Pre-cycle bloodwork

[nl90]

My bloodwork came back, levels below:

Total Testosterone, serum: 347 ng/dL (Range: 264-916 ng/dL)
Estradiol: 24.4 pg/mL (Range: 7.6-42.6)

I am 22 years old, 5'10", 200lbs, 18%BF, very active (weight training/cardio daily), minimal drinking - sometimes weekends/social events, no smoking, no prior use of PEDs/Steroids. Whats concerning to me is the total T, not so much the E2.

I'm under the impression at this time in my life my testosterone should be peaked, or within a decent margin my peak. Even though my total T is technically in range, is this amount something I should be concerned about? Maybe worth going to talk to an endocrinologist about? The reason I'm concerned is because I haven't even started the cycle yet and my libido is okay at best, I'm tired most of the day regardless of hours of sleep, and I do seem to have hit a plateau in muscle gain in the past year and a half or so.

I know none of you are medical professionals, but I'm just looking for some input/similar experiences. Thanks.

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I also didn't add that my diet for the last few weeks has been very low carbohydrate, moderate fats, and high protein if this provides any significance.

 

[stevesmi]

I would love to see your LH and FSH levels

there are a couple things you should know:

1. not everyone is born to have sky high test levels, grow a beard in 3 days, or bang 1000 women by the age of 30. if mother nature granted you mediocre test levels then that is the way it should be. manipulating your #'s at 22 and wanting to hop on TRT is a bad idea, don't do it man (a lot of guys on these forums will tell you to do it; meathead mentality)

2. we don't know if/when your test levels peaked off of 1 blood work. you might peak in your mid 20's or you might have peaked at 20. this idea that teenage boys have high T levels is more bro science. your hormones CHANGE at that age, hence why you were so horny. that isn't an indicator of peak levels (Gregg Valentino logic fails again)

3. stressing out over your test levels at 22 will cause more problems. why are you even testing yourself? you sleep like shit and your libido is okay. fix your sleeping issues first. are you a coffee drinker? pre workouts? those are easy culrprits

 

[nl90]

I would love to see your LH and FSH levels

there are a couple things you should know:

1. not everyone is born to have sky high test levels, grow a beard in 3 days, or bang 1000 women by the age of 30. if mother nature granted you mediocre test levels then that is the way it should be. manipulating your #'s at 22 and wanting to hop on TRT is a bad idea, don't do it man (a lot of guys on these forums will tell you to do it; meathead mentality)

2. we don't know if/when your test levels peaked off of 1 blood work. you might peak in your mid 20's or you might have peaked at 20. this idea that teenage boys have high T levels is more bro science. your hormones CHANGE at that age, hence why you were so horny. that isn't an indicator of peak levels (Gregg Valentino logic fails again)

3. stressing out over your test levels at 22 will cause more problems. why are you even testing yourself? you sleep like shit and your libido is okay. fix your sleeping issues first. are you a coffee drinker? pre workouts? those are easy culrprits

Unfortunately LH and FSH wasn’t tested. Only other thing that stuck out was that my HDL cholesterol was in the Low threshold as it should be >39, not sure if hat has an effect. Also no caffeine intake whatsoever for months now, so that shouldn’t be a factor.

Just on the fence on whether it’s worth seeking an endocrinologist, or if it’d be a waste of a copay for them to tell me I’m statistically normal for the levels..

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HDL was 37.

 

[stevesmi]

^^^ getting poor sleep will def hurt your T levels I can guarantee you that

it is good you aren't a caffeine addict, however there are many other factors. google the sleep article i wrote.

a big problem with your age group is you guys are addicted to electronics too, using those before bed will keep you from getting a deep sleep .. if you must use them at least get blue blockers, they are $10 off amazon

 

[gashred777]

^^and they look badass! Just check Steve out in any of the later filmed podcasts.


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[Mobster]

22 year olds shouldn't be using steroids.

And, as Steve says, fix the issues and I'd put money on your levels improving.

 

[stevesmi]

^^and they look badass! Just check Steve out in any of the later filmed podcasts.


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lol i wear them around the neighborhood at night and people think i am sawing wood..

they sell nice ones for like $120 online, but i am too cheap a fuck (miser as my X called me) to spend that kind of money.

 

[Fella Finn]

...The reason I'm concerned is because I haven't even started the cycle yet and my libido is okay at best, I'm tired most of the day regardless of hours of sleep, and I do seem to have hit a plateau in muscle gain in the past year and a half or so.


I also didn't add that my diet for the last few weeks has been very low carbohydrate, moderate fats, and high protein if this provides any significance.

Few pointers. First of all I do not recommend you start a TRT whether it is prescribed by our doctor or yourself.
You libido is fine which is good.
Your sleep is probably decent because you didn't say you can't sleep well.
Your energy is down and your progress has stalled. This is pretty likely to happen if your energy is down.
I don't know if you are currently on a diet but if you are it's quite normal that in some point it's gonna have an impact on your energy levels and overall performance in and out the gym.

You are also on a very low carb diet and given that you are a very active individual it could be a problem as well. Super low carb diets are not for everyone and maybe you should try to increase that intake a bit for a few days and see how you feel.

