Continue trying to restore "youthful" testosterone or choose TRT

[4wheel]

I am
26 years old
6'2
92kg
15% bf

Brief overview of my AAS related history:
- First cycle at 22 years old. 12 weeks of test e 500mg/wk. Followed by a reasonable PCT.
- Did a few more mild cycles (total dosages no more than 400 mg) with reasonable PCTs and about 6 months of recovery time in between.
- Did a year straight of testosterone 250 mg/wk with added compounds like EQ, masteron and sometimes higher testosterone for shorter periods of time (>10 weeks at a time).
- Was off for about 4 months and went back on testosterone mostly just constant 250 mg/wk for a little over a year.
- Decided I wanted to try and come off completely in october, where I stopped all AAS and started a power PCT.

Did bloodwork a week ago. Results are as follows:
Testosterone 268 ng/dl.
Estradiol below reference range.
SHBG 46.1 nmol/L 13-55
Low T and high SHBG makes free T super low.
LH 4.1 IU/L 1.5-11
FSH 3.7 IU/L 1.1-7.9

Ever since I was on for a year straight my total T has always come back just below 300 ng/dl.
I am a medical student and need my mind sharp and lots of energy. Ever since coming off, my motivation has diminished, my thinking is at times less efficient, I don't accumulate new knowledge as fast, my overall happiness is lower and so is my libido. Therefore it's not too much of a surprise to see the above numbers.

My question is whether you guys think I should give it more time, take more pct meds or realize that I have permanently put myself in a position, where I need TRT. I'm not opposed to TRT and will do whatever it takes to keep me at my best level of functionality.

 

[TS561]

Have you consulted with an Endocrinologist? Or even a General Practitioner? Ultimately, you will choose whatever you wish. However, some on TRT would jump at the chance to restore natural function. Good luck with everything.

 

[Docd187123]

What time of day are your blood draws?

 

[4wheel]

My general practitioner. Have used him for years for blood analyses. He just agreed today to let me see an endocrinologist (things are run differently in Denmark, where I live).

My blood has always been drawn early in the day, I'm aware of the circadian rythm and hour-hour fluctuations.

Certainly, a lifetime commitment is a serious thing. I'll have to see what the endos say. Thanks for your replies guys!

 

[master.on]

I am
26 years old
6'2
92kg
15% bf

Brief overview of my AAS related history:
- First cycle at 22 years old. 12 weeks of test e 500mg/wk. Followed by a reasonable PCT.
- Did a few more mild cycles (total dosages no more than 400 mg) with reasonable PCTs and about 6 months of recovery time in between.
- Did a year straight of testosterone 250 mg/wk with added compounds like EQ, masteron and sometimes higher testosterone for shorter periods of time (>10 weeks at a time).
- Was off for about 4 months and went back on testosterone mostly just constant 250 mg/wk for a little over a year.
- Decided I wanted to try and come off completely in october, where I stopped all AAS and started a power PCT.

Did bloodwork a week ago. Results are as follows:
Testosterone 268 ng/dl.
Estradiol below reference range.
SHBG 46.1 nmol/L 13-55
Low T and high SHBG makes free T super low.
LH 4.1 IU/L 1.5-11
FSH 3.7 IU/L 1.1-7.9

Ever since I was on for a year straight my total T has always come back just below 300 ng/dl.
I am a medical student and need my mind sharp and lots of energy. Ever since coming off, my motivation has diminished, my thinking is at times less efficient, I don't accumulate new knowledge as fast, my overall happiness is lower and so is my libido. Therefore it's not too much of a surprise to see the above numbers.

My question is whether you guys think I should give it more time, take more pct meds or realize that I have permanently put myself in a position, where I need TRT. I'm not opposed to TRT and will do whatever it takes to keep me at my best level of functionality.

26 y.o = too young for TRT

Do some 250-500 IU 2x/week + some Aromatase Inhibitor (I prefer Letro 1.25 mg just ONCE a week) for a couple months and retest
just Test and Estradiol are needed for now as LH/FSH may be temporarily suppressed by HCG
This will be the ultimate diagnosis if your Testicles can still make enough Test (I think they will)

Dr @Michael Scally MD posted studies where HCG has been used for YEARS and the pituitary ALWAYS resets to make LH/FSH upon HCG discontinuation.

