Potential TRT Candidate - Please Read

X

xmd33x

New member
Hello peeps,

Several years ago I had pain and what felt like a growth near my right testicle. Saw the VA doc and was told I had a varicocele. Shortly after I had an ultra sound to verify but when I met with the urologist he hadn't seen the results and said he felt the varicocele but that I also had a hernia.

For one reason or another I didn't follow up again until six months later and had another doctor confirm both.

Fast forward six years to last week, I saw a nurse practitioner and went over all my unresolved issues as well as some new ones. Since I mentioned being worried about the varicocele affecting my test production she added test to the lab work but of course not anything else to help diagnose specific causes/problems.

She called me today with the results and said everything was fine (no varicocele, no hernia seen on the ultra sound) but my Vitamin D is too low. Of course I asked about the test and she said "it's fine." Naturally I wanted to know the exact number and she said it came in at 245.

Now I know she isn't the right person to discus testosterone ranges or anything else really so I insisted she refer me to a urologist because I still have the "bag of worms" and occasional tenderness/pain in both testicles.

I am posting this here for any insight, tips, wisdom, advice or words of encouragement I can get.

tl:dr version...I am a 36 year old 5'7" 205lbs 25% body fat veteran being treated at the VA and I may or may not have varicocele(s) but definitely have testosterone at 245.

Also...I have been going to the gym Mon-Fri since mid Feb. Tracking my macros since then too. About 2200-2400 calories on days that I lift. About 1900-2100 all other days. Just started 16/8 fasting on non-lifting days (Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun).

Mon/Wed/Fri I do Stronglifts 5x5 with a couple accessory exercises.

Tue/Thurs I do cardio on stationary bike for 35-55 mins keeping my heart rate at about 120-130 beats a minute.

Lost about 4-5 pounds since mid Feb.
 
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Hello there, I'm new to the board also, I have been trying to get the balls to post. Sorry I can't shed any lite on your medical issue, but I also have been intermittent fasting 16/8. Have had some decent results lost 9lbs in three weeks. Seems once I hit 40 it's hard to keep that spair tire away that's only place I hold fat. I'm sure the low t has something to do with that. hopefully I can get started on my trt here soon and reap the benefits. Your workout looks solid. I work out 4 times a week anything more than that seems to be overtraining for my body anyways, everybody is different. I have been following a lot of the members post on the trt forums, seems to be a lot of help and knowledge here hopefully some fellas with more exp can help and guide us rooks. Good luck probably be seeing you around.
 
Milton said:
So whats your question?
Click to expand...

"I am posting this here for any insight, tips, wisdom, advice or words of encouragement I can get."

I don't have questions at the moment but that may change after I see the urologist. I will post an update then but not sure when because they are booked until June. I am going to find out if I can see a non-VA doc before then.
 
You should have a lot of questions at this point. Of course, others here could tell you about 10,000 different things. Some things would interest you but many would not, as you have not come up against all the problems that exist. SO..., you have to put some effort into educating yourself and then getting help here, on those subjects that interest you. The people on here are extremely helpful, but you have to do some of the work here. SO..., read the stickeys in the TRT section. Also read some posts to see what kind of crap you are going to endure with the medical community. If you don't educate yourself, you will be at the mercy of some pretty stupid untrained professionals. Welcome to this forum. Make yourself at home.
 
halfape211 said:
You should have a lot of questions at this point. Of course, others here could tell you about 10,000 different things. Some things would interest you but many would not, as you have not come up against all the problems that exist. SO..., you have to put some effort into educating yourself and then getting help here, on those subjects that interest you. The people on here are extremely helpful, but you have to do some of the work here. SO..., read the stickeys in the TRT section. Also read some posts to see what kind of crap you are going to endure with the medical community. If you don't educate yourself, you will be at the mercy of some pretty stupid untrained professionals. Welcome to this forum. Make yourself at home.
Click to expand...

I have read the stickies and several of the other threads over the last several weeks. I have also done lots of research in the past.

Right now I am just trying to figure out the best way to advocate for myself once I see these specialists. I really don't know what I'm going to get with the VA. I've had troubles with them before which is one of the reasons I never go.

Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting.

Megatron - thanks for making the TRT guide.

Rocky - I haven't ruled out visiting a clinic but for now I have to see what the VA is going to recommend.
 
xmd33x said:
I have read the stickies and several of the other threads over the last several weeks. I have also done lots of research in the past.

Right now I am just trying to figure out the best way to advocate for myself once I see these specialists. I really don't know what I'm going to get with the VA. I've had troubles with them before which is one of the reasons I never go.

Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting.

