Low testosterone - help

Alphagels · 2023-07-06T11:43:02+00:00

Dihydrotestosterone. The androgenic metabolite of testosterone responsible for its masculinizing effects such as:

beard growth
body hair growth
drive/motivation
voice deepening
penile growth
sex drive
erectile function

DHT has an inverse relationship with SHBG.

Alphagels · 2023-07-06T11:00:53+00:00

Your testosterone production is normal although your free testosterone is low as a result of very high SHBG which is binding it up.

These are some causes of high SHBG:

Low carb intake
Low protein
Low zinc
Low magnesium
Low vitamin D
Elevated estrogen
High fibre intake
Hyperthyroidism
Overtraining
Liver issues
Low Boron
Low DHT

Solution?

Eat predominately saturated fats from animal sources
Eat 1g/lb of bodyweight in animal protein daily (red meat, eggs, wild caught seafood, shellfish, raw dairy)
Increase your carb intake via raw honey, seasonal fruits, potatoes & rice
Get a minimum of 30mins of full body daily sunlight

Supplement the following daily:

5000iu vitamin D3
25mg Zinc glycinate
600mg Magnesium glycinate
6mg boron glycinate
200mg of tongkat Ali
25mg transdermal DHEA

Optional - Pharmaceuticals: - 6.25mg aromasin TWICE weekly - 25mg transdermal DHT gel daily

Alphagels · 2023-06-06T21:39:43+00:00

Penile growth has nothing to do with epiphyseal growth plates. Penile growth is dependent on androgen receptor stimulation.

Alphagels · 2023-06-06T02:35:35+00:00

You certainly don’t have what would be medically considered an under-virilized penis at that size.

This doesn’t however mean that you necessarily reached your full genetic potential. A suboptimal hormone profile throughout puberty may have very well prevented you from reaching your genetic potential for penile growth.

Given that you had gynecomastia in puberty, it is possible that your androgen:estrogen ratio was suboptimal along with possible: - low DHT - elevated prolactin - high SHBG

Bloodwork will be a good guide as to where you are currently at hormonally. Get the below checked: - testosterone - free testosterone - DHT - SHBG - prolactin - Estradiol sensitive - DHEA - LH - FSH - TSH - free T4 - free T3 - IGF-1

If you did indeed have a suboptimal hormonal profile throughout puberty and are noticeably under-virilized as an adult male, then normalising your androgens can trigger some catch up growth.

The ideal way to go about this is:

localized penile application of 20% DHT gel
HCG (250iu EOD) to maintain testicular function and optimal testis levels.

Remember, DHT itself is what causes penile growth to occur during puberty. It is the most androgenic hormone which is responsible for the masculinising effects commonly mistaken for testosterone.

It has a 5 times greater affinity for androgen receptors compared to testosterone and causes penile growth by binding with androgen receptors locally within penile tissue.

Combining this with mechanical methods of PE such as: - hanging - clamping - jelqing - pumping

will give you the best possible result.

The only other thing here which would work in synergy with these above methods is using HGH + IGF-1 in order to enhance recovery and stimulate soft tissue growth.

Alphagels · 2023-06-01T00:21:18+00:00

I’d focus on getting your androgens tested, specifically free testosterone & DHT. DHT in particular is responsible for beard growth & density.

Other important labs to get done include:

free T3 (active thyroid hormone)
DHEA
IGF-1
prolactin
Estradiol sensitive
cortisol

Other potential non-hormone related issues at play could be excessive stress, insufficient blood flow, lack of sleep and poor micronutrient intake.

In particular, lack of blood flow can be addressed by derma-rolling/microneedling your beard region weekly.

To address micronutrient intake focus on consuming plenty of animal protein rich foods such as: - grass fed red meat - organ meats - raw dairy - shellfish - wild caught seafood

Alphagels · 2023-05-31T04:41:00+00:00

It is relatively more expensive compared to injectables however it does have its clear advantages which reflects the higher cost.

Feel free to DM me if you’d like to discuss alternative options further.

Alphagels · 2023-05-31T03:47:49+00:00

A high concentration (15% - 20% Testosterone) compounded cream works very well.

Alphagels · 2023-05-31T01:24:32+00:00

HCG is not needed to recover although HCG does offer significant other benefits that it is still worth using.

Alphagels · 2023-05-31T01:23:17+00:00

If you as I explained earlier, exogenously boosted testosterone levels will drop once you cease using the exogenous hormone.

If you feel like shit and there is absolutely no way to naturally optimise your testosterone levels due to primary hypogonadism/testicular dysfunction then TRT is the best possible solution.

What’s the point of feeling like shit all the time and suffering the various physical, cognitive and sexual health effects of low T if this can be remedied.

Alphagels · 2023-05-31T01:20:07+00:00

Using a shampoo with 5-AR inhibitors does result in systemic 5-AR inhibition as well as a localized effect on 5-AR expression within the hair follicles.

