Who Has Actually Recovered?

[KidCapriB]

I posted this once before, but I believe it's important for many people on this board to have a realistic view about recovery. I think if people who actually have recovered come forward and maybe share their story it could definately boost the confidence of many of the individuals on this board. It's important to have hope, and actual people coming forward to reinforce that hope within everyone here would definately be beneficial. It's very depressing coming to this board due to the fact I hear about so many people who try to recover their hypogonadism to always fall short. I'm almost at the point where I try to avoid this board because of the negativity. At times I do question if anyone does indeed get better from this condition, and it's a hard thing to think of. So finally I ask, who has "cured" their hypogonadism and is off medication functioning normally?




If there is no one I'd ask the mods to maybe delete this post so it doens't crush anyones hope.

[Megazoid]

This is a good post KidCapri, i really hope some people come forward too. I guess you are asking about HPTA recovery, but in theory it could be any kind of recovery from either being part primary to steriod abuse, let's hope some people come forward.

[BigAk]

Originally Posted by KidCapriB

I posted this once before, but I believe it's important for many people on this board to have a realistic view about recovery. I think if people who actually have recovered come forward and maybe share their story it could definately boost the confidence of many of the individuals on this board. It's important to have hope, and actual people coming forward to reinforce that hope within everyone here would definately be beneficial. It's very depressing coming to this board due to the fact I hear about so many people who try to recover their hypogonadism to always fall short. I'm almost at the point where I try to avoid this board because of the negativity. At times I do question if anyone does indeed get better from this condition, and it's a hard thing to think of. So finally I ask, who has "cured" their hypogonadism and is off medication functioning normally?




If there is no one I'd ask the mods to maybe delete this post so it doens't crush anyones hope.

Yes... I know of someone who recovered their HPTA... It's YOU Kid... However, I don't believe you've recovered your head bro... I don't see the negativity you're talking about from any of the other guys on here except from you. I think everyone is doing relatively well in their efforts to recover, and when you bare in mind that this recovery deal is not an overnight success, you'll see that we're all doing pretty well. We all go through ups and downs during this process but the big picture is that we're all recovering slowly but surely.

You're to the point of not coming to this board again due to negativity. To tell you the truth, I avoid reading your posts only; while I find positiveness in everything else I read. Lemme prove it to you. Do a search on all your posts and threads. they have titles like:

How Can My Levels Be Low But I Can Grow A Beard?
I Can't Take It Anymore When Will It End?
Newest Test Results In...Very Strange

Heck.... These titles alone are enough cause to shut down one's HPTA.

Then the only post you write when your test results are in the close to mid range, you're still not happy. Vast majority of the populations of males live very happily with levels at 399 without even knowing it. Have you ever stopped and thought that maybe your issues extend beyond just testosterone levels?? There is far more to libido and feeling good than just testosterone levels.

Finally to answer your question; On the behalf of all the guys on this board, I come forward and say; Yes... We're all recovering... and this is not just in my head.

Peace....

[zumper]

And finally are not everything numbers.
Numbers are symbols and symbols have been created by people thus is not pure reality.
Reality is how you feel and function .

[Megazoid]

Couldn't agree with Zumper anymore on that last quote. It's not about dam lab reports but how we feel as people. Marianco himself said this. And in fairness to kid, some of his total t readings were coming back at 200 and lower. That is pretty dam low if you ask me! I am pretty sure some people have recovered though.

[Krembles]

Originally Posted by KidCapriB

I posted this once before, but I believe it's important for many people on this board to have a realistic view about recovery. I think if people who actually have recovered come forward and maybe share their story it could definately boost the confidence of many of the individuals on this board. It's important to have hope, and actual people coming forward to reinforce that hope within everyone here would definately be beneficial. It's very depressing coming to this board due to the fact I hear about so many people who try to recover their hypogonadism to always fall short. I'm almost at the point where I try to avoid this board because of the negativity. At times I do question if anyone does indeed get better from this condition, and it's a hard thing to think of. So finally I ask, who has "cured" their hypogonadism and is off medication functioning normally?


If there is no one I'd ask the mods to maybe delete this post so it doens't crush anyones hope.

YES, I have recovered and know many HRT people that have as well. It did not take that long
either. That is the main goal. I am 56 and my test levels were below 300 now over 600. Well,
that was a few months ago. I was taking 150 to 200mg test weekly, I was also taking GH.
I added Anvar off and on and a little Deca off and on. I watched my blood work and monitored
the effects of what I added of taperd off of. I think if you hae the bucks American made GH
is the best thing. Only you have to be perpared to go 6 months to a year. I will heal the thymus
and other organs that produce test. You have to get used to more test. You have to exercise and
diet correctly and take all kinds of vitimans. It's possible and I know people that have gotten
better gains in their natty (natural test) than myseld and they did not do GH either. They did
more exercise. Don't give up, there is a way to heal and become young. I am talking from
personal experience. I am not a THREAD PARROT talking thread trash. Please feel free to
PM me.

