Considering Self-supervised TRT

[Matthersby]

Hey everyone. Here's my situation, and I'll try to be brief. I am 34 and was planning on starting the process of getting on TRT at 35. I had some medical problems this last year (meniscus tear, hyperthyroidism, etc.) After a month of diarrhea and anxiety in October, I had an extensive metabolic panel done revealing a test level of 214. I remembered a urologist I know(I work in healthcare) that was good about treating low test with self administered injectable. He of course ordered his own labs but only after first writing the script for 200mg/ml cyp, 6 10ml vials. Sooooo, after getting my labs done super early in the morning after a good nights sleep, no alcohol or junk food all week, my test came back at 609, free at 119(35-155), estradiol at 22(8-43) LH 3.5(1.7-8.6)
FSH 3.0(1.5-12.4) and prolactin 7.4(2.5-22.5)
I was of course discouraged because he then told me he feels there is no need to start replacement yet and the only place that would even possibly put me on TRT at 600s would be a men's clinic at $35 a week plus test and labs (Too much $ and hassle)
However,,,,, sitting at CVS is 6 2000mg vials of test cyp for $90 a piece. I have enough pins for 3-4 years worth of weekly/bi-weekly shots, torem, at least 15,000 iu's of HCG and pins, and a little exemestane and arimidex. I am licensed, experienced and have a good idea what I need to look out for. I'll be getting bloods done(keeping total T under 1000/1100) checking RBCs and giving blood, occasional prostate exam etc.. Regardless I am going to purchase every last one of these pharm grade vials(either for cycling or cruising). I have no problem putting a needle to me every week for the next 5 decades and if my a.m. levels are 600 on a good day, I will likely only start at 100mg a week.
If I do this, I will have 2 years worth of test and will just find a doc once i am running low to continue treatment at that point . I have had many symptoms of low T recently, would really prefer to be closer to 1000 and am not too concerned of negative sides with such a low dose to start out with. Thoughts, suggestions, critisisms, and advice would be much appreciated and please spare me any "You're an idiot, only do this under a doctors care" I'm literally doing exactly what my urologist told me he was going to do along with 12 week labs, bp checks daily, etc. Thanks

[v4lu3s]

I think it would be incredibly stupid to go on any kind if therapy with those numbers without finding out what is really going on. I would KILL to have natural #s add good as yours. You do NOT have low test though you may have other problems and it send you have zero interest in fixing them.

[Matthersby]

Appreciate the honesty. I did not mention that I have dealt with every other health issue especially the ones concerning thyroid/endocrine function. I am on 4 meds to control the side effects of an overactive thyroid since it is not severe enough just yet to justify ablasion or surgery. 3 of these meds are known to lower test over time also. I must have sounded ignorant and reckless but I assure you I'm not. Bringing a below average test level to the higher end of the range is not exactly what I would call 'incredibly stupid' either.

[Grambo]

Where's the below average test numbers you speak of?
If you're having issues they don't seem related to Test as 600 is very good and normal.

[steam]

you seem to feel if you're not near/at 1000, there's a problem

[The Matrix]

you seem to feel if you're not near/at 1000, there's a problem

Considerable dangerous because it can cause something else to go out of balance when you disturb natural hormone levels. Unless you had Sky SHBG different story. I helped one guy reset his hyper thyroid along with being monitored by the endo. He had graves for several years which was brought upon by smoking. No a wise idea to take matters in your own hands when numbers are above average range you need to work to find out what other issues are imbalnaced. If you are having GI related issues then I would start there.

[napalm]

Bad idea bro, you're playing with fire here, but nothing any of us say is going to change your mind

Good luck...

[Matthersby]

Bad idea bro, you're playing with fire here, but nothing any of us say is going to change your mind

Good luck...

I did ask for criticism and I can take it very well, and after seeing the amount of negative responses to my proposal, I HAVE changed my mind. I utilize this forum for the simple fact that I do want an advantage into my later years since I didn't get serious with bodybuilding until 30. And I take my health seriously. Thanks to everyone for the stern warnings and advice, you have persuaded me to get the most out of what I have naturally(although I would prefer to have test levels of a 19 year old).

[kisaj]

Man, I am glad to read that you changed your mind because I was losing mine reading your post.

