Got my test levels checked, not happy, please help

[HELLA SWOLE]

I am sure most of you remember my situation from a year ago...well, I have been off of anything and everything for exactly a year now. I have dieted down and I am very lean now, and natural. I decided to get my test levels checked and I am unpleasantly surprised.

My total test was 337
My free Test was 69

Both of these are in the "normal" range, but they are on the low end of normal, and I am especially not happy with this due to the fact that I am a 23 year old male.

Now, it's not a huge problem b/c I have no problems with libido, but then again it could always be better right? I dieted down to a very lean BF% and I have retained my muscle pretty wel.l under the circumstances and strength is fine, but like everyone else I would like my test levels to be at the upper end of normal instead of the lower end, especially at 23yrs old.

I got my blood drawn at 4:30 PM and I had sex about 3 hrs prior to this, could the time of day or my activity prior to this have affected the readings?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hope everyone is doing well! Thanks!

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

ttt

 

[Shelby]

Just wondering why you got it checked if you weren't having any problems?

 

[asilaydying]

If you were deitng hard and natural its normal for test to be low. I would be shocked to see a shredded natty guy with normal test levels if he isnt using anything

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

Just wondering why you got it checked if you weren't having any problems?

For curiosity sake since I hadn't had them checked since I had bee COMPLETELY clean. I got my LH and FSH levels checked as well to check fertility (so I don't have any surprises down the road), but I haven't seen those results yet. I am waiting for the full results to come in the mail.

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

If you were deitng hard and natural its normal for test to be low. I would be shocked to see a shredded natty guy with normal test levels if he isnt using anything

That crossed my mind b/c I have dieted down to darn near show shape, but I had been taking the last 4 days prior to the bloodwork off and re-feeding and filling out, so my hormones should have had the nutritional support they would have needed, I would think. But then again, a few days may not be enough huh?

Thanks for the input my friend.

 

[patrick]

your probably

have been eating a low fat diet to get into shape?
If thats the case its normal that you test levels are lower than expected.
Natural BB-ers need to consume more fat in order to produce more testosterone (fat --> cholesterol --> testosterone).

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

My calories had been pretty low overall in order to get into shape. it was a lot different doing it naturally. I was doing a good bit of cardio as well (about 3-4 hours per WEEK). My fats (coming on from almonds, nuts, fish oil etc) were about 30-40g, not to mention the fats that might have been coming from any of my protein sources. So I don't think they are that low. Not to mention Ihad 1-2 FULL cheat and high carb days during the week, so the nutrients should be there to support some healthy lipid and test levels.

 

[Shelby]

What were your numbers when you got checked previously (when you were clean)?

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

What were your numbers when you got checked previously (when you were clean)?

I beliebe my total test was like 700 something...like 770's
and my free was like 138 I believe, but I am not 100% sure, all I know is that they were on the HIGH end of normal.

HOWEVER....those readings were taken about 1-2 weeks after finishing my PCT (lomid) therapy, so they could have been skewed...

 

[patrick]

My calories had been pretty low overall in order to get into shape. it was a lot different doing it naturally. I was doing a good bit of cardio as well (about 3-4 hours per WEEK). My fats (coming on from almonds, nuts, fish oil etc) were about 30-40g, not to mention the fats that might have been coming from any of my protein sources. So I don't think they are that low. Not to mention Ihad 1-2 FULL cheat and high carb days during the week, so the nutrients should be there to support some healthy lipid and test levels.

that sounds about 10-15% of your total diet consisted of fat. when natural i think you should be near to 30-40%.

 

[asilaydying]

That crossed my mind b/c I have dieted down to darn near show shape, but I had been taking the last 4 days prior to the bloodwork off and re-feeding and filling out, so my hormones should have had the nutritional support they would have needed, I would think. But then again, a few days may not be enough huh?

Thanks for the input my friend.

I used to compete naturally back in the day and many of my friends got routine bloodwork done and on average it took them 4-6weeks to regain test levels that they had before they dieting for their shows. They took NO ph's NO dhea NO supps but fatburnes,creatine,glutamine,etc.... One good friend of mine had bloodwork done at 16weeks out when he was first dieting(only a week into it) and tested at 630 at age 23(normal for that age) then 2weeks before his show he was at 415, then 2weeks post show he was 450, 6weeks later 500 and "3" months later 618.

 

[phatkid77]

to answer your questions..

430pm is a horrible time to get tested (unless u want a script..hah) test levels have to be checked befor 9am..11am very latest (when they are the highest)

sex before test is also bad, its said to raise prolactin, which will bind to your test levels....

go get retested.....

phats

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[thebrick]

I agree. Get tested in the AM when test levels are naturally highest. Increase the good fats and cut down on the cardio for a comparison reading. But if you feel good, with good sex drive its not a huge issue, right?

 

[Pekkerwood]

I think you guys may be missing the bigger point here. You got tested at 4:30. You had sex three hours earlier. How in the H*LL did you get sex at 1:00 in the afternoon during the week. Old guys with wives/steady girlfriends everywhere await your response!

I had almost the exact same test levels and have an appointment at 1:30 today to get re-tested by a doctor that will actually give me a script to get to at least high normal.

PWood

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

I think you guys may be missing the bigger point here. You got tested at 4:30. You had sex three hours earlier. How in the H*LL did you get sex at 1:00 in the afternoon during the week. Old guys with wives/steady girlfriends everywhere await your response!

I had almost the exact same test levels and have an appointment at 1:30 today to get re-tested by a doctor that will actually give me a script to get to at least high normal.

PWood

LMAO! Well, we just started dating not too long ago so the "new" factor is still there...plus I got game haha She is 28 and in her sexual prime I guess, and well, I am 23 so I should be in mine as well...so sex at 1 pm is not an uncommon thing for me at this point, when I am not at work at least hehe. I took the afternoon off for the Dr. appt. and she is in between jobs so...That is the recipe for sex at 1 pm lol

 

[Research Em]

try to learn about naltrexone, with this drug you can be alway ON and with big bolls.

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

try to learn about naltrexone, with this drug you can be alway ON and with big bolls.

Could you elaborate?
I am not looking to get back "on" though just so you know...ever.

 

[saudades]

Test your levels in the morning if you can. If you are even borderline low, you can ask a doctor to prescribe you HRT, but you say you don't want to go back "on." I am on HRT, and my very first test was in the afternoon and measured 310. The doc put me on 300mg/2 weeks. Levels usually peak in the morning (thus "morning wood") and then decline through the day. If you test low in the morning, then you may need to be on HRT.

From what I understand, having been on AAS in the first place, even after finishing PCT, you can have blunted levels which won't come back up for a long time. I've heard of many others who go on HRT because they are unable to produce much of their own hormone anymore, but that's usually older guys who've been on for a very, very long time although I don't know how long you've used at 23 years old (couldn't be that long though).

Since you aren't happy with that result, what exactly do you want? Do you want to get it back up into middle normal? You may want to try every other remedy out there, even consult an endocrinologist, to see if you can bring it up. If that doesn't work, you may need to think hard about being on HRT.