3 Month Update in TL:DR format:
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Chased my own tail for a few years with low libido, poor sleep, severe anxiety, indecisiveness, brain fog.
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Saw several doctors in Australia (GP’s) and one ‘hormone specialist’
who didn’t help and most chuckled that a 23 year old could have a T-problem. -
Came across Jay Campbell’s podcast and book and realised I was right all along. Registered on this forum back in November and got advice on which doctor to see.
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Made an appointment with the doctor, who immediately recognised that I’m a candidate for TRT because of massively elevated SHBG levels. This is what the other doctors missed, they only looked at Free T + Total T, completely ignoring SHBG and the function it plays.
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Was prescribed 250mg of Primoteston Depot (Test E) every 2 weeks. I changed the protocol to 125mg once every 7 days. After a month, I knew I needed more and bumped it to 125mg every 5 days, which measures around 175mg weekly.
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In those 3 months life has improved drastically. I feel like I’m waking up from a very unpleasant dream where I was a slave to circumstances and I’m regaining control. Libido is back. Deep sleep. The pump in the gym is unreal. Gaining clarity for who I am, what I want and how to get there.
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Here are the new lab results:
Testosterone Total: 54 nmol/L (11.5 - 32.0 range)
SHBG: 47 nmol/L (15-50 range) // used to be above 50 so this has lowered
Free Androgen Index: 114.9% (15-100 range)
Free Testosterone: 1136 pmol/L (260-740 range)
Biochemistry and Haematology are fine.
**My concern: Oestradiol is 145 pmol/L which is 39.5 pg/ml, and it used to be 25-27.5 pg/ml prior to TRT. Should I start taking Anastrozole, how much and how frequently? Also, regarding SHBG I heard it’s possible to bring it down by taking Stinging Nettle Root, is it effective?
Appreciate your help lads.
ORIGINAL POST
Hey lads!
Welcome to my post…
The reason I’m here is to ask for advice and guidance.
I first started noticing symptoms of low energy, low sex drive, crippling anxiety and depression back in 2015. I don’t remember how, but I suspected that my testosterone could be the cause and went to get tested.
The doctor didn’t know much about T and only tested me for Total Testosterone and TSH. The numbers came back normal, the doctor reassured me that everything is ok since the numbers are normal and that I should focus on stress-minimization strategies.
I did, yet nothing changed.
I went back for testing - with the same doctor. (totally my bad - I know.) This time she ordered a full panel. The numbers came back within ‘normal’ ranges. Even thou my Total and Free T with in the lower average ranges mostly suitable for a 40 or 50 year old.
I moved on and wanted to change my life before doing anything radical like TRT.
As a result…
during 2016-2017 I drastically cut down on the use of alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs. I started lifting weights regularly, doing intermittent fasting 16-8 protocol and sleeping at least 8 hours every night. I take cold showers, meditate every day and don’t watch porn.
Yet, no matter what I do the following symptoms persist:
- Low energy / motivation / life enjoyment
- Rare morning wood and absence of daytime erections
- Brain fog and indecisiveness
- Low confidence and anxiety
- Bones hurting and clicking all the time
I came across Jay Campbell’s TRT Revolution Podcast and soaked up 25 hours of knowledge and purchased his ‘Definitive Testosterone Replacement Guide’.
Equipped with more knowledge and determination to get help, I found a ‘hormone and anti-aging specialist’ in Sydney and got blood tests done with him.
Today, I got my results back. My doctor considered my results normal and nothing to worry about…
- SHBG massively elevated.
- Total T is normal.
- Free T is low for my age.
- Iron is incredibly low.
- Cholesterol is high.
Nothing to worry about?
Righto. I can’t trust doctors anymore and I would sincerely appreciate some proper guidance on this situation.
Thank you.
EDIT:
Medications: None. (Occasionally take Vitamin D & Magnesium supplements)
6’1, 170 pounds, lean build.