Hello, new here, and before I get flammed, I know the decisions I made when younger were stupid. Yes, I was an idiot. I will accept any flamage if given. With that being said, I have posted this in another forum and decided I would post it here to see what anyone may have to say:
I’m 22, coming up 23 soon, with a list of symptoms that lead me to think low T. I also have a history that would lead me to think that I do in fact have low T.
From about 17 years old to 20 years old, I started using pro-hormones which then lead to anabolic steroids and peptides. (I know, flame me if you want, I’ve learned my lesson.) I quit using them at the time I did because I felt as if my body was going to give up on me. I was pretty much consistently on the whole duration of my experimentation, always using pretty low doses except for the first cycle.
Once I came off drugs completely, I did used Clomid, Nolvadex, and Arimidex for probably a good 6 months, maybe less, because when I made the decision to come off steroids, I had been on a cycle for about 7 months using a cocktail of drugs but all very low doses. Before I even started taking steroids, I was heavy into alcohol and drug use, which may have played a roll in where I am at today.
Ever since coming off, I have felt lethargic, no energy, depressed, lost about 35lbs but no fat gain, low libido, I don’t think about sex or women like I used to, I feel weak, no drive or motivation, anxiety, I’m very passive now. If I work out I will get extremely tired for atleast 2-3 days following.
I’m taking blood pressure medication (linsinopril 10mg) and have been prescribed klonopin 1mg 2x daily or as needed for anxiety. I just started these two medication about 3 months ago. My blood pressure was constantly 140/80 at the doctors, but now its dropped a bit to the 120s/70-80s. I feel like I may be on BP meds for the wrong reasons.
I’m quite lost and confused as all doctors have told me I’m fine, except for the bio hormone specialist, but I just don’t feel like a 22-23 year old should. I feel worn out and like I’m 70 years old. Maybe someone can chime in and point me in the right direction.
9/17/14:
Total T - 463
SHBG - 49
DHEA sulfate - 444
Estradiol - 27
Free T4 - 1.41
Free T3 - 3.7
TSH - 4.4
Vit D - 29
1/26/15:
Cortisol (Tested at 1:58 pm) - 21
Total T - 494
Free T - 10.9
SHBG - 30
06/02/15:
Estradiol - 26
Vit D - 36
09/10/15:
TSH - 2.8
Free T4 - 1.17
Free T3 - 2.7
Cortisol - 18 (tested at 8 am)
02/05/16:
Total T - 790
Free T - 12.7
SHBG - 56
Estradiol - 18.5
Estrone - 16
TSH - 2.3
Free T4 - 1.13
Free T3 - 3.4
THYROID PEROXIDASE AB - <1 Reference range <9 (IU/ML)
THYROGLOBULIN AB - <1 Reference range <4 (IU/ML)
04/05/2016
Total Testosterone - 957 (348-1197 ng/dl)
Free Testosterone - 15.1 (9.3-26.5 pg/ml)
SHBG - 53.5 (16.5-55.9 nmol/L)
Estradiol - 6.8 (7.6-42.6 pg/ml) LOW
LH - 8.2 (1.7-8.6 mIU/mL)
FSH - 7.4 (1.5-12.4 mIU/mL)
I thought it was werid how my total test levels jumped up by 500ng/dl over the past year and a half or so? My doctor told me not to worry about the SHBG too, she said it was fine to be that high even though it was out of the range.
I visitied with a bio hormone doctor recently who looked at all my labs and he was not hesitant to want to put me on 100mg cyp a week, desiccated thyroid, and cortef. I was rather shocked, but he believed that with sucha a protocol he could get me off of the BP meds and the Klonopin which is my ultimate goal cause neither of those help with my symptoms. If not, making them worse. I did not make this attempt as pricing was outrageous and I’m trying to avoid hrt at this point but I would consider it.
My objective is to avoid TRT or HRT, but if it meant changing the way I feel, I would definitely consider them.
Is it possible for me to be suffering Adrenal Fatigue? I have been through some serious stuff through all of this and with my super high anxiety it has me thinking I may be suffering from it, especially since I wake up in a panic in the mornings and pretty much feel anxious all day.
If someone with more knowledge can chime in and help out that would be great, until then I will do my own research on things.
And if anyone is wondering I’m 6’4" about 185lbs (I sometimes feel under weight at my height and weight) and I eat healthy 90% of the time, making sure to get in the ball park of 3000 calories each day, while the remaining is not caring what I eat and enjoying food with friends or family. I also just recently started lifting weights again and that has been helping me feel a little better but also I tend to get extremely drained after workouts. I’m talking sore ans fatigue for maybe even a week after training with moderate intensity. I also do yoga on non lifting days.
From the time I got off the steroids and up until recently I had ate very poorly and did not exercise. My sleep has also been pretty compromised since the start of using PEDs and still up until this day, but I’m working on a good sleep schedule, I just can’t seem to get deep, restful sleep, always waking up and tossing and turning, which I know is not making me feel worse as well.
If anyone has any advice or tips, I thank you, and thank you for taking the time to read my post.
-Runup