• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Low Testosterone?

Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jlaw973</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Give the injections yourself and save the office visit fee. </div></div>

Sure, provided your Dr. will let you. I used to get allergy shots and self administration was NOT an option. It is my understanding that doctors are reluctant to give out syringes, and I know that the only way to get them is either with a prescription or at a heroin/methadone clinic.
laugh.gif
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Maim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Endocrinologist, TRT clinics, HRT clinics, Restorative medicine clinics. Check. Thanks, that'll set me in the right direction.

I have excellent insurance but would not go to my PC for something like this. This requires a specialist.

Are any of the items prescribed require injection or are they all taken orally? Meaning: do you have to visit the specialist weekly? </div></div>

You will possibly need a referal from your PC to an endocrinologest if you expect your insurance to cover it , alot of insurance companies wont cover most of the "clinics" without a referal from your Primary doc as its looked at as cosmetic medicine

they will most likely try to start you off with "andro gel" or patches and use injections as a last resort. The patches sucked for me cause i'm a hairy bastard when not competing and the shit on thise parctes stick to hair like crazy glue but stcks to skin like toilet paper!! , the gel broke me out so im on the shots.
The dr said he had no problem with me doing my own injections but made it a point that the script will only be refilled when its supposed to be , i guess thinking i would use more than aloted. Im lucky enough that my wife is an RN and sticks me weekly
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Good information JJones. Thank you. I'll see what you Pri.Doc says about all this. They may not want to touch it and just refer me outright.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

well, my primary care doc was willing to let me do the injections myself it was simply the amount of test and length between injections that he and I disagreed. Also, he was not too keen on the estrogen blockers. It's all good, that is what second opinions are for!

To answer your q, Mr. Maim, the HcG is a diabetic syrings in the stomach that I administer to myself. The test injection requires a big dog for two reasons: 1) the Test is rather viscous and a small needle simply would not allow it to flow through. 2) You need to get pretty deep into the muscle. I shoot that SOB right into my quads, switching sides weekly. Some folks will say they put it in their glute, but I honestly am not too comfortable with that...I can barely see where I'd be hitting. Also, aspirating the needle would be difficult in that position. Aspirating is pulling the plunger up a tiny bit to ensure you are not in a vein.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Haven't tried the quads yet. I had nerve conduction tests done several years ago and still remember the pain from the Dr. sticking the probes in my legs! Need to try though, give the glutes a break. I also don't take it all the time anymore, just got out of doing it.

I have no problem getting syringes, get a box of 100 at a time to save money. My insurance wouldn't cover 1 inj. a week so I just buy a 10ml bottle out of pocket, it's actually cheaper. I was paying copay for each injection at like $20-$25 each and get 10 for $50 something.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

you can get your syringes here


http://www.gpzservices.com/items/pr...1-5-3cc-syringe-with-needle-23sn15-detail.htm

they are sharper than the normal BD ones commonly used and cheap , the ones listed are 23gx1.5" and that is PLEANTY big enough to inject just about anything. I personally use 25gx1" for everyting , all three quad heads , glutes and delts , if your body fat is above 12% you might wanna skip the glutes with a 1" needle.

I highly suggest ordering your needles with a 20gx1" needle attached then buy separate needles to inject with , draw your injection with the monster 20g needle and swap it out for the smaller 23-25g for your injection , just going though the rubber stopper of a bottle one time will dull a needle alot and it also increases sterility issues.

 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JJones75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you can get your syringes here


http://www.gpzservices.com/items/pr...1-5-3cc-syringe-with-needle-23sn15-detail.htm

they are sharper than the normal BD ones commonly used and cheap , the ones listed are 23gx1.5" and that is PLEANTY big enough to inject just about anything. I personally use 25gx1" for everyting , all three quad heads , glutes and delts , if your body fat is above 12% you might wanna skip the glutes with a 1" needle.

I highly suggest ordering your needles with a 20gx1" needle attached then buy separate needles to inject with , draw your injection with the monster 20g needle and swap it out for the smaller 23-25g for your injection , just going though the rubber stopper of a bottle one time will dull a needle alot and it also increases sterility issues. </div></div>

+1 to that.

