My PCT Journal to kickstart HPTA post HRT

Alright fellas... For those of you who've been following my journal... Below are my very latest blood results as of 2/18/2008.

It seems like my Testosterone is climbing up but at a snail's pace but still in low but normal range.
Notice the big difference in my Bioavailable testosterone and the big jump from the start @ 110 to the end @ 198. But, I'm not sure what the range is...
Also; my E2 has climbed up from 7 to 8 ( still pretty low)

Note how high my Ferritin is ... I'm not sure what an impact this will have on the rest of my levels.

I'm not sure what the future holds any more...

************************************************************************

Feb 18, 2008

Testosterone Serum ----> 376 ----- (241-827)
Testosterone Free ------> 9.05 ------(6.8 - 21.5)
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 198 --(unknown range as I figured it with a calculator on the web)
E2 ----> 8 --- (3 - 70)
LH ---> 6.2 --- (1.5 - 9.3)
FSH ---> 2.9 --- (1.4 - 18.1)

Ferritin, serum ------> 423 -------- (22 - 322) (Very high)


***********************************************************

Aug 30, 2007

Testosterone Serum ----> 328 ----- (241-827)
Testosterone Free ------> 8.5 ------(6.8 - 21.5)


*********************************************


Nov 29, 2006 (7.5 weeks after since Oct 6)

LH ---> 4.1 --- (1.5 - 9.3)
FSH ---> 2.0 --- (1.4 - 18.1)
Testosterone serum ---> 286 --- (241 - 827)
Testosterone free ---> 6.32 --- (8.7 - 25.1) -- Climbing up but still below range
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 142 --(unknown range as I figured it with a calculator on the web)
DHEA ----> 111 --- (120 - 520)
E2 ----> 7 --- (3 - 70)

ALT ---> 66 --- (0 - 55) -- (I've had a bad back injury that's been lingering for weeks)

*********************************************

Oct 6, 2006(Three weeks after last intake of Nolvadex exactly)

LH ---> 4.8 --- (1.5 - 9.3)
FSH ---> 1.5 --- (1.4 - 18.1)
Testosterone serum ---> 300 --- (241 - 827) -- Major improvement from 68 pre PCT...
Testosterone free ---> 4.60 --- (8.7 - 25.1) -- Still below range
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 110 --(unknown range as I figured it with a calculator on the web)
DHEA ----> 97 --- (120 - 520)
E2 ----> 7 --- (3 - 70)

*********************************************

Its starting right at you

With an LH that high, healthy testicals should be cranking out Testosterone like a Motley Crue in the 80's
 
Yah but, the older you get the less sensitive the leydig cells are to LH, so when you get older your levels will be higher yet testosteorne wont be high.
Large amounts of Vitamin E can help this some, it is good for those leydig cells.
 
Jan... I am hiding absolutely nothing brother... I promise... Actually I do have my SHBG... I just didn't post all the results... But, here you go:

SHBG ----> 26 ----- (13 - 71)
Albumin, serum -------> 4.0 ----- (3.5 - 5.5)
Total Testosterone ------> 376 ------ (241 - 827)

Plug these numbers using the calculator that you gave me, I end up with

Testosterone Free ------> 9.05 ------(6.8 - 21.5)
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 198

Try it for yourself, so hopefully you'll believe me.
.

Forget the Testosterone bioavailable, that calculator is not giving good values for it.

But it works for FreeT.
you have

FreeT=9.05 ng/dL=90.5pg/mL

As far as I know you need to have FreeT=160 pg/mL
so you are missing a lot.
That is when natural or possibly on HCG only.

When you start supplementing T externally the bar rises to
FreeT (250-300)

with your SHBG=26
you should go for
160-170 mg/week
and then retest.
no sense of starting any lower than that.

Your high ferritin may throw some monkey wrench into this system.
Check Hematocrit

plus many other things.

I am sure testing at Genova would shed some more light.
 
Hi Han... Sorry for not writing earlier ... had a crazy busy couple of days at work.. But, anyway...

Yea... Dr. John is checking on a few things with regards to possible hemochromatosis. Just did another blood test and waiting to hear from him.

So you really think high ferritin could interfere with my testosterone production?? I tried to find supporting research but could not find any.. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right places. If you have some research please let me know.

As far as my copper, it could be out of wack.... For over a year now, I've been on ZMA and been reading that Zinc may cause copper to plummet but I haven't been supplementing with copper.

Dr. John has the results of my organic acid test and rihnes test.. They didn't mail those to me. But, the ferritin stuck out like a sore thumb.

.

Who did your oganic acid testing?
 
I am copper deficint as well test came back 76 (70-150) and this was taking 2 mgs of multi up untill the test !!
Go figure. your copper could be low for fact of low estrogen not taking it up for absorption. Low estrogen = low copper and zinc would be driving that already into the shitter so to speak. I tested 2 clinets on copper and both of them came up deifeinct. GO FIGURE !!

