Latest Bloodwork - Concerned about LSH/FSH, morning lows

[Hoodlum]

Ok, so I've been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for almost 2 months now, just gels at first, and the last 20 days or so of which have been with 100mg of test cyp every 4 days in addition to the gels (I was continuing to use them to ease the transition).

I was tested yesterday (9th July), having had my last shot at 8pm the day before, and applied a sachet of gel at 8am that morning.

Here are my results:
Total Testosterone: 835 (219 - 904) (this was 440 last check, about 4 weeks ago)
SHBG: 30nmol/L (11 - 52)
Testosterone/SHBG ratio: 96.7 (24 - 104) (is this good?)
Prolactin: 170mIU/L (86 - 234)
25 OH Vitamin D: 155 nmol/L (50 - 200)
FSH: 0.4IU/L (1.5 - 12.4)
LSH: <0.1IU/L (1.7 - 8.6)

I'm pleased with my total test, a big improvement over what it was - since I'm currently taking gels and shots together though, I thought it might be higher. I'm still waiting on my E2 to come back, but in general, I don't have any symptoms of gyno, and my libido has been pretty good. My vitamin D appears to be well within range too (have been taking 5000IU every day).

However, my LSH and FSH have bottomed out. I know that this is to be expected, as your body's own production shuts down, but I've been taking Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) every 4 days - so turns out it must have been a duff batch. It was pre-mixed when I got it, but unfortunately I didn't at the time know anywhere else to get it from.

• I'm only 31, so plan to have kids and want to keep my balls. How long before I cause serious impairment to this due to my low LSH/FSH? I'm going to try and get some better Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) right now so I can nip this in the bud. Is it recommended that I take a large dose initially, before going back to maintenance of 250miu every 4 days? I know that it's frowned upon to talk about sources on here, but if anyone can point me in the direction of a good place to get some in the UK via a private message, I'd be very grateful.
• Additionally, I am waking up feeling very low every morning. It's not until my morning application of gel has kicked in that I start feeling really good, which then lasts all day. What could be potential causes of this?

Thanks for any help guys, it's much appreciated as always.

 

[1693]

I think your SHBG is fine...it's about center of it's reference range.

Don't think I would have applied that sachet before the morning test but I really don't know how much it influenced the 835. On one site they say not to put on any gels the last 48 hours defore the blood draw. You should be done soon with that though.

FSH and LH are perfectly normal for a guy who is on exogenous test....you are shut down, that's part of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and there is no need to get those labs in the future, they'll stay like that. I don't think the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) will show up in your LH lab...it only mimics LH but doesn't show as LH.

You might get a sperm test and if it greatly concerns you, freeze some sperm.
The Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) should help keep things going, some use clomid in the same way and some probably use HMG like that too.

Your labs and how you are doing is pretty good except how you wake up...did you ever try a little gel when you go to sleep to see how it affects you waking up?....maybe within a few weeks the enth will be kicking in better.

 

[Hoodlum]

Ah, so my LH/FSH will always appear like that, regardless of whether the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is working. So other than a sperm test (and the fact that your balls haven't shrivelled up), there's no way to know if it's actually working as expected?

The morning low mood has been something pretty constant with me over most of my adult life. Very occasionally, I'll get out of bed feeling great, but 95% of the time I am quite depressed feeling. It usually lifts within a few hours of waking, and I've learned to ignore it, but it's something that would be nice to get rid of if possible.

I've not tried putting gel on before bedtime actually. I did experiment with applying a second sachet in late afternoon when I first started (since I was crashing by the end of the day), but it ended up making me feel a bit jittery and nauseous. Maybe I can try just half a sachet before bed.

 

[1693]

Ah, so my LH/FSH will always appear like that, regardless of whether the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is working. So other than a sperm test (and the fact that your balls haven't shrivelled up), there's no way to know if it's actually working as expected?

Yes to the first part and maybe a preggo test to satifiy you on the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) working...there are LH receptors all through the body so I think everyone using test should take some Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) for a test drive and see if it's worth the expense and hassle to them...even guys who are primary hypogonadual.

Since you said morning low mood has been commom for you most of your life....that makes me think maybe you should think about a sleep study. Have any gals said that you snore loudy or seem to stop breathing for awhile?

Maybe try the breathe right strips?

 

[Hoodlum]

I had considered sleep apnea. I've just been given a two week course of zopiclones by the doc, since I've been waking up over and over again throughout the night. We decided that we'd see if the zops sorted it out, then it wasn't apnea, but if the poor sleep persisted, then we'd do a sleep study.

I took one last night, and my sleep was markedly better, although I did still wake up a lot. It seems I always end up rolling onto my back in the night, where I sleep very shallowly. If I manage to get to sleep on my front, I tend to stay there and sleep a lot better.

 

[Hoodlum]

Just had E2 back: 68 pmol/L (44 - 156)

This was up at 135 last time, when I had sore nipples, so this is a definite improvement.

Am I correct in assuming that in the US you use pg/mL? If so, then this is 18.5 (12 - 42.5). Is this about right?

 

[totalburnout]

Just had E2 back: 68 pmol/L (44 - 156)

This was up at 135 last time, when I had sore nipples, so this is a definite improvement.

Am I correct in assuming that in the US you use pg/mL? If so, then this is 18.5 (12 - 42.5). Is this about right?

Depends if it's the sensitive assay or the standard test. If it's sensitive, it's about perfect but on the low side. Ideally most say between 20-30. If its the standard, it's probably low but it's tough to tell because they don't correlate.

What/how much Aromatase inhibitor (AI) are you taking?

 

[Hoodlum]

0.25mg adex EOD

 

[totalburnout]

0.25mg adex EOD

What was the name of the estradiol test? Estradiol, estradiol sensitive or estradiol ultrasensitive?

 

[Hoodlum]

It just showed as 17-Beta OESTRADIOL on the form. I think we may have different tests here in the UK