Fertility, SHBG and AAS

[Matt377]

Hi Meso,

Last year I (40+m) decided I will start self prescribed TRT as soon as my wife is pregnant since my quality of life went down significantly and I blame it on my hormones. I haven't started ANYTHING yet.

My last two bloods came back with
around 550 ng/dl total test,
60 nmol/l SHBG (slightly above range),
5 IU/l FSH and
9 IU/l LH
E2 around 25

The high SHBG reduces my free T to just above minimum but my urologist thinks this is fine.

Fast forward to last week, I realized that also my sperm count and motility sucks. Both slightly below the minimum ranges. Only my volume was good with above 7 ml.

Something's fucking wrong. I will see my urologist in a month again and ask for help.

Until then I want to find out what options I have beyond taking supplements.

Would (en-)clomiphene make sense? I have my doubts with that already high LH.

What about HCG?

Also I read that Proviron has been used to help with fertility in the past, but the studies are not conclusive. The good thing about Proviron is also the reduction of SHBG which is too high in my case. It wouldn't suppress my HPTA and no issues with the liver. Thinking 50 mg ED

Any thoughts and recommendations are appreciated. I will not start anything before I've talked to my doctor in a month.

 

[SenorSuperdrol]

Ror your SHBG your could introduce Proviron or Boron. I would do research on if there is any birth defects with either on if you plan on taking those before getting your wife pregnant.

As far as implementing (en-)clomid or hcg. While I think you have the right idea, I guess (en-)clomid would be better potentially because you’ll get some FSH too. Comes with a different side effect profile than hcg.

That’s my take on it, your total test seems solid for your age bro. If you’re symptomatic of low t I bet lowering that shbg will help.

 

[Matt377]

Thank you for your answer.

I tried boron last year and didn't have a SHBG reducing effect.
Have you heard about any birth defects with proviron or is that just caution?

 

[SenorSuperdrol]

I have not heard anything, I’d just cautious of everything with your particular goal in mind.

 

[Matt377]

Impatient and annoyed, I did new bloodwork.
And now I am completely lost. This is worse than gambling.

How do I have suddenly stats like that and why do I not feel it?

All I take is the usual 5 mg Tadalafil (Cialis) a day.


Edit: also I did a "advanced thyroid" check with FT3, FT4, TSH and antibody-something. Everything's within range. TSH at 1.68

 

[Matt377]

Additional information:

A few months ago I took BPC-157 and TB500 for issues with my back and elbow. Both in standard doses for approximately 6 weeks.

Could this have any influence on fertility or hormones?

 

[Henchus maximus98736]

I experienced a dip in my Test whilst my GF was pregnant.

Felt like a little bitch when he arrived ha ha. Think that is normal though.

 

[Dude from Nevada]

Hi Meso,

Last year I (40+m) decided I will start self prescribed TRT as soon as my wife is pregnant since my quality of life went down significantly and I blame it on my hormones. I haven't started ANYTHING yet.

My last two bloods came back with
around 550 ng/dl total test,
60 nmol/l SHBG (slightly above range),
5 IU/l FSH and
9 IU/l LH
E2 around 25

The high SHBG reduces my free T to just above minimum but my urologist thinks this is fine.

Fast forward to last week, I realized that also my sperm count and motility sucks. Both slightly below the minimum ranges. Only my volume was good with above 7 ml.

Something's fucking wrong. I will see my urologist in a month again and ask for help.

Until then I want to find out what options I have beyond taking supplements.

Would (en-)clomiphene make sense? I have my doubts with that already high LH.

What about HCG?

Also I read that Proviron has been used to help with fertility in the past, but the studies are not conclusive. The good thing about Proviron is also the reduction of SHBG which is too high in my case. It wouldn't suppress my HPTA and no issues with the liver. Thinking 50 mg ED

Any thoughts and recommendations are appreciated. I will not start anything before I've talked to my doctor in a month.

Your Dr. may not prescribe HCG to increase the power and quantity of your swimmers; HCG will also elevate your LH and SFH telling your testes to get busy.

 

[Matt377]

You mean my doctor may prescribe HCG? Because you wrote "may not".

 

[BigTomJ]

Ror your SHBG your could introduce Proviron or Boron. I would do research on if there is any birth defects with either on if you plan on taking those before getting your wife pregnant.

As far as implementing (en-)clomid or hcg. While I think you have the right idea, I guess (en-)clomid would be better potentially because you’ll get some FSH too. Comes with a different side effect profile than hcg.

That’s my take on it, your total test seems solid for your age bro. If you’re symptomatic of low t I bet lowering that shbg will help.

nothing a man takes can determine birth defect, as all birth defects are a product of the egg.

 

[SenorSuperdrol]

nothing a man takes can determine birth defect, as all birth defects are a product of the egg.