At worst, you may need to use HCG for 6-12 months to fully regrow your testis. Not a big deal as long as you keep Estrogen in check.

Finally, don't listen to shills bashing HCG
few sources sell HCG so they bash it and tout TRT/pct instead

HCG maks your testicles great again.

 

[Eman]

^ don't even bother reading whatever he posted... I know him well enough to know it was worthless info.

 

[4wheel]

^ don't even bother reading whatever he posted... I know him well enough to know it was worthless info.

Thank you!

 

[master.on]

^ don't even bother reading whatever he posted... I know him well enough to know it was worthless info.

See what I mean about shills bashing HCG and those of us mentioning it?

 

[4wheel]

See what I mean about shills bashing HCG and those of us mentioning it?

If it was indeed solely a testicular issue, I'm sure my pituitary would be secreting more LH. I interpret it more as being a dysregulated, suppressed HPTA as a consequence of my history of anabolic steroid use. I believe hcg is a potential temporary fix that once discontinued leaves me with an even more suppressed HPTA. I also believe that SERMs may only provide temporary boosts in my case.
"Believing" doesn't have much value though

 

[Docd187123]

Thank you!

Dr. Scally had to warn him not to put words in his mouth lol. If you value your HPTA, do NOT listen to masteron

 

[G2Ready]

Just thinking out loud.....

Your making LH, and FSH, and your T is coming up..... so your not primary.... So you are AAS induced secondary....

I Honestly feel like time is your best option.... sometimes it can take a year or longer....

So honestly it's you that has to make the decision to wait it out or not

Some will recommend additional serms... I'd recommend time... and if it helps get blood work every month so you can see it coming up

Good luck bro

 

[4wheel]

UPDATE
Most recent labwork showed
tT 314 ng/dl
SHBG 35 nmol/L
LH 3.7 IU/L
FSH 4.1 IU/L

I've gained access to some old blood work from before I ever took AAS, back when I was 21 years old. Back then I had
tT 403 ng/dl
LH 3,9 IU/L

I'm very happy to have discovered this, as it gives me an idea bout my baseline testosterone concentration at a young age. I worked out 5 times a week back then and was eating healthy, not drinking etc, getting lots of sleep.

I will be starting trt in the near future. I simply feel so much better with higher testosterone, my quality of life increases dramatically.
The trt will be testosterone enanthate, dosed at either 125 mg/wk or 250 mg/2wks. For some reason, the clinic that I'm in dialogue with prefers the 250 mg/2wks protocol. Obviously I will argue that 125 mg/wk suits the halflife of the ester better and will provide a more stable plasma concentration with smaller fluctuations.

 

[4wheel]

I'm now on day 7 of TRT. The treatment is 250mg of testosterone enanthate every two weeks. I currently feel much better than before, huge improvement already. I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel during the second week.

 

[Sk8man101]

26 y.o = too young for TRT

Do some 250-500 IU 2x/week + some Aromatase Inhibitor (I prefer Letro 1.25 mg just ONCE a week) for a couple months and retest
just Test and Estradiol are needed for now as LH/FSH may be temporarily suppressed by HCG
This will be the ultimate diagnosis if your Testicles can still make enough Test (I think they will)

Dr @Michael Scally MD posted studies where HCG has been used for YEARS and the pituitary ALWAYS resets to make LH/FSH upon HCG discontinuation.

At worst, you may need to use HCG for 6-12 months to fully regrow your testis. Not a big deal as long as you keep Estrogen in check.

Finally, don't listen to shills bashing HCG
few sources sell HCG so they bash it and tout TRT/pct instead

HCG maks your testicles great again.

Go away.
There is NO age "to young" for trt.
If a medical professional deems that he requires it to maintain his normal day-to-day functions then it is what it is.

He choose to stay on for a year and given his cycle layouts it looks like he was informed of the risks that would follow.

This is a prime example of why not to blast/cruise at a young age.

But good luck OP in making you descision. No matter your age it will never be an easy descision to commit your life to AAS.

Edit: I commented before finishing the thread, I see you've taken the perminate plunge to the dark side. At least the bright side is no more PCT!