Would Sustain Alpha benefit me?

Shiznown

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Basically I want to raise my test to the 700 range from 474. I tried using Rebirth, but it gave me terrible GERD flare ups and headaches. Is Sustain Alpha SERM-like, does it need to be cycled and are there any logs I can look at? Also, I am sensitive to gyno.
 
Todd Garner

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I'm not seeing a smoking gun here that would cause low T, You don't exactly have low T, how's your sleep, and stress? I didn't see cortisol levels on there.
 
Shiznown

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They didn't test cortisol levels. I assume they are high though. I have high anxiety.
 
Todd Garner

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Alphamax xt might be worth looking into, I felt pretty good on the OG. Also some good mood supplements out there. Have to control that stress, it can put a hurt on your test levels, be careful on what meds you take for it some of those are not to good for test levels.
 
Shiznown

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Alphamax xt might be worth looking into, I felt pretty good on the OG. Also some good mood supplements out there. Have to control that stress, it can put a hurt on your test levels, be careful on what meds you take for it some of those are not to good for test levels.
I was planning on stacking rhodiola with something else. I have astragalus but it actually lowers my test. My test taken on astragalus was 344 and 395.
 
Shiznown

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One the reasons I wanted to try Sustain Alpha was because it's a gel and thus cannot cause GERD flare up.
 
Todd Garner

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Give it a shot, pretty good reviews from what i see. Just work on your stress levels and live healthy thats the best way to naturally up your levels and keep them there.
 

Daycrawler

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Why not follow up with Urology about the transdermal test?
 
Shiznown

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Give it a shot, pretty good reviews from what i see. Just work on your stress levels and live healthy thats the best way to naturally up your levels and keep them there.
Bro, because of whom I live with that won't happen. I won't be out of this situation for about 2 more years.
 

Daycrawler

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Do you mean? Do you mean follow up after trying the product?
Nah I mean on your lab results it says to follow up wth the eurologist if to want trt
 
Shiznown

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Nah I mean on your lab results it says to follow up wth the eurologist if to want trt
Oh, I canceled that and was planning a follow up with an endocrinologist instead. None of the urologist around here specialize in men's fertility and if they do, it's only to increase sperm count and that's it. I am 28.
 
slggtstrength

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Oh, I canceled that and was planning a follow up with an endocrinologist instead. None of the urologist around here specialize in men's fertility and if they do, it's only to increase sperm count and that's it. I am 28.
Man, I had NO luck with any doctors until I went to just a TRT specialist here locally. At the age of 19 I had a test level of ~176, and tried adjusting everything I could to fix it. Didn't find a doctor until slightly before my 22 birthday and was ~183. Still getting dialed in on TRT... at 220mg/week and still have yet to break 500. Doc wants me right around 800.

Anyways, nothing looks extremely off with your bloodwork, though iirc my doc said most insurance companies wouldn't cover treatment unless total test was under 400.
 
machinehead

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Basically I want to raise my test to the 700 range from 474. I tried using Rebirth, but it gave me terrible GERD flare ups and headaches. Is Sustain Alpha SERM-like, does it need to be cycled and are there any logs I can look at? Also, I am sensitive to gyno.
Your LH is high so pituitary is asking for more testosterone but not getting it. A SERM-like product is not the best route. Something that increases testosterone precursors (DHEA, androstendiol) is your best bet. Look into Long Jack, Olympus LJ100 is great, 2-4 caps might be enough.

Your TSH and prolactin suggest thyroid may be a bit better. A couple drops of 2% Lugol's solution daily (~5mg iodine) may do wonders there.

Great SHBG!

They didn't test cortisol levels. I assume they are high though. I have high anxiety.
If you had high(-normal) cortisol, you'd have no anxiety. I suspect it is low, as is your pregnenolone/progesterone, which also explains the high LH but ok testosterone, more substrates for both cortisol and testosterone are needed. You could boost both with MLM pregnenolone. The cheap ones don't work. The one you want is Nutricology MLM, it comes in 50, 100, 150g per pill.

If I were you, I'd do this:

5mg iodine from Lugol's solution
75-600mg of Nutricology Pregnenolone, once you have so much energy that you don't know what to do with it with zero anxiety, you'll know your cortisol is high-normal, which is good. You just need to find the right dose of pregnenolone. This is not cheap.

Four to six weeks later, after dialing in the pregnenolone dose, add LJ100, do 2 caps a day and increase by 1 cap every two weeks until you find a dose that you like.
 
