Hey Mick,

Thanks again for the great articles and books. I bought your Layman’s Guides 1&2 as well as the Chris Report and enjoyed both.

I have a couple questions for you and not sure if you have come across this question/issue before, but I am sure it is quite common. I know you aren’t a medical doctor or specialist in fertility after steroids, but I also know your breadth of knowledge is vast, so I figured I would ask.

Before I bought and read your Layman’s Guides, I did 3 or 4 pretty heavy cycles, or I should say heavy compared to anything I had done before. I had taken a few basic cycles of Cypionate in my early 20′s, but the cycles I took from age 34 to 36 consisted of two heavy bulking cycles (500 MG of Test Enanthate, 400 MG Deca, Winstrol Orals) then two hardening cycles (Mixture of Parabolan, Deca, Winstral Orals and Anavar).

After a year, I decided to stop, and I didn’t do a post therapy of Nolvadex, Clomid, HCG, etc, so I was horribly tired, low sex drive, low mood, etc. I went to the doctor and my testosterone levels were 90! I then went on Androgel, which brought them back up strong (1080 levels within 3 months), but then I decided to get off the gel and see if I could bring back my natural levels to a reasonable range.

After 9 months, I was only up to 250, which is at the lower end of normal range (250 to 1000 is the range). So, I went to a specialist (endocrinologist) who asked me if I wanted to have kids and I said yes, preferably I would. He sent me for a sperm analysis and I came back at 1 million count, which is extremely low.

He then put me on HCG for 6 weeks to see if that would kick start my natural levels, but there was no change in my test levels, so he determined the problem isn’t with my pituitary, but with my testes. He said the chances of me having kids are very slim…possibly with in vitro or other methods, but that’s only a slim chance. Since I want to feel good for now, have good energy, sex drive, etc., he put me on injectable test cypionate, 200MG once a week injections. Obviously while I am on the external testosterone, the body shuts down its natural production of test and sperm supposedly goes to zero.

My question is, will I ever be able to get off the external testosterone if the HCG didn’t work and my natural levels aren’t able to rebound? And is there any chance down the road of bringing my fertility/sperm count back to where I can potentially have kids? Also, since I am on test now, I guess it wouldn’t hurt if I through in a little winstrol or anavar to harden up, would it?

Thanks again Mick for any help/advice you can give me.

Cheers,
Pete Carola Tampa, FL USA

Hi Pete,

This should be a tough one to answer but in fact it drops into ten category of “whoaa – drop everything”. What I mean is that there is every chance that your test levels will come back to normal, they were once and so I firmly believe that they will be again. However, it is due to the fact that using the gear has depleted your test levels and the taking of more could very well reduce them again or at the very least prolong the recovery process which I am sure can and will happen.

The doctor has added a certain amount of “outside” test to help vivify your own levels which is something that I would have suggested and on most occasions have. But… I would be very wary of pushing the boat out to far and adding more simply because IF by doing so you stand a chance of lowering your levels even further in fact to a possible point of no return then I would say no don’t – that is if having kids is not a priority

To be fair to my answer, that choice is up to you mate. Muscles are ok but a family is better.

Train hard and be strong!
Mick.

Hi Mick,

I’m fairly new to weight training and have been reasonably fit throughout my life, well until my office job. I’m now 43, and decided to take a good look at myself, having spent too long on my fat dish in the office environment. I’ve been banging it in at the gym hard, seeking advice from guys you can trust with regards to routines and diet. I’ve lost 32lb in fat and gained some good solid muscle, I feel brand new and have shed loads of energy.

I’ve been training for 7 months now and do both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Now here’s my problem….I had a slight pain in my left elbow…I know you’ve guessed it already…people told me it was tennis or golfers elbow, and that the best routine would be to avoid exercises like lat pull downs/pull ups and curls that seemed to aggravate the condition. This I did and warmed up well to get the blood pumping through this area with light, and I mean light exercises before I hit my routine. Anyway….the problem has progressed and a trip to the quacks had me diagnosed with both Tennis and Golfer’s elbow…yes both…it sucks.

I’m gutted mate…..it’s knocked me sideways and I’m getting all frustrated with the lack of exercise I can do…I’m considering just hitting the gym for squats…I have read your recent article ref squats and growth and know this is at least a good place to tick over. I was wondering if you have known people with this problem and could you suggest a routine or way round this, so at least I can keep training without doing more damage. My elbow is murder, although better, it’s still susceptible to actions that require leverage at a distance. I couldn’t even change gear in the car at first, the Doc says I may need a cortisone injection…what can you advise if possible. I am doing the exercises for these probs, stretching etc and have worn the brace

I’m 5’11″ 195lb and BF approx 18%. I’m mad keen and just don’t want to waste away to a fat lardy bloke again. Is it just a matter of time and recovery?

Thanks mate, love your blog and your honest answers….hence why I’m asking now.

Thanks and regards in anticipation to your reply,
Deane.

Hi Deane,

OK this may seem a quick reply but it truly is the answer and I can assure you that you need to do it because if you do not the problem will NOT go away for some considerable time.

Stop all heavy lifting at the gym for 1 month – period! Use the gym or your free time to work on your cardio and fitness. You will NOT lose muscle or shrink but you will suffer more unless you rest that elbow. I know because i was fighting the same problem for years.

Run, walk, cycle, swim – and that’s it! You will feel a difference if you rest for this time at least.

This will do the job – now its up to you.

Simple but effective

Train Hard, Learn And Be strong,
Mick Hart.

WARNING: Don’t read this unless you are ready to GAIN Serious Lean Muscle> “Layman’s Guides to Steroids 3.0″