Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in 20s: Avoidable?

[jwcool000]

TRT in 20s: Avoidable?

I'm 24yo
-6'3"
-245#
-bf 19%
-Lifting for 9 years (3 seriously)
-Diet as clean as it gets (200+g Protein, 2500-3k cal/day, not an ounce of processed BS and minimal simple carbs)
-BF% checked monthly

So my normal lifting routine is 4-5 days/week with 1-2 HIIT cardio sessions/week. Yet....for the past three months, my lean mass has been decreasing from 203#-198#. So I went and found the best hormone guy in my area and he ran my blood.

T total: 438 ng/dL
T free: 73.9 pg/mL
DHT: 19 ng/dL
SHBG: 32 nmol/L
Albumin 3.9 mg/dL
Estradiol:41 pg/mL
FSH: 2.8 mIU/mL
LH: 4.1 mIU/mL


Hey said that it was odd that my DHT was so low, but my regular test levels were OK. He also said that my estrogen was a little high, but not dangerously so. I told him that the catabolism is my main concern. He RXed me the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) Arimidex (Anastrozole) (2g/week) in order to stop aromatization and free up some T, ideally bringing my T levels higher including the DHT. He recommended that I try this for a month and if it doesn't work, we may consider testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), but that it was ultimately up to me.

My questions are as follows:

1. Are the above levels actually low?
2. Will the a-dex actually increase T significantly enough to stop the catabolism
3. Is worth going on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at age 24?!
4. What am I/dr not seeing here?

Please help! Thanks so much.

 

[CHIP WADOWSKI]

You guy's are not seeing the fact that you should be using hcg and an Aromatase inhibitor (AI). Before you begin full blown test therapy, you should try a "restart" with hcg to get your body kicking out some higher levels of natty test, along with the use of an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) to control the aromatization. At 24 years old, test levels of 438 ng/dl are not ok.

 

[JKB]

My questions are as follows:

1. Are the above levels actually low?
2. Will the a-dex actually increase T significantly enough to stop the catabolism
3. Is worth going on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at age 24?!
4. What am I/dr not seeing here?

Please help! Thanks so much.

Yes the above test levels are low for your age if you ask me. I am not the most knowledgeable person out there on Adex but I would say that it would help you if your estro levels are high but if they are not then I dont see how it would help. I am 23 yrs old and although I am still in the process of getting dialed in, I certainly feel waaay better than I did before TRT. My test levels came to be around the same ball park as yours before testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and if I could do it all over again, I wouldve started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) even sooner. Your SHBG seems a little high also but getting your test and estro dialed in at the right numbers should lower that. If you go thru your doctor on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) make sure he knows what he is doing cuz most dont and you get test, Aromatase inhibitor (AI) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Your best option is to get on board with Maximus Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) / Chip. You will save a bunch of time, money and get the best Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatment you will find out there.

 

[cjw2021]

Yeah def not ok. But Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) solo therapy is the best first route as Chip said, if anything just to determine your testicular fortitude.

 

[Misc]

dude thats about where i was at your age. im 27 now and im finally getting the wheels turning on the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) thing. hopefully my new doc is good and will have me on a good protocol and i can finally feel better. If he doesnt work out tho im going with Chip.

 

[jwcool000]

You guy's are not seeing the fact that you should be using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and an Aromatase inhibitor (AI). Before you begin full blown test therapy, you should try a "restart" with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to get your body kicking out some higher levels of natty test, along with the use of an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) to control the aromatization. At 24 years old, test levels of 438 ng/dl are not ok.

Chip, I only hear good things about you, dude and I must admit I was shocked to see that you personally responded. Thanks so much for your response, I think this is definitely the right move for the next step. Will keep the boards updated. Thanks!