I actually use 18 gauge needles to draw the Test up into the syringe from the bottle, then unscrew the 18g and put the 23g back on (this one comes with the needle). It only took one time to think it wasn't a big deal to just draw the test up with the same 23g needle to find out just how wrong I was! Just from doing that, the needle had dulled somewhat...I had to apply a good amount of pressure on that damn syringe to get the needle past the skin...

The other issue was the cost of the actual syringes; not that they are spendy, but most pharmacies imply syringes with the prescription for Test, so they are covered by insurance. I have also found there are others who need a specific prescription just for the needles. Either way, with the insurance, they're partially (or fully) covered. If you paid cash, I believe the 23g are $.35/per syringe.

Thanks for the link, JJ, I will be looking into some of those sharper needles.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Doug Kelley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">21g work perfectly for me. If you guys are have trouble drawing out you must first pressurize the bottle with the amount you want to take out by injecting air in the bottle before drawing back. This will help elevate some your problems. Unless your needle is just too small. </div></div>

dear lord you're not sticking that railroad spike into your body are you??
to draw with they are fine but that's alot of cutting surface to subject yourself to , each injection causes scar tissue the bigger the pin the more scar tissue.

I have actualy been reading about some people using insulin needles and actualy injecting their weekly test sub-q like insulin , and yes I'm talking about your standard 200mg Upjohn testosterone cyp!!
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

There is another way, thru injections it is called Sotto Pelle For men and women. $350 or so for 6 mo.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FALex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey folks, I decided to post this due to my own experience, and I think it will help many others. My apologies in advance for the extended post, but I think background info is important...

I am 6'4", 230 lbs. 30 years old (just turned 30, by the way). I started this whole trip because I was telling a dude I work with how crappy I was feeling. I was super lethargic, apathetic, I had a horrible memory, and did not want to do diddily shit at my job due to a kind of fogginess in my head (sorry, kind of hard to describe).

He suggested I go to this clinic where they prescribe some bioidentical cream (testosterone) rubbed onto the inner thigh once daily when my test level was at 140 (should've been at about 700-900). That did not work at all, so I went to my primary care doc, who put me on androgel. Unfortunately, I had to take so much of it, I was bathing in it, which was ridiculous. Additionally, after being on it consecutively for 7 months, my level got to 367. The bad part is is that he felt this level was "perfect."

Then, my insurance changed, and the gel was going to become a ridiculous amount of money every month so my primary care doc gave me a 200mg injection of Test Cypionate, to be repeated every 3 weeks!!! Anyhow, I knew, just from my research, that this was not right. The injections should be on a weekly basis to mitigate the "roller coaster effect" on your hormone levels. Luckily, I work with two other gentlemen who go to a doc who is "in tuned" to the entire TRT process. This guy is legit! After his first session with me, he ordered a gallon of blood, to be tested for everything. After not having any test for 2 weeks, my level came back at 367 (yes, again). He said, "your testosterone level is in the toilet." Music to my ears because he said it should be 800-900 at my age. He said it is currently in the "100 year-old man's range." Let me break down the regimen:

*Arimidex 1x weekly - estrogen blocker (half a pill, not sure of mg)
*100mg Test Cyp IM injection 1x weekly (will probably go to 200 after first set of labs in 6 weeks)
*Armour Thyroid 30mg every morning (first two weeks then switch to 60mg every morning)
*.25mL HcG subcutaneous injection on day's 6-7 every week
*10mg's micronized Progesterone every night before bed
*12.5mg Iodoral daily
*150mg Zinc daily
*50mg DHEA every morning
*10,000 IU's Vitamin D3 every morning
* An entire boatload of Vitamin C (daily, seriously, about 4 grams daily)
* 500mg of any OPC I can get (these are primarily antioxidants- Resveratrol, Noni, Acai, etc...)

How's that looking? I have been on this regiment for five weeks now. The good part- I have a great outlook and already feel infinitely better. Well, you might be wondering how much better am I feeling since starting the injections? I'll tell you what, I went from doing nothing (literally) in terms of working out to waking up everyday at 4:30am, putting in 10 miles on the elliptical, mega loads of pushups, and other free weight training all before I leave for work at 7:15am.

The ONLY bad part- the HcG and Progesterone have to be compounded and are no that cheap (80 bucks a month, but the testosterone is way cheaper than it used to be). Oh well, I need my life back. I'll be checking in routinely. I have labs in another week and I will update again after those as well.

