Hormone panel came back low -- where do I go from here?

[AndresX24]

I'm a man of 40 who has carried extra weight for as long as I can remember. Some years back I made the decision to change that, and the trip has stretched over five or six years now -- dropping pounds, showing up at the gym, and keeping an eye on what goes in my mouth.

Just over a year back, changes started showing up in my body -- mostly around sexual function and libido; there's no actual dysfunction (getting hard has never been a problem), but my desire was fading fast , and it got noticeable enough that my wife start to worry about having another girl . On top of that i allways be tired with poor sleep quality (since was kid). Fed up with stalling in the gym and on the scale, I entered the world of peptides in March, running a triple agonist to shed weight and boost my metabolism. Losing weight happened; gym progress hasn't yet. Right now I'm using CJC+Ipa and Glow while getting ready for my second triple agonist cycle in late July.

Partway through the peptide process I arranged blood tests, mostly to see where my hormones sat (testosterone, LH, FSH, and estradiol) -- and they came back low.

Total testosterone in April: 329

Free in April: 101

LH in April: 3.1

FSH in April: 3.8

Once those tests were in, kisspeptin seemed worth a try to lift the levels, and it genuinely worked, but...

Total testosterone in June: 296

Free: not released

LH in june: 8.1

FSH in june: not released

Estradiol 17beta: 13.4

That's what pushed me to book a testosterone specialist for June 23rd; what I'm after is other people's experience with testosterone problems -- more precisely (I'm looking for a TRT subq), which blood tests are the usual ones and what I should actually expect, since a doctor's visit for this kind of thing is completely new to me.

P.S. The weight came off: 115 kg down to 86.5 kg (my current weight).

Thanks everyone.

 

[MFGamesta]

Before TRT, my numbers looked much like yours. A sexual health and fertility Dr came recommended by a buddy, and he handled all the bloods and exams. He got me on track. Since then the care moved to my primary care dr, who monitors my levels quarterly and does a fine job, all covered by my HMO.

TRT stays simple for me. Follow the recommended dose, take HCG every other day, and now my free and total test sit at the top of the normal range and I feel great. Libido did improve on TRT, but the bigger jump came once HCG was added.

 

[Justatechdude]

my Test levels tell basically the same story.

Mine ended up covered by insurance once I'd tanked my T levels across 2 tests.

(Overtrain the day prior, under-eat, skip sleep the night before, then chug a 24oz sugary soda beforehand - that dropped me to 190T)

clomiphene came next so fertility would be protected. Energy and mental fog improved. Libido didn't budge.

Fast forward 4 years. Injectable TRT is in the picture now and it makes a WORLD of difference. Libido up and energy up.

GLP1s have been in my routine for about 3-4 months now. Also, the research "my" side indicates that "cycling" on and off GLP1s makes them less effective.

 

[Mochizuki0124]

Mid 200's was where my levels sat, and my primary still refuses to prescribe trt, so the clinics got my business and my levels climbed to the 900-1100. For me SD and libido were never affected no matter what my test levels did, and my suspicion is that I've been running low test since my 20s.

At this point I know my dosing and bloodwork well enough, and I know where good test comes from, so im leaving the clinic behind as well.

 

[AndresX24]

Justatechdude said:

my Test levels tell basically the same story.

Mine ended up covered by insurance once I'd tanked my T levels across 2 tests.

(Overtrain the day prior, under-eat, skip sleep the night before, then chug a 24oz sugary soda beforehand - that dropped me to 190T)

clomiphene came next so fertility would be protected. Energy and mental fog improved. Libido didn't budge.

Fast forward 4 years. Injectable TRT is in the picture now and it makes a WORLD of difference. Libido up and energy up.

GLP1s have been in my routine for about 3-4 months now. Also, the research "my" side indicates that "cycling" on and off GLP1s makes them less effective.

Hi, thanks for replying, but does the doc tell you how much T to take, or do you handle that in your own way?

 

[AndresX24]

Mochizuki0124 said:

Mid 200's was where my levels sat, and my primary still refuses to prescribe trt, so the clinics got my business and my levels climbed to the 900-1100. For me SD and libido were never affected no matter what my test levels did, and my suspicion is that I've been running low test since my 20s.

