Got my blood work back. Relieved but a little bummed. Advice and input welcomed!

[TRTnooby]

On the one hand I'm relieved to know why I've been feeling crappy and put some weight on, but it feels like shit knowing you have the T level of the average 80 year old. I should have had it checked a year ago, but I don't' have any sexual symptoms so I convinced myself it couldn't be low. Oh well, time for action. I have an appointment with the urologist anyway for a vasectomy consult, so I'll talk to him about it. I've read Megatron's thread so I know that the injectible Test, and HCG are the way to go. The Low T clinic by me will definitely work too, but they are out of network, and that is pricey (200/month). Hoping the urologist will write me the scripts and insurance will pay for at least some of it. Anyway it feels good to get it off my chest, not a lot of people I know I can talk to about it with.

Here are the full blood test results, I highlighted anything that came back out of range to make it easier to read:

Glucose, Serum 98 mg/dL 65 - 99 01
BUN 19 mg/dL 6 - 20 01
Creatinine, Serum 1.03 mg/dL 0.76 - 1.27 01
eGFR If NonAfricn Am 92 mL/min/1.73 >59
eGFR If Africn Am 106 mL/min/1.73 >59
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 18 8 - 19
Sodium, Serum 141 mmol/L 134 - 144 01
Potassium, Serum 4.9 mmol/L 3.5 - 5.2 01
Chloride, Serum 102 mmol/L 97 - 108 01
Carbon Dioxide, Total 27 mmol/L 18 - 29 01
Calcium, Serum 9.8 mg/dL 8.7 - 10.2 01
Protein, Total, Serum 6.9 g/dL 6.0 - 8.5 01
Albumin, Serum 4.2 g/dL 3.5 - 5.5 01
Globulin, Total 2.7 g/dL 1.5 - 4.5
A/G Ratio 1.6 1.1 - 2.5
Bilirubin, Total 0.3 mg/dL 0.0 - 1.2 01
Alkaline Phosphatase, S 81 IU/L 39 - 117 01
AST (SGOT) 49 High IU/L 0 - 40 01
ALT (SGPT) 29 IU/L 0 - 44 01
Cholesterol, Total 177 mg/dL 100 - 199 01
Triglycerides 90 mg/dL 0 - 149 01
HDL Cholesterol 56 mg/dL >39 01
Comment 01
According to ATP-III Guidelines, HDL-C >59 mg/dL is considered a
negative risk factor for CHD.
VLDL Cholesterol Cal 18 mg/dL 5 - 40
LDL Cholesterol Calc 103 High mg/dL 0 - 99
Prostate Specific Ag, Serum 0.5 ng/mL 0.0 - 4.0 01
Roche ECLIA methodology.


Testosterone, Serum 144 Low ng/dL 348 - 1197 01
Comment:
Adult male reference interval is based on a population of lean males
up to 40 years old.
Free Testosterone(Direct) 3.7 Low pg/mL 8.7 - 25.1 01
LH 1.0 Low mIU/mL 1.7 - 8.6 01
FSH 3.0 mIU/mL 1.5 - 12.4 01
. 01
CBC, Platelet Ct, and Diff 01
WBC 7.4 x10E3/uL 3.4 - 10.8 01
RBC 4.70 x10E6/uL 4.14 - 5.80 01
Hemoglobin 14.5 g/dL 12.6 - 17.7 01
Hematocrit 42.4 % 37.5 - 51.0 01
MCV 90 fL 79 - 97 01
MCH 30.9 pg 26.6 - 33.0 01
MCHC 34.2 g/dL 31.5 - 35.7 01
RDW 14.1 % 12.3 - 15.4 01
Platelets 233 x10E3/uL 150 - 379 01
Neutrophils 44 % 40 - 74 01
Lymphs 46 % 14 - 46 01
Monocytes 7 % 4 - 12 01
Eos 3 % 0 - 5 01
Basos 0 % 0 - 3 01
Neutrophils (Absolute) 3.3 x10E3/uL 1.4 - 7.0 01
Lymphs (Absolute) 3.3 High x10E3/uL 0.7 - 3.1 01
Monocytes(Absolute) 0.5 x10E3/uL 0.1 - 0.9 01
Eos (Absolute) 0.2 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.4 01
Baso (Absolute) 0.0 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.2 01
Immature Granulocytes 0 % 0 - 2 01
Immature Grans (Abs) 0.0 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0

 

[Mprtz]

Welcome!