If any of you folks have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Again, sorry for the Russian novel-type post...I do believe the subject matter does warrant it, though. Have a good day all. </div></div>

I have had alot of Experience when it comes to anabolic hormones and the only problem I can see is the Test Cyp, There are three tests (Propanate, Cyponate and Enthanate) 1x 100 mg shot of Cyp per week will yoyo your levels. The test cyp ester is good for a max of 4 days and then starts to drop off rapidly. I would ask your doctor if it is possible to use test Enthanate that has the longest acting ester. You will feel like your 20 again and your body will repair (heal) like it did when you wer at your peak.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

thanks for the info, darwin. I get my first set of labs done on Friday and see the Doc again 4/2. I'll ask him about this when I see him.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Same boat here. Low t runs in my family. I told my doc I needed 1 1/2-2cc per week. Lol. He said fine and scripted it.

My issues started in a past life, went I competed. With it running in the family and the past, it was just never gonna come back.

Cyp lasts 6-7 days at least, not 4 days. Don't know where you got that Darwin. Prop is the acting of the bunch.

Anyway, just like anything else in moderation in this life, you will be fine, and 200mg a week ain't shit, but it will get a back to oral ad feeling better.

In my years of experince, I will run it 6-8 weeks and take 3 weeks or so off. It helps keep the drug be more affective, as at a point you will become saturated and it looses it's kick so to speak, like any other drug.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

test cyp and enanthat have a "half life" of 6-7 days and an active life of up to 12 , the idea of shooting it ever 7 days is to over lap effect of the peaks and valleys , their is a longer acting test undecanoate which has a reported half life of 16-18 days!!

you can actualy get a higher free test level by shooting 75mg every 4 days than if you shoot 150mg every 7 days because of the overlap.

the theory of "saturation" is a myth , you can run a TRT dose of test indefinitely with no concern of "saturation" of any receptors , the trouble and idea that the receptors are saturated comes from the SHBG getting out of wack from the body trying to balance out the other hormones with the over abundance of testosterone
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JJones75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">test cyp and enanthat have a "half life" of 6-7 days and an active life of up to 12 , the idea of shooting it ever 7 days is to over lap effect of the peaks and valleys , their is a longer acting test undecanoate which has a reported half life of 16-18 days!!

you can actualy get a higher free test level by shooting 75mg every 4 days than if you shoot 150mg every 7 days because of the overlap.

the theory of "saturation" is a myth , you can run a TRT dose of test indefinitely with no concern of "saturation" of any receptors , the trouble and idea that the receptors are saturated comes from the SHBG getting out of wack from the body trying to balance out the other hormones with the over abundance of testosterone </div></div>

I didn't think Test Undecanonate was legal/aproved for use in The US? But more time between shots is always better if it is aproved by the FDA.It would be worth checking with your doctor.

Falex, you will get alot of differant views and you sould always run everything by your doctor but!, In my experience the best way to stay safe is always double check (second Opinion) for safty.
I wish you all the best

Cheers
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Normal levels for someone my age @ 40 yrs old, is @ 240-800. Same symptons as listed above, no energy, lethargic, sex drive had gone down, etc..
Went and saw my general physician, got blood work. My T was at 40.(yes, 40) Put me on Androgel, and within a few weeks I was feeling great. Thing is, my appetite for SUGAR went through the roof. Im an athletic guy..baseball, football, bike riding, etc..so with regular exercise, I was able to keep most of teh weight off (fat), but I was still gaining. At 6 months, I got rechecked and my levels were high, pushing 800. My Cholestrol level was also going up.

So, he lowered my dose, and everything went back in check. I've been on Androgel now, for 4+ years. I've seen Endocrologist's, and a shitload of Dr's I've lost track. No one can really explain WHY my body no longer produces T, other than, sometimes it just happens to men.

There are a lot of adverse side effects to low T AND taking things such as Androgel, kind of like a Catch 22.

When you take Androgel, your Cholosterol levels can go up, and because I've already been high, I go back once a year to make sure its at a safe limit. I've got kids, ages 7 and 4, and I want to be around as long I can (within what I can do to help that).

If your levels are at 800 like some are saying, that is not neccessarily a good thing. They put a "limit" or a range, for a reason. Too much T is bad for you, just as not having enough is bad for you. A good average is in the 350-600 range. If you are in there, you are good to go. Anything less, and you should think about doing something to raise your levels. If you are above that, and are taking something, you should lower your dose.