Naw homie, when you say “nothing a man takes” that’s just silly. I’m sure if I cared enough I could dig up many other drugs with statistic that oppose your premise.

 

[Country Club Hero]

nothing a man takes can determine birth defect, as all birth defects are a product of the egg.

You sure? I thought I read that men handling broken finasteride pills can cause it. I’m not sure though.

 

[BigTomJ]

Naw homie, when you say “nothing a man takes” that’s just silly. I’m sure if I cared enough I could dig up many other drugs with statistic that oppose your premise.

I stand corrected.

Upon further research chromosomal birth defects can occur from DNA fragmentation in the sperm.

Sperm morphology, such as decreased motility (which we frequently see with AAS use) does not cause birth defects. Which is what I had looked into prior when researching if my own personal use would effect my children.

I had not considered that some medications might cause DNA fragmentation.

Thank you



Edit: it's too late to edit my original post.

 

[onefinalrep]

nothing a man takes can determine birth defect, as all birth defects are a product of the egg.

Who got you to believe that line of BS?

Here's the truth: Birth defects and genetic disorders are often caused by chromosomal abnormalities, which happen when either the mom's egg or the dad's sperm containing the wrong number of chromosomes.

So, if a man takes something that fucks up his sperm, it absolutely can cause a birth defect.

 

[onefinalrep]

I stand corrected.

Upon further research chromosomal birth defects can occur from DNA fragmentation in the sperm.

Sperm morphology, such as decreased motility (which we frequently see with AAS use) does not cause birth defects. Which is what I had looked into prior when researching if my own personal use would effect my children.

I had not considered that some medications might cause DNA fragmentation.

Thank you



Edit: it's too late to edit my original post.

Sorry just saw this but again, AAS can lead to more than just sperm motility issues. You are kidding yourself if you believe otherwise.

 

[BigTomJ]

Sorry just saw this but again, AAS can lead to more than just sperm motility issues. You are kidding yourself if you believe otherwise.

Granted most research is done on testosterone, and trt specifically (that I've been able to find)

But I have not seen any study suggesting potential DNA or chromosomal damage as a result of AAS.

If you have found a paper finding otherwise I'd greatly like to read it, as children are in my very near future

 

[onefinalrep]

Granted most research is done on testosterone, and trt specifically (that I've been able to find)

But I have not seen any study suggesting potential DNA or chromosomal damage as a result of AAS.

If you have found a paper finding otherwise I'd greatly like to read it, as children are in my very near future

Actually, I stand corrected as well, lol. I meant to say PEDs in general. I figure most of us take more than just steroids.

If you want to have children in the future, I would research anything you are taking or have taken within 3 months of trying to conceive.

There is indeed no solid evidence that AAS cause chromosomal defects. The only thing I see is what we already know plus that AAS can cause morphological abnormalities in sperm which likely means they aren't going to make it to the finish line anyway.

 

[BigTomJ]

Actually, I stand corrected as well, lol. I meant to say PEDs in general. I figure most of us take more than just steroids.

If you want to have children in the future, I would research anything you are taking or have taken within 3 months of trying to conceive.

There is indeed no solid evidence that AAS cause chromosomal defects. The only thing I see is what we already know plus that AAS can cause morphological abnormalities in sperm which likely means they aren't going to make it to the finish line anyway.

Yeah this was the major factor that I had found in research as well.

Prolonged periods of suppression of spermiogenesis seem to cause a lot of defective sperm that greatly reduce motility, potentially making it harder to conceive.

The broscience reason why bodybuilders seem to maybe have a disproportionate amount of girls is due to the logic is that this compromised motility means female sperm (which live significantly longer) have a greater probability of reaching and fertilizing an egg. Obviously this will probably never be studied in deapth or proven in anyway, but the surface level logic seems sound enough.


From all the reading I've done (I have a very anxious and curious significant other that knows exactly what I do and how much, and desperately wants kids in the future) I couldn't find any potential links to birth defects and any of the androgens or ancillaries we usually see in this hobby/sport. I neglected to consider things like metformin though.

 

[Dude from Nevada]

In order to increase your semen's motility, HCG for 4 or so weeks before trying to conceive is a good idea.
HCG increases your LH and FSH to trigger sperm production; it also increases the seminal fluid's texture kind of as slippery.
When using HCG you should notice your ejaculate feels much more slippery or for lack of a better term "greasy."

 

[SenorSuperdrol]

In order to increase your semen's motility, HCG for 4 or so weeks before trying to conceive is a good idea.
HCG increases your LH and FSH to trigger sperm production; it also increases the seminal fluid's texture kind of as slippery.
When using HCG you should notice your ejaculate feels much more slippery or for lack of a better term "greasy."

Not exactly man, HCG is a synthetic LH and has nothing to do with FSH.