Something missing?

[Pantalones]

After disproving a bunch of random theories of mine as to why testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) stopped working for me, I've started to wonder if it has anything to do with densensitization of my Leydig cells and their response to HCG. I remember hearing somewhere that most people require less natural T than synthetic T to achieve the same results. I don't exactly understand how this could be, but is there some sort of methyl tag or anything that doesn't show up when the experts are viewing T? I mean, if it differed by a few more bonds, that's a distinct difference and the AR would for sure reject such a thing, but if its just like a methyl tag or something fairly insignificant, could it improve natural T's binding efficiency?

I mean, I was on HCG for about a year along with androgel until I started noticing everything going south. Maybe it wasn't the gels that stopped working, because maybe they were never really working well at all? Maybe it was all HCG.. I have a hard time believing the small amount of HCG I was on led to all my success in the gym though. Right now I'm still kind of just reaching for things that may be. Then again, I still have a sex drive, grow facial hair like crazy and feel decent I guess. I'm just not at 100%, maybe 50 or 60 unfortunately. Is there any research that supports anything weird like this? I've dismissed the idea that I'd be deficient in esterase enzymes because most people with that condition have hereditary angioedema, which I do not.
And then again, maybe it has nothing to do with T. Maybe I'm GH deficient now? Hard to say really.

 

[willnorthwest]

are all of your other levels in line? shbg, estrogen, hematocrit....ect?

 

[Cheph]

Heard bad things about that gel

 

[Pantalones]

are all of your other levels in line? shbg, estrogen, hematocrit....ect?

SHBG, E2, hematocrit all look great.
All that is abnormal is my alk phos, and the way I feel of course. Is it worth checking IGF-1?

 

[Megatron28]

What did you learn when you saw the GI doc?

 

[Pantalones]

Alk Phos is still elevated. He sent me off for a liver, pancreas, gallbladder ultrasound which came back normal. Celiac test was negative, bu I don't know how accurate those are. He seems to think there's something going on, but he can't warrant further more invasive testing until I'm either having explosive diarrhea or blood in my stools. What I've been noticing more and more lately is a naseau along with my lack of appetite. My weight is stable, but still low, and I've been experiencing joint pains. Stools are still often greasy and they usually burn. I've also started to develop issues with hemmroids, which I've read can come from a malabsorption of fats..so basically, I'm sort of stuck waiting again. He did ask for a stool sample, which the results will be in soon. I believe he tested for anything parasitic and any type of bacteria..I'd like for him to check the presence of fat, but I don't know how convinced he is malabsoprtions occurring. When I go in next, I would like to have B12, Vitamin D and Folate checked. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Megatron28]

Sounds like he was thorough. It sucks when they can't pinpoint what the problem is.

I know this sounds crazy, but maybe you should try the alternative medicines like acupuncture or reflexology, etc. Where else are you supposed to turn?

 

[Pantalones]

To be honest, I think there's some higher power at work. For some odd reason, God..or whoever, doesn't want me to feel good, look good, or have any sort of a life. I'm really just starting to surrender to this. There's no point in fighting it, I'm supposed to be unhealthy. I've thought so much about what it could be and what it couldn't be..I'm running out of options and getting very desperate. I'm honestly praying for a cancer diagnosis, just because then I'd have something to fight. Its the hardest thing in the world to try and remedy something when you have no idea where to start. Lol..yeah yeah, sob story. I just want to feel like a healthy young man again

 

[jwws9999]

To be honest, I think there's some higher power at work. For some odd reason, God..or whoever, doesn't want me to feel good, look good, or have any sort of a life. I'm really just starting to surrender to this. There's no point in fighting it, I'm supposed to be unhealthy. I've thought so much about what it could be and what it couldn't be..I'm running out of options and getting very desperate. I'm honestly praying for a cancer diagnosis, just because then I'd have something to fight. Its the hardest thing in the world to try and remedy something when you have no idea where to start. Lol..yeah yeah, sob story. I just want to feel like a healthy young man again

my question is why were you taking androgel instead of injecting. androgel is a very ineffective medication and I'm not convinced it doesn't do more harm than good. also sounds like your extremely depressed, which is understandable when you don't feel good, but always worth talking to a counselor about

 

[Pantalones]

I think anyone would be depressed if they were 20, in the supposed prime of their life, and already dealing with hemmroids, burning shit and muscle atrophy. It honestly feels like the test isn't working at all. I'm starting to wonder about that ester theory again

 

[Pantalones]

FUCK. I don't know guys. I'll give it another month or so.

 

[1693]

I'd like to know your present testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) protocol?

Do you take any AI?

How is your HGB?

