High test, very high free, natural, low T symptoms (need advice)

[Nateuy]

Test was from 2 months ago

Total: 970 ng/dl (Range 250-1100)
Free: 222 pg/ml (Range 45-155 pg/ml flagged as high)

SHBG: 39.16 nmol/l (Range males 20-49 yrs 16.5 - 49)

I also had a full panel done earlier in the year. Heres thyroid

T-3 uptake: 42.4% (Range 32 - 48.4)
T4: 7.88 ug/dl (Range 4.5 - 11.8)
T 7: 8.36 MG% (Range 4 - 12)
TSH: 1.39 ulU/ml (Range 0.4 - 6)

I'm 22, 6'2" 190 probably 10-12% bodyfat, immaculate diet, good sleep patterns, lift 4-5 days a week, never ran a cycle.

My non-medical and semi-uneducated theory is I have high test lvls but abnormally high free so the free is being converted sub-optimally. In the past year I've started showing signs of hairloss and I have acne like never before (had a clear face all throughout teenage years) My sex drive is essentially non-existent, brain fog, ect. Just feel off...especially considering how high my levels are. I was extremely surprised when the results came back. I did not get a DHT or estrogen test but now I'm wishing I did...is there anything else I should look in to and does my theory have any relevance? Thanks.

 

[Megatron28]

Test was from 2 months ago

Total: 970 ng/dl
Free: 222 pg/ml (which = 22 ng/dl?) - (Test range 45-155 pg/ml flagged as high)

SHBG: 39.16 nmol/l

I also had a full panel done earlier in the year. Heres thyroid

T-3 uptake: 42.4%
T4: 7.88 ug/dl
T 7: 8.36 MG%
TSH: 1.39 ulU/ml

I'm 22, 6'2" 190 probably 10-12% bodyfat, immaculate diet, good sleep patterns, lift 4-5 days a week, never ran a cycle.

My non-medical and semi-uneducated theory is I have high test lvls but abnormally high free so the free is being converted sub-optimally. In the past year I've started showing signs of hairloss and I have acne like never before (had a clear face all throughout teenage years) My sex drive is essentially non-existent, brain fog, ect. Just feel off...especially considering how high my levels are. I was extremely surprised when the results came back. I did not get a DHT or estrogen test but now I'm wishing I did...is there anything else I should look in to and does my theory have any relevance? Thanks.

You need to include reference ranges for all your lab results.

Get your estradiol tested. Sounds like that may be your problem given your symptoms. Estradiol tends to increase as Total Test increases because there is more of it available to aromatize.

High Free T is generally viewed as a good thing. I don't know what you mean by "sub-optimally converting" Free T. Are you thinking your body may not be able to utilize the Free T? Why?

Read the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) stickies or search the site for how to get cheap bloodwork done using Private MD - Buy Lab Tests Online

 

[totalburnout]

Smart money is on an estrogen issue. High and/or low estrogen symptoms closely mimic low T symptoms.

High DHT is also linked to the hair loss that you mentioned.

As far as quality of life is concerned, if guys are dialed in properly, they probably can feel great at a TT of 800 - but many like to push the envelope for the muscle gaining benefits of even higher T. With the higher T levels become a protocol that is likely more difficult to manage/requires more 'complimentary' drugs.

To get a real answer, you need to at least get your E2 tested.

Are those natural test levels? If not, what are you taking? You mentioned you never cycled. Those T and Free T numbers are highly desirable - and if they're natural, that's FANTASTIC (so let's not mess them up). But again, the smart money says you're on hormones to achieve that sort of Free T. If so, when and why did you begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and what was your starting point?

 

[Nateuy]

Are those natural test levels? If not, what are you taking? You mentioned you never cycled. Those T and Free T numbers are highly desirable - and if they're natural, that's FANTASTIC (so let's not mess them up). But again, the smart money says you're on hormones to achieve that sort of Free T. If so, when and why did you begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and what was your starting point?

Yes natural. Never taken any hormones/trt. Only supplements I take are creatine/pwo/whey, diet is always on point (macro based, majority 'clean' foods) and I try to average 7 hours sleep a night throughout the week.

Definitely will look into getting E2 tested. Thanks.