How did you checked for copper.
I had a story about my copper.
Quest test shows too much copper.
Genova shows defficiency.
 
Yah but, the older you get the less sensitive the leydig cells are to LH, so when you get older your levels will be higher yet testosteorne wont be high.
Large amounts of Vitamin E can help this some, it is good for those leydig cells.

He's only 41, give or take. But perhaps the prohormones did harm to the Leydig cells. That LH is high for the TT. Something seems wrong. Seems like he needs T.
 
He's only 41, give or take. But perhaps the prohormones did harm to the Leydig cells. That LH is high for the TT. Something seems wrong. Seems like he needs T.

It is not uncommon for a guy 41 to have issues with andropause.
It does happen.
 
BigAk, if you feel fine where you are at why go on TRT?
Some guys just hover in the lower end of things and are fine with that.
It could be the case that your SHBG is a bit low due to the estrogen being low and free test could be higher, which might make things seem as bad as it appears.

If you got good sex drive, then I doubt you are going to have any problems.
Morning wood is always a good thing and if you get that then I would not worry yourself.

Hi hackskii

From all the symptoms of Hypogonadism, the only one I fee is low energy after 5pm... As far as sex, I can honestly say that I'm good in this department. Sometimes I cum faster than desired but the crazy thing is that even after orgasm, my erection remains hard and I can resume and finish up the job for my wife. Take a while for my erection to subside. Other times (like two days ago), I seem to keep going forever it seems like and hold off on the orgasm till needed. Morning woods happen whenever I don't have an orgasm the night before. All that with my low levels above.... There are many guys who have trouble in this department even while on TRT and their testosterone is of 17 year old kid.... so go figure...

My concern is my very low E2 and the potential cardiac trouble associated with it. Yes,things may be fine and dandy now.... but who knows what will happen in the future if I don't take care of it.

Other potential issues associated with low T is also a big concern... The guys on this board post many articles and research associated with potential future trouble including early death... I am constantly reminded with these troubles and it scares the hell out of me... So. It's not all about Sex...

I don't know.... I'm at conflict really... On one hand, I don't want the life-long dependency (on the meds and the inadequate health system) and I'm only 41; on the other; I want to be and remain healthy and enjoy my life.

While working with Dr. John to figure out the ferritin issue and try a few more things, I may end up on TRT again once he runs out of tricks off his sleeve.

It's been a year and a half already.... and my nuts are lagging behind and it's upsetting to tell the truth... But, I am begining to accept this reality.

It's upsetting to write that I may have failed at my efforts here.....

.

.
 
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Yah but, the older you get the less sensitive the leydig cells are to LH, so when you get older your levels will be higher yet testosteorne wont be high.
Large amounts of Vitamin E can help this some, it is good for those leydig cells.

Duh

That obviously means hypogonadism is a slow process

And it also means one needs to correct it. We don't have any other means right now other than adding outside T
 
It is not uncommon for a guy 41 to have issues with andropause.
It does happen.

1/3 of the population over 30

1/2 over 50

Those are the facts, per Dr John

Throw in AAS use

Plus he is a ex athlete(BB). They are very likely to be hypogonadal at a younger age.

They blow out LH like a junkie exercising

Testes become desenitized

I can explain this process in much greater detail if you want me too :D
 
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I'm not sure I fully agree - you definately could be right, although there are other factors in play with testicle sensitivity... bigAK - what was your last thyroid results ?
 
I'm not sure I fully agree - you definately could be right, although there are other factors in play with testicle sensitivity... bigAK - what was your last thyroid results ?

Hi coz.

Here are my results from last year on 11/29/2006.. I am not sure what they are now a days..

T4, Free (Direct) ------- 1.04 --------- (0.61 - 1.76)
TSH --------- 3.193 -------- (0.350 - 5.500)
Triiodothyronine, Free, Serum -- 3.1 --- (2.3 - 4.2)

IGF-1 ---------188 ------ (109 - 284)

I have mentioned thyroid/adrenal issues to Dr. John, but he dismissed my notion and said I'm normal.

Currently I'm thinking over the fact that my high ferritin could be a cause for my low test.. but, to be honest, I am beginning to give up on this fight.... Seeing my LH at 6.2 and my total T at 376 still after a year and a half only make me want to give up the fight... Maybe I just messed myself up for good using the AAS. It sure sucks big time... I'm running out of tricks short of new testicles implants.. It just seems like my nuts are not cranking up enough testosterone.
.....

not sure what's next.....

maybe TRT ...

.
 
Hi hackskii

From all the symptoms of Hypogonadism, the only one I fee is low energy after 5pm... As far as sex, I can honestly say that I'm good in this department. Sometimes I cum faster than desired but the crazy thing is that even after orgasm, my erection remains hard and I can resume and finish up the job for my wife. Take a while for my erection to subside. Other times (like two days ago), I seem to keep going forever it seems like and hold off on the orgasm till needed. Morning woods happen whenever I don't have an orgasm the night before. All that with my low levels above.... There are many guys who have trouble in this department even while on TRT and their testosterone is of 17 year old kid.... so go figure...

