Should I start this now?

[hjkl_99]

Good evening all. I'm looking for a little help on situation I currently find myself in. I have done a lot of reading. (maybe too much) and I would really appreciate some advice.

So recently I turned 40. And have decided I should really get some help with low testosterone levels. I have been suffering with the usual list of symptoms for a good few years now but have recently deteriorated further. I am generally very fit and active, in the gym most days, eat well & have a good life but as I am sure lots of you are aware life can be quite difficult when living with low T.

A couple of years ago I had blood tests done over a period of time which confirmed my T levels were 276.86ng/dL and free T was 6.32 ng/dL. The next step was to receive some extremely expensive treatment plan which at the time I really couldn't afford. I figured I could Improve the levels naturally and at that time felt it was the best option for me.

Fast forward 2-3 years despite trying many methods I'm quite confident the levels have dropped further. Although I have not had a test.

I was about the contact the company who I delt with previously to look at the treatment options, when I got talking to an old friend about it. He advised me that he had very similar symptoms until he started injecting 1ml Sustanon 250 once per month. Since then his life has improved greatly and has been on it for around 3 years but has never had a test, says he doesn't need to as its such a small amount but is adequate to provide the level he needs to maintain a symptom free life. Initially I thought this sounds great but I am still sceptical. Anyway I figured I should probably get some so if I do decide to go ahead I have it here. So today I received a different type called Elbrus Testosterone mix 300. He assures me that it will have the same effect and that he has used both.

So I guess I am just looking for a 2nd opinion, I Have discussed this with my GP but was told that it is unlikely to be this and wanted to diagnose me fibromyalgia or something.., I'm so bloody confused! I think they would take it much more seriously if I had tried it and got a positive result?

Please excuse my naivety I have genuinely tried to research this and have come up with some much conflicting information.

Many Thanks
R.

 

[Bigtex]

Not much information to go on here......first off your Total Testosterone: 276.86 ng/dL which is definitely clinically low (usually ~300–1000 ng/dL). I do need some clarification on your Free T which you posted was 6.32 ng/dL.:. If this is 6.32 ng/dL, it would be extremely high. More commonly it is measured in pg/mL. If that were the case the number is low. But as it is, Free T is 200–600× higher than normal. This is not normally physiologically possible in a natural state. Honestly you need to test again and get more data:

• SHBG
• Total T
• Albumin
• Free T (equilibrium dialysis) - the gold standard
• TSH + Free T4
• A1c + fasting insulin
• Liver enzymes

 

[hjkl_99]

Not much information to go on here......first off your Total Testosterone: 276.86 ng/dL which is definitely clinically low (usually ~300–1000 ng/dL). I do need some clarification on your Free T which you posted was 6.32 ng/dL.:. If this is 6.32 ng/dL, it would be extremely high. More commonly it is measured in pg/mL. If that were the case the number is low. But as it is, Free T is 200–600× higher than normal. This is not normally physiologically possible in a natural state. Honestly you need to test again and get more data:

• SHBG
• Total T
• Albumin
• Free T (equilibrium dialysis) - the gold standard
• TSH + Free T4
• A1c + fasting insulin
• Liver enzymes

Appreciate your reply, I have attached one of the Early tests, does that make sense? I noticed most people online are talking in ng /dl and my test results are in nmol/L so I put them into an online converter.

I agree the additional data would definitely be useful, just need to find a suitable clinic which does seem to be very difficult.

 

[Bigtex]

Thanks, that helps, your total T levels are definitely low, Free T is also low and SHBG is normal. You most definitely would benefit from TRT. Let me give you some advice though, unless you ahve done IM injestions, this may be very hard to do. IMHO you will get much better results going sub-q using a insulin syringe. Start off with a very low dose and break it up into 3-4 injections per week. This help prevent any unwanted side effects cause by thehighs and lowes in weekly or bi weekly injections, It is also also much easier to do. After about 3 months, get your blood work done again and see where you are. Its much easier to optimize starting low and adjusting upward than it is to start high and have to deal with correcting unwanted side effects like high E2 and HCT. If you feel good at the dose you are on then leave it where it is, if not go up just slightly. I would personally start off around 50mg/wk and slowly change if you need to.

