23 - Blood Test Results - Low T - High Estro?

[lowtguy]

EDIT: Mods, if you wish, you can move this thread to the Journal forum. END EDIT.

EDIT 2: I've now been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) (using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Arimidex) since a little bit before this topic was created (so approx. 9 months). I've journaled the whole process on Youtube. I'll post my latest update below this blurb of text. My estradiol is now low thanks to the arimidex, and my total testosterone is up over 800. I feel a lot better. I'll be making a summary video of my experience shortly.



Hi guys, I'm 23 and I'm about to get put on TRT. I have some questions that I would appreciate you helping me with. Also, I'm video logging this whole process on youtube (with the name lowtguy) to help others who want to see what to expect. Currently I only have videos talking about the changes I've noticed on HCG, but will continue when/if I am prescribed test cyp or similar.

Here's my blood test results prior to the HCG:

US Units (converted by me using globalrph.com/conv_si.htm and other sites):

Total Test: 326 ng/dL
Free Test: 8.7 pg/mL
Estradiol: 40 pg/mL
Prolactin: 13.3 µg/l
Cortisol AM: 14.2 µg/dL
Cortisol PM: 8.7 µg/dL
TSH: 0.9 mU/L
LH: 2.4 IU/L
FSH: 4.2 IU/L
Total Bilirubin: 1.6 mg/dL
AST: 50 U/L
ALK Phos: 110 U/L
DHEA Sulphate: 1.8 ng/mL


And in Canadian Units (original):

Total Test: 11.3 nmol/L
Free Test: 30.2 pmol/L
Estradiol: 147 pmol/L
Prolactin: 13.3 µg/L
Cortisol AM: 392 nmol/L
Cortisol PM: 240 nmol/L
TSH: 0.9 mU/L
LH: 2.4 IU/L
FSH: 4.2 IU/L
Total Bilirubin: 27 umol/L
AST: 50 U/L
ALK Phos: 110 U/L
DHEA Sulphate: 6.3 umol/L


After meeting with the Doctor, a specialist here in Canada who runs a men's health clinic, he thought that my numbers are out of wack due to 4 concussions in my past. At that point, we only had my Total and Free Test measurements. He then ordered the other tests you see above, and prescribed Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) for 6 weeks at 400IU 3x/week. He scheduled a follow up appointment where I presume we will go over all the other numbers in the blood test that he ordered, as well as an update of the total testosterone which I am testing at the end of the 6 weeks (currently just finished week 5).

My question is, does anything else stand out? I'm confused why my estradiol would be so high. I'm 6'6, 190, very lean. I workout ~3x a week, eat a cleaner than average but not perfect diet, and generally consume 3000 cals per day. I don't drink or smoke or do any drugs. For about 3-4 years, I ate Kraft Dinner ~4 times a week, that was made by microwaving it in a plastic bowl---could that have a significant effect or is the whole BPA-plastic thing overdramatic? I've never used any AAS, and once tried Tribulus which did seem to affect libido (LH) but not much else and it wasn't continued for very long. Also, I've noticed my testicles hang in an odd way--the left hangs flat and lower (normal), but the right is almost always hanging vertically. I couldn't find anything about that, and haven't spoken to any doc about it yet.

 

[funkymonk]

FYI I'm following your youtube vids too.

Estogren is highish, but still in range I believe so...I'm curious as to what your new bloods show.

 

[lowtguy]

yeah, new blood test at the start of feb. It's only to test total testosterone though. I wish it would test all things but the Doctor only requested total T.

I've also ordered another vial of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to use for the last week. I noticed that the size increase along with all the other effects of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) ceased after the 4th week. Some on here say it lasts longer than 30 days, but the packaging says to toss it after 30. So we'll see if the effects come back with a fresh vial. I did notice the size change in my testicles within the first few days of injecting. They were ~10% bigger, my sack felt more full, and they hung a bit lower. I'll make a video about this soon, not my sack lol, but if there is a difference with new HCG.

 

[JOWS6]

Again, glad to see you join, I'm hoping with the member's thoughts and knowledge we could save you some frustration.

I noticed you have trouble saying estradiol. I'm not sure how to pronounce it correctly either but I think it's: Es-struh-die-all. I've read that a optimal range is 22-28 but varies from person to person.

It would be interesting to see if symptoms improve with a fresh supply of HcG. If it does lose potency like you say, physiologically, it should be the cause of your symptoms to arise again. Like a 2L bottle of Pepsi; Yea you could drink it a week after you open it but it sure as hell won't taste as good as when you first opened it.

 

[lowtguy]

lol yes I think you're correct about pronouncing estradiol. My mom often corrects me and I still can't get it straight.

