Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) advice

[OSP]

TRT advice

First post after doing a search and reading a lot of threads. I had blood work done 2 weeks ago and my total test was 385 ng/dl and my free test was 10.09 pg/ml. The doctor's assistant called and said I was "normal". After seeing the actual paperwork their lab says normal is 180-780 and 8.69-54.69.

From what I have read "normal" varies from person to person but most agree 300-1000 ng/dl is a good range and I should shoot for 500-600. I found free test "normal" levels all over the place. But, it seems that my free test should be 1-2% of my total test. If my math is correct, 10.09 pg/ml = 1.009 ng/dl divided by 385 ng/dl = .262%. VERY LOW.

In my opinion I am on the low end of normal for total test and very low on free test. I am 40 years old and in decent shape. However, my energy level has been decreasing over the last 2-3 years. That, combined with irritability, anxiety and decreased focus led me to get tested.

I am waiting for a call back from my doctor and I want to be prepared. First, is my math correct for calculating my percentage of free test? Second, am I correct in my opinion that my total test is low and my free test is very low? And lastly, if I am correct I do not want to be on gels/creams. I want to do self-injections once a week. I am thinking 100-150mg of test cyp per week and re-test in 3 months and adjust accordingly. I would really like to see my levels at 500-600 and 20-30 and more importantly, see how I feel.

Am I on the right track? Again, I just want to be prepared if my doctor calls and says I am normal. She is pretty open minded and I think if I respectfully disagree with hard data she would go for a "trial run" and re-test in 3 months.

 

[300winmag]

How old are you and whats your height weight. personally free test doesnt really matter and most docs arent going to treat from the number anyways. Unfortunately most docs are going to treat to low to mid range numbers anyways. Which you are already there. You may also have the problem of getting a doc to approve it for you, but since your numbers arent in the total hole your insurance wont cover it. But you can always try an online clinic such as the sponsor here of IMT.

I would check your habits out as well, smoking, drinking, excessive caffine, diet, and exercise. At your numbers I would check all of those things first before going on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is for life. Theres been guys in here that picked up quite a bit of T by losing weight or fixing their diet.

 

[300winmag]

Also simple things like vitamin cant make a big difference or cutting your coffee. Before you do anything have the doctor do a full hormone panel and whole blood serum test. I would test iron levels, thyroid, cortisol test.

 

[OSP]

How old are you and whats your height weight. personally free test doesnt really matter and most docs arent going to treat from the number anyways. Unfortunately most docs are going to treat to low to mid range numbers anyways. Which you are already there. You may also have the problem of getting a doc to approve it for you, but since your numbers arent in the total hole your insurance wont cover it. But you can always try an online clinic such as the sponsor here of IMT.

I would check your habits out as well, smoking, drinking, excessive caffine, diet, and exercise. At your numbers I would check all of those things first before going on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is for life. Theres been guys in here that picked up quite a bit of T by losing weight or fixing their diet.

I'm 40, 5' 9" and 170lbs. Diet is decent but changing to a low fat, high fiber diet as my cholesterol was also a bit high. Non-smoker, occasional drinker that has 2-3 cups of coffee in the morning. I've never been a big guy but used to be a beast for my size in the gym. Over the last couple of years I have been slowly losing energy and just can't make it to the gym after work. I'm wiped after working 9-10 hours, just feel "blah".

Not worried about insurance as mine sucks anyway, and cypionate looks relatively inexpensive.

I also found a lot of research on SERMS being useful to raise test levels AND lower cholesterol so I may mention that to my doc as well. There are some good studies showing Nolva raised test and HDL while lowering LDL.

 

[OSP]

Also simple things like vitamin cant make a big difference or cutting your coffee. Before you do anything have the doctor do a full hormone panel and whole blood serum test. I would test iron levels, thyroid, cortisol test.

I'll mention this to the doc as well. She did a "metabolic panel" and I am not sure what all that includes. Everything was well within normal except my cholesterol and test from the tests she had done.

 

[300winmag]

There has been a link with Test and cholesterol. If you improve that it may improve your test. I would also check you coffee, try going to 1 cup a day. You may be a good canidate for T but like said get everything checked first including thyroid. T isnt something you can really stop and start. Thats one thing about getting old is you dont always feel like your 20. But if you have an issue theres no reason you shouldnt do anything about it.

Also have your Prolactin checked, as well as FH and LSH.

 

[OSP]

There has been a link with Test and cholesterol. If you improve that it may improve your test. I would also check you coffee, try going to 1 cup a day. You may be a good canidate for T but like said get everything checked first including thyroid. T isnt something you can really stop and start. Thats one thing about getting old is you dont always feel like your 20. But if you have an issue theres no reason you shouldnt do anything about it.

Also have your Prolactin checked, as well as FH and LSH.

Thanks for the tips. I may use privatelabmd to get some more comprehensive blood work done for the items you mentioned(local is very expensive!). And of course get my doctor's opinion. I don't want to feel like I am 20, but I want to feel better.

 

[OSP]

Also have your Prolactin checked, as well as FH and LSH.

Did you mean LH and FSH?

 

[300winmag]

Thanks for the tips. I may use privatelabmd to get some more comprehensive blood work done for the items you mentioned(local is very expensive!). And of course get my doctor's opinion. I don't want to feel like I am 20, but I want to feel better.

Good luck. Thats the problem with lack of energy its can be about a million things even if you have low T something else can be the culprit. It can be as simple as sleeping or it can be something as serious as major cardiovascular problems. Thats another thing that can kill T is sleep make sure you going to bed at relatively the same time and for 7-9hours a night with nothing any less or any more on a regular basis. I dont know if there is any scientific info behind this this, but make sure you are getting enough sex. I can tell you personally when I go droughts I definitely do not feel as good when Im getting it on a regular basis.

 

[OSP]

Good luck. Thats the problem with lack of energy its can be about a million things even if you have low T something else can be the culprit. It can be as simple as sleeping or it can be something as serious as major cardiovascular problems. Thats another thing that can kill T is sleep make sure you going to bed at relatively the same time and for 7-9hours a night with nothing any less or any more on a regular basis. I dont know if there is any scientific info behind this this, but make sure you are getting enough sex. I can tell you personally when I go droughts I definitely do not feel as good when Im getting it on a regular basis.

It's not just energy, it's also focus and memory. And the big two are irritability and anxiety. Things happen and I get stressed like it's the end of the world, 3+ years ago I would have stayed calm and thought through figuring it out. I used to be a "happy go lucky" guy and now I am just "grumpy". LOL Which is why I had my test checked.

 

[OSP]

personally free test doesnt really matter and most docs arent going to treat from the number anyways.

Just curious if you can elaborate? Some studies I have read say free is more important as it is the only test not bound, so it is "available". Just trying to learn.

 

[300winmag]

to be honest I cant remember all i know is most docs including mine rarely look at it.

 

[fame2002]

Sorry but 180 is not normal at all. You should be at least around 500 for your age. Find a new doc wit ha more normal range.

 

[OSP]

Sorry but 180 is not normal at all. You should be at least around 500 for your age. Find a new doc wit ha more normal range.

That was the lab that had the "normal" range, not the doctor. But the doctor said my results of 385 and 10.09 were normal. I agree for my age I should be 500-600 and 25-30. She didn't call back today so I am going to try and touch base with her tomorrow.

 

[THE-DET-OAK]

Yea thats not normal man. Find someone who knows more about TRT.