Your T is really quite low, but I've read that it has to be quite low for ED symptoms to start for most guys. How old are you?

Your LH is quite low so it would make sense to investigate the reasons for that and explore the possibility of alternative therapies (to testosterone replacement).

What lab is this? What jumped out at me was the comment about T reference ranges being for lean males under 40.... that is not something I have seen before and I smell a rat - a move afoot to make it harder for older guys to get TRT.

 

[Captain America]

Welcome!

Your T is really quite low, but I've read that it has to be quite low for ED symptoms to start for most guys. How old are you?

Your LH is quite low so it would make sense to investigate the reasons for that and explore the possibility of alternative therapies (to testosterone replacement).

What lab is this? What jumped out at me was the comment about T reference ranges being for lean males under 40.... that is not something I have seen before and I smell a rat - a move afoot to make it harder for older guys to get TRT.

I just had bloodwork done a week ago from private MD labs (lab corp) and mine stated that about lean males under 40 as well.

 

[TRTnooby]

Welcome!

Your T is really quite low, but I've read that it has to be quite low for ED symptoms to start for most guys. How old are you?

Your LH is quite low so it would make sense to investigate the reasons for that and explore the possibility of alternative therapies (to testosterone replacement).

What lab is this? What jumped out at me was the comment about T reference ranges being for lean males under 40.... that is not something I have seen before and I smell a rat - a move afoot to make it harder for older guys to get TRT.

I'm 38.

What are the alternatives?

Labs were done at Labcorp

 

[Mprtz]

I just had bloodwork done a week ago from private MD labs (lab corp) and mine stated that about lean males under 40 as well.

That comment must be brand new and it sets off my alarm bigtime...

EDIT: maybe I should elaborate. With that comment, I can see a physician taking the position that if you are over 40 it no longer matters if your T is below this range... declining hormone levels in middle age are perfectly normal and natural and there is absolutely no reason for treatment.

Oh, and if you're fat you can now be told to lose weight first regardless of age.

 

[Mprtz]

I'm 38.

What are the alternatives?

Labs were done at Labcorp

Alternatives such as HCG monotherapy... where's Apollon?

 

[THE-DET-OAK]

Super low levels..... TRT would make some major changes in your life

 

[methos0123]

That comment must be brand new and it sets off my alarm bigtime...

EDIT: maybe I should elaborate. With that comment, I can see a physician taking the position that if you are over 40 it no longer matters if your T is below this range... declining hormone levels in middle age are perfectly normal and natural and there is absolutely no reason for treatment.

Oh, and if you're fat you can now be told to lose weight first regardless of age.

It has been on there for a few months now that I've noticed. I also agree with you're take on how docs will interpret it...I can also see it affecting guys like us already on therapy, to keep us in the lower levels...I hope my doc doesn't go that route!

 

[Mprtz]

It has been on there for a few months now that I've noticed. I also agree with you're take on how docs will interpret it...I can also see it affecting guys like us already on therapy, to keep us in the lower levels...I hope my doc doesn't go that route!

I did a little research and here's what I found: In 2011 Labcorp changed the data that their testosterone range was based on. It went from something like 253-897 to the current 347-1197. This revised range was based on a new set of data that was collected over a span of many years from men aged 19-40.

This change made it easier for people to "qualify" for TRT. I would not be surprised if the manufacturers of testosterone topicals put pressure (or incentivized) LabCorp to make this change.

Now with a backlash against TRT, they apparently have added the comment, which I still think could have negative consequences.

EDIT: just looked and the comment is there on my July blood test (never noticed it), but not on the April version.

 

[Megatron28]

I agree with Det Oak. You most likely need TRT. Your T is very low and there are many bad health consequences if it is left untreated.

 

[TRTnooby]

Thanks guys. I'm seeing the Urologist today, and if I don't like what I hear from him, I'll be going to the TRT clinic this week. I thought about it and I'd rather pay extra and have care from a place that specializes in TRT than deal with a doctor that just wants to give me the cream. Hopefully my urologist will be open to it though cause it would be nice to get some of it covered by insurance!

