TRT and Maintaining HPTA Function

[S1W]

In a recent discussion of labs with a doc, he looked at my LH number, which was 0.1 and said he didn't like that. I was surprised by his reaction - my take on it was that any exogenous testosterone would shut the HPTA down so I assumed that number was par for the course.

He said that since my Total T was within range but high in the range, and that my Free T was high and out of range, along with E2 high and out of range, along with hematocrit at the top of the range, that we should decrease my dose.

The doc said the main thing he'd like to see is my LH number come back up. He also believes that lowering my dose would allow the rest of my numbers to balance out in range and that I would probably feel better. He said that he likes to find a balance of increasing levels but not so much that the HPTA is completely shut down. I was surprised and asked if he had patients who were taking exogenous T and benefiting from it but that were still producing their own T and weren't shut down, and he said yes he does. "Let's reduce your dose and try to get that LH number back up."

So my questions are: Have you guys heard of this? My assumption was that any exogenous T would shut the HPTA down. Is there a "supplementary dose" that supplies testosterone yet allows the HPTA to remain online, in contrast to a "replacement dose" that shuts the HPTA down?

Thanks!

 

[Saxon]

You can't be half shut down. Second opinions?

 

[Vince]

I think you know as much as me it's time to find a real TRT doctor. As you know his comments about not shutting down your HPTA is ridiculous.

 

[Vince Carter]

You're Dr is grossly ignorant to what he's doing. If he's giving guys T and they're still pushing LH he's either lying, discovered something that no one else has, or these guys are rarer than unicorns.

 

[Weasel]

You're Dr is grossly ignorant to what he's doing. If he's giving guys T and they're still pushing LH he's either lying, discovered something that no one else has, or these guys are rarer than unicorns.

FYI, I did have LH of around 1 when I was on 100mg week and using an AI. I believe that my e2 was low and that was the reason my HPTA was still semi functional. I had labs to back this up as well.

I've since quite the AI but haven't tested LH/FSH to see if they've went to 0 or not.

 

[CoastWatcher]

FYI, I did have LH of around 1 when I was on 100mg week and using an AI. I believe that my e2 was low and that was the reason my HPTA was still semi functional. I had labs to back this up as well.

I've since quite the AI but haven't tested LH/FSH to see if they've went to 0 or not.

Many labs report an LH of 1 or > 1 when LH becomes so low due t the presence of exogenous testosterone in the system.

 

[Systemlord]

It sounds like he's attempting to balance your T numbers along with LH, I've never heard anything quite like this in over a year scouring the forums and reading studies on TRT. It sounds made up.

 

[S1W]

Thanks guys for confirming what I was fairly sure I already knew - as always, appreciate your input. Also, will be transitioning to a new doc.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Thanks guys for confirming what I was fairly sure I already knew - as always, appreciate your input. Also, will be transitioning to a new doc.

You're making the right decision. All the best.

 

[Vince Carter]

Thanks guys for confirming what I was fairly sure I already knew - as always, appreciate your input. Also, will be transitioning to a new doc.

Indeed a good choice.