I too would like to know your B12 level and if you have hemorrhoids, it would be nice to know your ferritin level when you do more bloods...

Also FT3 & FT4

What is your present E2, TT, FT?

 

[Pantalones]

I'd like to know your present testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) protocol?

Do you take any AI?

How is your HGB?

I too would like to know your B12 level and if you have hemorrhoids, it would be nice to know your ferritin level when you do more bloods...

Also FT3 & FT4

What is your present E2, TT, FT?

Testosterone, Total: 1,035 ng/dL
Free T: 240 (50-247)
SHBG: 31 (16-74)
Albumin 4.9 (3.7-5.0)

Iron: 177 (40-200)
Total Iron bonding: 349 (200-375)
% iron saturated: 51 (20-58)


Thyroid:
Free T4: 1.0
TSH 1.23
E2: 18

I'm really starting to give up. This has me so down that about all I do anymore is work and sleep. Its like everything is there..its all fucking there, the levels are great and it all looks perfect on paper..but the reality of it is I've lost a lot of muscle, and I feel like shit.
Main symptoms currently:
Naseau, especially in the morn
Cramps and excessive gas every once in awhile
Feeling fuller sooner..much less of an appetite.
Still issues with the hemmroid flare ups.
Arm joints hurt to flex.
Weight has become stable, however, and that's even with working some 11 hour construction days out in the sun..so I guess that means my body IS getting most of what I put in..which helps throw my malabsorption theory out the window. That and my blood proteins look normal..so I'd say I'm not deficient anywhere. There are a few things I have not had done that I should potentially. They did an ultrasound of my liver, pancreas, galbladder, etc and everything looked good, and the stool samples for bacteria all came back good as well. I should really get a B12, IGF-1, and a T3 done.
When I was healthy, I'd take a fucking shit and gain some muscle, I'd lift a damn fork and put on a pound. I understand those are exaggerations, but dammit that's what it seemed like. I was fucking tone, bulky and just felt amazing. SOMETHING in this equation is now missing. I've done a nice job of narrowing it down, but what the fuck guys? I need answers soon.

 

[halfwit]

Man, I wish I could help you but aside from a borderline-low E2, everything looks pretty damn good to me. I truly do hope you are able to get this squared away man. It really sucks knowing something is wrong, but being unable to find out what it is can just be flat out torture.

 

[1693]

What is the range given for the Free T4? It seems low?

That low of E2 might make you feel poorly.

 

[Megatron28]

If you were a woman with those symptoms I would suggest taking a pregnancy exam.

The arm joints could be the Low E.

 

[1693]

Maybe try some MSM....suppose to help with inflamation....bowels and joints, ect....I just started it to see if it will help me with allergies, going to also use some to make my own nasal spray....it's suppose to help with snoring/nasal congestion while you sleep = better sleep!

 

[Pantalones]

Maybe try some MSM....suppose to help with inflamation....bowels and joints, ect....I just started it to see if it will help me with allergies, going to also use some to make my own nasal spray....it's suppose to help with snoring/nasal congestion while you sleep = better sleep!

Where do you get MSM? I know its crazy, but really the most tangible theory I have come up with is that for some reason, my body has an inability to leave the cyp ester resulting in all that testosterone never getting to the AR. Maybe this was why the gels worked so much better for me? No ester, the skin serves as the timed release mechanism, and just straight up T. I still want to give prop a go. Does anyone think GH deficiency is worth looking into?

 

[halfwit]

Where do you get MSM? I know its crazy, but really the most tangible theory I have come up with is that for some reason, my body has an inability to leave the cyp ester resulting in all that testosterone never getting to the AR. Maybe this was why the gels worked so much better for me? No ester, the skin serves as the timed release mechanism, and just straight up T. I still want to give prop a go. Does anyone think GH deficiency is worth looking into?

You can get MSM over the counter in just about any pharmacy/vitamin shop. I don't know about that whole esterase debate as I once looked into it when I started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) myself. My numbers stabilized, so I gave up looking into it. It's worth a try to see if prop/enanthate make you feel different, but I have a feeling it's something else. No clue on GH.

 

[Pantalones]

You can get MSM over the counter in just about any pharmacy/vitamin shop. I don't know about that whole esterase debate as I once looked into it when I started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) myself. My numbers stabilized, so I gave up looking into it. It's worth a try to see if prop/enanthate make you feel different, but I have a feeling it's something else. No clue on GH.

I don't know really either. Something else though? I mean maybe I've just got some really rare hidden cancer that sucks up your muscles and gives you gas ..cool. GH through IGF-1 has a lot of influence on hypertrophy and just well being..Who's to say I haven't become GH deficient as well I guess.