My concern is my very low E2 and the potential cardiac trouble associated with it. Yes,things may be fine and dandy now.... but who knows what will happen in the future if I don't take care of it.

Other potential issues associated with low T is also a big concern... The guys on this board post many articles and research associated with potential future trouble including early death... I am constantly reminded with these troubles and it scares the hell out of me... So. It's not all about Sex...

I don't know.... I'm at conflict really... On one hand, I don't want the life-long dependency (on the meds and the inadequate health system) and I'm only 41; on the other; I want to be and remain healthy and enjoy my life.

While working with Dr. John to figure out the ferritin issue and try a few more things, I may end up on TRT again once he runs out of tricks off his sleeve.

It's been a year and a half already.... and my nuts are lagging behind and it's upsetting to tell the truth... But, I am begining to accept this reality.

It's upsetting to write that I may have failed at my efforts here.....

.

.

I suggest that you do thise two tests and keep them for the record.

Estradiol, Free, LC/MS/MS (36169X)
Dihydrotestosterone, Free, Serum (36168X)

My even pay to do them twice, on weakly intervals.

I think that sex is highly dependent on e2 and also DHT levels.
And, most likely there are personal optimum levels.

If you ever start supplementing with T the e2 and DHT settings will come handy
.
You will have a good goal settings that you could aim for, latter on.
 
Hi coz.

Here are my results from last year on 11/29/2006.. I am not sure what they are now a days..

T4, Free (Direct) ------- 1.04 --------- (0.61 - 1.76)
TSH --------- 3.193 -------- (0.350 - 5.500)
Triiodothyronine, Free, Serum -- 3.1 --- (2.3 - 4.2)

IGF-1 ---------188 ------ (109 - 284)

I have mentioned thyroid/adrenal issues to Dr. John, but he dismissed my notion and said I'm normal.

Currently I'm thinking over the fact that my high ferritin could be a cause for my low test.. but, to be honest, I am beginning to give up on this fight.... Seeing my LH at 6.2 and my total T at 376 still after a year and a half only make me want to give up the fight... Maybe I just messed myself up for good using the AAS. It sure sucks big time... I'm running out of tricks short of new testicles implants.. It just seems like my nuts are not cranking up enough testosterone.
.....

not sure what's next.....

maybe TRT ...

.

Your thyroid looks low to me, TSH is over 3 & your Free T3 is only 3.1. I think Dr M starts treating thyroid at 3.1 or lower. How are you body temps ?
 
I'm not sure I fully agree - you definately could be right, although there are other factors in play with testicle sensitivity... bigAK - what was your last thyroid results ?

Really?

Perhaps you need to take a look at this article


Come on Coz, you should know better than to doubt me by now
 
I doubt even trained medical professionals have all the answers, or there wouldn't be so many sick guys looking to get better ...

A hypothesis from one study on sprinters is hardly fact as to the cause of BigAk's issues.
 
Really?

Perhaps you need to take a look at this article


Come on Coz, you should know better than to doubt me by now

Wow... So basically my kick ass leg squats workout from yesterday did me more harm than good hormonally wise??? I find this hard to believe... If it's really true, this sucks big time. All this time, I thought my squats are helping me produce more testosterone!!!!

.
 
A hypothesis from one study on sprinters is hardly fact as to the cause of BigAk's issues.

True... My issues are far bigger than that... The use of AAS is what got me where I am today. My nuts are still in a sleeping mode or something... With an LH of 6, they're still not budging; although they're big and firm.... I don't get it..

.
 
Your thyroid looks low to me, TSH is over 3 & your Free T3 is only 3.1. I think Dr M starts treating thyroid at 3.1 or lower. How are you body temps ?

Yes.. I had a discussion with Dr. Crisler about my TSH over 3, he said he won't be alarmed until it's way over that range...

I have not measured my body temps.. But, I can surely say that I was a lot warmer when I was on HRT... I used to easily sweat and liked cold showers in the summer.... For example, the lady who cuts my hair regularly, she'd wash my hair in the sink. when I was on TRT, I always requested cold water and it always felt awesome in any season. Now, without TRT, I have noticed that I can't stand cold water cause it's too cold. She even thought it was weird how I changed last year.

In the gym, I used to sweat so easily ... Now, I can go through a whole workout with minimal sweat. Same thing with my hair and skin, I used to have to wash my hair every day due to oil... Now, I can literally go 5 days without needing to wash my hair... (I still take showers regularly... don't worry..haha)...

I guess.. I am trying to show how different I've become in many aspects due to my new natural low testosterone levels. There are many other differences I can talk about...

.
 
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