 

[muskate]

Very low carb diets are linked to lower testosterone levels. Especially in athletes.

I am not sure what your reason is for the very low carb diet but it doesn't make much sense. Especially for someone of your age

 

[dylangemelli]

were you fasted when you took this test and did you take it first thing in the morning? as pointed out, we really need to see lh and fsh too... lifestyle can play a large role in this as well..

 

[gashred777]

lol i wear them around the neighborhood at night and people think i am sawing wood..

they sell nice ones for like $120 online, but i am too cheap a fuck (miser as my X called me) to spend that kind of money.

Totally fucking with you bro lol. I would buy the cheap ones too.


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[Chemically Enhanced]

Sorry Steve but I don't see where he said he's sleeping poorly.
As others have pointed out, a low carb diet may be a culprit. Don't cut your carbs out, but instead replace all the bad carbs with good carbs like oats, yams, greens.

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[Eddie Haskell]

Sorry Steve but I don't see where he said he's sleeping poorly.
As others have pointed out, a low carb diet may be a culprit. Don't cut your carbs out, but instead replace all the bad carbs with good carbs like oats, yams, greens.

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Great advice, CE. Great advice!

 

[Glycomann]

Wondering if OP was using any SARMs or pro hormones in the past. That would explain quite a bit.

 

[Eddie Haskell]

Wondering if OP was using any SARMs or pro hormones in the past. That would explain quite a bit.

Oh shit, Glycomann, you've wandered into forbidden territory! ;-)

 

[Mobster]

My bloodwork came back, levels below:

Total Testosterone, serum: 347 ng/dL (Range: 264-916 ng/dL)
Estradiol: 24.4 pg/mL (Range: 7.6-42.6)

I am 22 years old, 5'10", 200lbs, 18%BF, very active (weight training/cardio daily), minimal drinking - sometimes weekends/social events, no smoking, no prior use of PEDs/Steroids. Whats concerning to me is the total T, not so much the E2.

I'm under the impression at this time in my life my testosterone should be peaked, or within a decent margin my peak. Even though my total T is technically in range, is this amount something I should be concerned about? Maybe worth going to talk to an endocrinologist about? The reason I'm concerned is because I haven't even started the cycle yet and my libido is okay at best, I'm tired most of the day regardless of hours of sleep, and I do seem to have hit a plateau in muscle gain in the past year and a half or so.

I know none of you are medical professionals, but I'm just looking for some input/similar experiences. Thanks.

- - - Updated - - -

I also didn't add that my diet for the last few weeks has been very low carbohydrate, moderate fats, and high protein if this provides any significance.

Sorry Steve but I don't see where he said he's sleeping poorly.
As others have pointed out, a low carb diet may be a culprit. Don't cut your carbs out, but instead replace all the bad carbs with good carbs like oats, yams, greens.

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See the part in bold.

 

[Chemically Enhanced]

See the part in bold.

This doesn't say he's not getting enough sleep

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[stevesmi]

This doesn't say he's not getting enough sleep

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i think that one of the biggest issues with younger guys is the QUALITY of sleep. a big part of that is electronics before bed. if i had a kid i would allow them to watch tv before bed and it has to be something neutral, not a horror flick (with blue blockers)

but they must turn off video games, iphones, internet, etc. all those things stimulate the mid brain and strongly inhibit melatonin release while also suppressing GABA which prevents proper quality of sleep. i would rather someone get 5 hours of quality sleep vs. 8 hours of shitty sleep

that is why right off the bat when a young guy posts they have low energy i automatically want them to correct this issue.

 

[Mobster]

My bloodwork came back, levels below:

Total Testosterone, serum: 347 ng/dL (Range: 264-916 ng/dL)
Estradiol: 24.4 pg/mL (Range: 7.6-42.6)

I am 22 years old, 5'10", 200lbs, 18%BF, very active (weight training/cardio daily), minimal drinking - sometimes weekends/social events, no smoking, no prior use of PEDs/Steroids. Whats concerning to me is the total T, not so much the E2.

I'm under the impression at this time in my life my testosterone should be peaked, or within a decent margin my peak. Even though my total T is technically in range, is this amount something I should be concerned about? Maybe worth going to talk to an endocrinologist about? The reason I'm concerned is because I haven't even started the cycle yet and my libido is okay at best, I'm tired most of the day regardless of hours of sleep, and I do seem to have hit a plateau in muscle gain in the past year and a half or so.

I know none of you are medical professionals, but I'm just looking for some input/similar experiences. Thanks.

- - - Updated - - -

I also didn't add that my diet for the last few weeks has been very low carbohydrate, moderate fats, and high protein if this provides any significance.

Sorry Steve but I don't see where he said he's sleeping poorly.
As others have pointed out, a low carb diet may be a culprit. Don't cut your carbs out, but instead replace all the bad carbs with good carbs like oats, yams, greens.

Sent from an alien spaceship using Tapatalk

This doesn't say he's not getting enough sleep

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While true it's also true that what Stevesmi referred to as well, as he has many times previously (switching the phone off, stims etc) may well be affecting said quality. So while it's accurate it's splitting hairs.