Help with Blood Test Results

[Ticonderoga]

I had total T in the low 300's in January and then in the low 200's in February. I felt like total sh*t by then, with no libido, no morning or nighttime woods and bad ED. My GP suggested testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or clomid. Used clomid only, and by April/May, I was feeling very close to normal in terms of libido and erectile function. I quit the clomid in June.

5-23-13 (libido near normal, no ED) (on clomid at the time)

Total T, 1150 ng/ml (250-1100) (Quest Labs)
Free T, 162 pg/ml (46-224)
Bio T, 361.6 ng/dl (110-575)
E2, 39 pg/ml (20-47)

On 7-24-13 (decent libido, no ED)

Total T, 809 ng/ml (348-1197) (LabCorp)
Free T, 65 pg/ml (52-280)
Bio T, not tested
E2, 17 pg/ml (7.6-42.6)

On 9-10-13 (low libido, ED)

Total T, 636 ng/ml (348-1197) (LabCorp)
Free T, 72 pg/ml (52-280)
Bio T, 152 ng/dl (95-350)
E2, 37.4 pg/ml (7.6-42.6)

Why did my estrogen jump up 20 points in 6 weeks? Any ideas? The May E2 was my highest ever but my T was also super high then. I have read that E2 is much more powerful than T (I cannot find a link for it right now). Is this something a simple as sorting out the T/E ratio? Right now, I feel like sh*t again and have no libido, bad ED and no morning/night woods.

I know you have to have some E2, see the attached:

bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-11/male-sex-drive-depends-on-both-estrogen-and-testosterone.html

My doc just says to run some Nolva.

Thanks.

 

[bigben34]

Did you have LH and FSH tested? Pituitary MRI done?
I would say based on those numbers that you're probably heading right back to where you were (200's). How old are you? Have you run previous cycles? As far as your E2 goes, I dont think a 20 point jump in a matter of 6 weeks is really a huge deal. E2, like test, fluctuates...I think the bigger issue based on those numbers alone, would be your free test. Barely above the reference range after clomid...that could certainly be causing your symptoms.

 

[Ticonderoga]

LH and FSH were "normal", that is in-range but closer to the low end. No MRI done. No cycles. 45 years old, 6'0" 175 lbs. Run/lift.

How can you boost free T?

 

[bigben34]

Well, as far as I know, you can free up more T by using an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) (Arimidex, Aromasin). Obviously that will lower your E2 levels as well.

Keep an eye on your levels over the next couple weeks, months...If they keep dropping, then you'd be smart to educate yourself on TRT.

 

[johnfromeurope]

Well, as far as I know, you can free up more T by using an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) (Arimidex, Aromasin).

That is some wrong info for a natural guy.

 

[jomamma007]

Well clomid boosted your test, mainly your free up while your on it and then for about another 2 months. I took my last dose of clomid early December and 6 weeks later still had a testosterone level over 700. But another month it was down to 500, then back to 300 where I started. That's the problem with clomid. For most guys with low T who didn't get it because of not recovering from a steroid cycle, will only temporarily boost your test but it's not a long term solution.

You need to figure out why your test is low in the first place.

I think your estrogen isn't the problem especially since that isn't even a sensitive test. In fact your probably in the sweet spot, but if we look at your free t it's almost below ranges. My bet is this is the problem. Having said that if you lowered your estrogen this would definitely drop your SHBG and free up more testosterone. With a mid 600's T level, you most likely don't need testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and should exhaust other options first. I don't think anyone can really give you an answer as to why it's high when you aren't taking anything.

 

[johnfromeurope]

You need to figure out why your test is low in the first place.

But what if it's just the way you are? Somebody's tall, somebody's short, somebody's got black hair, others blonde...we're all different. What if there's nothing wrong with you, no illness, no disease, you simply have low test. I'm talking this with myself in mind...

 

[jomamma007]

I felt the same way. At 19 I was a late bloomer so I had a blood test, diagnosed with low T levels doctors could never figure out why. Had an MRI and everything. My dad said he had low test as well, a family thing. So AFTER RULING OUT all the other causes, pituitary tumor, thyroid issues, etc I was put on test. Feel better now for sure, still not where I need to be but I'm getting there.

So to answer your question, if you can't find the root cause you could try testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and hopefully it works for ya. Are we sure the ED problem isn't mental?
Try to start on shots if u do start therapy. Ggels are so unreliable.

 

[bigben34]

.

 

[bigben34]

Well clomid boosted your test, mainly your free up while your on it and then for about another 2 months. I took my last dose of clomid early December and 6 weeks later still had a testosterone level over 700. But another month it was down to 500, then back to 300 where I started. That's the problem with clomid. For most guys with low T who didn't get it because of not recovering from a steroid cycle, will only temporarily boost your test but it's not a long term solution.

You need to figure out why your test is low in the first place.

I think your estrogen isn't the problem especially since that isn't even a sensitive test. In fact your probably in the sweet spot, but if we look at your free t it's almost below ranges. My bet is this is the problem. Having said that if you lowered your estrogen this would definitely drop your SHBG and free up more testosterone. With a mid 600's T level, you most likely don't need testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and should exhaust other options first. I don't think anyone can really give you an answer as to why it's high when you aren't taking anything.

He's mid-600's now but he started out at 200-300. Likely, headed back down to that range.

 

[bigben34]

That is some wrong info for a natural guy.

To clarify, I wasnt telling him to do that...He asked me how one could free up T and I gave him an answer. Also, you don't need to be on T in order to use an Aromatase inhibitor (AI). Lots of guys are prescribed Aromatase inhibitor (AI) monotherapy. I'm not a big fan of the idea of that, but it's not wrong info, buddy.

 

[johnfromeurope]

I realy doubt they are prescribed Aromatase inhibitor (AI) monotherapy. Do you think SERM monotherapy(example Clomid)?

 

[Ticonderoga]

You need to figure out why your test is low in the first place.

The best answer my uro and GP gave me was that my HPTA crashed after I quit taking Propecia. I was on the drug for about 6 or 7 years (I don't remember) with no side effects at all. I quit because I wasn't concerned about hairloss anymore and I was scared of getting the side effects. Within about 6 weeks or so, I felt like shi*t, went to the uro and told him that I had mild ED/body aches. He took blood in January, didn't bother to call me with the results in the 300s (hey, they were "normal") and by February I was totally shut down. I "recovered" in March/April, then have gone on some wild swings. I have not changed diet or supplements during that time.