New member, looking at TRT

[JustJake]

Hey Everyone,

I've been lurking around here for a while, but hadn't registered until today.

I've been diagnosed with hypo-thyroidism for going on 2 years now. I've been in the gym for about 18 months. My TSH levels got normalized, but nothing I did with drugs or diet changed how crappy I feel every day. At least the thyroid meds keep me a little better focused.

Anyways, in my last visit to the Doc I told her I wasn't doing any better on my meds as far as fatigue and other symptoms. I told her that I'd like to get my test checked to see if I'm low because most of my symptoms overlap with low test and additionally I make like zero gains in the gym. I really lag, making it even harder to get motivated.

Anyways, long story short, I should hear back this week about the results. She told me there is a newer drug out that has a lot of people coming in and asking to get tested, but she didn't elaborate on it. Any idea what it is?

I've been trying to read up and be informed for our next visit.

 

[IMT staff]

"Conclusions: In summary, most patients with thyroid hormone disorders experience some sexual dysfunctions, which can be reversed by normalizing thyroid hormone levels. Despite the associated changes in sex hormone levels, the high prevalence of ejaculatory disorders and their prompt reversibility suggest a direct involvement of thyroid hormones in the physiology of ejaculation."

Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Sexual Symptoms in Male Hypo- and Hyperthyroid Patients

 

[JustJake]

Hi Todd - thanks for the reply. I tried to research my disorder thoroughly when I was diagnosed, but did not run into this study.

Do you think it's probable that all of my symptoms are resulting in not regulating my thyroxine levels well enough as opposed to possible low test?

For what it's worth I'm "high-normal" TSH @4.15 I was diagnosed at 29, but based on my anecdotal experience (weight gain, fatigue, general "slowness", etc) I think it started somewhere around 25. This is really young from what I understand.

 

[Schweddy]

I have Hashimoto's and have some experience with this. Did you recently change your Synthroid dose? I was on way too much Synthroid for about 2 years. I had my TSH around 0.3 and after a while I started to feel fried. Adjusting to a dose change can be rough. For me the lightbulb that it might be a test issue was the extreme muscle soreness I got after a workout. I would stumble around like an 80 year old for days afterwards. When I got my t levels checked i had the levels of an 80 year old man.

Keep this in mind - I never had ED issues until I started trt. My libido was not that of an 18 yr old but it was not anything I was concerned about. I'm back in the saddle now but I am concerned about the longterm (life) rammifications of trt.

 

[THE-DET-OAK]

I have Hashimoto's and have some experience with this. Did you recently change your Synthroid dose? I was on way too much Synthroid for about 2 years. I had my TSH around 0.3 and after a while I started to feel fried. Adjusting to a dose change can be rough. For me the lightbulb that it might be a test issue was the extreme muscle soreness I got after a workout. I would stumble around like an 80 year old for days afterwards. When I got my t levels checked i had the levels of an 80 year old man.

Keep this in mind - I never had ED issues until I started trt. My libido was not that of an 18 yr old but it was not anything I was concerned about. I'm back in the saddle now but I am concerned about the longterm (life) rammifications of trt.

TRT doesn't suppress you for life, anyone who told you that does not know the research.

Its pretty much safer than peanuts, at least more people die from them.

 

[JustJake]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't use Synthroid because it made me feel like 10 times worse than without. I use desiccated T3/T4 and have been on the same dose for about a year and a half. I don't feel worse on the new medication, but not really "better" either.

I had read the opposite about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and ED/Libido issues. My Dr. also asked about libido issues as they might be another indicator of low T. How did you get back on track with your libido? Did you stop TRT?

 

[JustJake]

Just got a letter in the mailbox that simply says "normal". I guess I have to call tomorrow and get a copy of the lab to see what is going on.

 

[Envious1320]

Been there with the "normal" letter. Matter a fact i am still there with ya and my test is at 296ng. Had one more test today to see what it comes out and if its low i think its testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) time. Keep pushing man and try to find a good doc that really understands what low test is and how its effects you.

