Neednewballs
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I know this is somewhat longwinded but here goes….I am 29 years old, 185 lbs, 12%BF. I have done 4 steroid cycles in the past whereby the last one ending in 2004. Since that time my libido has been poor while suffering with ED periodically. I attribute this specifically to my 2nd cycle in 2002 which was a Deca cycle for 10 weeks. A proper HCG/Clomid PCt was done but still 8 weeks after my last shot my Total Test level was 50 ng/dl. Eventually though it returned to 500ng/dl. At this time though my libido was still not back to normal.
I believe my current issues started with my next bonehead decision. I decided to hop back on a test cycle only 6 weeks later and thus I believe that my HPTA was never able to fully recover. Fast forward to 2004 when all cycles have ceased. From 2004 right up to recently I have had numerous blood tests done trying to pinpoint my issues. Through this time my total test hovered around 480-580 ng/dl. However, my Bio-Available test has been stuck at the bottom of the normal range (ranging from 2.8-6 nmol/l in a range of 6-22. E2 had been tested throughout this time as well and it has always been at healthy levels ranging from 50-140pmol/l (range is<200). SHBG levels have been consistent at around 45nmol/l range is 6-65.
The one hormone that did stand out was prolactin. Mine tested out consistently high-normal around 19-20ug/l where the range is <21. At this time I believed for some reason the high normal reading of Prolactin was affecting my SHBG and hence affecting my low Bio-T output. I convinced my doc (who is an internist) to put me on Dostinex and interestingly enough, my Bio-T jumped from around 6 to 10 nmol/l in a range of 6-22. Libido improved somewhat but certainly not to where it was pre-Deca. I have been running the dostinex ever since with a “mediocre” libido. I should also mention that throughout 2004-2006 I ran 2 extra HCG/Nolva/Clomid Protocol in an attempt to "shock" system to produce more test. I have also had an MRI ruling out any pituitary issues (which I do not have). Aside from the bump in Bio-T achieved from the dostinex, once I was able to bump it up a few more notches running some Proviron. I was able to get 12.0nmol/l (range 6-22).
My case seems quite unique as I do not have Primary Hypogonadism (total test is good) nor do I have Secondary (LH levels are also ok ranging from 2.0-4.8, range is <12). So basically my situation can be summed up in that somehow, somewhere, something is causing my body to increase SHBG absorption of my total test, leaving me with a low Bio-T. My albumin has also been tested and came back at 46 g/l (range is 35-50). The only other anomaly has been that my DHEAS has consistently tested low ranging from 1.7-3.1 umol/L (range is 2-16). Just for fun I did supplement with 100mg of DHEA and was able to get the level boosted to the mid range. However, this increase had no affect on my low Bio-Available test readings or on libido. Here in Canada they cannot test DHT. Unfortunately I have no blood testing pre-AAS pertaining to testosterone levels. It is possible that maybe I used to have a higher total test and my current “lower” total test is why my Bio-T is lower. I have been looking into possibly running another PCT this time using HCG in combination of HMG. However, I have yet to find a doc that has any experience and knowledge on this subject.
At any rate I am at the point where if I cannot rectify my low libido/low Bio-T issue, I’d rather be on a proper HRT instead of taking dostinex for the rest of my life (which as mentioned above has a mediocre effect on libido). However, if there was something I could do to restore my HPTA to what it issued to be, I would certainly give it a try. If Dr. John or anyone else has some possible explanation of my situation and/or has any other useful advice to suggest I would be ever so grateful. Thanks in advance.
I believe my current issues started with my next bonehead decision. I decided to hop back on a test cycle only 6 weeks later and thus I believe that my HPTA was never able to fully recover. Fast forward to 2004 when all cycles have ceased. From 2004 right up to recently I have had numerous blood tests done trying to pinpoint my issues. Through this time my total test hovered around 480-580 ng/dl. However, my Bio-Available test has been stuck at the bottom of the normal range (ranging from 2.8-6 nmol/l in a range of 6-22. E2 had been tested throughout this time as well and it has always been at healthy levels ranging from 50-140pmol/l (range is<200). SHBG levels have been consistent at around 45nmol/l range is 6-65.
The one hormone that did stand out was prolactin. Mine tested out consistently high-normal around 19-20ug/l where the range is <21. At this time I believed for some reason the high normal reading of Prolactin was affecting my SHBG and hence affecting my low Bio-T output. I convinced my doc (who is an internist) to put me on Dostinex and interestingly enough, my Bio-T jumped from around 6 to 10 nmol/l in a range of 6-22. Libido improved somewhat but certainly not to where it was pre-Deca. I have been running the dostinex ever since with a “mediocre” libido. I should also mention that throughout 2004-2006 I ran 2 extra HCG/Nolva/Clomid Protocol in an attempt to "shock" system to produce more test. I have also had an MRI ruling out any pituitary issues (which I do not have). Aside from the bump in Bio-T achieved from the dostinex, once I was able to bump it up a few more notches running some Proviron. I was able to get 12.0nmol/l (range 6-22).
My case seems quite unique as I do not have Primary Hypogonadism (total test is good) nor do I have Secondary (LH levels are also ok ranging from 2.0-4.8, range is <12). So basically my situation can be summed up in that somehow, somewhere, something is causing my body to increase SHBG absorption of my total test, leaving me with a low Bio-T. My albumin has also been tested and came back at 46 g/l (range is 35-50). The only other anomaly has been that my DHEAS has consistently tested low ranging from 1.7-3.1 umol/L (range is 2-16). Just for fun I did supplement with 100mg of DHEA and was able to get the level boosted to the mid range. However, this increase had no affect on my low Bio-Available test readings or on libido. Here in Canada they cannot test DHT. Unfortunately I have no blood testing pre-AAS pertaining to testosterone levels. It is possible that maybe I used to have a higher total test and my current “lower” total test is why my Bio-T is lower. I have been looking into possibly running another PCT this time using HCG in combination of HMG. However, I have yet to find a doc that has any experience and knowledge on this subject.
At any rate I am at the point where if I cannot rectify my low libido/low Bio-T issue, I’d rather be on a proper HRT instead of taking dostinex for the rest of my life (which as mentioned above has a mediocre effect on libido). However, if there was something I could do to restore my HPTA to what it issued to be, I would certainly give it a try. If Dr. John or anyone else has some possible explanation of my situation and/or has any other useful advice to suggest I would be ever so grateful. Thanks in advance.