My blood test results - help

[Addict2016]

Aside from having such a low total test figure, can anyone help shed some light on what these results might mean.

I'm 33 years old, never done anabolics, not currently training, blood test was ordered because I suddenly acquired painful lumps under both nipples approximately 2 weeks ago that the Doctor has diagnosed as gynecomastia.


Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone 1.2IU/L (1.3-19.3)
Serum Testosterone Level 3.7nmol/L (6.0-27.1)
Serum Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 9nmol/L (13.0-90.0)
Free Androgen Index 41.1 (15.0-102.0)

 

[halfwit]

107ng/dL total testosterone?! Holy hell, you must feel like absolute shit!

You don't have an LH value listed, but something is shutting you down. What's your estradiol at? That's what would cause gynecomastia, especially with such a DANGEROUSLY low testosterone level.

On any medications? History of trauma to the head or neck? If you're developing gyno and have that low of SHBG too, I'd bet there's something pharmaceutical or heinous going on with your pituitary gland.

To explain further: Your body has a delicate system that it uses to produce hormones and ensure they're in proper balance. This starts with the hypothalamus that looks for estradiol. As we convert estradiol from testosterone, this is how it knows you have ample test, and in turn tells the pituitary either release leutinizing hormone, or to cease production. Leutinizing hormone is the signal to your leydig cells in the testes that turns on testosterone production. This testosterone is then converted to estradiol via aromatase - and we're back to the hypothalamus again. This is called the negative feedback loop.

The problem is that when a link in the loop is disturbed or broken, anomalies can occur. Certain meds like SSRI's or a tumor in the pituitary can wreck havoc on this system.

What does your doctor have to say?

 

[Addict2016]

I can't see that the test included extradiol or LH unfortunately. I haven't seen my doc yet. Was hoping to go into that meeting pre-armed as the surgery I attend are really bad. They diagnosed me with asthma last year, turned out to be pneumonia, and after almost begging to have an endoscopy I now know that I have a hiatus hernia.
Only meds I am on are viagra and omeprazole.
The GP did ask for the test to include cancer markers, looking at testicular or chest cancer. It appears to be clear.

 

[Addict2016]

Spoke to GP on the phone today, he literally sounded clueless, went through my results, 'oh your testosterones a little low, nothing to worry about though' at which point I blew my top, he spent the rest of the call laughing nervously whilst arranging for me to see an endocrinologist. I cant emphasise enough what an utter joke my local surgery are. Really frustrating. Ima t the point with work that I can barely concentrate for 10mins straight, every day is a battle to try and keep my focus and get my work done. I don't want to lose my job. Should GP's not take it seriously when I say things like this to them?

 

[halfwit]

Spoke to GP on the phone today, he literally sounded clueless, went through my results, 'oh your testosterones a little low, nothing to worry about though' at which point I blew my top, he spent the rest of the call laughing nervously whilst arranging for me to see an endocrinologist. I cant emphasise enough what an utter joke my local surgery are. Really frustrating. Ima t the point with work that I can barely concentrate for 10mins straight, every day is a battle to try and keep my focus and get my work done. I don't want to lose my job. Should GP's not take it seriously when I say things like this to them?

Unfortunately this is how it is for many. They just don't understand how important testosterone is to men. Doctors are too focused on the stigmas of AAS instead of realizing that we NEED it to survive and have ANY quality of life.

Funny how that is, yet a script for opiods can be written for a tooth ache or mild headache. Drugs that are not only very addictive, but harmful to the body.

I strongly urge that you read the FAQ here, as it will better prepare you for what is to come. Please feel free to ask any questions that you don't feel are answered in the FAQ.

 

[Jimstigator]

I feel your pain man. I went through the same thing. Back in my early 20's, woke up one morning feeling weird as hell, and had a lump under my nip. Lucked into an article about bodybuilders using Nolvadex/Tamoxifen to get testosterone production going again. I found some Tamoxifen on eBay not even knowing it was a prescription drug... which looking back is funny. Anyway - took 40mg a day for a month, lump went away and felt normal again. Happened a few years later, and I did the same thing, this time under Dr supervision. Low T climbed back up and lump disappeared again. A few years ago it happened, AGAIN... third time was a charm I guess, as restart protocols stopped working.

Here I am today, about 2 years on TRT, and I wish I had started sooner.

I'll say this - finding the right Dr locally is a bitch. I was laughed out of a few Endo offices after months of waiting for my appointments. Months of life wasted hoping the next Dr was the one... sleepless nights envisioning the conversation... only to be turned around in a few minutes. I now fly across the country to see my Dr once a year, and have zero regrets. Every year help gets easier to find, and with companies like IMT here sponsoring the boards, you can get great help fast.

If I was in your shoes today, I would call IMT immediately and get started on a restart protocol that involved Nolvadex to help reverse those gyno bumps. If the restart worked, and stuck, NICE! If not, you have an established relationship with IMT, and can move into TRT.

-Jim

 

[Milton]

Hope you find the right one for you. Keep us posted.

 

[IMT staff]

Why don't you just call us?

 

[IMT staff]

I
If I was in your shoes today, I would call IMT immediately and get started on a restart protocol that involved Nolvadex to help reverse those gyno bumps. If the restart worked, and stuck, NICE! If not, you have an established relationship with IMT, and can move into TRT.

-Jim

Thank you VERY much for the kind words sir. We truly appreciate it.