How to best address my Androgen Induced Hypogonadism?

[Justlooking5]

Hello all,

I'm a 34 y/o male who has been bodybuilding since age 17. From age 19 to 25 I did several cycles of gear for periods of 8-16 weeks, usually with relatively moderate dosages. (i.e., 500-850mg test enanthate, or sust/deca/dbol). Most of the time I was not on any gear.

After my last cycle in 2006 at age 25 (850mg test enanthate, turinabol, dbol), I used an OTC PCT instead of clomid/arimidex and crashed, with serious estrogen rebound, depression, and overall poor functioning.

In 2011 I finally went in to the doctor for a testosterone test. My levels came back at 390 ng/dl (borderline low). I asked for an alternative to TRT and my urologist offered me clomid. Clomid took my levels up to 1080 ng/dl, but they eventually came back down each time after repeated courses, and my levels were last measured at about 390 ng/dl again in 2012.

I was preoccupied with other things, but I have been having similar problems (erectile issues, fatigue, depression, irritability), and got another testosterone test this past week. It came back at 376 ng/dl, so lower than in the past.

I was surprised by the result as I've been doing a lot to try to boost my levels, including Tocotrienols, Vit. D, ZMA, Probiotics, adequate fat intake, etc. I also am 6' 210 lbs. and about 12% bodyfat, so pretty muscular despite low testosterone (taking creatine, bcaas, whey, etc.).

I go in to see my PCP (first time meeting her) to discuss my testosterone results this week.

I am trying to find the best way to address this obvious sustained health issue of low testosterone. I know the first line treatment is TRT, however, I would like to consider this a last option, as I am only 34, and do not necessarily want to be on TRT for the rest of my life. Though I will take TRT if it is the only/best option after other things fail.

Currently, here is my plan I am going to discuss with my PCP. I am interested in any suggestions:


1. Try to manage low T with OTC supplements, specifically Longjack 100:1. I just started taking this and do feel a bit better so far. Get blood test to monitor results (will also provide interesting feedback on LJ100:1 effectiveness as I'll have before/after bloodwork).

2. Ask my PCP to refer me to a specialist (urologist/endo etc.), or I will find one and pay out of pocket if necessary, who will try hCG/Clomid treatment, which has been shown in some studies permanently improve steroid induced hypogonadism (only when hCG was used, not just clomid).

3. If all else fails, start TRT.

Any thoughts? Is LJ100 still thought to be the most effective herbal T booster?
(I'm not really interested in messing with my endocrine system with T booster supp blends with stuff I'm unfamiliar with).

So far I've also tried boron (some results but joint/mood issues), KSM-66 (maybe some improvement).

Any tips on finding a doc who would be willing to prescribe hCG/clomid course? Any other suggestions on the supplement front or thoughts in general? Thanks for any help!

 

[JCR97]

Go check out examine.com they have a bunch of studies on proven ingredients such as Longjack which is offered in a better form in LJ100 there's also other proven ingredients such as DIM which helps estrogen metabolism in turn boosts free test there's also KSM-66 or even D-Aspartic Acid. Other than that I don't have much experience in this sector but good luck man I hope you'll be able to fio!

 

[hsk]

LJ daily will help. You just need to find a quality extract that works for you and stay with it. Don't be afraid to dose it high. Other things that may help include:

4000iu Vit D3 daily
10mg Boron
600mg KSM-66 (ashwagandha)
ZMA

 

[JCR97]

LJ daily will help. You just need to find a quality extract that works for you and stay with it. Don't be afraid to dose it high. Other things that may help include:

4000iu Vit D3 daily
10mg Boron
600mg KSM-66 (ashwagandha)
ZMA

For sure I agree on the Vitamin D! I have heard that you need to take a lipid with it because it acts a shuttle to your body. Lipids such as fish oil what'd you think?

 

[hsk]

Yes, absorption is best with fat. I have the 2000iu soft gels from costco so it has a tiny bit of oil in them. If not you can always just take it with a meal that contains fat like whole eggs.

 

[ryox82]

For sure I agree on the Vitamin D! I have heard that you need to take a lipid with it because it acts a shuttle to your body. Lipids such as fish oil what'd you think?

You can get them formulated with fat already as insurance. For example, the ones I take are made with coconut oil.

 

[kelso312]

LJ daily will help. You just need to find a quality extract that works for you and stay with it. Don't be afraid to dose it high. Other things that may help include:

4000iu Vit D3 daily
10mg Boron
600mg KSM-66 (ashwagandha)
ZMA

^ Yes to this. Vitamin D functions as a hormone in the body. I would also look at the other fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin K2 (MK4) has been shown in animals to boost T levels. Just because no one has done the study on humans does not mean it will not be effective. In my opinion if you are supplementing D3 you should also be supplementing K2 - they both work together.

Vitamin E and A work to clear the body of excess hormones via the liver and can lower aromatase levels.

Boron as mentioned is supposed to decrease SHBG which can increase free test levels.

KSM is supposed to boost T, but may increase thyroid hormone levels in some users. But an increase in thyroid hormone is correlated with an increase in gonadal steroid production (more T).

Another thing you try is Trimethylglycine (TMG). It is involved in the methylation cycle along with the methylated forms of Folate and B12. The methylation cycle is responsible for the production of Homocysteine which helps detoxify the body from things like heavy metals, free radicals and the thing that is important for you in this situation- excess estrogen.

Most regular B complexes do not use methylated forms of these vitamins and will not have the same effects. If you decide to methylated folate and B12, do some reading about possible side effects first as some users experience an increase in anxiety when starting or from dosing too high. Deficiencies of L-Methylfolate have been linked to depression so if you have a history of that you could see improvement in mood as well.

It would be best to know your levels of things like Vitamin D, B12, RBC Folate and Cystine are before supplementing things that will increase concentrations in the body. If you cannot get labwork just start low and do not megadose anything.