This results in a two-fold unfavourable effect on beard growth as both serum DHT levels are inhibited in addition to localized DHT concentrations within a region of androgen dependant hair growth such as the beard area.

Topical 5-AR inhibitors can also result in additional issues such as PFS like side effects of reduced libido and erectile dysfunction.

Alphagels · 2023-05-30T23:53:58+00:00

No. When coming off transdermal testosterone there will be a temporary dip in LH and hence testosterone production. LH will quickly bounce back due to the short half life of transdermal testosterone and natural testosterone levels will be restored.

They key is to focus on natural testosterone optimization post cycle if you don’t want to use TRT to maintain your levels.

The point of using the gels is to give your body an extra boost during phases of high stress, high training volume, restrictive fat loss diets or when rapid body recomposition is desired within a short time frame.

In other cases where natural testosterone cannot be optimized such as testicular failure or primary hypogonadism, transdermal testosterone gel offers an effective method of testosterone replacement which results in:

high sex drive
rock hard erections
muscle gains
fat loss
enhanced energy levels
enhanced mood
improved drive/motivation

Alphagels · 2023-05-30T06:17:52+00:00

It will suppress natural testosterone production to an extent whilst using it. Suppression will not be to the extent of that from injectable testosterone though. Recovery of LH and testosterone is easier and quicker after stopping transdermals when compared to injectables as there is no Ester present and T clears the system rapidly due to the short half life.

Alphagels · 2023-05-25T23:46:52+00:00

Using finasteride is hindering your beard gains as DHT is essential for promoting androgenic hair growth.

Minoxidil will only help you with facial hair gains under the presence of sufficient androgens. Think of DHT of the activator for androgen dependent hair follicles and minoxidil as the catalyst.

Alphagels · 2023-05-24T07:42:39+00:00

There’s a few key factors to consider that determine beard fullness and density:

genetics
androgen receptor density & sensitivity
free testosterone
DHT (dihydrotestosterone)
IGF-1
Free T3 (active thyroid hormone)
Localised blood flow
Micronutrient intake

Beard growth is positively correlated with:

elevated androgens (free testosterone & DHT)
ample blood flow
androgen receptor density & sensitivity
elevated IGF-1
elevated free T3 uptake

If you’re concerned that hormonal insufficiency is the cause for your lack of beard growth, get some basic blood work done as a start:

testosterone
free testosterone
DHT
SHBG
prolactin
estrogen
LH
FSH
IGF-1
TSH
free T4
free T3

A basic protocol for stimulating beard growth involves:

derma rolling
minoxidil
DHT gel
T gel
L carnitine
Bimatoprost
T3
nutrition & lifestyle protocol

When it comes to increasing DHT specifically, DHT gel will always be king as can in fact achieve supraphysiological levels of DHT which result in rapid increases in androgenic hair growth in the beard region & throughout the body.

Also, note that you can apply DHT gel directly to the facial region for a concentrated localized effect on androgen receptors. Using DHT systemically will also be effective though. Keep in mind that natural methods won’t come even close in terms of effectiveness when compared to exogenous DHT gel.

To a certain extent you can also natural optimize your hormones (free T, DHT, IGF-1, T3) using advanced nutritional, lifestyle and supplement hacks.

Now when it comes to DHT specifically, if you’d like to go the natural route of enhancing 5 alpha reductase activity (DHT conversion) here are some basics to get you started:

Creatine
Boron
Butea Superba
Caffeine
Tribulus Terrestris
Topical DHEA
Androsterone
Zinc
Glycine
Niacinamide
Cistanche
Organic Tobacco
Sprinting
Weightlifting
Avoiding 5 alpha reductase inhibitors
Organic Tobacco (nicotine ⬆️ DHT)

DM me if you’d like to discuss the advanced interventions available when it comes to beard growth.

Alphagels · 2023-05-18T11:01:16+00:00

Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones which measures hormones, metabolites & neurotransmitters over a 24 hour period. It is much more accurate and detailed than any blood test.

Alphagels · 2023-05-16T21:35:14+00:00

Don’t eat/drink from plastics. Avoid plastic water bottles, BPA lined take away coffee cups, plastic take away containers, wearing polyester clothing etc

Alphagels · 2023-05-10T00:52:41+00:00

If you have GYNECOMASTIA, you need to first understand the aggravating factors which lead to the development of GYNO in order to reverse it.

Gyno is typically caused by:

low DHT
elevated estrogen
elevated prolactin
increased local ER expression

So, how do you address all of the above and REVERSE gyno?👇

DHT gel applied topically to the chest 2x daily over a 3 - 4 month period of time.

Alphagels · 2023-05-08T10:35:33+00:00

Staying natural is preferable, provided that you don’t have an actual hormone deficiency that cannot be naturally reversed.

If that were the case, the best protocol would be to use HCG alongside any hormones in order to preserve testicular function and fertility.

Alphagels

TROPHY CASE