Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) And Varicocele Questions

[Dave_80]

TRT And Varicocele Questions

Hey Whats Up Fellas, got a couple questions for you guys.

I appologize up front for the long winded-post below, and thanks for reading it

Age - 32

Last 5 or 6 years been feeling like crap (depressed, no energy, no libido, sleep issues, anxiety, etc.) and my doctor has had me on several different anti-depressants over the years but none seem to work. So finally a couple months ago I had her check my test (total test 355ng/dl) with a complete blood work up because I don't seem to make much progress in the gym anymore. She said it was a little low so I quit drinking and smoking hoping it would bring it up and doing more cardio, eating cleaner, etc. Had it checked a month later and total test was 351 ng/dl. So I went home with my labs and found a chart where it said I was average for like an 80 year old. Go back and asked to be put on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) because it seems like the doc wasn't trying to treat the problem with the pills I was taking. She agrees and gives me a shot and told me to come back in 2 weeks and sends me home with an Fortesta Pamplet (similar to Androgel) to read up on.

I have never taken steroids or had any idea of the sides until I read the pamphlet and researched on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) bulletin boards. I started thinking wtf could cause my low Test, and knew I had a Varicocele my left nut since maybe 16. The doc at the time said don't worry about it. Read it can cause low test, low sperm count, and other symptoms I have, so I called my doc and canceled my appointment, told her to hold off on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for now. Scheduled an appointment with a Urologist and went and had a Full Hormone panel done 1 week after my only injection (200mg TestCyp I assume) total test 625, free 18.7, lh 1.1(low), fsh .5(low) shbg 25.1.

Is one shot enough to shut me down like it did? My doc said she wasn't going to shut my natural down, but it looks like she did. She never tested anything herself other than total test. I had last test done myself through LabCorp for curiosity more than anything.

How long after the shot do you think before my LH and FSH return to normal? I wish I had done more research before getting the shot, and had my doc do a full hormone panel. I will visit with the Urologist 19 days after my injection. Based on half-live for Cyp I'm not sure. Just want to be reset to before the shot so he can do a proper diagnosis.

Anyone had a Varicocele fixed with microsurgery to raise natural test? If my urologist see's my LS and FSH that low probably tell me to see an Endo and get an MRI on my pituitary gland? I will talk to the urologist and explain the situation and hopefully I don't have to wait much longer to get a proper diagnosis. Just tired of feeling like crap all the time, and knowing the problem and waiting seems to make it worse.

Thanks,
David

 

[halfwit]

I've heard of a few men having their testosterone production fixed by having a variocele fixed, but the odds aren't in your favor as it's been 16 years. Yes, exogenous testosterone (the shot) does shut down your natural production as can be seen in your recent blood work. You're looking at 3-5 weeks before everything clears out and even then, it may never fully restore to before your shot. Not quite sure why your doctor was so quick to give you an injection of cypionate then give you a pamphlet for a gel which is frankly crap. I'm VERY surprised at your total test levels given it's only been one week, as most won't see those kinds of results for several weeks due to the ester's release.

As long as the endo knows that you were given an injection and that your LH/FSH were healthy prior to your introduction to exogenous testosterone, I doubt that they will want to look at your pituitary gland as this is a normal reaction through the negative feedback loop. Stick with the endo/urologist and see how things go. If you do end up going on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), please be sure to inform your doctor that one shot every 2 weeks is NOT satisfactory as you will be riding the hormonal rollercoaster, which can frankly be worse than what you're experiencing right now. I'd also start looking into how estradiol and hematocrit work in conjunction with testosterone replacement.

My .02c

 

[1693]

Welcome!

Like to watch how a guy like you does and see if you can get away from those fking anti d's...I think they lower a guy's test as well and aren't even the answer to begin with...I should dig up the data someday to back up my thoughts

When it comes to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) I get a bit sexist....tons of male docs can't seem to take the time to learn how to prescribe testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in a solid workable fashion so the chances of a female doing it right are almost nil....does it ever happen...well sure, just not very often.