 

[Spunkey71]

Thanks guys. I'm seeing the Urologist today, and if I don't like what I hear from him, I'll be going to the TRT clinic this week. I thought about it and I'd rather pay extra and have care from a place that specializes in TRT than deal with a doctor that just wants to give me the cream. Hopefully my urologist will be open to it though cause it would be nice to get some of it covered by insurance!

Good for you, I first went to a TRT clinic when I started TRT and found that they wanted me to come in once a week for my injection. Having a doctor that will allow you to self inject is in my opinion just as important as having a doctor that is knowledgeable on TRT and the different meds needed such as an AI and HCG.

 

[TRTnooby]

Good for you, I first went to a TRT clinic when I started TRT and found that they wanted me to come in once a week for my injection. Having a doctor that will allow you to self inject is in my opinion just as important as having a doctor that is knowledgeable on TRT and the different meds needed such as an AI and HCG.

yeah the TRT clinic I found will let me self inject, and my wife is a nurse so no issues there. The only draw back with them is they are out of network and my insurance is in network only so I'd have to pay for it totally out of pocket.

 

[Spunkey71]

yeah the TRT clinic I found will let me self inject, and my wife is a nurse so no issues there. The only draw back with them is they are out of network and my insurance is in network only so I'd have to pay for it totally out of pocket.

I understand with the out of pocket I truly do, I added up my costs for Test, syringes, and HCG and I spend about $100 a month out of pocket and if it went to $200 a month out of pocket for some strange reason I would not even think twice about spending the money. It is hard to explain but when you suffer for such a long time with Low T symptoms and then get on TRT and realize what it is like to live life again no amount of money would keep me from that feeling.

 

[TRTnooby]

I understand with the out of pocket I truly do, I added up my costs for Test, syringes, and HCG and I spend about $100 a month out of pocket and if it went to $200 a month out of pocket for some strange reason I would not even think twice about spending the money. It is hard to explain but when you suffer for such a long time with Low T symptoms and then get on TRT and realize what it is like to live life again no amount of money would keep me from that feeling.

Definitely, whatever the cost for the care I'm going to pay it. I have an appointment at the TRT clinic for next Monday if I can't find a doctor to help me with prescriptions before that. I checked my insurance formulary and both injectable test and HCG are covered, so I've got that going for me.

 

[TRTnooby]

Urologist was concerned about the low LH and all the secondary aspects - HPTA Path. Sent me for more bloods to confirm the low T and test the rest of the HPTA path functions. May want me to see an endocrinologist and possibly have an MRI on my brain depending on the results from the 2nd blood work. This is a lot more involved but I want to make sure I don't have a tumor on my pituitary or thyroid first.

 

[juced_porkchop]

I'm 38.

What are the alternatives?

Labs were done at Labcorp

well one is a 3-4 month run of clomid to see if it can kickstart your production and then go for bloods a month after so see were your at. or low dose clomid. or diet changes or supplementation with some minerals or vitamins.

 

[juced_porkchop]

Urologist was concerned about the low LH and all the secondary aspects - HPTA Path. Sent me for more bloods to confirm the low T and test the rest of the HPTA path functions. May want me to see an endocrinologist and possibly have an MRI on my brain depending on the results from the 2nd blood work. This is a lot more involved but I want to make sure I don't have a tumor on my pituitary or thyroid first.

good thinking

 

[TRTnooby]

2nd bloods are a little better, but still low. LH should be higher with T that low. Thankfully my prolactin, thyroid and adrenals are all normal.
View attachment 558681

My Urologist wants me to see an Endo, and get an MRI to rule out tumors, so I'm off to the GP on Tuesday to get a referral. I spoke to the Uro about treatment and he'll prescribe injectable but wants me to do 200 every 2 weeks, and doesnt' think more frequent shots can stop the peaks and valleys, and he doesn't' prescribe HCG, so I probably won't have him treat it. Down to the GP or the TRT clinic.

I feel like I'm just wasting time now and I'm going to wind up on TRT at the clinic, but I want to do it right and check everything else first, who knows, maybe I'll be one of the few lucky ones with Secondary or tertiary that can fix what's broken further up the chain without TRT.

 

[3J]

could you tell me your stats... whats your height weight and bodyfat??

and substance abuse?? are you a drinker?