Hey Guys!
Been a while ........
My test levels are :
Total test :574
Free test :69
I'm hurting at this level with all the symptoms of low test!
No sex drive---really could give a shit!
Abdominal fat
Muscle loss
Erectile dysfunction
No motivation
Tired
Moody
I had this test like 3 weeks ago and have heard nothing from my eurologist yet,Guessing he is gonna say your in the normal ranges.
However that is totally dependent on which formula ranges are used....
At my age naturally my total test should be 600+ And my free test should be 90.
So what are your thoughts?
It is my opinion that I would not immediately jump on TRT. First off, 574 is not bad. But you really dont know as nature is a bell curve. There are guys that feel and function great at 400...and some at 1000. Also remember the guy at 1000 wont necessarily be bigger or stronger than the guy at 400. It is all about our bodies own range for proper function.
Also lifestyle (rest, stress, diet) will have a large impact upon levels. One test is also not enough. We go up and down all the time
People also forget that the symptoms of low test are almost identical to low thyroid.
If you are looking for an easy fix and are ready to commit to a lifetime of treatment, then go for TRT. But there are other things that suffer that are had to quantify. SHINE talked a lot about these. There are other hormones that shut down after going on TRT that are affected by HTPA. Pregnenolone is one of them. It is not just...I take a shot an all is better.
All said, I went on TRT as it was the best thing for me. A head injury damaged my pitutary and I was hypo thyroid and had test levels BELOW the bottom of the scale. I had no idea. It took me almost 3 years to figure it out. I never would have guess it. I had gotten back in the best shape of my life. At 5'9 195 I was about 13%bf with almost a 1500lb total. I had no sex issues. I had full abs (after 2 years of strict dieting). My issue was constant fatigue. I could sleep for 14 hours and 3 hours into the day I was falling asleep again. I never noticed, but I also lost about 80% of my leg hair. (like old men get). When I finally put 2 and 2 together it all made sense.
So my advice is your levels are not really "bad". There could be other issues causing your symptoms.
But take the path that you feel will be the best for you. That said, TRT is no magic shot. It wont give you 12 hr hard-on's nor will you belly fat melt away. BUT if you are deficient, it can get you back to 'normal'. Which is an awesome thing if you spent time being hypo and forgot what it is like to be there.
Good luck.