But guys, if you are low energy, letargic, no tfeeling well, seem to be getting sick more frequently, get your BLOOD WORK DONE! There i sno sense in living a life like that. i was 36 years old, and some were trying to tell me, 'Well, you are just getting older, and that happens"

I wa slike, WHAT?!?! 36 years old, and Im "getting older". Screw that. There is no reason i can not be actice until 60, 70+ years old, so at 36 (now Im 40), I was just not accepting it, and Im glad I got checked out.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Some say it's a myth and many others will disagree with you. In my "past" life, I can tell you it was no myth. Don't know you, or how long you have been playing with this stuff, but My mileage varies to yours.



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JJones75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">test cyp and enanthat have a "half life" of 6-7 days and an active life of up to 12 , the idea of shooting it ever 7 days is to over lap effect of the peaks and valleys , their is a longer acting test undecanoate which has a reported half life of 16-18 days!!

you can actualy get a higher free test level by shooting 75mg every 4 days than if you shoot 150mg every 7 days because of the overlap.

the theory of "saturation" is a myth , you can run a TRT dose of test indefinitely with no concern of "saturation" of any receptors , the trouble and idea that the receptors are saturated comes from the SHBG getting out of wack from the body trying to balance out the other hormones with the over abundance of testosterone </div></div>
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

fastford - you're right, the 1-200 mg/week isn't all that much. Bodybuilders tend to use 100-150mg/day; topping off at or just over 700 mg/week!

Peepaw (love the screenname by the way) - from what I understand, it is not too much T that could be harmful for a person, it is the fact that the excess T can convert to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which is what is responsible for hair loss, acne, etc...also, when levels are running consistently close to peak, the body is making more blood than it is using (Hematocrit level). Hence, I will be asked to go give blood every once and awhile (gasp!). Not such a bad thing, I believe.

Am I all that excited that I started having to supplement my T levels at my age? Hell no. Am I happy I caught it and have been treating it? Absolutely.

Thanks again for the info, fellas. I really do appreciate it. I know there are many others that do as well.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FALex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Peepaw (love the screenname by the way) - from what I understand, it is not too much T that could be harmful for a person, it is the fact that the excess T can convert to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which is what is responsible for hair loss, acne, etc...also, when levels are running consistently close to peak, the body is making more blood than it is using (Hematocrit level). Hence, I will be asked to go give blood every once and awhile (gasp!). Not such a bad thing, I believe.

</div></div>


Correct...I didnt mean it as "life threatening" type scenarios. I just simply meant that you dont go out and try and cram as much T in your body and think it's OK once you get your levels high. You need to be mindful of 'em, and that if you are in that middle range, you have less to worry about.
It's kind of like that saying, too much of ANYTHING is not good for you.
Im just glad that more and more people are becoming aware of Low T and what it does to us guys. My wife was getting PISSED off, because she thought I was just becomng lazy and not interested in her. And all of the, "babe, Im just tired" or, "Im not in teh mood" was not going over very well with her, AT ALL (and she is 5 years younger than I am, and she is, well, lets say, "pretty active").
I was getting tired of battling it, and hearing it from her as well. So, to get tested and have a reason/answer/solution, well, man, really changed things up. Life improved 1000 times over.

My screen name. Peepaw.. I actually got that nickname from my friends, back when I was @ 25 years old believe it or not. I was doing a lot of street racing, and seems most of teh guys out there at the time were 18-22..Plus, I had been around the "car thing" for many many years (my Dad was on a NHRA Pro Stock team in the 70's) and I had (and still have it) my own performance shop, so i was out there giving advice to the younger guys, so I was teh "old man", and they started calling me Peepaw. And, it stuck.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Anybody else have a problem with hair growth? Never had hair on my back or on the back of my arms. Now it's like a damn gorilla!
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

jlaw - I have more hair growth than I did before starting T, but not to "gorilla" status. You're right, too, because it is popping up more on the back of my arms and shoulders.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

I've been taking Test for 3-4 years and the hair part pisses me off. Can't stand body hair that much but can't affor laser removal so stock up on razors.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jlaw973</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been taking Test for 3-4 years and the hair part pisses me off. Can't stand body hair that much but can't affor laser removal so stock up on razors. </div></div>

Nair for men !!! , I start using it evey other week about 3 months out from contest season , the hair grows back thinner more sparse each time then by the time the summer gets here and I'm ready to start getting on stage their is way less hair to try to get off.
I just use a good set of clippers to keep it short the rest of the year , it will eventually get thick again after I stop the nair.
I've always been hairy , taking my TRT test hasn't caused any difference in hair growth
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BgBmBoo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I am a extremely light sleeper...I mean I "feel" air pressure changes when Amber tries to sneak into the room...lol...I mean yeah...that sensitive.
Comes from way back when it was my life if I slept to soundly I guess and I have never let it go.