 

[Alpin]

Test was from 2 months ago

Total: 970 ng/dl (Range 250-1100)
Free: 222 pg/ml (Range 45-155 pg/ml flagged as high)

SHBG: 39.16 nmol/l (Range males 20-49 yrs 16.5 - 49)

I also had a full panel done earlier in the year. Heres thyroid

T-3 uptake: 42.4% (Range 32 - 48.4)
T4: 7.88 ug/dl (Range 4.5 - 11.8)
T 7: 8.36 MG% (Range 4 - 12)
TSH: 1.39 ulU/ml (Range 0.4 - 6)

I'm 22, 6'2" 190 probably 10-12% bodyfat, immaculate diet, good sleep patterns, lift 4-5 days a week, never ran a cycle.

My non-medical and semi-uneducated theory is I have high test lvls but abnormally high free so the free is being converted sub-optimally. In the past year I've started showing signs of hairloss and I have acne like never before (had a clear face all throughout teenage years) My sex drive is essentially non-existent, brain fog, ect. Just feel off...especially considering how high my levels are. I was extremely surprised when the results came back. I did not get a DHT or estrogen test but now I'm wishing I did...is there anything else I should look in to and does my theory have any relevance? Thanks.

Don't buy into this High Testosterone b.s.
you could have other causes. Look into Sleep apnea.
I had Test levels of 600-700 ng/dl while not knowing I had sleep apnea...went on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) following advice of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) doc.
I feel decent now with C PAP machine and my levels are 400 ng/dl roughly...
I stayed on the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for a few years and this is when I found out I had a very severe sleep apnea problem.
Tossed the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and use machine nightly.
You have excellent Test levels. I would recommend staying natural as you are...

 

[frank.tb]

There's several causes for the "symptoms" you listed...too many factors could cause what you are feeling, including nothing at all...stress at work, relationships, school, hell anything can cause those problems...
Just talk more with your Dr. And let him know everything you got goin on bro...
Just my opinion

 

[Megatron28]

Don't buy into this High Testosterone b.s.
you could have other causes. Look into Sleep apnea.
I had Test levels of 600-700 ng/dl while not knowing I had sleep apnea...went on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) following advice of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) doc.
I feel decent now with C PAP machine and my levels are 400 ng/dl roughly...
I stayed on the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for a few years and this is when I found out I had a very severe sleep apnea problem.
Tossed the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and use machine nightly.
You have excellent Test levels. I would recommend staying natural as you are...

Nobody here has suggested that he begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Not sure where you are getting that from.

I am surprised to see in your case that you had natty test levels of 600-700 before using a c-pap and natty 400 after using your c-pap. Addressing sleep issues -- especially apnea -- usually improves your Total Test levels. When you stopped doing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) did you try to do any sort of a restart or did you just quit cold turkey?

 

[Alpin]

Nobody here has suggested that he begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Not sure where you are getting that from.

I am surprised to see in your case that you had natty test levels of 600-700 before using a c-pap and natty 400 after using your c-pap. Addressing sleep issues -- especially apnea -- usually improves your Total Test levels. When you stopped doing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) did you try to do any sort of a restart or did you just quit cold turkey?

I was told to go on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) years ago(25 y.o.) 33 now because I had "low T" symptoms...
one blood test done at 25 y.o. had Total T of 582 ng/dl and another on a previous date (at 25. y.o.) had 663 ng/dl as Total Test.
I was 25 at the time and the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) clinic I went to said this was not an optimal level to have for my age.
I went on HCG only for a few years and that had me in range of 750-900 ng/dl till my Doc told me to throw in Delatestryl after HCG stoped working.
It was during this testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) protocol with Delatestryl I had a sleep study done, because I was still feeling sluggish with having Test in 950 ng/dl range. I was diagnosed with VERY SEVERE sleep apnea.
Went on CPAP machine and felt noticeably better while taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In fact I felt I had too much energy.
I dumped testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) last year and my last blood Test for Total T 3 months ago was 288.4 ng/dl and at one point in Jan 2013, Total T was 390 ng/dl
Testosterone naturally fluctuates I guess. I was on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at 180 mg/week for 4 years...
will I ever get levels of 500 ng/dl back?
I recently have started to get back into training, but libido is low and i'm heavier as well.
If I had sleep apnea treated many years ago I shouldn't be in this mess.

