Starting Strength Newbie & Test

[DRG]

Hi,

I am 39M, 5'11 approx 180lbs. I have tried stronglifts in the past with a 'little' success until injuring lower back with rows (bad form I know). When i was in my twenties i could easily go to the gym 5-6 times a week and not suffer with fatigue, but now thats a different story, i have been putting it down to diet but after a test results i believe its my test levels being so low.

I have tried everything this past 2 years to get into a gym routine skipping between weights and cardio, having read SS I am convinced this is where I need to go. I have done SL but almost a decade ago so I am definetely newbie and should benefit.

I have had my testosterone levels checked and they came in at 6.73 nmol/l which I believe is 121ng/l ? From what I can gather this is very low? Which probably explains some of the symptons I have had (all round general fatigue, feeling a bit crappy (wouldnt label it as depression just groggy), extreme exhaustion after a workout etc. I am, however, a little reluctant to try TRT as I dont want the side effects I have read about (insomnia etc). However, if my next reading comes back anywhere near as low I think I am going to have just give it a go and risk it, because I dont see what choice I have, I could probably even get it on NHS. Although I was wondering if it would naturally raise by doing starting strength? Bit of a chicken egg situation there thoguh as will be tough to do the workouts initially.

I am accoridng to my body weight scales approx 25% BF, although I am not sure where it gets that figure from, I am naturlally on the thin side except around my belly.

Any advice on newbies trying test, diet tips for a guy my size? I was thinkgin about 4K maybe? I wouldnt class myself as a skinny kid needing 6k.

Thanks in advance for any help, have a great day !

[Mark Rippetoe]

Have you seen our podcasts about TRT? That's a good place to start.

[DRG]

No I haven't, I will check them out now! Thanks for the reply and loved the book (and audible), really motivated me to get started with SS, more for an all around health perspective as opposed to aesthetics (although that will be a much welcome bonus).

[Jason Donaldson]

Insomnia as a side effect of TRT?? That's news to me - usually, improved sleep is a benefit of TRT.

As the father of a teenage boy, and having actually been a teenage boy for several years once, the idea that raising testosterone would cause the inability to sleep is rather humorous to me....

[Martin Shenfield]

You need significantly more information on your blood test than just that level. But yes it's terrible. You will need to not bother with the NHS and pay a private clinic.

My test level was triple yours and I still ended up on TRT, trying to resist all the way. Lo and behold, I feel better now.

[Fatboyleeroy]

DRG
You can technically get treatment on the NHS if you are below 8.6. However there is a real lottery about your GP referring you and then if the NHS Trust where you live supporting the treatment.
If they do, expect doses every 8 weeks, which they will have to administer, so a real pain to fit into your schedule.

Google Optiamle. £110 pcm approx for T that you administer yourself twice weekly.

I started 2 weeks ago, my only regret is not doing it sooner.

Oh, and T improves sleep (at least it has for me, and I had insomnia for years).

[Phill]

You need significantly more information on your blood test than just that level. But yes it's terrible. You will need to not bother with the NHS and pay a private clinic.

My test level was triple yours and I still ended up on TRT, trying to resist all the way. Lo and behold, I feel better now.

Might have missed it, but it would be great if you updated your thread. I'm rather curious about your journey, costs and how "useful" you found the advice from the guy you used.

[DRG]

Thanks for the responses. The insomnia thing did puzzle me too, I would expect improved sleep, it was something I read somewhere online as a potential side effect, maybe it means if you had too much test, which is not what I am aiming for.

I have today ordered the second test phase via optimale so will hopefully be starting within a few weeks all being well. I can't wait to see how I feel, I have tried every diet regime under the sun, I have tried to ignore it and say its in my head, but the results suggest otherwise can't be ignored.

Really love going to the gym, I am going to start very light with SS and build up slowly and hopefully go up through the gears as the test kicks in!

[DRG]

DRG
You can technically get treatment on the NHS if you are below 8.6. However there is a real lottery about your GP referring you and then if the NHS Trust where you live supporting the treatment.
If they do, expect doses every 8 weeks, which they will have to administer, so a real pain to fit into your schedule.

Google Optiamle. £110 pcm approx for T that you administer yourself twice weekly.

I started 2 weeks ago, my only regret is not doing it sooner.

Oh, and T improves sleep (at least it has for me, and I had insomnia for years).

Thank you, optimale is who i am using.

[DRG]

Ok, I have more info, although I dont know how to dissect it:

Biochemistry
Albumin 93.700 H 35 - 50 g/L HIGH
Hormones
Free-Testosterone
(Calculated) 0.097 L 0.226 - 0.65 nmol/L LOW
SHBG 21.600 18 - 40 nmol/L
Testosterone 6.730 L 12 - 30 nmol/L LOW