Recent Bloodwork + Supp stack feedback & Pulling the Trigger

[J-Test]

**Disclaimer - Ultimately I'm responsible for my own decisions. That being said, asking for feedback on recent bloodwork and stacking supps**

---

Last time I had my T tested, I was 246 back edit: a year ago, Feb '22

Bloodwork 1/13/23, FU with doctor/gp 1.24.23

• Bloodwork was taken on no sleep

Testosterone - 310 out of 264-916, Free Test 5.8 out of 6.8 - 21.5 (below normal)

• The doctor giving me feedback, a female, said enthusiastically that I'm back in "normal range".
  • I told her this ain't normal and it's the lower end of normal, and I don't feel normal without taking supplements.
    • She said to keep taking my supps and that 'she really isn't an expert when it comes to hormones'
      • I have a referral to a Urologist - my concern is that they're going to try me with creams or pellets or some $hit and I'm out the $$$ (no insurance so self-pay)
  • She did say my cholesterol is high, and put me on a 10mg cholesterol reducer.
  • I have belly fat to lose. I am lean/fit looking everywhere else except my stomach.
  • They didn't test my estrogen.

-----

Supplement Stack

Currently taking/utilizing

Fadogia
TK Ali
Zinc
Boron
Apex Arimahex
Apex Hyperion
Acetyl L-Carnitine (nootropic) + Choline
Ashwaghanda

On the way:

Pine Pollen
More TK
Bulbine
Black Maca
Bulbine Natalensis 5:1 Extract

-----

Recently my workout plan has been hybrid of HIT (ie Mentzer/Heavy Duty) and standard sets & reps.

• It would be cool to compete, not my focus, though. I want to look good and get my libido and overall drive back that I had in my 20s.

-----


Been feeling the effects of Apex's stuff, it is quality.

Eyeballing Stanogen and AET for Apex's BOGO gift. Not sure if I want to get into PCT'ing and stuff, my testosterone is already low, if I grew a pair of boobs I'd be super bummed at myself.

-----

Looking for feedback on supplements overall vs. just saying f*ck it and getting on TRT.

I'm questioning not so much the effectiveness of the supplements, moreso of the vehicle and leverage.

Analogy - I can work my ass off at McDonald's and have 3 W-2'd jobs 90 hours / week, but 90 hours per week on leveraged activities (ie high commission sales, trading, successful e-commerce, cashflow production, etc) will produce a far different result based on the vehicle.

Edit: Analogy 2 - Am I putting a supercharger on a Nissan Sentra (me supp'ing with Low T) vs putting a supercharger on a Nissan Silvia/Skyline (supp'ing on TRT back in higher range)

I feel like I'm putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound, and am questioning if I wouldn't have a better result just getting on TRT and then supplementing thereafter. Basically feeling like I'm delaying the inevitable.

------

I'm asking for feedback based on what you cats have experienced or seen. I'm not an expert when it comes enhancing my testosterone as it's still low after a year.

My goals:

-Be able to put muscle on easier and get stronger
-get my levels back in the 700 - 900+ range/feel like I'm in my 20s
-Make more money (depends on the vehicle, but I suspect high testosterone plays a key role)

• is it even possible to get back in the 700-900+ range without TRT or straight up anabolics?

I'm all about enhancing my life and experimenting with hacking my biology, I just need to be efficient about it. The money I'm spending in supps is probably better spent getting on TRT, which then would increase my income, which then I can supplement and hack/optimize further.

I just answered my own question writing all this out, but any feedback is still welcome; had to get this all out of my head.

J-Test

 

[SSJ4GOD]

Well, you can just get some clomid. That would boost test levels without having to worry about artificial testosterone. You could also continue taking a test booster as well.
Also stanogen is not going to increase testosterone. It converts to DHT and will further shut down natural production of test. If you don’t want to mess around with doctors and stuff like that I would just buy some clomid from MA RESEARCH and use that. Also AET-50 will be a great addition for lowering cortisol and helping to shed that belly fat. It also helps with sleep and libido.

 

[xR1pp3Rx]

Can I be honest with you?
It sounds like your mind is made up already on going the TRT route and are just looking for someone to give you a nod.

here is your nod.

none of us care if u get on TRT, most of us on these forums have at least considered it if not already gone on it. Some of us have been on it and come off of it. Others like yourself are just starting to dip your toes. No judgment will be passed upon you for doing trt.

 

[Smont]

Can I be honest with you?



It sounds like your mind is made up already on going the TRT route and are just looking for someone to give you a nod.







here is your nod.







none of us care if u get on TRT, most of us on these forums have at least considered it if not already gone on it. Some of us have been on it and come off of it. Others like yourself are just starting to dip your toes. No judgment will be passed upon you for doing trt.

I second rippy and here's my opinions on this topic as a whole.



The negative health impact of low test is worse then trt by a long shot in my and many peoples opinions. I am actually in the belief that being on TRT will help you live a long happy life in comparison to living with low testosterone.

Supplements are just that, a supplement. They are not a medication and they are not Capable of replacing a medication in like 99% of scenario.

That extensive supplement stack your running is gonna cost you 3 times as much as TRT And there is no amount of testosterone boosters and over the counter supplements that can replace TRT.

If you are going to a specialist to do a consultation to get on TRT I would also stop taking every single thing that you're taking right now because some of those things may be artificially raising your testosterone levels just a bit and that's just a Band-Aid and the doctor's not gonna care that you're taking 500 supplements hes just gonna see that you're in range. Although a good doctor in this scenario will see that your levels while in range are still extremely low.

Also the fact that your doctor did not test your estrogen levels shows they are not capable of treating the situation because that is very important in your blood work.

If you truly do not want to be on testosterone you could try an extensive pc T protocol.

Hcg eod @500mcg followed be some clomid and Nolvadex. That without a doubt is going to bring your testosterone levels backup but if you are a legit candidate for trt/hrt it wont last then eventually they're gonna slope right back down again.

 

[J-Test]

Started TRT on Friday. Thanks gents.

 

[Hyde]

Others have said it all best, but I just want to let you know that without knowing your age, but knowing all the details you provided including that you are no longer in your 20s & your expressed goals, injectable testosterone replacement therapy is what you are after.

Like you related, you were indeed just boosting your hand-me-down Sentra instead of working with a viable platform for your desired output, like a Skyline. 120mg test cyp per week is going to outperform all of that at a fraction of the cost & effort. You can even add some of the stuff you were taking back in with it for better effects, so it’s not even a waste. Things like the Apex products, Boron, etc.

Zinc at a modest dose should be a year round staple generally.

 

[Hyde]

Others have said it all best, but I just want to let you know that without knowing your age, but knowing all the details you provided including that you are no longer in your 20s & your expressed goals, injectable testosterone replacement therapy is what you are after.

Like you related, you were indeed just boosting your hand-me-down Sentra instead of working with a viable platform for your desired output, like a Skyline. 120mg test cyp per week is going to outperform all of that at a fraction of the cost & effort. You can even add some of the stuff you were taking back in with it for better effects, so it’s not even a waste. Things like the Apex products, Boron, etc.

Zinc at a modest dose should be a year round staple generally.