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pman42
04-10-2013, 09:34 PM
So I got the result of yet another testosterone blood test back... 11 nmol/L. Ref range 8.4-28.8. The last one was 13, the one before that 9. (TT and SHBG were not tested on today's test) I am at a loss what to do... part of me says go to endo, get a thorough workup. But what will that accomplish? there are no organic causes of my low test level like testicular cancer (got checked for this); the set point for my body is just low. s/he will likely prescribe HCG/SERMS or TRT. SERMs? Maybe a temporary fix but from what I've read the elevation is not permanent and many don't even feel like they have extra test. TRT? I don't want to go on that at this age.

I am thinking.. am I overtraining? undersleeping? but those things could not so drastically lower my T as to make me practically hypogonadal.

So basically it comes down to... deal with the low test. try to find things that mildly elevate it (Bulbine does NOT). try to build muscle slowly but sustainably.

OR-- blast every single fucking PH I have on hand one after another for one final moment of glory before I settle down and deal with the issue. I feel like even this way, my test level will probably settle back into the same range, so wtf have I got to lose??

i am frustrated as hell, trying hard not to go swallow an entire bottle of ultradrol.


your thoughts would be greatly appreciated guys. this one hit below the belt.

h2s
04-10-2013, 09:41 PM
SERM therapy can lead to overall higher test levels after cessation. The feeling of being on a SERM is not what you are pursuing, it is the results that come after.

O.N.
04-10-2013, 09:49 PM
We see this all the time, here are the positives you do make testosterone your level although it is low is within the normal ranges.
This tells us a couple of things, the first being that the mechanics of your body the hypothalamus/Pituitary/testes are all functioning.

So basically a simple tune up and you should be feeling better, a more comprehensive blood test would have given many more answers.

But you can make small simple changes today which will benefit you.
Yes the first being over training, as much as some guys don't like to do it, bodybuilding has always been a sport of less is more you don't grow in the gym you grow at home in bed and adequate rest periods between muscle groups.

I'll make you this challenge right here right now based on this 1 blood test only. Buy 1 x res100 from me in 30 days time re-test your bloods if they are not improved by at least + 5nmol/L i'll give you a full refund......personally i would expect it to be much more than 5nmo/L though.

1 catch you have to do your training and diet exactly how i lay it out for you.
And i'll need you to post a hard copy of your before and after blood work.

Grape Ape
04-10-2013, 10:58 PM
^^ Good guy here with this one.

If you have insurance, go see a doctor/endo. A second/professional opinion, is just that; an opinion. You do not need to follow it, bit it won't hurt.

burlyman30
04-10-2013, 11:08 PM
^^ Good guy here with this one.

If you have insurance, go see a doctor/endo. A second/professional opinion, is just that; an opinion. You do not need to follow it, bit it won't hurt.

Good advice. Maybe they will see something that needs to be addressed. Not sure if you've checked thyroid and/or adrenals before, but could be something there.

pman42
04-10-2013, 11:19 PM
thanks for the replies guys, it helps even just to have you post. I will try the endo route, sooner rather than later. i may also try the res 100.

H2s, I guess my question was whether the SERM elevation is a) semi-permanent and b) has the equivalent biological effects of that level of testosterone, were it produced naturally without the need for drugs. Jelisej, before he left, alluded to the fact that maybe it might not have the effect of naturally higher test levels

burlyman30
04-10-2013, 11:45 PM
thanks for the replies guys, it helps even just to have you post. I will try the endo route, sooner rather than later. i may also try the res 100.

H2s, I guess my question was whether the SERM elevation is a) semi-permanent and b) has the equivalent biological effects of that level of testosterone, were it produced naturally without the need for drugs. Jelisej, before he left, alluded to the fact that maybe it might not have the effect of naturally higher test levels

SERMs will keep testosterone elevated for a bit after cessation of the compound, but will eventually drop to your setpoint. However, I have heard some people have been able to reset their setpoint at a slightly higher level. What I do not recall is if this was with SERM therapy. I do know there was a study with letrozole done on hypogonadal men who were given a very short course of the drug and even 6 months later their test levels remained elevated. A new setpoint had been created.

