Where do i start?

[Starkraven]

im 22, i used gear in the past, in fact i came off 5 months ago from test/tren, never felt more miserable mentally and physically. it took me like 13 weeks just to get my libido back and its still not all there. it also left some slight bloating in my face, i dont know why, maybe prolacting or progesterone. its like some bloating under my chin/jawline. most of it is gone, i think the tren did it.

anyway, for years i always feel tired. i always eat a good clean diet, no junk, i take my multis, greens+ and still i am tired. now im positive there is something wrong with my test levels or thyroid levels or both. im always like 16% BF too, and just have a hard time putting on mass or losing fat.

i have NO health insurance and i dont have alot of money. however, this means alot to me i hate being tired and low on energy. it takes me forever to get out of bed, IM ALWAYS TIRED EVEN AFTER WAKING UP OR TAKING A NAP. i sleep as much as i want, about 7-8 hours a night. i train 3/days a week, although i stalled (not that i made so many gains anyway, but now im getting weaker!) so im taking off a week from training.

anyway, where do i start? who do i go to to get the lab work done and how much does it cost? since swale no longer accepts internet patients, what can i do now? not to be rude, but im not going to pay an extra $200 to have a consultation that a Dr. i go to can do the same. someone point me in the right direction please. thanks.

 

[earthdog]

Medical insurance helps, or you're going to pay a lot out of pocket. Find a local PCP / family doctor who is willing to test you and work with you. The Labs I Run sticky is a good place to start, but your doctor would have to know how to interpret all those labs, so taking that many may not be practical. In that case, for testosterone and related sex hormones, at minimum, you should get:

Total test
Free test
LH
FSH
DHT
SHBG
Estradiol - specify "by extraction" or "sensitive" or you'll get a woman's test which is useless

Get a copy of the lab results from the lab or from the doctor and post them here. We'll have good picture of what's going on from them. Others may have other suggestions as well.

Read and re-read TRT: A recipe for success. The more you read it, the more you'll understand.

I don't know squat about thyroid so I can't help you there.

Also don't rule out other medical causes. Are you big? Big neck? Snore? Sleep apnea can cause those symptoms as well. I have it, and I sleep with a Darth Vader-like mask that forces air in to keep the airways open during sleep. Once you get used to it, it makes a huge difference in the quality of sleep you get. Talk to your doctor about all that stuff.

 

[JCMC64]

Thyroid

Low T symptoms and Hypo Thyroid symptoms mirror each other closely. You must get TSH, AS WELL AS -- Free T4 and Free T3 checked...

The symptoms you list partially could fit into either one.

check out this link for basic thyroid info:
http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/diagnosis_comp.htm

 

[Starkraven]

im not big at all. i dont snore but i posted this on another forum and one also mentioned sleep apnea. sometimes ONLY WHEN I NAP THOUGH, right before im about to fall asleep, i gasp for air and wake up and cant nap. i dont know why this happens. this happens rarely at night as well. again this is common but not very often now that i think about it. when i was around 18, i used to sleep straight through like 8 hours, even more like 10 hours, now at 22 i never do. i wake up in the middle of the night usually because i have to urinate. very rarely i will wake up gasping for air but this does happen.

 

[Starkraven]

i cant afford medical insurance. as much as i do want it, its just too much. someone mentioned looking for a free clinic. can i have my tests done there?

 

[earthdog]

i gasp for air and wake up and cant nap. i dont know why this happens. this happens rarely at night as well. again this is common but not very often now that i think about it. when i was around 18, i used to sleep straight through like 8 hours, even more like 10 hours, now at 22 i never do. i wake up in the middle of the night usually because i have to urinate. very rarely i will wake up gasping for air but this does happen.

That's what happens during sleep apnea; you stop breathing and eventually gasp for air. Very rarely if ever will you know you are doing it. When I went for my sleep study, they told me I had "events" 50+ times per hour. That's almost once a minute I stopped breathing, but I never knew it. This is worth going to a sleep study for you. It's an overnight stay at a hospital sleep clinic. You should call your local hospital and find out the price. Sleep apnea doesn't just ruin your life because you're tired all the time, it is also dangerous. Maybe you can get your family to help you pay for it. Just my 2 cents. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Starkraven]

You have a PM earthdog.

 

[pmgamer18]

Yes try to find a free clinic to get tested tell them the same thing you told us.
Now if your found to have low T and can't aford the meds you can get Testim free. Go to this link and click on Patient Assistance.
http://www.auxilium.com/
Phil

 

[earthdog]

Yes try to find a free clinic to get tested tell them the same thing you told us.
Now if your found to have low T and can't aford the meds you can get Testim free. Go to this link and click on Patient Assistance.
http://www.auxilium.com/
Phil

Phil,

It never ceases to amaze me on how much you help out other bros on this forum! From reading your posts, it sounds like you went through a lot of shizzle because of low T and bad doctors, and now you're doing everything you can to help out other guys in the same situation. Thanks for being here and for everything you have contributed.

Starkraven, here's another link on sleep apnea, what causes it, the dangers, and the treatments. Ignore the part about surgery, most guys don't need it.

 

[pmgamer18]

I thank God I got my life back after 21 yrs of this and all I can say is I am greatful. And if I can pass it forward so the next guy has it better why not.
Thanks Phil