canadianeh
Member
Appreciate this response.You have been a member of the forum since Dec.2022.
A fair amount of knowledge kicking around on the forum.
You are missing many other blood markers which should be looked at because having healthy testosterone (TT, FT, and BAT) levels is only one piece of the puzzle.
Dysfunction thyroid/adrenals can easily mimic low T symptoms let alone even if one had healthy T levels dysfunction thyroid/adrenals can wreak havoc on the overall effectiveness of TRT.
Looking over the results for the labs you posted (TT/FT) your TT 350-375 ng/dL is not so stellar and more importantly your FT level is on the lower end which is well below where a healthy young male would sit.
In Canada, FT is calculated using the cFTV.
With the FT level you posted then you would have normal SHBG not high or low.
Keep in mind in order to know where your TT/FT level truly sits your blood work needs to be done in the early AM in a fasted state as we want to test at peak when T levels are highest due to the natural endogenous 24 hr circadian rhythm of a healthy young male.
Top it off the most accurate assays for TT/estradiol/DHT (LC/MS-MS) and FT (Equilibrium Dialysis or Ultrafiltration) should be used.
If you do not have access to such then you will need to use/rely upon TT/estradiol (standard immunoassay) and FT (cFTV).
If you train with weights it would be wise to take a week off as overtraining can drive down natty T levels.
You stated that you have been lifting very heavy.
How is your recovery?
Do you periodize your training program?
Also need to understand that your FT was calculated using the linear law-of-mass action cFTV which as of now tends to overestimate when compared against what is considered the most accurate assays for testing free testosterone the gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis.
Your FT level may very well be somewhat lower.
Now for the tricky part which is symptoms.
Although low libido and lack of spontaneous/nocturnal erections are common symptoms for some this will not happen until FT levels are absurdly low.
One can still have a decent libido/erectile function with lower-end/subpar FT levels but still experience other symptoms related to low-T.
Again testosterone is only one piece of the puzzle as dysfunctional thyroid/adrenals can cause numerous issues when it comes to energy, mood, libido/erections, recovery, and so on.
Always best to have a more thorough set of labs before jumping on TRT.
Blood work should be done for TT, FT, estradiol, SHBG, DHT, prolactin, Vit D DHEA-S, LH/FSH, PSA, full thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, antibodies), salivary cortisol (Four Specimens), lipids, CMP, CBC, and CRP.
Now for the tricky part which is that you stated you lack many of the low T symptoms.
More importantly, you have a strong libido and hopefully erectile function.
Hard to say how you would fair on TRT as it is not so cut and dry.
For some men it can do wonders as in life-changing in many ways, for others they will be better off than before but have nothing to brag about, many may end up struggling with ups/downs for years to come and some will be far worse off.
No point in getting caught up on this as you need to decide what is best for you.
The best piece of advice to increasing your chance of reaping the benefits of TRT is to always start low and go slow.
T only protocol, no AI (aromatase inhibitor) or hCG.
You can always add in hCG eventually if need be, increase your dose, or tinker with an AI (would try to avoid such).
Patience is key.
Do not get caught up in that more T is better mentality.
Do not go in with unrealistic expectations.
I understand you are on the fence here when it comes to libido let alone testicular atrophy.
Again no one can say where your libido will end up on TRT as it could stay the same, be better or lousy, and worst-case scenario non-existent.
Too many factors are involved especially when it comes to libido/erectile function as they are multi-factorial.
As for testicular shrinkage, this can easily be prevented/minimized with the use of hCG.
To be honest in your situation if you want to kill 2 birds with one stone while at the same time getting a taste of having higher T levels then your best would be trialing the nasal T gel (Natesto) which many of the endos/uros in Canada love to prescribe due to it being the least suppressive when it comes to the hpta let alone would allow one to maintain fertility, prevent/minimize testicular shrinkage and top it off will have the least impact on experiencing side-effects especially when it comes to elevated hematocrit.
Another option would be clomid/enclomiphene which some may fair well on although eventually many end up jumping on TRT.
Again take in as much as you can from everyone and decide what is best for you!
Thank you. I do take regular recovery, and I believe the training protocol I follow is sound.
I have been thinking about clomid (I've read about 8 weeks to try and increase?) but comes with some side issues. Dr. Peter Attia suggested he used to do an 8-week stint to try and kickstart things.
I've considered HCG Monotherapy which sounds like it doesnt surpress natural as much and isn't necessarily a lifelong commitment.
I've never heard about natesto but I will ask about it!
Thank you again.