7 years Natty, first Cycle incoming

[Keepy77]

G'day UGBB,

27 year old, 7 years strength and hypertrophy training natural, cert 4 in fitness, 180cm's and 85kgs.

over the last 2 years i have had a low libido but didn't think much of it.
My training progression has slowed right down in last 12 months. I tend to drop strength and muscle when cutting and put on fat easily when eating in a surplus even though i am maintaining a high protein diet (220g + daily), training hard and getting 7 to 9 hours sleep every night.
I follow a reasonably strict diet, sleep and training regime. Resistance training 4-5 times a week focusing on progressive overload and some active cardio here and there.

I have recently decided to undertake my first AAS cycle. I will be running Test E and Var. i have good support through colleagues in regards to managing my cycle.

Last week i went and got my bloods done. My test came in at a pretty average 13.5 nmol/l (388 ng/dl). This is the bottom end of the scale.
I am booked in for a consult with a mens health specialist who i am hoping will help me with a way forward. Sounds like TRT could be an option.

Looking to hear from others regarding similar situations. What was the outcome from your doctor? is 13.5 considered pretty low in general for a 27 y/o or nothing to be alarmed about?
Really looking forward to getting into my first cycle and hearing from others and sharing knowledge on this page.

Cheers.

 

[Ansaguy]

I can only speak to the age and test level question. I was about 28 or 29 when i was diagnosed with hypogonadism. My levels were around 200 if i recall. So you’re not crazy low but maybe you are symptomatic. I was symptomatic, low libido…tired in the afternoons despite sleep and being somewhat active., which was why at the time we started trt. It was a long road to get to injections. My first doc kept trying topical gels and clomid.

To be honest it’s not something i took lightly. For the rest of my life i knew I’d have to do regular injections, get regular labs and watch my hematocrit, not to mention as i get older i do worry about my prostate.

With exogenous test your body will stop making its own so it’ll be a bit of frequent labs and level checks etc to find where you feel good at, how much test you need, and make sure you’re body is handling it well.

So Just my humble suggestion but before you start a cycle I’d let your doc or clinic discuss trt and go through that process. If you Just start a cycle you won’t get any kind of baseline and probably won’t be able to try you on meds. Or if you’ve decided to do a cycle regardless maybe wait till after your Pct to see where you’re levels are and what you need going forward?

Of course the guys on here have a lot more experience with cycles dosing, meds, and Pct than I do. But I’ve been on trt for 10 years now with ups and downs along the way.


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[Keepy77]

I can only speak to the age and test level question. I was about 28 or 29 when i was diagnosed with hypogonadism. My levels were around 200 if i recall. So you’re not crazy low but maybe you are symptomatic. I was symptomatic, low libido…tired in the afternoons despite sleep and being somewhat active., which was why at the time we started trt. It was a long road to get to injections. My first doc kept trying topical gels and clomid.

To be honest it’s not something i took lightly. For the rest of my life i knew I’d have to do regular injections, get regular labs and watch my hematocrit, not to mention as i get older i do worry about my prostate.

With exogenous test your body will stop making its own so it’ll be a bit of frequent labs and level checks etc to find where you feel good at, how much test you need, and make sure you’re body is handling it well.

So Just my humble suggestion but before you start a cycle I’d let your doc or clinic discuss trt and go through that process. If you Just start a cycle you won’t get any kind of baseline and probably won’t be able to try you on meds. Or if you’ve decided to do a cycle regardless maybe wait till after your Pct to see where you’re levels are and what you need going forward?


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Yep, I agree with holding off on the cycle until I get a way forward with the doctor. Injections and trt don't worry me. I have no other underlying health issues and barely any family health history. So going to be interesting to see what the doc wants to do. My colleagues use him and I don't think he hesitates to much to put people on trt.

Its interesting because had I not considered a cycle then I would have never had my bloods done. So potentially a blessing in disguise.

I appreciate your reply ansaguy.

 

[ftf]

Nice intro, welcome to UGBB!

 

[eazy]

welcome to the ug

 

[sfw509]

Welcome to ugbb.

In your situation i would see what the doctors say. There are a number of reasons why your test could be low at your age. Im definitely not a doctor but jumping on gear is not a permanent answer if there is a legitimate medical concern.

Best of luck and looking forward to following along.

 

[CohibaRobusto]

Welcome to the UG! I'd see what the doctors say and get on trt before doing a cycle. Get your testoserone levels right for a while.

Your current level is borderline where some docs here in the USA won't write a script for, but a lot of the online trt clinics will.

 

[Keepy77]

Thanks for everyone's input so far. I have been speaking with colleagues also and the general consensus is to get the low T sorted out first with the doctor. If the doc is not real keen on prescribing TRT then to go ahead with the cycle and have another blood test a couple weeks after last injection when test would be at its lowest. I am not interested in gels or patches etc etc.

I am now no longer in any rush to jump on first cycle and want to get this lowish T sorted first.

