Low test blood results - HRT?

[the700level]

26 years old, took about 3 PH cycles in the past, and most recently a test only cycle in Jan 2012. I got a blood test before the last cycle, and all testosterone checks were normal. Now I have these levels:

Testosterone, Serum 372 (348-1197)
LH 2.2 (1.7-8.6)
FSH 2.7 (1.5-12.4)
Estradiol 20.1 (7.6-42.6)


My cycle last January was test cyp 500mg for 14-15 weeks. Used nolva + clomid for pct, and used exemestane mid way thru and in pct. No hcg. My question is, my last shot was over a year ago, shouldn't I have recovered naturally by now.

If I go to a urologist, what's the next step? What are the options?

 

[Labtec70]

Hi 700

I don't think a urologist will be able to do much. I reckon an endochrinologist is the specialist for hormone problems.

You should have recovered fully by now, so your testosterone level may be pretty low naturally. I don't know how the health system works in the USA (assuming that's where you are) but in the UK a family doctor would transfer a patient to a specialist (endochrinologist) for further tests. If he suspects low T they should do a re-run of the test you posted, but this time with a Free Testosterone measure. While total T does have its uses, it's not much good for determining how much bioavailable testosterone you have at any one time.

It's difficult to say what this set of results means in absence of the Free/Bioavailable T number, but with the Total being pretty low I'd assume the Free T is too. With a low total value like this I'd expect to see the FSH and/or LH in the higher range as well, this would indicate testicular failure. However, your FSH and LH are in normal range...but it isn't normal because they should be telling your nuts to produce hormone and the pituitary response is muted. Have you tried Tribulus or another supplement that boosts LH to see how that works? Maybe, a course of HCG will kick your gland back in?

I'm no doctor, but I suspect your pituitary gland isn't functioning as it should, as opposed to a problem with your testicles. Either way, it's hard to decipher without a re-run on your bloods and Free T calcualtion (not FAI estimate).

I'd get an appointment with a good doctor or endo (an endo that understands and sympathises with male hormone problems).

All the best.

Craig

 

[stevesmi]

at 26 you need to exhaust everything possible before HRT for life.

there will come a time where you will wish you never went on HRT and you will be screwed.

 

[the700level]

at 26 you need to exhaust everything possible before HRT for life.

there will come a time where you will wish you never went on HRT and you will be screwed.

Should i try to run nolva and clomid and possibly hcg and retest?

 

[stevesmi]

if you run hcg your LH and FSH will tank and your T levels will jump. hcg will mimic your LH, whether your body picks up after that is a guess. really you are asking me if you should run another pct. the answer is absolutely before you give up and go on HRT you should give another pct a shot

hcg first... then run your SERM.. in that order.