[Matthersby]

Considerable dangerous because it can cause something else to go out of balance when you disturb natural hormone levels. Unless you had Sky SHBG different story. I helped one guy reset his hyper thyroid along with being monitored by the endo. He had graves for several years which was brought upon by smoking. No a wise idea to take matters in your own hands when numbers are above average range you need to work to find out what other issues are imbalnaced. If you are having GI related issues then I would start there.

If you are in the business of giving free advice, Matrix, I would appreciate some tips on the thyroid issue. My endo is literally just waiting until all three levels get as low as the TSH. No treatment at all. I can provide access to all of my endo's lab results if u need them. I'll actually bump the thread with them here shortly.

[The Matrix]

If you are in the business of giving free advice, Matrix, I would appreciate some tips on the thyroid issue. My endo is literally just waiting until all three levels get as low as the TSH. No treatment at all. I can provide access to all of my endo's lab results if u need them. I'll actually bump the thread with them here shortly.

Tapazole is what was used in the cases to reset the thyroid in graves disease. The person had to revamp his entire lifestyle in order for this to occur. With in 3 month period TSH pushed into 30. The FT3 and Ft4 dropped. As the slow taper began the FT3 and FT4 held steady then over time the TSH came down. 8 weeks later the TSH was 1.65 and FT3 and FT4 were all in mid range. Still 2 years later thyroid is perfect !! With hyperthyroid one needs to look at the adrenals gland via salvia. Most likely they are probably screaming. As the thyroid went back to normal range Cortisol levels also normalized. This is one case where treating the thyroid helped the adrenal glands. The person symptoms where not at all hyperthyroid, but more hypo which was strange and challenging to isolate possible root cause. What prompted me to send to Dr for further evaluation was I picked it up on when I muscle tested him other wise he would have never even known it. He just came feeling tired and fatigued.

[napalm]

Woo Hoo, common sense has prevailed

[Matthersby]

Woo Hoo, common sense has prevailed

Maybe I should not have invited all the excessive critisism in my initial post. This is a steroid forum guys. Its not total insanity to consider 100 mgs of test a week when a 'safe cycle' is 500mgs for 2-3 months. Maybe your common sense jab was intended for Doctors who don't do any real investigative treatment, but either way I can take it. Come on guys! Tell me how foolish and stupid it was to consider TRT with my urologists prescription but without his supervision!
Regardless, I've realized I need to wait until TRT is medically necessary

[The Matrix]

Maybe I should not have invited all the excessive critisism in my initial post. This is a steroid forum guys. Its not total insanity to consider 100 mgs of test a week when a 'safe cycle' is 500mgs for 2-3 months. Maybe your common sense jab was intended for Doctors who don't do any real investigative treatment, but either way I can take it. Come on guys! Tell me how foolish and stupid it was to consider TRT with my urologists prescription but without his supervision!
Regardless, I've realized I need to wait until TRT is medically necessary

This is a non steroids and a TRT section there is a huge difference. Most guys I see in the gym who take 500 mgs a week are wasting their money or getting fake crap ..Every one wants to know what drugs i.am taking lol I tell.them 60-80 mgs a week of test. They are dumb founded ...

[Matthersby]

People are so focused on thyroid for thermogenisis in the body. It's only one of the multiple mechanism which can stimulate increased temperatures. If you do not correct methylation your neurotransmitters will not work properly. Why a lot of people end up on drugs which do not have to be.

Matrix, I posted this up from another thread I've been following. Can u point me in a direction to start to unravel my thyroid and methylation issues? I don't even know where to start. My PCP is literally treating the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and I had absolutely none of them 2 years ago.
Zoloft 200 mg daily
bystolic 5 mg daily
Valium 5-15 mg daily
Trazadone for sleep.
I recently started eating gluten free to help narrow things down. I take in a lot of caffeine.
I quit drinking completely 20 days ago.

I have 3 comp metabolic panels from last 5 months, a recent full hormone and thyroid panel. All of which I can post up. My iodine uptake and scan as well as CT came back w nodules but not conclusive enough for graves treatment. I am considering methylfolate as well as some other ideas and will likely see a naturopath soon. Not sure what else to do. Anything will help and I'm tired of co-pays. I had so many appointments one week(uro,endo,PCP,imaging,foll owups) I just took the whole effin week off.

[Matthersby]

This is a non steroids and a TRT section there is a huge difference. Most guys I see in the gym who take 500 mgs a week are wasting their money or getting fake crap ..Every one wants to know what drugs i.am taking lol I tell.them 60-80 mgs a week of test. They are dumb founded ...