 

[Megatron28]

I was told to go on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) years ago(25 y.o.) 33 now because I had "low T" symptoms...
one blood test done at 25 y.o. had Total T of 582 ng/dl and another on a previous date (at 25. y.o.) had 663 ng/dl as Total Test.
I was 25 at the time and the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) clinic I went to said this was not an optimal level to have for my age.
I went on HCG only for a few years and that had me in range of 750-900 ng/dl till my Doc told me to throw in Delatestryl after HCG stoped working.
It was during this testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) protocol with Delatestryl I had a sleep study done, because I was still feeling sluggish with having Test in 950 ng/dl range. I was diagnosed with VERY SEVERE sleep apnea.
Went on CPAP machine and felt noticeably better while taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In fact I felt I had too much energy.
I dumped testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) last year and my last blood Test for Total T 3 months ago was 288.4 ng/dl and at one point in Jan 2013, Total T was 390 ng/dl
Testosterone naturally fluctuates I guess. I was on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at 180 mg/week for 4 years...
will I ever get levels of 500 ng/dl back?
I recently have started to get back into training, but libido is low and i'm heavier as well.
If I had sleep apnea treated many years ago I shouldn't be in this mess.

You had pretty good TT levels before you began testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Too bad you had a bad doc mess you up. But you really ought to consider trying to restore your Natty T by doing a restart (i.e. pct). Having TT is the 300-400 range is on the low side and there are health issues if left like that for a prolonged period of time. It literally can shorten your life. For example, your risk of heart disease increases.

I know you say you feel fine now, but think about it like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You can't feel either of them as you go about your daily life and you think you are fine until the day you have a stroke or a heart attack.

I can tell you are jaded from the whole process you went through -- rightfully so -- but there truly are some good doctors out there that can help you.

 

[Alpin]

You had pretty good TT levels before you began testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Too bad you had a bad doc mess you up. But you really ought to consider trying to restore your Natty T by doing a restart (i.e. pct). Having TT is the 300-400 range is on the low side and there are health issues if left like that for a prolonged period of time. It literally can shorten your life. For example, your risk of heart disease increases.

I know you say you feel fine now, but think about it like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You can't feel either of them as you go about your daily life and you think you are fine until the day you have a stroke or a heart attack.

I can tell you are jaded from the whole process you went through -- rightfully so -- but there truly are some good doctors out there that can help you.

I hear you...I made a post on this noting my experience.
I've been off Test E from June 2012. I did HCG at small doses (350 i.u. 3 times a week) for 2 months and have not taken anything since except .25 mg of Adex to keep E2 down and maybe help some natty Test.
Like I said I had Total T of 582 ng/dl at 25. he said these levels are not acceptable for a 25 year old.
Both him and my family doc messed me up. If I would have been treated for sleep apnea then, my Total T could have improved more.
Now I'm 33 and suffering from lower levels of Total T. Family doc told me if I were to lose weight they will improve. He says workout....but he doesn't ask where I will get the energy too train hard. I feel bastards like these should not be allowed to have a medical license.

 

[Alpin]

You had pretty good TT levels before you began testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Too bad you had a bad doc mess you up. But you really ought to consider trying to restore your Natty T by doing a restart (i.e. pct). Having TT is the 300-400 range is on the low side and there are health issues if left like that for a prolonged period of time. It literally can shorten your life. For example, your risk of heart disease increases.

I know you say you feel fine now, but think about it like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You can't feel either of them as you go about your daily life and you think you are fine until the day you have a stroke or a heart attack.

I can tell you are jaded from the whole process you went through -- rightfully so -- but there truly are some good doctors out there that can help you.

Mega,

Even if I was to get Total T levels of 500 ng/dl back...it is still not an optimal range for optimal health.
If I was at 582 ng/dl of Total T at 25 and I'm 33 y.o. now and have around 390 ng/dl at best....doubt it will go much up.
I am lifting heavy at present to stimulate some...I was not training for years.
I took up hunting as a hobby and enjoy it more...guess we change with age.