So...to his credit he did not want to prescribe anything and told me to get some sleep and recommended I look into EMDR.

So...????

</div></div>

BgBmBoo, I just did the EMDR and can't speak highly enough about it! I wanted to call BS on it, tried to fight it the best I could and in the end its the single best thing I ever did for PTS. Its the first time I have relaxed in 29 years! Look into it, it will help you. PM me if you have any questions.

Steve
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Tag,
great info,i'm in the same boat as most of you and @ 50 now and suffering from similar symptoms.
Going to check with my PC and get my T-levels checked soon.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

This is a lot of great information.
I wonder if this can be a part of my problem, ever since I got hurt so many things have been off. I should be nearly fully recovered by now but I don't feel it.
I will bring this up to my doc next time I go, should be soon. I don't sleep a lot, I am sure that is a big problem for me in the first place so I will start there first.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wildcats</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tag,
great info,i'm in the same boat as most of you and @ 50 now and suffering from similar symptoms.
Going to check with my PC and get my T-levels checked soon.
</div></div>

the only reason I put this up...good luck, brother.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Thanks Steve.
I will be looking into it more. But as I posted previously, I do not have health insurance so all these doctor visits come out of my pocket. So once the slush fund gets built back up I will try it out.

Take care,Stan


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doubledown</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BgBmBoo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I am a extremely light sleeper...I mean I "feel" air pressure changes when Amber tries to sneak into the room...lol...I mean yeah...that sensitive.
Comes from way back when it was my life if I slept to soundly I guess and I have never let it go.

So...to his credit he did not want to prescribe anything and told me to get some sleep and recommended I look into EMDR.

So...????

</div></div>

BgBmBoo, I just did the EMDR and can't speak highly enough about it! I wanted to call BS on it, tried to fight it the best I could and in the end its the single best thing I ever did for PTS. Its the first time I have relaxed in 29 years! Look into it, it will help you. PM me if you have any questions.

Steve </div></div>
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

I am going to get my blood tested tomorrow. I am 21 and have low libido,low energy,low sex drive etc. It is getting ridiculous..
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to get my blood tested tomorrow. I am 21 and have low libido,low energy,low sex drive etc. It is getting ridiculous..
</div></div>

Are you overweight? High sugar diet? Lots of contributing factors to low test.
With those symptoms, you should have your thyroid checked as well.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beastinisgreat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to get my blood tested tomorrow. I am 21 and have low libido,low energy,low sex drive etc. It is getting ridiculous.. </div></div>

I'd wager to say your symptoms are due to poor diet.(not that bad just low)
Being in a calorie defect for to long and over training will play havoc on your central nervous system and even cause adrenal fatigue syndrome which will throw ALL your hormones out of wack , cortisol , estrogen , testosterone , prolactin ...

make sure the blood test is a full panel , not just test.
having low test is one thing , you must find out why it's low before you start treating it , treat the problem not the symtom

think about it like having a head ache because of bad glare , you will benefit from a couple Mortin yes but they will wear off and the trouble comes back , but if you get a good pair of shades you stop what's causing the headache
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

many symptoms of a non-functioning thyroid pertain to low energy, poor sleep, etc...you guys getting bloods done, make sure to have thyroid function added to it. The last test you should be asking your docs to order is your Leutinizing Hormone or Follicle Stimulating Hormone; this hormone is secreted by our pituitary glands and tells our nuts to either stop making Test or to ramp up production. In my case, I have close to no LH, and thus, my doc believes I have a low production of Test...very important to know, either way.

