AcePower
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Hi guys,
I'm 26 year old male, 5'8, 175 lbs, estimating 15-18% bf, lift weights, do some HIIT cardio, used to play soccer but these days I'm sedentary other than the weight training and cardio, no medications, no previous AAS or PED usage, generally healthy.
I've had my serum testosterone levels checked several times now and all have come back low 'normal' or below range, usually around 9.7nmol/L (12-32).
I'm onto my 2nd endo after the first one didn't work out and 2 GP's who don't believe my levels are low.
The reason for their belief is because they use the Free Androgen Index to estimate free testosterone. It goes like this:
FAI=100x(Total T ÷ SHBG)
In my case it was 100x(9.7 ÷ 12) = 81. That's close to top of the range but that's not a real measurement of free testosterone.
The current endo has ordered blood work which includes total and free T so hopefully I get a proper measurement.
In case he still doesn't think I require treatment or a further investigation into what's causing these low readings what's the best way to convince him otherwise. I've already told him my symptoms and I'm going to mention a few more at the next appointment that I didn't last time. Based on all the previous bw he doesn't believe testosterone is the problem.
Should I show him that chart with T levels for normal healthy males in age groups? The last endo simply dismissed it when I showed him.
The current one said he'll put me through some physical tests next time (strength and possibly endurance tests). Should I play weak?
Would telling him that I have a doctor lined up who will treat me be a good idea? (not a lie but he'll cost me money where as this guy won't)
Or tell him I'll self medicate so he might as well treat and monitor me?
Or possibly crash my testosterone as much as possible before the blood draw? The downside is it'll skew the bw which gets me no closer to finding the actual cause.
I can post all my bw if anyone is curious but I'm mainly looking for answers to the above questions.
If it doesn't workout with this endo I'll have to go with the next doc who is recommended but will cost a bit of money. I'm trying to get this dealt with now while my motivation is up.
Cheers guys
I'm 26 year old male, 5'8, 175 lbs, estimating 15-18% bf, lift weights, do some HIIT cardio, used to play soccer but these days I'm sedentary other than the weight training and cardio, no medications, no previous AAS or PED usage, generally healthy.
I've had my serum testosterone levels checked several times now and all have come back low 'normal' or below range, usually around 9.7nmol/L (12-32).
I'm onto my 2nd endo after the first one didn't work out and 2 GP's who don't believe my levels are low.
The reason for their belief is because they use the Free Androgen Index to estimate free testosterone. It goes like this:
FAI=100x(Total T ÷ SHBG)
In my case it was 100x(9.7 ÷ 12) = 81. That's close to top of the range but that's not a real measurement of free testosterone.
The current endo has ordered blood work which includes total and free T so hopefully I get a proper measurement.
In case he still doesn't think I require treatment or a further investigation into what's causing these low readings what's the best way to convince him otherwise. I've already told him my symptoms and I'm going to mention a few more at the next appointment that I didn't last time. Based on all the previous bw he doesn't believe testosterone is the problem.
Should I show him that chart with T levels for normal healthy males in age groups? The last endo simply dismissed it when I showed him.
The current one said he'll put me through some physical tests next time (strength and possibly endurance tests). Should I play weak?
Would telling him that I have a doctor lined up who will treat me be a good idea? (not a lie but he'll cost me money where as this guy won't)
Or tell him I'll self medicate so he might as well treat and monitor me?
Or possibly crash my testosterone as much as possible before the blood draw? The downside is it'll skew the bw which gets me no closer to finding the actual cause.
I can post all my bw if anyone is curious but I'm mainly looking for answers to the above questions.
If it doesn't workout with this endo I'll have to go with the next doc who is recommended but will cost a bit of money. I'm trying to get this dealt with now while my motivation is up.
Cheers guys