TRT Questions

[hypnotzd27]

I just saw my doctor yesterday regarding low T (<300) and it looks like TRT is on the horizon. She is going to give me the option of what treatment I'd like (patch, gel, injections) and I am curious as to what everyone on here has opted for and what has seemed to work best. Also, is TRT alone enough to make significant gains in the gym or would it be beneficial to add anything to the TRT once the right dosage is established?

A little background on me: 29 years old, 5-9 165lbs, been working out religiously for 2 years. Struggling to put on mass/make significant gains. Libido is ok but feel fatigued quite often.

Most recent bloods 8/10/13
Total Test - 249
Free Test - 29.69
Sex Hormone Binding - 29.10
Prolactin - 16.8
LH - 5.20
FSH - 2.53

I should note that I was recently placed on Levothyroxine (7/10/13) because I had borderline Hypothyroidism which has gotten back to normal levels since starting on the medication.

 

[Zyglamail]

I would bet you have an underlying mineral deficiency. Id look into iodine supplementation. Im a firm believer that many cases of hormonal imbalance are due to a deficiency and/or intestinal pathogens. As we age both become more likely.

My personal preference for test is injections IF the doc will let you give them to yourself.

 

[hypnotzd27]

The more research I do, the more I would like to avoid TRT if at all possible. If there is another solution I'd like to attempt that before going on something that I'll be on for life. I'll have to check out the iodine supplementation...this is the first I've heard about it.

 

[infraredline]

The more research I do, the more I would like to avoid TRT if at all possible. If there is another solution I'd like to attempt that before going on something that I'll be on for life. I'll have to check out the iodine supplementation...this is the first I've heard about it.

Zinc is another trace mineral that a deficiency can cause a deficiency in testosterone. Same with vitamin D. Another thing could be your fat levels are too low or you aren't taking in enough cholesterol. A great way to fix the vitamin D and cholesterol problem are eating more whole eggs.

Look into getting some unleashed and d-spark, that would do a lot for your test levels.

As your test begins to drop it becomes more and more important to keep free test as high as possible, even if you have an overall testosterone level of 200 if a good portion of that is free testosterone then it won't feel as low, this is what unleashed specializes in, raising your free testosterone and decreasing your bound testosterone.

 

[Zyglamail]

The more research I do, the more I would like to avoid TRT if at all possible. If there is another solution I'd like to attempt that before going on something that I'll be on for life. I'll have to check out the iodine supplementation...this is the first I've heard about it.

The usda for iodine is something paltry like 150mcg and our gov claims over 400mcg to be dangerous. Yet the japanese average like 13mg a day (thats milligrams compared to our micrograms) and have fewer cases of breast cancer, goiter and many other health related issues.

The thyroid is integral to all of our hormonal functions and if its not functioning properly everything else suffers as well.

 

[hypnotzd27]

Just wanted to bump this thread. I recently had an MRI done and it turns out that I have a small pituitary tumor (3mm). The doctor isn't concerned with the tumor and just wants to monitor it every 6 months to make sure it doesn't grow at all. She does want me to start TRT to get my T levels back to where they should be. I know gel and injections seem to be the most popular options but I'd like to avoid the gel due to having to be cautious of coming in contact with my girlfriend after applying it. Anyone have any experience with the patch?

 

[hurtsomany]

Patch sucks IMO. I think the Gel, Axiron (apply under arms, so it does not transfer as easily) plus weekly injection is A+ therapy. Pituitary tumor explains you whole situation. Watch that Prolactin level. Dostinex is common requirement for people with those pituitary tumors.