At this point I know my dosing and bloodwork well enough, and I know where good test comes from, so im leaving the clinic behind as well.

ohh this, the problem is that T Drs in chile charge a fortune, and even if im trying it for the first time, it not some that can i maintain in time, so i now ask for a T on the knowest Hindi web to find out if it can clear customs since T costs a lot even here when bought non clienical.

 

[AndresX24]

one thing mas importante, 12.5g of enclomiphene daily is already in my routine, hopping my T rises before the Dr next week

 

[Justatechdude]

AndresX24 said:

Justatechdude said:

my Test levels tell basically the same story.

Mine ended up covered by insurance once I'd tanked my T levels across 2 tests.

(Overtrain the day prior, under-eat, skip sleep the night before, then chug a 24oz sugary soda beforehand - that dropped me to 190T)

clomiphene came next so fertility would be protected. Energy and mental fog improved. Libido didn't budge.

Fast forward 4 years. Injectable TRT is in the picture now and it makes a WORLD of difference. Libido up and energy up.

GLP1s have been in my routine for about 3-4 months now. Also, the research "my" side indicates that "cycling" on and off GLP1s makes them less effective.

Hi, thanks for replying, but does the doc tell you how much T to take, or do you handle that in your own way?

Understood. So what you need is the list of labs to order so you can manage it yourself?

The following labs are what most TRT clinics ask for.

• Estradiol
  
• Testosterone
  
• CBC With Differential/Platelet - Hematocrit and Hemoglobin are the numbers to know
  
• Lipid Panel With LDL/HDL Ratio - Cholestrol is worth watching
  
• 2 Prostate-Specific Ag - watchout for Prostrate growth / Prostate Cancer

 

[Justatechdude]

AndresX24 said:

one thing mas importante, 12.5g of enclomiphene daily is already in my routine, hopping my T rises before the Dr next week

Pretty sure every other day is the ideal for enclomiphene. so 25mg on that schedule.

On top of that, enclomipheren made my T levels 2x higher.

Injectable Test, on the other hand - energy and libido both 2x higher.

 

[AndresX24]

Justatechdude said:

AndresX24 said:

one thing mas importante, 12.5g of enclomiphene daily is already in my routine, hopping my T rises before the Dr next week

Pretty sure every other day is the ideal for enclomiphene. so 25mg on that schedule.

On top of that, enclomipheren made my T levels 2x higher.

Injectable Test, on the other hand - energy and libido both 2x higher.

ohhh actually what im looking its the T going better, and libido and sex mood too. of course lookin trying to not inject IM but subq its what i take.

About encomi, from what i know it can be dayli, different from clomid, which is every other day.

 

[Mood]

14 years on TRT now. I felt crappy, so I pushed my PCP into running labs. 218 was the level they came back with (at 31). Androgel was the first attempt -- barely moved the level and was a PITA. Compounded T cream next, which barely moved the level and was still a PITA. When I asked about injections I got referred to Endo. Labs again: 328 (on the creams). Injections from then on. A couple of different endos passed through (I moved, and then my "new" endo retired). The level they always wanted me near was 5-600, even though I argued that higher felt better to me, and they pushed one weekly injections. These days I'm with a TRT Clinic (telemed), injecting E3D, my levels have been good, and E2 plus HCT are reasonable. Elevated HCT has always been my problem, so blood donation happens a few times a year.

IM injections are all I've ever done so subq isn't something I can speak to. The biggest takeaway from all these years: taking control of your own health matters, because doctors don't always know best and often cling to guidelines that may be acceptable; acceptable, however, isn't the same as optimal.

My own labs get ordered too, so nothing slips past me. An AI sits on hand just in case, though it rarely gets used.

The biggest things TRT gave me are energy (I used to be tired ALL the time), focus and libido.