[Dano2718]

I'm with BigAK on this.

- I don't think "recovery" is a black or white thing. I got back to having high normal T levels while using the SERM's, but my libido and mood were not that great. So by the labs, I am recovered - and T levels are not the same thing as how you feel. So I am in the process of tapering off and WAITING, getting better month by month, not day by day. This takes time, and so one should have the discipline and patience to go through this for six months to a year before throwing in the towel. Kid, you sound discouraged, but just think what a great opportunity this is to work on managing what goes on in your head . We're all in this together.

[KidCapriB]

yes some of my posts are negative because i've been going through this probably the longest out of everyone. A little over 3 years at this point and I'm only 20 years old. Yes I have a few good test results here and there BUT they are always followed by a plethora of terrible ones. Also how is this board positive? Every "restart log" I see always ends with failure. This is a positive thread and can really mentally help those feeling discouraged about the condition. I urge those who have recovered to simply share their story or just confirm this

[KidCapriB]

bump...this is an important thread for the good of everyone here.

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by KidCapriB

bump...this is an important thread for the good of everyone here.

One problem that I see, (and I am not a doctor),
people are told to watch Total testosterone levels and keep them in upper third for their age.
Good for some by accident, better then no Testosterone at all.
What body sees is FreeT and BioavailableT.
That is not the same thing, two reasons.
1. even when people ask for them on the blood test, usually in return they get garbage, see this
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/reprint/86/6/2903.pdf
Only Quest Diagnostic, that I know of, do them the right way, that is, calculate them from
TT, Albumin and SHBG that they get from the same blood draw.
See under Method: Free, Bioavailable, and Total Testosterone
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/...one_LCMSMS.htm
ranges, (right two columns)
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/.../Table%201.pdf
Probably good idea to be close to the top but not exceed nether range or excessive E2 and DHT happens.

One can also do the calculation using:
http://www.issam.ch/freetesto.htm
http://www.get-back-on-track.com/en/tools/umrechner.php
note that that calculator is "old" since it is based on 1999 paper,
See disclaimer when pregnant or using transdermal DHT.

2. See also 2006 work:
Impact of recent biochemical findings on the determination
of free and bioavailable testosterone: evaluation and
proposal for clinical use (remove red dashes).
http---------://www.atypon-link.com/WDG/doi/pdf/10.1515/JLM.2006.050
If anyone is able to work this into more convenient calculator, please do and share.
But it is anoter reason for possibly missing the mark , even when trying to be careful.
--------------------------------------------------------
Check LabCorp, they do "Methodology
Ammonium sulfate precipitation; radioassay " rather than calculation.

http://labcorp.com/dos/index.html
under letter T, then
Testosterone, Free and Weakly Bound

also here, good read but the do not calculate, they all kind of other things.
http://www.labcorp.com/cme/pdf/CME_T...ticle_1167.pdf

"Since men with hypogonadism often have high SHBG levels,
the measurement of free or bioavailable testosterone has
been advocated when total testosterone levels are normal in
men with symptoms of androgen deficiency."

Also:
"METHODS FOR MEASURING TESTOSTERONE
Many clinicians and laboratorians are confused about the most appropriate
method for “measuring testosterone status.”4,5,22 There
are numerous schools of thought as to which form of the hormone
should be measured and which analytical method provides the most accurate
assessment of biological activity. Since there is not a clear consensus
on this issue, it is important, at least, to understand the analytical basis for
the various methods available. Some of the different approaches currently
used for measuring testosterone status include (1) total testosterone, (2)
androgen index calculation, (3) free testosterone by equilibrium dialysis
or equilibrium ultrafiltration, (4) free testosterone by analog tracer immunoassay,
(5) bioavailable testosterone and (6) salivary testosterone.
Each is described below."
================================================== =====================
====================================
I am hoping that with testosterone level at levels driven by FreeT and BioAvailableT there should be much lesser problem with E2 and DHT management.
There is this thing, DIM we have to keep eye on, not only good for E2 but also for DHT.
I just started googling DIM, but found (not read yet),
http://www.dimfaq.com/index.htm
he says that not all DIM's are the same, hmmm.

but LEF recomends one pill of this
http://www.lef.org/newshop/items/item00855.html
for up to 160# body weight, I am 160# but recently increased to two pills and I think it works better.
Phil uses Indolplex and it works.
http://www.ritecare.com/prodsheets/PHY-15336.html
but some other DIM products do not work.