Hence why I can't wait to cruise for life.
Cycling is awful. Dumbfounded was the response I got from the urgent care doc who read me my 214 test level. I think I said something like "Hell Yeaaaaahhhh!"

[CaptnCaveman]

Maybe I should not have invited all the excessive critisism in my initial post. This is a steroid forum guys. Its not total insanity to consider 100 mgs of test a week when a 'safe cycle' is 500mgs for 2-3 months.

I think most of the guys responding are just trying to caution you from jumping into TRT when you're not sure of the underlying cause of the low T reading that prompted you to seek treatment in the first place. Going from 200's to 600's is a pretty huge leap. I doubt that big of a gap would be caused by just a bad nights sleep or overtaxing your body at the gym, or something else easily correctable. I won't lie, when I read your OP, the thought 'Man, I wish I were in his shoes.' crossed my mind, but my T levels are low enough to warrant TRT. Jumping on on TRT at this point is going to skew any blood works you have done, and prevent you from getting accurate results to see what is truly going on with your body without exogenous hormones interfering.

[The Matrix]

Hence why I can't wait to cruise for life.Cycling is awful. Dumbfounded was the response I got from the urgent care doc who read me my 214 test level. I think I said something like "Hell Yeaaaaahhhh!"

Problem i see is given TRT could be masking deeper issues. Kind of acting like a bandaid effect. 34 you are on the boarder line, but common sense would be rule out factors which may be causing it in the first place..

[The Matrix]

Matrix, I posted this up from another thread I've been following. Can u point me in a direction to start to unravel my thyroid and methylation issues? I don't even know where to start. My PCP is literally treating the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and I had absolutely none of them 2 years ago.Zoloft 200 mg dailybystolic 5 mg dailyValium 5-15 mg dailyTrazadone for sleep.I recently started eating gluten free to help narrow things down. I take in a lot of caffeine.I quit drinking completely 20 days ago.I have 3 comp metabolic panels from last 5 months, a recent full hormone and thyroid panel. All of which I can post up. My iodine uptake and scan as well as CT came back w nodules but not conclusive enough for graves treatment. I am considering methylfolate as well as some other ideas and will likely see a naturopath soon. Not sure what else to do. Anything will help and I'm tired of co-pays. I had so many appointments one week(uro,endo,PCP,imaging,foll owups) I just took the whole effin week off.

As in many cases people end up being bounced around the system. Been there done that got me no where except worse off then I was. Until I was proactive about my health did I finally start to recover. Plus losing a psycho for a girl friend was a major plus who has holding me back from healing dealing with family drama which I was drawn into (borderline personality disorders are energy vampires LOL). Why you need to look at every aspect. Typical case i see, people loaded up on psych drugs never knowing the reason why. Ideal of placing people on drugs based upon a profile or criteria being totally subjective just did not sit well with me when Drs tried convince me. After dealing with multiple cases of people on anti-depressant, correcting heavy metal toxicity, GI imbalances and methylation issues tend to help or resolve issues, Again every case is different. 90% of my clients are not people, but rather the MD,DO and ND who refer cases out which they exhausted options. I get their train wrecks LOL

[Matthersby]

I have done hours and hours of research recently and have found some information that is astounding yet confusing. It seems that I do have a lot of criteria fitting that of an under methylated individual:
Excessive perspiration ( more than anyone I've ever met)
Anxiety(severe)
depression
ADHD
addictive behavior(alcoholism and recovered opiate addict)
Graves disease grandfather, hashimotos sister, hypothyroid mother
Obsessive compulsive thoughts as well as compulsive behavior.
Very large fluctuations in TSH and Testosterone in short periods of time.
Periods of extreme motivation and energy and periods of complete fatigue.
Obsession with perfection and organization..
possibly unrelated is upper neck/base of skull severe tightness and stiffness.
High bp
Elevated fasting blood sugars(and I do not fit the mold of a type II whatsoever.

I am interested in solving my health problems.
So far methylfolate and methylcobalamin and an increase in krill/salmon oil seems promising. Also while under my Pcp's care(or ND, or whoever) starting a low dose of these while keeping SAMe and niacin on hand while tapering the Zoloft, benzos and beta blockers down. I am still in researching stages and would really appreciate Matrix's input on this as it has come up 3 or 4 times this month before I had even jumped on AM and discovered what a hot topic methylation has become. I am 90% convinced it is a factor in my thyroid issues and subsequent ailments.
Matrix, this ones for you!