Shiznown

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That's way more iodine than I thought I'd need? My multi-vitamin states it has 150mcg of iodine. I do have kelp with iodine(336mcg) that I was taking prior to the test. I had a test about two months prior to the one I posted, but I lost the paper work. In the earlier test, my test levels were 395 and my TSH was 1.11. After seeing the last test and seeing my TSH was 2.0, I stopped taking the kelp pills after discovering my multi-vitamin has over the recommended iodine.
 
Shiznown

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I do need a somewhat cheap solution for right now. What's the bare minimum I could take? See, I'm about a year or so from finishing college and I had to take time off, so money is tight. I mean cheap as in $60 a month. The LJ100 looks promising. Has there been any reports of LJ100 causing stomach upset? I have had bad luck recently with capsules due to them causing GERD flare ups. I was also looking at dermacrine precisely because it's topical.
 
jgntyce

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I noticed that the rise in cortisol was mentioned. You want a product in which the main purpose is to combat the rise in cortisol. For that, i recommend SNS REDUCE XT. Many great reviews from respected members here on AM.

Olympus labs LJ100 is also a great option for your needs. Follow the Danes protocol. Thank me and him later.
 
Danes

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I noticed that the rise in cortisol was mentioned. You want a product in which the main purpose is to combat the rise in cortisol. For that, i recommend SNS REDUCE XT. Many great reviews from respected members here on AM.

Olympus labs LJ100 is also a great option for your needs. Follow the Danes protocol. Thank me and him later.
Glad to hear you liked that dosage. :)
 
Shiznown

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I assume you mean this thread when you're talking about Danes protocal http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplements/276244-tongkat-ali-lj100.html ???
Also, I am leaning on trying the LJ100 first on it's own then slowly adding things in. Like I said funds are tight. LJ100 just seems to have the most info when I searched. I've been looking through the forum at threads on it and in one it mentioned some folks did blood work panels while on it. I'd like to see the blood work if anyone has links.
 
machinehead

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That's way more iodine than I thought I'd need? My multi-vitamin states it has 150mcg of iodine. I do have kelp with iodine(336mcg) that I was taking prior to the test. I had a test about two months prior to the one I posted, but I lost the paper work. In the earlier test, my test levels were 395 and my TSH was 1.11. After seeing the last test and seeing my TSH was 2.0, I stopped taking the kelp pills after discovering my multi-vitamin has over the recommended iodine.
I have benefit in mind, not need, with my suggestion. Plus, it costs $10 a year to run Lugol's at a drop or two a day.

I do need a somewhat cheap solution for right now. What's the bare minimum I could take? See, I'm about a year or so from finishing college and I had to take time off, so money is tight. I mean cheap as in $60 a month. The LJ100 looks promising. Has there been any reports of LJ100 causing stomach upset? I have had bad luck recently with capsules due to them causing GERD flare ups. I was also looking at dermacrine precisely because it's topical.
I am not aware of any reports of upset stomach with LJ100. Either that or Dermacrine would work.
 
Shiznown

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I have benefit in mind, not need, with my suggestion. Plus, it costs $10 a year to run Lugol's at a drop or two a day.



I am not aware of any reports of upset stomach with LJ100. Either that or Dermacrine would work.
Alright, is Dermacrine dosed alright. I read it can be under dosed. Some people I read like using RS Transaderm instead, but that's $223 a bottle.
 
Danes

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I assume you mean this thread when you're talking about Danes protocal http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplements/276244-tongkat-ali-lj100.html ???
Also, I am leaning on trying the LJ100 first on it's own then slowly adding things in. Like I said funds are tight. LJ100 just seems to have the most info when I searched. I've been looking through the forum at threads on it and in one it mentioned some folks did blood work panels while on it. I'd like to see the blood work if anyone has links.
LJ100/TA works and clinicaly studies are proving.
If you want to boost your T levels to the max, you actually need some $.
 
Shiznown

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LJ100/TA works and clinicaly studies are proving.
If you want to boost your T levels to the max, you actually need some $.
Yeah, well I have to finish college to get real money but stress hurts studying for college; double edged sword. Link to the studies please?
 
machinehead

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Alright, is Dermacrine dosed alright. I read it can be under dosed. Some people I read like using RS Transaderm instead, but that's $223 a bottle.
You may run through a bottle and a half a month, or you may like lower dosing. LJ100 may be the cheaper and better option but it is individual.
 
