29, got my first HRT shot the other day . . .questions/advice?

[Protobuilder]

I'm 29 (will be 30 in June) and went to see a doc b/c I noticed stuff going wrong that shouldn't at my age. My libido is gone completely. No morning wood, ever. Some cognitive stuff (memory, sharpness, etc.), general malaise/blah all the time, etc. But I'm not depressed, which I know could cause some of the symptoms. And I've never done, and am not interested in, casual AAS usage, so it isn't improper PCT. So I went to see the Doc and got some labs (posted below). After talking it over, I had the option of Androgel or a bi-weekly shot of Test Cyp. I went w/ the latter--had my first shot last Friday, 200mg. of Test Cyp.--and I get another 2 weeks after the first one. After 5 days, I feel nothing from the first shot. Is that normal? Does that mean something? I'm not sure what to expect. I've done some research, and I know what my lab results mean for the most part, but I'm hoping that maybe someone will look 'em over and let me know what they see . . . Do the T shots sound like I'm on the right track here?


Test, serum --> 299 ng/dL (range = 249-827)
Free T (direct) --> 9.8 pg/mL (range = 9.3-26.5)
Prostate-specific AG, serum --> .3 ng/mL (range = 0-4)
TSH --> 3.058 uIU/mL (range = .350-5.50)

Prolactin --> 13.3 ng/mL

Thyroxine (T4) --> 5.9 ug/dL (range =4.5-12)
T3 Uptake --> 39%
Free Thyroxine INdex --> 2.3

LH --> 3.0 mIU/mL (range =1.5-4.9)
FSH --> 1.6 mIU/mL (range = 1.4-18.1)

Chol. total --> 194 mg/dL
Triglycerides --> 74 mg/dL (range = 0-149)
HDL Chol. --> 66 mg/dL
VLDL chol. --> 15 mg/dL
LDL Chol. --> 113
LDL/HDL ratio --> 1.7

Comp. Metabolic Panel:
Glucose, serum --> 90
BUN --> 32 (range = 5-26) (high)
Creatinine, serum -- 1 (range -.5-1.5)
BUN/creatinine ratio -- 1.0 (range = 8-27)
sodium --> 146 (range =135-148
potassium --> 4.8 (range = 3.5-5.5)
chloride --> 103 (range = 96-109)
Carbon Dioxide --> 23 (range =20-32)
Calcium --> 10.6 (range = 8.5-10.6)
protein, total --> 8 (range = 6-8.5)
albumin --> 4.8 (range = 3.5-5.5)
globulin --> 3.2 g/dL (range = 1.5-4.5)
A/G ratio --> 1.5
Bilirubin --> .5 (range = .1-1.2)
Alkaline Phosphatase --> 105 (range = 25-150)
AST (SGOT) --> 36 (range = 0-40)
ALT (SGPT) --> 30 (range = 0-55)

I'm leaving out the "CBC w/ differential/platelet" b/c everything was within range. If it's important, though, I'll add it.

Thanks for any input guys. I'm totally new to this so don't know what to expect, exactly what questions to ask,etc. Thanks for your help.

 

[thelion2005]

Looks good to me. Give the test 30 days.

Don't laugh at Androgel. For HRT purposes, it works.

This would be a good time to learn a bit more about test and HGH.

There is an excellent sticky for new members by Mr. X in the steroid forum. Lots of info.
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=441371

This is a quick read also:
http://www.steroidtips.com/index.htm

 

[cyrex]

it should kick in in around 4 weeks or so 1 shot every other week should do just fine since the half life is about 15 days for Test Cyp

 

[lanky]

I hope he had more than one set of labs for Testosterone done before he decided to prescribe Test. one set of labs is not a valid diagnosis for low testosterone, by any standard.

 

[sigmund]

Was your blood work post injection? If so - here's why you don't feel anything yet:

Free T (direct) --> 9.8 pg/mL (range = 9.3-26.5)

This needs to increase significantly.

Where's your E2 (Estradiol) levels? Can't see it in your blood panel?

 

[Protobuilder]

Thanks for the input, guys! I appreciate it.

Was your blood work post injection?

No. First thing in the AM, fasted for 8 hours.

Where's your E2 (Estradiol) levels? Can't see it in your blood panel?

It wasn't listed. I can ask about it when I get my next labs done next week though if it's important.

 

[sigmund]

Thanks for the input, guys! I appreciate it.

No problem

No. First thing in the AM, fasted for 8 hours.

Ok right, well your total test / free test should now be on the increase due to the exogenous dose you received and that should be evident in your next blood test. It takes a few weeks for the effects to be felt. Your ratio - test / SHBG will be the deciding factor in how quickly you notice the difference, this varies person to person.

Aromatisation to E2 plays its part here as well, again this varies person to person. The additional E2 will, amongst other things, increase the signal to the pituitary via negative feedback to stimulate more binding globulin thus "gobbling up" a percentage of the extra test, this is why many endo's will also prescribe an AI like Adex to control the aromatisation effects (although they are not by any means drastic at the HRT dose).

It wasn't listed. I can ask about it when I get my next labs done next week though if it's important.

I highly recommend getting E2 ranges checked! It would have been a good idea to have got them looked at prior to taking your first shot as if they were particularly high this would be a tell-tale sign pertaining to your overall situation, i.e. low total / free testosterone. Thus HRT could have been put on hold while your E2 was suppressed via an AI in an attempt to increase natural LH / FSH response. Ask for it on your next check up and take note of the result, the sooner you can get this the better.

Hope this is of some help!

 

[Curious2005]

It could take you some time to figure out the dosing regimen that works best for you. I've experimented with different injection dosages and timing combinations and found that 100mg weekly kept me at a steady state without the "roller coaster" effects of a biweekly program. It was however very inconvenient to go to the doctor's office on a weekly basis and I found Androgel works okay if not quite as well somehow. Even still, taking the maximum amount of testosterone that the doctor would prescribe was not that much of a mood-altering experience. I did notice mild libido and strength gains but there were also side effects like acne and bloating. Overall what I found was that HRT combined with exercise and a better diet and some lifestyle changes helped relieve but not totally eliminate the blahs.

 

[MillionDollarBaby2]

Haven't you heard of SomaLife gHP yet? Is a pure amino acid stack. It will increase release of your OWN HGH. No drugs. It's patented!