Justlooking5
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So about 5 years ago at age 28 I had my test levels checked. They came out at around 395 total, 90 free (range 45-220), which we all know is pretty low, especially for 28. At this particular time I was also quite stressed, depressed, and had high anxiety, to a degree that was unusual for me and was situational. I also probably was not eating enough, and was doing mostly cardio.
I had done several cycles of gear in the past, with the most recent cycle when I was age 24. I do not think I came off my last cycle (test enanthate, t-bol) as effectively as I had on prior cycles (took OTC anti-estrogen ATD rather than clomid/nolva).
At this time after my test came back at 400 ng/dl, my urologist prescribed clomid to me which I took at between 25-50mg/day. It raised my test from about 400 to around 1100, however, upon stopping clomid my test levels returned to 400 ng/dl. Now, whether that is because I was still really stressed/depressed at this time, or because my HPTA was not malfunctioning for other reasons, I'm not sure.
I got busy with other things and did not do anything else to address the situation, because my urologist basically told me my choice was clomid or TRT, which I didn't want to do at that time.
Fast forward a few years and I definitely feel better, less depressed and anxious, and I'm eating well and am back into bodybuilding. I haven't gotten my test levels checked recently, and it is something I plan to address this coming year. However, I still sense that my levels may be a little lower than optimal. I am able to make gains pretty decently, but I don't feel the same amount of aggression/libido/passion etc. that I did when I was in my early 20s. And I look a bit soft even at lower BF%.
Right now to boost/support test levels I am taking ZMA (great for sleep at least), and taurine which has shown to raise test substantially in some animal studies. I also have Longjack 100:1 extract on the way, and plan to cycle this by taking it 3-4 days per week at a dose to be determined, probably on the high side. If it doesn't dry me out too much, I'll probably take it 5x/week, but I want some water retention for lifting heavy.
I have read Longjack acts similarly to Nolvadex, and that people sometimes use it as part of PCT. I know this is possibly wishful thinking, but any thoughts about whether it may be possible to "jump-start" or improve HPTA function with Longjack if it does increase my test levels?
I had done several cycles of gear in the past, with the most recent cycle when I was age 24. I do not think I came off my last cycle (test enanthate, t-bol) as effectively as I had on prior cycles (took OTC anti-estrogen ATD rather than clomid/nolva).
At this time after my test came back at 400 ng/dl, my urologist prescribed clomid to me which I took at between 25-50mg/day. It raised my test from about 400 to around 1100, however, upon stopping clomid my test levels returned to 400 ng/dl. Now, whether that is because I was still really stressed/depressed at this time, or because my HPTA was not malfunctioning for other reasons, I'm not sure.
I got busy with other things and did not do anything else to address the situation, because my urologist basically told me my choice was clomid or TRT, which I didn't want to do at that time.
Fast forward a few years and I definitely feel better, less depressed and anxious, and I'm eating well and am back into bodybuilding. I haven't gotten my test levels checked recently, and it is something I plan to address this coming year. However, I still sense that my levels may be a little lower than optimal. I am able to make gains pretty decently, but I don't feel the same amount of aggression/libido/passion etc. that I did when I was in my early 20s. And I look a bit soft even at lower BF%.
Right now to boost/support test levels I am taking ZMA (great for sleep at least), and taurine which has shown to raise test substantially in some animal studies. I also have Longjack 100:1 extract on the way, and plan to cycle this by taking it 3-4 days per week at a dose to be determined, probably on the high side. If it doesn't dry me out too much, I'll probably take it 5x/week, but I want some water retention for lifting heavy.
I have read Longjack acts similarly to Nolvadex, and that people sometimes use it as part of PCT. I know this is possibly wishful thinking, but any thoughts about whether it may be possible to "jump-start" or improve HPTA function with Longjack if it does increase my test levels?
