Gotta agree with you guys here. I really tramatic event happened to me at age 22 and my test levels plummetted and I sank into a deep depression. Over the years since I have still been treated for depression (almost 10 years on and off) and at different times I have had huge variations in endocrine values unrelated to hormone usage. It is like tramatic events, for some, can set the body's neuroendocrine balance swinging like a pendulum that never really stops moving anymore. But it is a symptomati thing for me that I have refined my ability to address over the years. To the original poster I would really look into a numbber of options before undertaking HRT because for the most part it is a life long choice. With that said please do not misunderstand me to say that your symptoms/experience is not significant; I am sure it is one of the worst, if not worst time periods in your life, but I just urge you to try a few things first,
1. Treatment for the underlying depression, which will either address the hormone problem or will not work thus helping to determine if the hormone problem is the primary cause of the depression or vice versa;
2. Try to stimulate testosterone production on your own using a significant protocol such as
1000ius of HCG per day for 10 days immediatly followed by Clomid at 300mgs the first day 100mgs per day for 2 weeks, and 50 mgs per day for 3 weeks. Also read up on Dr.D's thread on Fenugreek, 1g per day the first week of the Clomid, 2g per day the second week, 3g per day the fourth week, 4 g per day the fourth week, then off of the Fenu.
Also looking into a very strong Tribulus product like Synergy muscle's Trib would be useful as well as possibly some yohimbe bark extract (not yohimbe HCL) to combbate any libido supression caused by any antidepressants. Remember that libido is not a good indicator of androgen function when on antidepressants.
Also make sure to have all hormone values checked, Test, Free Test, Estrodiol, Prolactin, Thyroid Panel, etc. A complete profile is the only root to trying to get to the cause of the actual supression.
Of course who am I so listen to your Doctor. But with that said this is what worked for me.
Good luck bro and hang in there.
Mr.50
I think I also went low-test from a traumatic event. But I thought that would seem a totally insane idea, and here you are saying the same thing. Thanks for posting that man.