My doc called, my labs are in, I see him on Monday, I'll post before I started lab numbers with these 6 week labs...I'll be back!
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Went today he said it could be various things IE: thyroid cancer,diabetes. anemic,Sleep apnea Is what he told me I will know by tomorrow or Monday.
Thyroid,prostate, and breast cancer run in the family.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

http://www.tribestan.com/
Has anyone tried this product and if so did you notice any improvements in how you feel? It may be in my head but I swear it works.
Also, Has anyone tried a home test kit for testosterone?
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beastinisgreat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Went today he said it could be various things IE: thyroid cancer,diabetes. anemic,Sleep apnea Is what he told me I will know by tomorrow or Monday.
Thyroid,prostate, and breast cancer run in the family. </div></div>

Wow! Didn't skip a beat there, did he? Good luck, brother. Fuck cancer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Well Prolactin was high but they didn't recommend anything.. They do want me to do a sleep test though.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beastinisgreat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well Prolactin was high but they didn't recommend anything.. They do want me to do a sleep test though. </div></div>

test , estrogen , cortisol and thyroid levels were all in check??
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Thats what she said.. Ill have the results in hand monday and ill just post them .
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

well, got back from the doc yesterday with some updates. I did mess up my bloodwork, though, as I should have gotten it drawn 3-4 days after my last Test injection. I waited until the end of the week to get my bloods done, then did the shot. I misunderstood his directions originally. Either way, here is the update:

Test was just a few points over my original level (started at 366, now at 378).

The HcG did nothing for my Leutinizing Hormone or Follicle Stimualting Hormone. Doc said that my previous use of Test gels/topicals without HcG probably shut my pituitary down forever. The HcG is now gone from the regimen.

Armour Thyroid has helped my thyroid tremendously, but my dosage may need to be cut back as I have recently been experiencing heart palpitations (common with this med and hypothyroid meds in general). The palps are not debillitating or threatening, nor are they constant (maybe 20-30/day, just feel funny when they occur and come on stronger after I workout.

Blood pressure, cholesterol, insulin, etc are all still great. Hematocrit level is fine (this is the actual amount of blood in you body; it can increase with Test supplementation and you would need to do something like give blood to alleviate it from what the Doc said).

As far as the Test goes, I started at 100mg once per week. That is now going to 80mg two times per week. Labs will again be checked in 6 weeks.

I am to remain on everything else prescribed and stated in the OP, and he added a dose of L-Arginine and Glutamine right before bed. These help increase your Human Growth Hormone (or IGF-1) levels.

Again, I'll keep you all posted on the goings on as they occur.

Take care.

 
Re: Low Testosterone?

I guess I'll chime in too. I'm starting a regimen similar to FALex. Meletonin, DHEA, Thyroid,etc... However, I'm doing 20mg/day of Test subq. I was a bit surprised on it being subq vs IM, but then I was surprised that it was daily vs weekly.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Its actualy getting more and more common , its easier for people to inject 10-15 units inter the skin than a full 1 cc into a muscle and worry about hitting a vein or things like that
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Wow, thanks for this thread!! I had to ask my GP for a Test. level in my last blood work, because of lack of energy, sex drive, etc. He says it's "normal". I ask what is it---220!! Got a referral to an Endocrinologist. Well, I'm 72, but I want my old self back, so I hope Medicare covers this....
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

I read one page of this and quit. Can anyone provide any study that links testosterone to "feeding prostate cancer," or even causes it? Seriously, guys, numerous heart diseases have been linked to low testosterone. Testosterone, or steroids in general, have been so bastardized by the media it's insane.

JG
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Jeff - I hear you loud and clear. Essentially, if a person already has prostate cancer, yes, Test supplementation will feed the tumor. My Doc stated it does not "cause" diddily squat. As I stated before, with low Test, a male's capacity to suffer cardiovascular, arterial, cancer and insulin resistant diseases seems to skyrocket with low T levels. Obviously, there is much more to the story then just getting your Test upregulated; thyroid function being one of those.

wgpq (hope I got that right) - I read on another TRT forum that medical studies out of Europe (or Canada) indicate subq injection of Test once per week achieved a more sustainable and balanced level throughout the week as opposed to a single IM injection on a weekly basis. Might be worth looking into...thanks!
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Get your thyroid checked gentlemen...most under tested (T-TSH levels) simple blood test out there. 24-hour turn-around. Hyperthyroid, Hypothyroid...Hashimoto's Disease...can cause any and all of the symtoms described in this thread. I'm 5'10", 155, marathon runner and in the gym for toning/strength training. 35 years old...hit a wall. Runs in the family, dear Mom said sorry. Hashimoto's disease. Half of the thyroid is taken out, synthroid perscribed (thyroid supplement), back in business.