Shiznown

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Thanks guys. Last two questions are, will Dermacrine lower estradiol and what should my optimal TSH value be? I'm prone to joint pain, that's why I'm asking about estradiol.
 
machinehead

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Thanks guys. Last two questions are, will Dermacrine lower estradiol and what should my optimal TSH value be? I'm prone to joint pain, that's why I'm asking about estradiol.
1. We don't know. It may go lower or stay the same. Resveratrol has a way of balancing estrogen so most won't see a large swing either way.
2. It is good to be 0.5-1.5 but, just like LH can't tell much about your testosterone signaling, TSH can't tell much about thyroid signaling.
 
Shiznown

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Alright, thanks. With Dermacrine is there any protocols, such as 5 days on two days off, or do you just strictly apply it everyday?
 
machinehead

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I am not sure but I'd cycle it personally, 8 weeks on then 4 off. BPS reps may disagree.
 
Shiznown

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I am not sure but I'd cycle it personally, 8 weeks on then 4 off. BPS reps may disagree.
Would my test levels drop drastically during the time off? I just don't want to feel like sh** cycling off.
 
machinehead

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It will go back to baseline or thereabouts
 
R1balla

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It should go back to baseline like machinehead said.

Good luck on the LJ100 my friend. :)
 
Shiznown

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Guys, one more thing. I have puffy nipples and have ever since puberty. I'm worried the LJ100 might make it worse, but I don't necessarily want to block estradiol unless I need to, since I have mild arthritis in my joints. The thing is, my nipples have been going from puffy to unpuffy for the first time; they mainly stay puffy though. Should I also take something that blocks prolactin? I have a feeling it's the high prolactin that's doing it, since my libido is super high.
 
Todd Garner

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Guys, one more thing. I have puffy nipples and have ever since puberty. I'm worried the LJ100 might make it worse, but I don't necessarily want to block estradiol unless I need to, since I have mild arthritis in my joints. The thing is, my nipples have been going from puffy to unpuffy for the first time; they mainly stay puffy though. Should I also take something that blocks prolactin? I have a feeling it's the high prolactin that's doing it, since my libido is super high.
If your libido is super high then its not a Prolaction issue, also LJ100 has shown to have positive effect at keep estrogen in a healthy rage. Nothing's better then getting blood work done and knowing whats high and low. Blood work that shows all the things we've talked about that wasn't on your first panel
 

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I would run Dermacrine indefintly if i was you. Until you got prescribed test.
 
R1balla

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Take advice from these good people here. Once your done with a supplement, go get blood work to know for sure if it helped or not.
 
MidwestBeast

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Just wanted to say be cautious with iodine -- it can also mess things up when it comes to thyroid (this coming from someone who did exactly that and has Hashimoto's and secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism).

You could also try P5P or Inhibit-P to try and naturally lower prolactin a bit. Its not OOR high, but you still may benefit having it lower (FYI I'm someone who has a prolactinoma on my pituitary).
 
The_Old_Guy

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I agree with MidwestBeast on the Iodine, and this is coming from someone who believes in, and has done, extra Iodine. First, get a baseline morning temp with a good Ovulation thermometer (Walmart). Then if below 97 upon waking, and not able to hit 98.6'ish mid-afternoon, consider supplemental Iodine. I'd start out out at an extra 1mg per week. This would be like double dosing a Multi, as 150mcg/Day = 1.05mg/Week... Try 2mg/Week. Monitor temps in the AM(97) and around 2PM (98.6'ish). I'd increase by 1mg weekly until I hit those numbers - it may take a while.

I prefer IOPlus tabs, as it contains co-factors like Selenium in the right amounts - I use a pill cutter to quarter them, and then cut those with a razor to get ~1mg chunks.

I believe we need more than the RDA because nothing contains Iodine anymore (Salt is about it and it's a crappy source, and most don't eat a lot of fish/seaweed) and we are assaulted by Bromine everywhere - but I'm not down with mega-dosing. Low and slow keeps you out of trouble.
 

dvw

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I don't think it would be a problem. It's a great supplement to use. Can help with energy levels and raising testosterone a bit and has ingredient to lower estrogen levels. DHEA can help with building muscle also.
 
R1balla

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I don't think it would be a problem. It's a great supplement to use. Can help with energy levels and raising testosterone a bit and has ingredient to lower estrogen levels. DHEA can help with building muscle also.
Agreed. Thanks for helping him! Dermacrine is great.
 
Shiznown

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Any risk of gyno with it? Also, I thought DHEA is suppressive. Let me rephrase, I read DHEA can be suppressive over time unless in small doses.
 

dvw

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Very little risk of gyno if any.Unless you are doing a huge dose like 3 times normal recommended dose.
 

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