Full Panel Test Results - Please Help Me Interpret!

[stolpioni]

Hi,

I have struggled for the last year or so to naturally increase my testosterone levels. Have made changes in diet, exercise,
sleep, taken care of vitamin deficiencies, stayed away from all xenoestrogens etc.

I created a post here a few months ago and you adviced me to read the "big thread" about TRT. I did and today I finally did
my full panel test.

Here are the results for the hormone part:

View attachment 561099

My free testosterone isn't in here but last time it was less than the "normal range" according to the labs range (8.34 ng/dL, normal
range was 9 - 30).

Right off the bat I can see that my FSH is low and my Prolactin is high? What else do you get out this that I can't see?

Here is the thyroid profile:

View attachment 561100

Seems normal?

Anyway, reading from this and that my testosterone is still much lower than I want it to be, and that my FSH seems to be low and
Prolactin high...what is your suggested course of action? Can you see where the problem is?

 

[hiram1st]

Your TSH is actually high by the new standards that all dr's don't use. Looks like you may have Hypothyroidism.


If you got a full panel where's the rest of the results?

Mega will be along soon with his assessment.

 

[stolpioni]

Your TSH is actually high by the new standards that all dr's don't use. Looks like you may have Hypothyroidism.


If you got a full panel where's the rest of the results?

Mega will be along soon with his assessment.

This is all the results I got. There were a few things on the list from the big TRT thread that they couldn't do.
Was it anything important?

By the way, this thyroid-thing probably happened when I started on Zoloft a bit more than a year ago.
I am off the Zoloft now but before that I always had trouble gaining weight. Now, I can't get rid off it.

 

[Megatron28]

Your TT looks decent. 536ng/dl is pretty close to average.

You need to look into your high prolactin and potentially treat it. You may want to get an MRI to make sure you don't have a prolactinoma. Dopamine Agonists (e.g. Cabergoline or Pramipexole) can be used to lower your prolactin by increasing Dopamine. Definitely talk to a doctor about this as high prolactin can cause a whole bunch if issues.

You need to start supplementing vitamin D too. Try to get into the upper third of the normal range.

 

[stolpioni]

Your TT looks decent. 536ng/dl is pretty close to average.

You need to look into your high prolactin and potentially treat it. You may want to get an MRI to make sure you don't have a prolactinoma. Dopamine Agonists (e.g. Cabergoline or Pramipexole) can be used to lower your prolactin by increasing Dopamine. Definitely talk to a doctor about this as high prolactin can cause a whole bunch if issues.

You need to start supplementing vitamin D too. Try to get into the upper third of the normal range.

Thanks.

I am shooting for optimal ranges though so 536 is still too low for me. I want to be at least at 800, preferrably over 1000. But I'm improving since my last 2 tests (363 and 449 ng/dl, respectively) at least. I am hoping I can do this without going on TRT.

I am supplementing with 7500 IU of Vitamin D a day, since a few weeks back.

Do you think that Zoloft (which probably lowers dopamine) can have caused an increase in Prolactin levels? I'll look into the dopamine agonists.

Question: What do you think of trying a restart with HCG and Clomid? No use in my case?
And what do you think of the FSH levels, aren't they too low?

 

[Megatron28]

Yes, SSRI's can increase prolactin. It is a known side effect.

Pharmacological causes of hyperprolactinemia

I would encourage you to work with a psychologist on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy so that you can stop using Zoloft. SSRI's are a great crutch to help you temporarily, but they are not a long term solution in my opinion.

Lowering your prolactin will help increase your Testosterone. It may now go 800+ though. Genetics play a role in determining levels and 800+ is well above the average male.

Your FSH seems fine, but if you are concerned about it get your sperm count checked.

I would not recommend an HPTA restart in your case. Getting of Zoloft and lowering your prolactin would be the best course of action in my non-medical opinion.

 

[stolpioni]

Yes, SSRI's can increase prolactin. It is a known side effect.

Pharmacological causes of hyperprolactinemia

I would encourage you to work with a psychologist on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy so that you can stop using Zoloft. SSRI's are a great crutch to help you temporarily, but they are not a long term solution in my opinion.

Lowering your prolactin will help increase your Testosterone. It may now go 800+ though. Genetics play a role in determining levels and 800+ is well above the average male.

Your FSH seems fine, but if you are concerned about it get your sperm count checked.

I would not recommend an HPTA restart in your case. Getting of Zoloft and lowering your prolactin would be the best course of action in my non-medical opinion.

I am actually already off Zoloft, since a few weeks ago.

Hence the increase in testosterone from 449 to 536 (I think).

Any more tips on lowering Prolactin?

 

[halfwit]

I am actually already off Zoloft, since a few weeks ago.

Hence the increase in testosterone from 449 to 536 (I think).

Any more tips on lowering Prolactin?

Give it time. I would talk to your doctor, but you're already taking great steps as it is, and (in my opinion) are on the right path. Throwing in drugs right now may not be the right thing to do.

FYI: lowered dopamine output can definitely be the culprit here. Dopamine is the antagonist for prolactin, which may lower testosterone/T3/insulin sensitivity. If you don't start seeing changes in another month, then I'd look at other options.