O.N.
04-10-2013, 11:49 PM
As said before you are making testosterone, a comprehensive blood panel will indicate how and why you have within range low testosterone you certainly are not a candidate for HRT from an endo. We have posted on this forum several blood tests from people who were diagnosed as needing HRT with levels of 4nmol/L to now return levels in the 20+ range even after getting them off HRT.

So to have a level of 11 is an even better starting point for improvement.

There is many things a blood test will tell you and then some simple questions about, your body, diet, lifestyle, drug history inc party drugs/steroids pro hormone etc and your training.

As i said i'll do it 100% money back guarantee inc the conditions above i stated, the forum can hold me accountable if i dont refund you and im not going to look very popular if 1 it doesn't work and 2 i dont refund you, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

A blood test to figure out the hows and whys should include the following:

Testosterone total
Testosterone free
LH/FSH
SHBG
Cortisol
Estrogen
Prolactin

Cholesterol total
LDL/HDL
Triglycerides

LFT
FBC
Vitamin D


Once you have all the info from a blood test like this it is much easier to see why you have low testosterone and the above questions too, once all is known you can fix the underlying problems as to why you have low testosterone.

We dont just wake up one day with low testosterone there will be reasons as to why address those problems and tune up the system and you can be back to what you should be in no time.

Cobalt
04-11-2013, 08:55 AM
Just to throw my 2 pennies in, stressing about it can tank hormone levels.

I do speak from experience.

pman42
04-11-2013, 09:48 AM
Thanks O.N. The panel that came back yesterday didn't have free testosterone, SHBG, or even T3 levels as it says these things are not indicated for my situation. hopefully an endo can order more thorough blood testing.

I guess my last question, which was kind of silly, was: is it incredibly counterproductive to cycle at this point? I had hoped to get a few more under my belt but if it puts me in a worse place for recovery then maybe I shouldn't.

O.N.
04-11-2013, 09:58 AM
Thanks O.N. The panel that came back yesterday didn't have free testosterone, SHBG, or even T3 levels as it says these things are not indicated for my situation. hopefully an endo can order more thorough blood testing.

I guess my last question, which was kind of silly, was: is it incredibly counterproductive to cycle at this point? I had hoped to get a few more under my belt but if it puts me in a worse place for recovery then maybe I shouldn't.

If you wanted to diagnose and understand your issue then cycling is a bad idea at this stage, once you fix the problem and are recovered then you can plan a cycle out and be sure to use adequate HCG and have a well planned PCT and also you will have a very good idea of what your post cycle testosterone levels should look like.

At the moment if you cycled you would go on and come off and cross your fingers for a score around 11 again, where as fixing the issues getting hopefully 20+ then going on and coming off and getting 20+ again naturally.

Finding out what level you can get naturally and through diet/supplementation etc and then being able to aim for that same level after a cycle.

r1balla
04-14-2013, 07:18 PM
just read all of this...very informative thread!

pman42
04-14-2013, 08:30 PM
^^ yes it is, and thanks to everyone who participated.

what's odd about this is that I don't have any symptoms of low test. my libido is high, often extremely high, and porn usually has to supplement the wife. even though I am a hard(ish) gainer, I attribute this to my naturally lanky frame. at 6'2" I've been as light as 175 (and as heavy as 250). I should have used my formative years at 14-21 blasting weights but for much of that i was vegetarian/vegan and focused on endurance cardio. so much wasted time. who knows what that did to my test. diabetes also runs in the family and i have that love handle adiposity that is annoying and hard to get rid of, although i eat well and train my ass off.

i hope that by naturally jumpstarting production i can make some good gains again. not ready to hang up the towel yet. I'm sure there are many professional BBers with lower test than me, but they can do massive cycles to gain. i'm not interested in shooting myself in one foot to take a step forward with the other so i think for now i will explore the HPTA reset and stay natty