Megatron - thanks for making the TRT guide.

Rocky - I haven't ruled out visiting a clinic but for now I have to see what the VA is going to recommend.
Click to expand...

Next step is to run blood work again first thing in the morning to confirm the results. LH and FSH need to be checked as well.
 
Our guys tell us its rough getting T through the VA but some of them do get it done.

Let us know if we can help we give a standard 5% discount on any veteran, current military, LE, or public service of any kind.

245 is really low and you need to get treatment. Your BF% will continue to climb without it most likely.
 
Megatron28 said:
Next step is to run blood work again first thing in the morning to confirm the results. LH and FSH need to be checked as well.
Click to expand...

xmd33x said:
I got them to schedule me with the urologist on May 3rd.

Is there anything I could/should do between now and then?
Click to expand...

Quick update...

I spoke to the nurse yesterday about getting new labs ordered ahead of my May 3rd appointment with the urologist. Said she'd order them but didn't mention adding any until I suggested.

I happen to get a letter to remind me of the appointment which says, "make sure you have labs before." But of course doesn't specify which.

I'm certain there will be missing tests so I will find out if the urologist knows what he is doing once he goes over my bloodwork.

Lastly, I have a clinic lined up for if the VA drops the ball (no pun intended.)

Thanks again, gents.
 
xmd33x said:
Quick update...

I spoke to the nurse yesterday about getting new labs ordered ahead of my May 3rd appointment with the urologist. Said she'd order them but didn't mention adding any until I suggested.

I happen to get a letter to remind me of the appointment which says, "make sure you have labs before." But of course doesn't specify which.

I'm certain there will be missing tests so I will find out if the urologist knows what he is doing once he goes over my bloodwork.

Lastly, I have a clinic lined up for if the VA drops the ball (no pun intended.)

Thanks again, gents.
Click to expand...

Review the lab order before the blood is drawn. The phlebotomist will show it to you. If labs are missing get it corrected before having your blood drawn. Easy Peasy. You just need to advocate for yourself.
 
Megatron28 said:
Review the lab order before the blood is drawn. The phlebotomist will show it to you. If labs are missing get it corrected before having your blood drawn. Easy Peasy. You just need to advocate for yourself.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right.

Tomorrow I am going to call the urologist's office about the labs and have them review the order.

This back and forth with the VA is killing me.

I have considered canceling all my appointments and going straight to my low T clinic.
 
I will have today's lab results Monday or Tuesday (with Urologist).

I didn't get anywhere calling about the proper lab tests so only had the following ordered:

Total and Free Test
FSH
LH
Prolactin

While at the VA I grabbed a copy of my labs from 4/14 and I will post them later today.

Thanks for reading.
 
4/14/16 Lab Results:

WBC 6.9 4.2-10
RBC 4.5 4.17-5.53
HGB 12.8 13.2-17
HCT 40.7 38.7-49.7
MCV 90.4 82.5-100.1
MCH 28.4 28-35
MCHC 31.4 33.4-35
RDW 12.5 11.4-15.6
PLT 268 158-356
MPV 11.3 6.6-9.0
NE%. 60.4 41.2-80
Lymph%. 25.1 10-46
Mono%. 10.2 4-12
Eosino%. 3.9 0-6
BASO%. 0.3 0-1
NE#. 4.2 1.8-6.8
Lymph#. 1.7 0.6-3.4
Monos#. 0.7 0.3-0.9
Eos#. 0.3 0-0.5
BASO#. 0.0 0-0.04

Glucose. 77 70-115
Urea Nitrogen. 19 6-23
Creatinine. 1.1 0.7-1.2
Sodium. 139 136-145
Potassium. 4.0 3.5-5.1
Chloride. 100 98-107
Calcium. 9.5 8.4-10.4
Cholesterol. 190 75-200
Total Protein. 7.4 6.6-8.7
Albumin. 4.5 3.4-4.8
Bilirubin Total. 0.4 0.0-1.0
Alkaline Phosp. 61 40-129
Triglyceride. 70 75-200 Low
HDL Cholesterol.43 35-55
Anion GAP. 11 9-16
AST. 26 0-38
ALT. 21 0-41
Testosterone. 245 Male <50yo 249-836 Low
TSH. 1.59 0.45-4.70
Magnesium. 2.2 1.7-2.6
ECO2. 28 22-29
Vit B12. 435 211-946
Folate. 18.3 2.8-20
Total PSA. 1.0 0.0-4.0
LDL Cholesterol129 25-100 High
EGFR. 76 >=60
Vit D Total. 16.27 >=30 Low

Apologies for poor formatting and in case of useless information.
 
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