My .02c

 

[Havasu]

Your TSH is actually high by the new standards that all dr's don't use. Looks like you may have Hypothyroidism.


If you got a full panel where's the rest of the results?

Mega will be along soon with his assessment.

Hiram1st,

I'm not expert, but what I found really odd about his Thyroid numbers is that is TSH is to high, however if I'm correct all the other thyroid numbers look great. That's weird. I just went on thyroid meds, because my TSH was too high, and my T3 was out of range. That goes hand in hand. your body isn't producing enough T3, so TSH is trying to over produce, so it's high. In his numbers, the T3 numbers look good, however TSH is high. It's odd.

 

[halfwit]

Hiram1st,

I'm not expert, but what I found really odd about his Thyroid numbers is that is TSH is to high, however if I'm correct all the other thyroid numbers look great. That's weird. I just went on thyroid meds, because my TSH was too high, and my T3 was out of range. That goes hand in hand. your body isn't producing enough T3, so TSH is trying to over produce, so it's high. In his numbers, the T3 numbers look good, however TSH is high. It's odd.

But what about your FT3? If you look at OP's numbers, it makes sense as FT3 is towards the bottom, so TSH is towards the top.

 

[stolpioni]

So halfwit and Havasu,

How can I lower my TSH values?

I always had a really tough time gaining weight. I've been on 4000-5000kcal a day to maintain my weight,
under that and I lose weight. For this last year though, even with only 2000kcal a day, I can't seem to lose weight.

Should I see a doctor and try to get on some thyroid pills? If so, what kind? I don't trust the doctors so I'd rather
research it beforehand. I have ordered Mucuna Pruriens which contains L-Dopa, which should be converted into
dopamine. This should lower both Prolactin and TSH levels?

I hope it won't give back my long lost enemy though, anxiety.

 

[halfwit]

So halfwit and Havasu,

How can I lower my TSH values?

I always had a really tough time gaining weight. I've been on 4000-5000kcal a day to maintain my weight,
under that and I lose weight. For this last year though, even with only 2000kcal a day, I can't seem to lose weight.

Should I see a doctor and try to get on some thyroid pills? If so, what kind? I don't trust the doctors so I'd rather
research it beforehand.

A high TSH actually indicates the opposite of what you're thinking. That's when the brain (hippocampus I think?) is not seeing enough T3 (or FT3), so it's basically being yelled at to convert more from T4.

Taking thyroid meds would only increase your metabolism more. I'd reevaluate your diet and be REALLY sure that you're truly getting that many calories. Some folks will always require more cals, but I'd think that 5k would certainly do the trick as that's close to what I consume, and I have over 100lbs on the average Joe.

Edit: I totally misread that. Yes, if weight loss is sluggish, I'd get in touch with a doc and explain your concerns. Preferably a GOOD endocrinologist.

 

[stolpioni]

Edit: I totally misread that. Yes, if weight loss is sluggish, I'd get in touch with a doc and explain your concerns. Preferably a GOOD endocrinologist.

I live in the Philippines so unfortunately there are no good doctors here. They're all dumb as hell.

Anyway, seems like I need to do the following:

- Lower Prolactin levels (by about 50%)
- Lower TSH levels (from 3.5 to about 1-1.5)
- Lower Cortisol levels (from 20 to about 10)
- Raise HDL cholesterol (from 40 to about 60)

This should get me more healthy and probably boost my free and total testosterone levels pretty greatly, don't ya think?

I am trying herbs for my Cortisol. Like Ashwagandha, Shisandra, Rhodiola Rosea etc. More fish oil for HDL.
More tips on how to increase HDL as well as lower Prolactin and TSH? Any specific substances? Natural or unnatural.

 

[TRTnooby]

I live in the Philippines so unfortunately there are no good doctors here. They're all dumb as hell.

Anyway, seems like I need to do the following:

- Lower Prolactin levels (by about 50%)
- Lower TSH levels (from 3.5 to about 1-1.5)
- Lower Cortisol levels (from 20 to about 10)
- Raise HDL cholesterol (from 40 to about 60)

This should get me more healthy and probably boost my free and total testosterone levels pretty greatly, don't ya think?

I am trying herbs for my Cortisol. Like Ashwagandha, Shisandra, Rhodiola Rosea etc. More fish oil for HDL.
More tips on how to increase HDL as well as lower Prolactin and TSH? Any specific substances? Natural or unnatural.

for your HDL:
3g+ EPA/DHA (at 2:1 Ratio) per day, read how much your fish oil has in it, don't go by the total amount of fish oil you are taking, they are all different concentrations.
Red Yeast Rice 1200mg/day
Policonisol 20mg 2x/day
CoQ10 300mg day

Also try to eat 40-50g of Polyunsaturated Fats per day. Here is a handy list of things that are high in those: Polyunsaturated fat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

for Prolactin:
Vitamin B6 is surprisingly effective in lowering Prolactin.

http://www.steroidology.com/forum/anabolic-steroid-forum/638726-b6-prolactin-supression.html

If that doesn't work there are 2 drugs Pramipexole and Cabergoline that will lower it. They can be habit forming though so handle with care.