 

[BRICKS]

Welcome to ugbb

 

[snake]

I'm not a big fan of gear talk in a new members intro but I have to say, you did a good job balancing it out.

Not sure where you're located but in the US, you may have a problem getting a Dr to put you on TRT with those levels. Your age will be an issue with a Dr and TRT. Personally I dont care what the age is, low is low.

That low libido sucks at 27. You should be walking around with a perpetual hard on at that age.

Stuck around and welcome to UG.

 

[Badleroybrown]

Very informative intro my man… 388 is a high bottom end. I belive once a person is under 300 is when they start considering trt.. it depends on the dr or clinic you are at. It will be a wise choice to sit back and see what your dr says. There may be another underlying health condition and you want to make sure all avenues are checked. If all else fails and your dc says it’s a good thing then weigh it out.. at 27-28 years old and I don’t know if you have intentions of having kids or not but this may have to be taken into consideration. Even though you have a low t level it is still yours as to having it introduced to your system. Eventually you will be shut down and then screwed.
so weight out all your options and talk to the dc.

 

[creekrat]

I'm not a big fan of gear talk in a new members intro but I have to say, you did a good job balancing it out.

Not sure where you're located but in the US, you may have a problem getting a Dr to put you on TRT with those levels. Your age will be an issue with a Dr and TRT. Personally I dont care what the age is, low is low.

That low libido sucks at 27. You should be walking around with a perpetual hard on at that age.

Stuck around and welcome to UG.

@Keepy77 you just don't realize how huge this is. I think this may be a first so you should feel privileged to get this response.

As far as your colleagues recommending you cycle if your dr won't prescribe right away, ehhhhhh, I don't agree. If this is something you want, there are no underlying conditions that need to be rectified, and you are prepared to give yourself a shot for the rest of your life then find a dr or clinic that will work with you. Do all of your homework and walk in with a binder of information, 2 copies, and help your dr help you. Be your own advocate and also have the long term studies of adverse effects of long term low T with you. If you do the leg work and know what you're talking about, it has been my experience that the dr is more likely to listen to you because they believe you will follow the protocols set forth

 

[Keepy77]

This is great feedback! Thanks for the Knowledge fellas.

@creekrat this is something i want. My partner (of 10 years) and i are not looking to have kids. i am comfortable with with giving shots for the rest of my life. I totally agree with the way you are coming at this in regards to being prepared with the doctor. I agree if you turn up showing that you have been doing a lot of research then they are likely to assist you more in the direction you wish to take. The doctor i am hoping to do the consult with is a specialist in men's hormones and health and has great reviews in this area. i am eager to ensure there are no underlying conditions. i will keep this thread up to date with how the progress goes. hopefully speak to the Doc later in the week. Once again, i appreciate the feedback.

 

[FearThaGear]

Definitely second and third the idea of seeing a doc before starting any type of cycle.

You're awfully young to commit yourself to trt IMO. If there's another way to raise your testosterone levels, I would exhaust all of those options before having to inject testosterone in your body for the rest of your life.

Glad to hear that you're going to postpone your cycle until you see your doc and get your testosterone levels in the right range to feel normal though.

Welcome.

 

[Mister Slicksta]

Welcome to the underground. 100% finalize your TRT dosage before starting a cycle. It’s a process because your doctor will slowly raise or lower your dosage based on how your body reacts. But take it from me….TRT is awesome. Mine was so low and now after two years on I feel like I’m 28 again…..I’m 40 now.

 

[Blusoul24]

Welcome aboard

 

[Keepy77]

For those playing at home.

Doctor has received my request to work with him, awaiting him to tee up a consultation still.

In the mean time I am sticking to the plan which is leaning down prior to first cycle.. was sitting around 88kgs (194lbs) at start of may. Weighed in at 83.5kgs today (184lbs) currently eating about 2450 cals a day which puts me in a moderate deficit.

Currently working 13hour night shifts 6 days a week which takes a toll on the body but I find this is a easy time for me to diet and training 4 to 5 times a week.. somehow still managing a minimum of 7 hours sleep a night.

Dieting is currently feeling really easy.

Supplementing with whey protein, creatine, BCAA's, fish oil, probiotics, multi vitamins

 

[snake]

Currently working 13hour night shifts 6 days a week which takes a toll on the body but I find this is a easy time for me to diet and training 4 to 5 times a week.. somehow still managing a minimum of 7 hours sleep a night.

Dieting is currently feeling really easy.

Supplementing with whey protein, creatine, BCAA's, fish oil, probiotics, multi vitamins

God bless you my man for stepping up and still getting in the gym. During the crazy work, keep the gym short and sweet; in and out, jiggity jig.

 

[creekrat]

@CJ275 , myself and a few others know the feeling of the long days and then the gym. Always remember that a little work is always better than none

 

[CJ]

@CJ275 , myself and a few others know the feeling of the long days and then the gym. Always remember that a little work is always better than none

Yup, just have to cut out the fluff and be efficient.