Blood Work Results - Low Testosterone, MCV, MCH and high RDW

Hello Brian,

Bodybuilders who take steroids will typically do so in cycles, maybe for six weeks or so.  The reason they do this is because they do not want their body's own testosterone production to shut down.  Sometimes, after a cycle they will also take the drug you mentioned, clomiphen (Clomid), to get their own production back up if it did fall during their cycle. The body has feedback mechanisms that control testosterone levels.  The Clomid interferes with this estrogen feedback, thus triggering the release of LH (luteinizing hormone) which signals the testicles to begin producing testosterone again.

Although you are not abusing steroids, the supplemental testosterone can have a similar effect in some men over time, thus shutting down your body's own natural production.  This can even lead to male accessory organs shrinking, such as the testicles, epididymis, etc.

When I am your age, if I find my testosterone is at inadequate levels my first response would be to attempt to improve my own testosterone production through changes in diet, exercise, and select dietary supplements. This would be the ideal solution.  Only if this failed would I then turn to a testosterone prescription. 

If you're wondering why your doctor skipped to step 2, it's because it's all they know.  Medical doctors work with pharmaceuticals, and few will consider alternative medicine.  Their dietary advice is also typically very basic.  There are legitimate reasons for this.  Pharmaceuticals like the testosterone you are taking have gone through large-scale studies to prove their efficacy, and side effects profiles and incidence have been clearly established.  With herbal extracts and other natural supplements, however, these typically have not gone through large scale human studies sufficient for FDA approval.  And they typically will not do so because they cannot be patented.  So the drug companies can't make much money from them.

With that said, whole books have been written on diets that optimize testosterone levels.  And some select herbs and minerals have been shown to boost testosterone in smaller human studies and animal studies, especially where the level is below average for one's age.  For example, the mineral boron at 6 mg per day, and zinc support healthy testosterone levels.  And then there are various herbs, some of which have a long history of human use and proven safety, and others have not been studied as well.  However, I personally would not consider taking them if I was on a testosterone prescription.

With regard to your MCV, MCH, and RDW, you should consult with your physician, of course, but I believe one potential cause of this pattern is deficiency in B vitamins such as folate and B12.  So you may wish to consider taking a Vitamin B complex supplement, one that contains all the B vitamins.  You may see this listed as B50 or B100.  Walmart sells an inexpensive B50 under its Spring Valley brand.   

You are not taking an acid-suppressing medication like a PPI are you?

I join mike 71553 before buying clomid (clomiphene) online, you should have clarified about the dosage of, for the example read on this topic article. I would stop for a while injections to observe the reaction of the body. Later you can resume them, but with a minimum dosage. IMHO. 

Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.