Another Low Testosterone Advice Thread (24, Total T: 183 ng/dl)

supdudexxx · 11-14-2012, 08:00 PM

Some background: I'm a 24 year old male who has been training BJJ for about 5 years on and off and lifting pretty consistently for about 2 years. Currently at ~12% bf. My diet is pretty good (lots of meat, veggies, and healthy fats) and I supplement with pretty basic stuff (Fish oil, multivitamin, creatine, joint supplements, etc). I sleep 8 hours a night and have a pretty healthy lifestyle. I also have no prior history of PH or steroid usage.

I have been feeling terrible for a while (1-1.5 years) and the symptoms were classic Low T symptoms (Libido, mood, always had terrible nutrient partitioning, etc). My old insurance company (Kaiser) refused to check for it despite repeated requests, citing my age as the primary reason. I recently ended up accidentally enrolling in my university's health insurance program (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and decided to try to see if they would be more helpful. The very first visit they agreed to do a blood test, and when I got my results back it was confirmed I had Low T (183 ng/dL). My doctor said that it is "slightly low" and "may, or may not be, significant" and I have to come back in on Friday for follow up tests to check my Free Testosterone and Lutenizing Hormone levels.

I know I may be jumping the gun here, but I'm assuming my Free Testosterone will also come back below normal, so it looks like I may need HRT or TRT. I want to get all my info and make a plan of action to expedite the process once I get all the test results back. I have been googling around but still not sure what my next step will be. From what I've read, 183 ng/dL is REALLY low, and if I don't get a good doctor right off the bat I will end up wasting time and money. Problem is, I don't know the first place to start looking. I know some guys on here are on HRT/TRT and are pretty knowledgeable on what's what. If you guys have any advice, I would really appreciate it!

styleten · 11-14-2012, 08:47 PM

i'd first try to get a recomendation from a school dr, or family doc to a specialist. Like an endrocronologist. The first two have a job to keep you from being ill. Nothing much more then that. An endo should put more leverage into optimizing your hormone levels.

hardheart · 11-14-2012, 09:02 PM

Look into HRT rather than TRT. There's a good thread here on it. Search button.

supdudexxx · 11-14-2012, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardheart

Look into HRT rather than TRT. There's a good thread here on it. Search button.

Thanks, I read through a few TRT threads on here, and I'm looking mainly for a resource to quickly find the right insurance covered doctor who would prescribe the correct treatment (sounded like self-administered injections for TRT or HRT instead would be the way to go). From what I gathered, anti-aging clinics aren't worth it and most endocrinologists/urologists aren't as experienced with HRT so finding the right one is crucial, which is what I'm trying to do right off the bat

Pathogenic · 11-14-2012, 11:02 PM

I second Hardheart. Look for a doctor who will prescribe Clomid and/or Arimidex, or similar drugs. Make sure they rule out pituitary tumors, and try to find a cause before you go on anything, though.

hardheart · 11-15-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supdudexxx

Thanks, I read through a few TRT threads on here, and I'm looking mainly for a resource to quickly find the right insurance covered doctor who would prescribe the correct treatment (sounded like self-administered injections for TRT or HRT instead would be the way to go). From what I gathered, anti-aging clinics aren't worth it and most endocrinologists/urologists aren't as experienced with HRT so finding the right one is crucial, which is what I'm trying to do right off the bat

If you want an HRT doc use google. Seriously, its that easy. Or, go to your normal doc. If your normal doc won't help you, or refer you to someone he trusts that is on your insurance, tell him to fuck off and find a new doc.

**Masakatsu Funaki #1** · 11-15-2012, 09:32 AM

How did your D3 levels look?

scottm · 11-15-2012, 10:25 AM

+1 to Clomid ...

http://www.ergo-log.com/clomid-testosterone.html

http://www.ergo-log.com/clomidbodybuilder.html

http://www.ergo-log.com/clomidendur.html

gspieler · 11-15-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masakatsu Funaki #1

How did your D3 levels look?

I dont know a whole lot about test levels, but what is the relationship between vitD and test levels youre referring to? I've never heard/read anything regarding a correlation between the two.

scottm · 11-15-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gspieler

I dont know a whole lot about test levels, but what is the relationship between vitD and test levels youre referring to? I've never heard/read anything regarding a correlation between the two.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21154195

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/...mposition.aspx