My thinking is along the lines of your pepsi analogy. If it goes bad after 30 days (according to packaging), then I would assume in the days leading up to that 30th day, it is slowly losing potency. Or perhaps there is some science at play here and it lasts for ~30 days and only THEN does it begin to lose potency. Anyhow, we'll see from a practical perspective within the next few days. I shoot on Thu, Sat, and Mon, then blood test on Tue.

 

[JOWS6]

It's hard to believe a product loses efficacy in potency at the stroke of midnight on the 30th day. I'm sure it loses potency very gradually netting no significant benefit around the 30th day upon opening.

 

[lowtguy]

I questioned that because I'm unsure how half-lives work.

EDIT: just read about half-lives. It's the amount of time it takes for a substance to decay to half its original potency. So yes, it's likely that Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) reaches some sort of half-life or something of that nature around day 30.

 

[cjw2021]

I bet SHBG is high too. Get it fixed or risk gyno and worse yet a shitty if any quality of life.

 

[lowtguy]

^ yeah, I'll be talking to the Doc about the estradiol level and am aware of gyno and the precursors (itchy nipples, etc.). thx

 

[JOWS6]

I thought increase in prolactin was the sole reasoning for gynocemastia? Keep us updated! We don't have to see videos of you shooting, what's more important is the progress and self-evaluations before and after injections.

 

[cjw2021]

I thought increase in prolactin was the sole reasoning for gynocemastia? Keep us updated! We don't have to see videos of you shooting, what's more important is the progress and self-evaluations before and after injections.

No, but prolonged excessive prolactin can cause it with male lactation.

 

[lowtguy]

high estrogen is: emedicine.medscape.com/article/120858-overview
"Gynecomastia results from an altered estrogen-androgen balance, in favor of estrogen..."

Also, check slide 19: endo.wustl.edu/conferences/PDFs/PDF-Dec2005/Dr.%20Amaro_Gynecomastia.pdf

That guy states prolactin has no role in gynecomastia.

Anyway, no more shooting vids. They were just at the start because I wanted guys to see they are no big deal. I'm sure most here know that, but when I was starting I was pretty nervous about injecting myself. It's a weird thing to do.

For any guys that want to track my videos (if you're already on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) they will prob be boring to you, it's just me documenting everything so others can have a roadmap before they choose to go on TRT): youtube.com/lowtguy

 

[cjw2021]

If you want to really feel good you need a good doc, not just some Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and test. I felt like total crap with high test alone.

 

[lowtguy]

If you want to really feel good you need a good doc, not just some Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and test. I felt like total crap with high test alone.

because your estradiol level goes up?

I'm assuming my Doc will prescribe text cyp, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to keep my balls active, and an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) to bring my E down. my Doc knows what he's doing from what I've read about him.

keep in mind, the Doc I met with first told me I was completely normal. I'll be having a word with him soon

 

[chopadeamus]

so lowtguy you have never did a cycle before? sorry to cut in just curious cause i have low t to and my tests were 21 my doc said it was fine but i think its not...curious if you are just taking Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to try and boost it back up?

 

[lowtguy]

so lowtguy you have never did a cycle before? sorry to cut in just curious cause i have low t to and my tests were 21 my doc said it was fine but i think its not...curious if you are just taking Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to try and boost it back up?

correct, I've never used any steroids or any prohormones.

Was your total testosterone 21 in Canadian units?

 

[chopadeamus]

correct, I've never used any steroids or any prohormones.

Was your total testosterone 21 in Canadian units?

yea it was 21 and the good range apparently is 23 to 30 last week she told me 22-25 is reasonable.....i wonder if i should try some HCG....i just bought some ginseng root and gonna make some decoctions and see if this does anything...this heart specialist said give it a try to boost the test levels so im gonna see what its all about!!!

 

[lowtguy]

Yeah, you're at 605 ng/dL (US units). I'd definitely try OTC supplements rather than HCG and risk leydig cell desensitization or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and be stuck on it for life.

Listen to this podcast and do some research:
superhumanradio.com/super-human-radio-show/515-otc-testosterone-boosters-do-they-really-work.html

 

[chopadeamus]

Yeah, you're at 605 ng/dL (US units). I'd definitely try OTC supplements rather than HCG and risk leydig cell desensitization or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and be stuck on it for life.

Listen to this podcast and do some research:
superhumanradio.com/super-human-radio-show/515-otc-testosterone-boosters-do-they-really-work.html

yea its low lol...yea ive been lookin into alot of natural ways....but ive heeard them test booster's are jus fake stuff

 

[lowtguy]

Well, 605 is low but it'd be tough to get on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with that level. Most guys that get on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) are 400 or below.

Check that link too, it provides some good products to research on sites like pubmed and anywhere else you can see that there are some scientific studies backing the effectiveness of the product.