Here is a little explaination to what each one of these items do:

Testosterone circulates in 3 states:
1. ~40–60% of all serum testosterone is bound to SHBG and not used.
2. ~30–50% is bound to albumin and is partially used. This is called bioavailable T.
3. ~1–3% of total T is not bound to any protein. This is the active form that enters the cells and does all the work.

Free testosterone is what drives things like: libido, erections, muscle building, energy, recovery, fat loss, cognition, mood and motivation. TRT will lower SHBG and Free T levels.

​

 

[hjkl_99]

Thanks, that helps, your total T levels are definitely low, Free T is also low and SHBG is normal. You most definitely would benefit from TRT. Let me give you some advice though, unless you ahve done IM injestions, this may be very hard to do. IMHO you will get much better results going sub-q using a insulin syringe. Start off with a very low dose and break it up into 3-4 injections per week. This help prevent any unwanted side effects cause by thehighs and lowes in weekly or bi weekly injections, It is also also much easier to do. After about 3 months, get your blood work done again and see where you are. Its much easier to optimize starting low and adjusting upward than it is to start high and have to deal with correcting unwanted side effects like high E2 and HCT. If you feel good at the dose you are on then leave it where it is, if not go up just slightly. I would personally start off around 50mg/wk and slowly change if you need to.

Here is a little explaination to what each one of these items do:

Testosterone circulates in 3 states:
1. ~40–60% of all serum testosterone is bound to SHBG and not used.
2. ~30–50% is bound to albumin and is partially used. This is called bioavailable T.
3. ~1–3% of total T is not bound to any protein. This is the active form that enters the cells and does all the work.

Free testosterone is what drives things like: libido, erections, muscle building, energy, recovery, fat loss, cognition, mood and motivation. TRT will lower SHBG and Free T levels.

View attachment 18293

​

That is very helpful, appreciate you taking the time thank you very much.

Sounds like a much better option and I'd definitely feel more comfortable doing that. So I've currently got 1ml ampoules that are 300mg each. Would you suggest using something different or is there a way this can work?

 

[genetic freak]

That being Sustanon 300 mg, you are going to get 150 mg of mixed testosterone on half an amp, which is a pretty standard dose for TRT. I have a client right now, who would still only be at 300 ng/dl total test at that dose and others that would be closer to 1100 ng/dl at that dose. I hear all the time guys stating they are supraphysiological on 150 mg of test per week, but I read labs every week and haven't seen one yet. Not saying it doesn't happen, just super rare.

Due to the esters it would be best to split this into 3 shots a week, so 50 mg MWF.

 

[Bigtex]

That is very helpful, appreciate you taking the time thank you very much.

Sounds like a much better option and I'd definitely feel more comfortable doing that. So I've currently got 1ml ampoules that are 300mg each. Would you suggest using something different or is there a way this can work?

Welcome, happy to help! Go with what you can easily get. @genetic freak gave you great advice on that,

 

[JonJon]

You have gotten some good advice. My 2 cents is I would be highly suspect of a 300mg testosterone blend unless it was a trusted source and I had been in the game long enough to develop a relationship with a trusted source.
There’s no telling what’s in those ampules unless it’s from a pharmacy. Im assuming it’s ugl, forgive me if I’m wrong.

 

[hjkl_99]

That's all very helpful, thank you all very much. I have managed to book another blood test, I think it is wise to get my current levels as that test was over 2 years ago. (I am quite sure they have dropped further) I have also ordered some sub - Q syringes. From what I can see that should make it much easier to break down the dose and take little and often. I think as advised this would be the best place to start and will hopefully be able to get going following my blood test later this week.

Its clear I have so much to learn and I am looking forward to getting things started.

@JonJon Yes a UGL in Germany apparently. I appreciate what you are saying, It is very difficult to get anything here in the UK. Well as far as I know. TRT clinics generally just offer extremely expensive creams. I definitely trust the guy it came from but as you say I would feel much better if it came from an actual pharmacy.

 

[GreatGunz]

My free T when I started trt was 8 my/dl
It is now 30

 

[hjkl_99]

My free T when I started trt was 8 my/dl
It is now 30

Nice one! I imagine that had helped you out a lot?

Can I ask how much you take please?

 

[GreatGunz]

Nice one! I imagine that had helped you out a lot?

Can I ask how much you take please?

200 mg/pet week split into 2 injections