 

[AndresX24]

Mood said:

14 years on TRT now. I felt crappy, so I pushed my PCP into running labs. 218 was the level they came back with (at 31). Androgel was the first attempt -- barely moved the level and was a PITA. Compounded T cream next, which barely moved the level and was still a PITA. When I asked about injections I got referred to Endo. Labs again: 328 (on the creams). Injections from then on. A couple of different endos passed through (I moved, and then my "new" endo retired). The level they always wanted me near was 5-600, even though I argued that higher felt better to me, and they pushed one weekly injections. These days I'm with a TRT Clinic (telemed), injecting E3D, my levels have been good, and E2 plus HCT are reasonable. Elevated HCT has always been my problem, so blood donation happens a few times a year.

IM injections are all I've ever done so subq isn't something I can speak to. The biggest takeaway from all these years: taking control of your own health matters, because doctors don't always know best and often cling to guidelines that may be acceptable; acceptable, however, isn't the same as optimal.

My own labs get ordered too, so nothing slips past me. An AI sits on hand just in case, though it rarely gets used.

The biggest things TRT gave me are energy (I used to be tired ALL the time), focus and libido.

That are what im looking, better feels in general, because at 40 the poor sleep quality and been tire all time hit me more, gym 4times per week notwithstanding. thank you for the advice, and this will be my first attept, with doc of course, to confirm my hipogonadism and to maitain my self in the future.

 

[Justatechdude]

AndresX24 said:

Mood said:

14 years on TRT now. I felt crappy, so I pushed my PCP into running labs. 218 was the level they came back with (at 31). Androgel was the first attempt -- barely moved the level and was a PITA. Compounded T cream next, which barely moved the level and was still a PITA. When I asked about injections I got referred to Endo. Labs again: 328 (on the creams). Injections from then on. A couple of different endos passed through (I moved, and then my "new" endo retired). The level they always wanted me near was 5-600, even though I argued that higher felt better to me, and they pushed one weekly injections. These days I'm with a TRT Clinic (telemed), injecting E3D, my levels have been good, and E2 plus HCT are reasonable. Elevated HCT has always been my problem, so blood donation happens a few times a year.

IM injections are all I've ever done so subq isn't something I can speak to. The biggest takeaway from all these years: taking control of your own health matters, because doctors don't always know best and often cling to guidelines that may be acceptable; acceptable, however, isn't the same as optimal.

My own labs get ordered too, so nothing slips past me. An AI sits on hand just in case, though it rarely gets used.

The biggest things TRT gave me are energy (I used to be tired ALL the time), focus and libido.

That are what im looking, better feels in general, because at 40 the poor sleep quality and been tire all time hit me more, gym 4times per week notwithstanding. thank you for the advice, and this will be my first attept, with doc of course, to confirm my hipogonadism and to maitain my self in the future.

TRT sub-q is completely doable. The first 2 weeks were mine. It is very slow though and takes a very long time. Little bruises were the constant aftermath. No pain, just bruising.

Switching to IM had me terrified. My pulse jumped to 120 purely from anxiety before the shot. After the first shot it’s all down hill. Given IM is 1 minute instead of 30 minutes, I’d rather do IM now.

 

[Tbagger]

This is my lab order. In my strong opinion these markers deserve close monitoring while any anabolic/androgenic compounds, testosterone included, are in play. I'm a little extra OCD and get them drawn every 4-6 weeks, but once the dosage is dialed in most people on TRT can get away with every 3-6 months. While dialing in your dosage, checks should come more frequently, and definitely more often if any other anabolics are involved.

 

[AndresX24]

Tbagger said:

This is my lab order. In my strong opinion these markers deserve close monitoring while any anabolic/androgenic compounds, testosterone included, are in play. I'm a little extra OCD and get them drawn every 4-6 weeks, but once the dosage is dialed in most people on TRT can get away with every 3-6 months. While dialing in your dosage, checks should come more frequently, and definitely more often if any other anabolics are involved.





View attachment 209

thank for your reply, actually what im looking its to feel better in general, and another anabolic i will not using, because with T and reta together i thingk the recomp im looking will happen.

