27 needs HRT?

[Mr. Black]

I'll see what other tests the doc wants to run. I wish I would have gone to someone different in the first place, the shit is so expensive and now this round of tests is gonna come out of my pocket because the first guy didn't cover all the bases.

As far as feeling fine, yes and no. I still have sex drive and get erections no problem but they are no where as frequent or powerful as they used to be. I sometimes feel lethargic and cloudy and not as aggressive.

The biggest change happened about a year ago when I tried propecia. I took it for several months and it made me feel like a zombie and my dick wouldn't get as hard. Depressed as hell so I stopped it. Things got better but not 100%.

Maybe he can boost me up naturally with a mini-PCT - post cycle therapy - because I know HRT is a big deal, especially at my age. I wouldn't mind trying 200mg/wk for a couple months to see how I feel and then coming off.

Propecia obliterates DHT, which is an important function for sex drive and erectile function. The less DHT you have in your body means there is less for it to bind to your SHBG, therefore SHBG increases and Bio-Available test goes down. Might want to get your DHT levels tested as well. Of course you will feel better on 200mg/week. However it will only mask your true issues (if there are indeed any) and make your possible natural recovery all that more difficult. I have tried HRT for about 6 months in the past an allthough I felt good while on in the initial stages, eventually the cons outweighed the pros and I came off.

 

[artificialaspirations]

I guess I should concentrate on the effects of the propecia. Wish I never took that shit.

 

[Dopamineloveaffair]

Propecia is the debil. Amazingly it causes problems well after it's been used. Why this happens no one is really sure.

A theory I have is since progesterone and DHT are antagonistic to one another, lowered DHT from the Propecia causes some kind of progesterone dominance some how.

This progesterone dominance then decreases testosterone production and the cycle snowballs.

It's a theory though. I don't have any causative studies at hand, just the mechanisms through which the hormones effect each other.

_________________________________________________________________

http://www.mens-hormonal-health.com/

 

[tical]

what about other hair loss prevention meds... adovart? all the same?

 

[SuperOne]

Stay the fuck away from Avodart, if you though Finesteride was bad, Avodart is 10 times as powerfull.


Its like the Letrozole of Estrogen.

 

[artificialaspirations]

It appears that the aromatase inhibitors are the most expensive part of the therapy. Which A.I do the docs typically prescribe and at what dosage?

I am just curious which ones keep down the bloat and gy.no issues the best and at what cost?

How much is clomid and hc.g and at what dose?

 

[artificialaspirations]

Went to a new doctor today and he seems very knowledgable about HRT, anti-aging and weightlifting in general. He actually goes to my gym.

He has me scheduled for more bloodwork and a gamut of tests talked about here on elite fitness. He seems reluctant to put me on test at my age and I agree. He says he prescribes hcg for that very problem.

I told him how my progress has halted and seems eager to help.

He also says no other meds are necessary along with the hcg, is this true? no anti-es?

I go get the hormone panel on MOn morning.

 

[artificialaspirations]

OK. I got my results back:

Total Test 262
Free Test 67
LH 1.9
FSH 2.4
Estrogen 15
SHGB = low
DHT = low

Doc is concerned that the LH and FSH is low in conjunction w/ the E and T. He states one is usually lowand the others high and vice versa.

I was referred to an endocrinologist for recommendations and may not be able to see him until April. I need to get more labs and and MRI done.

Anyone know why all those hormones would be low and what the possible prognosis could be? How much will an MRI cost? Is the MRI to look for pituitary tumors?

 

[njmuscleguy]

Forgive me, it's late and I may not be thinking straight.... but if your test levels are low, and so are your F S H and L H, that suggests SECONDARY hypogonadism, meaning it may not be your testicles, but your H P T A may not be functioning properly... so right off the bat, they will check for any tumors with an MRI (and yes, without insurance, they ARE expensive!)... if it's secondary hypo., they should put you on clo-mid (and possibly H C G) to try to kickstart your H P T A...if after of course of those meds you're still not responding, then it's your testicles (primary hypo) and you will be put on HRT, likely for life.

 

[artificialaspirations]

Thanks for the reply. I have insrance but still think this is gonna cost a lot. This is explaining alot because while I am strong for my size I have reached a limit in size and strength that I cannot break. I hope it is secondary and I can be brought back up but would still go the hrt route if necessary to feel normal and happy.

I'll talk to the doc tomorrow.