 

[JustJake]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to get with them in the morning to see what the actual numbers are. If it's very borderline, I think I can talk to them about it. There is a Doc and a PA there and the PA is always really good to me, Doc not so much.

 

[JustJake]

I just got back from the Doc with my labs in hand. They only check test serum levels and it showed up as 438 ng/dL. Lowest in the "normal" range is 348, according to my lab. I think this combined with high-normal TSH levels is what's causing my symptoms.

I want to go back to them and ask them to check free test as well as estrogen and re-check serum levels. Any other advice on this? Should I try to get a little less sleep and skip my morning coffee before going in?

 

[wvdave]

I just got back from the Doc with my labs in hand. They only check test serum levels and it showed up as 438 ng/dL. Lowest in the "normal" range is 348, according to my lab. I think this combined with high-normal TSH levels is what's causing my symptoms.

I want to go back to them and ask them to check free test as well as estrogen and re-check serum levels. Any other advice on this? Should I try to get a little less sleep and skip my morning coffee before going in?

In all honestly, the blood work panel that I had taken to start testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with IncreaseMyT tested a whole littany of levels (waiting for results else I'd tell you what they did).... all for the same cost that my primary doc charged for Test and Free Test.

 

[JustJake]

Hey, thanks for the reply.

I have them on the list as my next go-to if things don't work out with my primary, but first I want to try to get on track locally. I had a hell of a time getting straightened out on my thyroid, but now they listen to me about it.

I want to see if I can get to a similar place with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or whatever treatment before moving on.

Can anyone tell me what other labs I should be looking for? I don't want to go down fourteen times to get blood work done.

So:
Free Test
Test Serum
Estradiol
SHBG
PSA
DHEA
DHT
LH
And???

Should I add or drop anything from that list? They definitely don't seem to be against running tons of labs.

 

[BigFella]

Jake

Do you want blood taken when your T is at its highest, or its lowest?

If the former: have a good night's sleep, let your body produce all the T it can, you will peak at about 8:00 am, get blood drawn then.

If the latter: do the same, but don't sleep. At all. Stay up all night. That will give you a good picture of low base line T levels.

 

[Cruyff]

Jake

Do you want blood taken when your T is at its highest, or its lowest?

If the former: have a good night's sleep, let your body produce all the T it can, you will peak at about 8:00 am, get blood drawn then.

If the latter: do the same, but don't sleep. At all. Stay up all night. That will give you a good picture of low base line T levels.

And toss in a few beers for good measure.

 

[BigFella]

Cruyff

Lol! It was red wine for me..I was so tired, kept up, hoped it would work and it did.

 

[JustJake]

Want them low, will have a couple drinks and stay up before my next work up.

Thanks!

 

[BigFella]

Jake

I didn't just WANT my numbers low, I NEEDED them low. I seriously drove myself into the ground for a few days, didn't use my AndroForte (scrotal natural T, half life of maybe five hours) for two days, was REALLY tired but pushed myself way hard and stayed up (ok, I crashed and had three hours' sleep) and got the number I needed. I then applied three doses of AndroForte in 24 hours and I was an animal in the gym. I can still feel the pump nine days later.

That's the feeling I'm chasing!

Now I have two passing grades (failing?) and all is well. I go to doctor on Tuesday with a shopping list, and don't leave without it.

 

[JustJake]

Nice, good luck on Tuesday! I don't know yet if it's what I need, I think so, but it'll be my first time on any replacement if they give me a go, so I guess I "don't know what I'm missing".

 

[JustJake]

I went down today to have a second talk with my Doc. I told her that I wanted to bump my thyroid meds as a start to see if my symptoms improve. As a standard precaution, we have to do followup blood tests to make sure my TSH is in order, so I asked her to do a complete T panel at that time. This will also give me some base to see if just regulating my thyroid will get me into higher-normal ranges.