weight-train and surf, Ideally, I will complete a 5K run in under 19 minutes and still dead-lift more than 2.5 times my body weight.

Currently, I am 33, feel dumpy and out of shape; weight 183 lbs at 5' 10'' with a BMI of 26.3 and BF of 19.3%. My goal is to lean down to less than 10% BF and keep my weight around the same. I love slinging weights but when I get too heavy, it makes cycling and running too much of a chore to enjoy.

I have a relatively clean diet; I eat 80% organic whole foods, follow a gluten-free and dairy free diet but, until recently, my caloric intake has exceeded my needs. I don’t smoke, I drink socially, and I work nights as a Registered Nurse. I made the poor choice of not working out as much as I should over the last year due to being depressed after the loss of my father and have recently got my ass back to the gym and on the road!

My blood work (norms):
• Serum Testosterone: 490 ng/dL (348-1197)
• Free Testosterone: 10.6 pg/ml (8.7-25.1)
• DHEA-Sulfate: 282.0 mcg/dL (138.5 – 475.2)
• IGF-1: 112 ng/mL (88-246)
• Vitamin D: 25.5 ng/ml (30.0-100.0)
• TSH : 1.860 mIU/mL (0.450-4.500)
• Free T4 (Direct): 1.30 ng/dL (0.82-1.77)
• Free Serum T3: 3.1 pg/mL (2.0-4.4)
• Lipid Panel: Terrible r/t genetics but needs much improvement
• Hemoglobin: 16.0 g/dL (12.6-17.7)
• Hematocrit: 47.1% (37.5-51.0)
• WBC differential showed elevated Monocytes and Eosinophils, likely related to chronic and multiple allergies.

The Plan:
• Testosterone Lipoderm Cream: 200 mg daily (I have tamoxifen on hand in the event that I get puffy or sore nipples but regardless won't use until after my first set of follow up labs.)
• DHEA: 50 mg sustained released cap daily
• Thyroid: 1 grain daily (equivalent to 38 mcg T4 and 9 mcg T3)
• Sermorelin acetate: 1000 mcg daily at bed time (considering dose splitting administering 500 mcg post-workout and 500 mcg QHS, suggestions?)
• D3: 5000 iu daily
• Niacin: 500 mg twice daily for high LDL
• Fish Oil: 2000 mg twice daily to improve HDL
• MSM: Daily for allergies and inflammation reduction
• Multivitamin, Activated Folate, and Probiotics daily

Depending on my absorption with the testosterone cream, I may switch to HCG injections every other day combined with the testosterone cream every other day, I plan to have kids in the future and there is one particular study that shows this combination was effective for maintaining adequate sperm count and I would also like to prevent testicular atrophy.

I will post an update with my next set of Labs next month and any input in the meantime would be appreciated.

 

[LittleJohnny]

Other than being a little low on Vitamin D your levels aren't bad. If I were you I would do other things to naturally bring up your testosterone, since that appears to be one of your main goals.

First of all, ditch the test cream. If you absolutely must use test, injection is the only way to go. But, you should first try raising your levels through diet and exercise. If you workout and diet properly enough to lower your body fat by 5 or 10 percentage points, I would think your test level will come up without injections. Your levels are already in the normal range and I'd be willing to bet you could bring the number up by 100 points naturally.

You don't need DHEA or thyroid since those levels are normal too. I'm not sure if you're into chemical experiments or what, but you'd be foolish to add a bunch of items you don't need. If you're dead set on doing it, add the items one at a time so you'll know which one had whatever effect you end up with. If you take 8 items all at once, how do you know which one helped and which one harmed you? By the way, thyroid is nothing to play with. If you screw things up you'll have to take it for the rest of your life. The same goes for testosterone.

I firmly suggest you avoid any of this stuff, hit the gym and diet properly for at least 6 months. Then see where you're at.

 

[Megatron28]

You don't need TRT. 490 is not that bad of a number for your age. Average guy your age is in the 500's.

Try making lifestyle changes. For example getting in the gym more like you are talking about. Start playing a sport and get on a team. Get better/more sleep. Make sure you don't have sleep apnea. Work with a psychologist to get past your depression. If you are taking any SSRI's, work your way off them as they often lower testosterone.

And try supplementing 10,000iu of vitamin D daily. Low vitamin D can affect Testosterone levels.

 

[Jimstigator]

DO NOT START TRT.

If I was you, I would just get my lazy ass back in shape and not mess with TRT. You natural levels are't bad at all, and could easily be doubled by proper diet and exercise. When me and my roommates were 25ish... we all got our TT tested, and no one in the entire house was over 600. Most were 400-500.

Don't start to explain how you eat properly and workout... your BF% says otherwise. Deadlift and 5k times are good though

Sleep might also be an issue with you as a night nurse. You get decent sleep?

-Jim

 

[Jimstigator]

If you are going to resist all advice here and continue, I would look into injections over cream. Especially for a young active guy like yourself.

-Jim

 

[3J]

i personally think if he takes steps to lower shbg his free test will rise and he will feel better..

remember guys, its not just about total test.. its free test too.. the more free test you have the more it can enter cells and activate the androgen receptor.. his free test is on the low end of the range..

taking something to block shbg should make him feel alot better

 

[Jimstigator]

i personally think if he takes steps to lower shbg his free test will rise and he will feel better..

remember guys, its not just about total test.. its free test too.. the more free test you have the more it can enter cells and activate the androgen receptor.. his free test is on the low end of the range..

taking something to block shbg should make him feel alot better

Very true. But - if he could just increase his total a bit, his free would likely go up with it.

-Jim

 

[3J]

yes, he can.. but if he stays of trt and just ups his free test then he isn't on trt right?? lol.. shbg is the transporter of sex hormones in the body.. it has its place and importance.. a little tweaking of it will do wonders imo

Very true. But - if he could just increase his total a bit, his free would likely go up with it.

-Jim