LINKY!

 
Re: Low Testosterone?

FALex-
Thanks for taking the time to post all of this.
From all the threads & posts I've read over the years here on SH, this one has actually effected my life in a positive manner (besides some stripped lowers I bought).
I have started to claw my way out of this 6 year downward spiral.
It's amazing to look back at just a few short weeks ago and see/feel the difference.
Just wanted to say thanks.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

Kirb, I have some good news for you...

You're experiencing a placebo effect! You see, Testosterone Cypionate has an active half life of 14 days or something very close to that. What's that mean? It takes 14 days for your body to use half of it. For example using a 100mg shot of Test. Cypionate a week.

Week 1
100mg injection
Total test. in your body = 100mg
Test used by body = none

Week 2
100mg injection
total test in body = 200mg
Total used by body = none

Week 3
100mg injection
Total test. in your body = 2500mg
Test used by body = 50 mg from week 1 shot

Week 4
100mg injection
total test in body = 3000mg
Total used by body = 50mg from week 2 shot

Week 5
100mg injection
Total test. in your body = 325mg
Test used by body = 75mg total (25mg from the 50mg left over from week 1, 50 mg from wk 3 shot)

Week 6
100mg injection
total test in body = 350mg
Total used by body = 75mg total (25mg from the 50mg left over from week 2, 50 mg from wk shot)

Week 7
100mg injection
Total test. in your body = 362.5mg
Test used by body = 87.5mg total (12.5mg from the 50mg left over from week 1, 25 mg from wk 3 shot 50mg wk 5 shot)

Week 8
100mg injection
total test in body = mg 375mg
Total used by body = 87.5mg total(12.5mg from the 50mg left over from week 2, 25 mg from wk 4 shot 50mg wk 6 shot)

Week 9
100mg injection
Total test. in your body = 381.75mg
Test used by body = 93.25 (5.75mg from week 1, 12.5 mg from wk 3 shot 25mg wk 5 shot 50mg week 7)

Week 10
100mg injection
total test in body = 387.5mg
Total used by body = 93.25 (5.75mg from week 2, 12.5 mg from wk 4 shot 25mg wk 6 shot 50mg week 8)



It's a bit more intense than that...your body is constantly breaking down everything. It's not every 14 days on the dot...it's a somewhat timed release that takes 14 days +/- to have 1/2 of it consumed. As you can see, in the early weeks, you have just over half of the testosterone that you will have by week 9 or 10. You can continue to keep my table going until the week 1 shot is no longer in the system.

Thank God for biochem and kiniesiology in College!

But again, I ask anyone to bring forth a medical journal or study linking it to cancer. I am sorry my friends, it is a witch hunt by the media.

I even question the "testosterone feeds pancreatic cancer" statement's validity. Testosterone is considered an anabolic androgenic steroid. It builds muscle...not bone, hair, tumors. One thing you can link it to is accelerated hair loss due to DHT...but I digress. Oh, and Lyle Alcedo...his own doctor has gone on record and said, "There is no connection."

Hope this enlightens those of you that are beginning your "new life." I've been on for a few years and I am also right around 30.
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeff Given</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Kirb, I have some good news for you...

You're experiencing a placebo effect! You see, Testosterone Cypionate has an active half life of 14 days or something very close to that. What's that mean? It takes 14 days for your body to use half of it. For example using a 100mg shot of Test. Cypionate a week.

</div></div>

Everything I've read has said Test Cyp has a half life of ~7 days. The first doc I saw this year (currently on #4 but thats another story), gave me a 2cc shot and sent me out the door and told me to come back in a few weeks. That was on a Monday, I went from severe fatigue level to a more moderate level that week. On Sunday, I felt like complete shit again, it was a very noticable "crash".
 
Re: Low Testosterone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xs hedspace</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow, thanks for this thread!! I had to ask my GP for a Test. level in my last blood work, because of lack of energy, sex drive, etc. He says it's "normal". I ask what is it---220!! Got a referral to an Endocrinologist. Well, I'm 72, but I want my old self back, so I hope Medicare covers this.... </div></div>

That may actually be "normal" for your age, but as my doc said, fuck normal. Sadly, I'm at 236 at age 30.