Did you feel anything positive from your TT climbing so far?

You should also check out low dose clomid monotherapy for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) since your TT responded quickly maybe if you cleaned up your diet, sleep, cortisol, thyroid, eliminate stressors, ect....you could use it or maybe correct the HPTA and restart?

I doubt getting surgery on your nads is worth it...I've been watching a guy younger than you with a vari as well and he is presently using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) monotherapy and seems to be leaning towards normal testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in the future....I think he could stay on Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) until he's no longer content and then try clomid.

Think the surgery would only maybe gain you 10-15% in TT but maybe it could get you more. You need to study that more. That younger guy had his nads ultrasounded, measured, felt, ect and I don't think he will ever have the surgery.

 

[Dave_80]

Thanks for the replies guys.

halfwit - Defenitely going to go to the Urologist and get his opinion. Maybe if he agrees with you that fixing variocele wont improve TT levels, I'll find a male Endo to talk to about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Gels won't work for me, given my work situation, once or twice weekly shots would be much better and my PCP is against prescribing me TestCyp even though its cheaper. I was kinda worried about my hematocrit levels as they were borderline high from years of smoking. I've read giving blood every couple months can help, but I think testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) really should be last resort. Natural seems like a much better option if possible.

1693 - The only thing I really noticed with higher TT levels was more energy. Mood hasn't improved a lot, maybe a little less irritable and more in control. Who would I talk to about clomid monotherapy or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), PCP, Endo? Defenitely seems like a good option. From what I've read on vari microsurgery, improvement has ranged anywhere from 200-280ng/dl improvement, to 50% to 100% improvement in TT levels based on the particular studies. It's only recently been proven that microsurgery repair is does help increase TT levels (maybe last 5 to 10 years). So fingers still crossed on that option. Hopefully the Urologist has experience in multiple cases of vari/low TT.

Thanks for the suggestions and support.

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks for the replies guys.

halfwit - Defenitely going to go to the Urologist and get his opinion. Maybe if he agrees with you that fixing variocele wont improve TT levels, I'll find a male Endo to talk to about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Gels won't work for me, given my work situation, once or twice weekly shots would be much better and my PCP is against prescribing me TestCyp even though its cheaper. I was kinda worried about my hematocrit levels as they were borderline high from years of smoking. I've read giving blood every couple months can help, but I think testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) really should be last resort. Natural seems like a much better option if possible.

1693 - The only thing I really noticed with higher TT levels was more energy. Mood hasn't improved a lot, maybe a little less irritable and more in control. Who would I talk to about clomid monotherapy or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), PCP, Endo? Defenitely seems like a good option. From what I've read on vari microsurgery, improvement has ranged anywhere from 200-280ng/dl improvement, to 50% to 100% improvement in TT levels based on the particular studies. It's only recently been proven that microsurgery repair is does help increase TT levels (maybe last 5 to 10 years). So fingers still crossed on that option. Hopefully the Urologist has experience in multiple cases of vari/low TT.

Thanks for the suggestions and support.

If you can get your natural T levels restored to normal that would be preferred. It is worth trying if you have a reasonable chance in your and your doctor's opinion. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

You would probably be best off consulting with an endo to explore options like clomid, etc.

 

[HammerT1]

You got a bunch of great advice. It takes a while before things balance out and that's being properly done. Educate yourself on proper testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and of course restart protocols. That way when you talk to doc, if they choose to half ass you treatment they don't get away with mediocre
treatment and its done right from the start. Some medications are very hard on t levels too. Best of luck to you.

 

[1693]

Here's a couple of threads to read on clomid:

http://www.steroidology.com/forum/a...one-best-testosterone-boosters-available.html

anabolicminds.com/forum/male-anti-aging/208290-clomid-12-5mg.html