 

[AndresX24]

Justatechdude said:

AndresX24 said:

Mood said:

14 years on TRT now. I felt crappy, so I pushed my PCP into running labs. 218 was the level they came back with (at 31). Androgel was the first attempt -- barely moved the level and was a PITA. Compounded T cream next, which barely moved the level and was still a PITA. When I asked about injections I got referred to Endo. Labs again: 328 (on the creams). Injections from then on. A couple of different endos passed through (I moved, and then my "new" endo retired). The level they always wanted me near was 5-600, even though I argued that higher felt better to me, and they pushed one weekly injections. These days I'm with a TRT Clinic (telemed), injecting E3D, my levels have been good, and E2 plus HCT are reasonable. Elevated HCT has always been my problem, so blood donation happens a few times a year.

IM injections are all I've ever done so subq isn't something I can speak to. The biggest takeaway from all these years: taking control of your own health matters, because doctors don't always know best and often cling to guidelines that may be acceptable; acceptable, however, isn't the same as optimal.

My own labs get ordered too, so nothing slips past me. An AI sits on hand just in case, though it rarely gets used.

The biggest things TRT gave me are energy (I used to be tired ALL the time), focus and libido.

That are what im looking, better feels in general, because at 40 the poor sleep quality and been tire all time hit me more, gym 4times per week notwithstanding. thank you for the advice, and this will be my first attept, with doc of course, to confirm my hipogonadism and to maitain my self in the future.

TRT sub-q is completely doable. The first 2 weeks were mine. It is very slow though and takes a very long time. Little bruises were the constant aftermath. No pain, just bruising.

Switching to IM had me terrified. My pulse jumped to 120 purely from anxiety before the shot. After the first shot it’s all down hill. Given IM is 1 minute instead of 30 minutes, I’d rather do IM now.

some tips for subq i see on yt, using the rosck injection on the tuber that sits between the 21g and 31g it maybe will be more faster.

 

[Olorin]

TRT really is a Godsend. At just 100-200mg a week libido is through the roof. If she drops something and has to lean over to pick it up, the wife gets nervous.

High 200s was roughly where I sat too, with brain fog, lack of desire, extra weight, etc. The clinic I go to handles all health stuff for my family and they prescribed it.

Honestly, SubQ into the stomach 2x per week is best IMO. An even dose is much more likely without spikes, and spikes make acne, etc more likely.

 

[AndresX24]

Olorin said:

TRT really is a Godsend. At just 100-200mg a week libido is through the roof. If she drops something and has to lean over to pick it up, the wife gets nervous.

High 200s was roughly where I sat too, with brain fog, lack of desire, extra weight, etc. The clinic I go to handles all health stuff for my family and they prescribed it.

Honestly, SubQ into the stomach 2x per week is best IMO. An even dose is much more likely without spikes, and spikes make acne, etc more likely.

thank you for the advice, and its something that im looking too, because the side effect of take T i dont wanna, and maybe with subq 2/3 times per week the T matinten the best.

for that case, wich T its better at 2/3 times per weekk? cypio or Ena?

 

[Pete369]

My starting test sat around 380, and I was 38. Low drive, tired, pretty complacent, and never really horny, though I was still down for my husband duties.

3 months in to treatment… strong like bull lol Serious now: promotions and large raises got negotiated, my communication improved a great deal because I’m more assertive and my own opinion carries value to me (when I’m knowledgeable anyway), plus energy to play with the youngin.

One word of caution: the honeymoon phase can make you feel like a teenager again, and your eyes might start wandering. Attention tends to arrive alongside the confidence and body recomp. Processing that is a whole different thing.

 

[AndresX24]

Pete369 said:

My starting test sat around 380, and I was 38. Low drive, tired, pretty complacent, and never really horny, though I was still down for my husband duties.

3 months in to treatment… strong like bull lol Serious now: promotions and large raises got negotiated, my communication improved a great deal because I’m more assertive and my own opinion carries value to me (when I’m knowledgeable anyway), plus energy to play with the youngin.

One word of caution: the honeymoon phase can make you feel like a teenager again, and your eyes might start wandering. Attention tends to arrive alongside the confidence and body recomp. Processing that is a whole different thing.

thanks a lot!! im hoping that!