Naturally low T levels -- on the patch now, what to do?

[cpfanatic]

Hi All:

This is a temporary handle for me until I get my registration worked out.

Anyway, for the last 8 months or so, my sex drive has really been sporadic. I'm 5'8", 160 lbs, 29 years old, and fairly lean. I try to get a lot of rest, workout often, and generally take good care of myself.

I went to the doctor complaining about low sex drive, fatigure, and moodiness. He drew a Test level and it came back at 219. His opinion was that this number was about half of where it should be for a "young whippersnapper" like me. I received an injection (100mg) of Test in the ass (damn that hurt) and came back in a month because I felt like it didn't do much.

Another level (this was a more comprehensive test) was drawn and here are the results: (acceptable range is in brackets)

TSH: 1.30 (0.35 to 5.50)
Prolactin: 6.1 (3.0 to 16.0)

Free Test: 13.0 (9.5 to 43.0)
Free Test Percentage: 0.4%
Total Test: 314 (looks like the shot did something?)

Luteinizing hormone: 5.1 (2.0 to 18.0)

I've been on the Androderm 5mg patch for about 2 weeks now. There are days where it feels like it is making a difference and then there are days where it doesn't feel like it's doing anything.

Mood swings tend to be common in the male side of my family and interestingly enough, my dad and uncle have been diagnosed with the same problem. (low test) A couple of us have sought psychiatric help for this problem, but I wonder if it is partially related to hormonal issues.

The % free testosterone seems awfully low. 0.4%? Should I be concerned with that? I do not have any results since starting the Androderm patch...I expect to in a few weeks. I understand that it's the free Test that influences sex drive. Will the Androderm raise that percentage or just up the total Test?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sonny

 

[hellorhih2o]

not sure about your free test but your total test (before the "painful shot in the ass") is definitely below normal.

i'd ask your doctor to prescribe you an injectable (Test Cypionate) instead of the patch. The patch is much less reliable. Tell him that you're willing to learni how to inject yourself and have a pretty nurse show you how to poke your ass...

 

[Nelson Montana]

The act that a single 100 mgs shot ONE MONTH AFTER injection still had your blood level up 100 points shows that it did A LOT!

You need HRT bro. And you should work on freeing up bound test. avena sativa, nettle, TMG, etc.

 

[cpfanatic]

Hi, guys. Thank you for the responses. They are much appreciated.

I guess at 29, I never expected to face a problem like this. I've never done any cycles of anything. Will my body ever "recover" or is HRT going to likely be something I'll have to do indefinitely? I realize that might be tough to answer since everyone is a little different...

I've looked at the Avena Sativa from beyond-a-century.com (it comes as a powder). It's pretty cheap there, but I'm not sure how much to take each day. I think they mention 50mg/day? Is that about how much there will be in a capsule if I buy it and cap it myself?

I was on ZMA for awhile. I think it helped a little. It gave me some very vivid dreams, but it also gave me some terrible nightmares. I've stopped taking it.

Thanks again

Sonny

 

[cpfanatic]

Just wanted to add:

Does % of free Test influence things other than libido? I think I read somewhere that higher % of free test has been associated with enhanced cognitive ability.

Sonny

 

[DTOX]

Your numbers and story sound totally out of whack.

Besides your Test levels being lower than a 90 year old woman on a soy-diet, your thyroid levels seem pretty goddamn low too.

100mg of Test cypionate a month????

My doc has me on 100mg *per week*.

Just out of curiosity, is your doctor mentally retarded?

You should just get a referral to an endocronologist, cause your doc sounds like he went to medical school in Mexico.

 

[CPFan]

I'll be seeing this doctor (my primary care physician) again in about 4 weeks. I would go straight to an endocrinologist, but being on an HMO requires a referral. Big time hassle, but the billing is easy.

Sonny

 

[easy]

Check out my thread "just got my T levels back". This thread has everything you need to know and will apply well in your case as I'm only 28. Let me know if I can help you out bro.

 

[AOS]

And you should work on freeing up bound test. avena sativa, nettle, TMG, etc.

I've read many of your posts regarding SHBG. Very interesting to say the least. 0.4% is really low. Normal is 2%. That means he needs to free up 500% more test.

How much can avena and nettle free up bound test? Maybe this case is extreme. But what about in a normal person?

 

[AOS]

And you should work on freeing up bound test. avena sativa, nettle, TMG, etc.

I've read many of your posts regarding SHBG. Very interesting to say the least. 0.4% is really low. Normal is 2%. That means he needs to free up 500% more test.

How much can avena and nettle free up bound test? Maybe this case is extreme. But what about in a less extreme case of low free test?