Testosterone for high SHBG??

[madball666]

Hello good folks of this forum.

Stats:

Male, 36 years.

I was checking my hormones a couple of years ago and had highish natural testosterone levels (24 and 31 nmol/L - ref. 8-29) at two different tests) but also high SHBG (80 and 88 nmol/L - ref. 14-48), and prolactin (520 mIE/L - ref. 90-330).

Now, a few years later I just got my hormones tested again and testosterone came back at 21 nmol/L, with SHBG chillin at 64 nmol/L. Prolactin was still high but I didn't get the number from the doctor.

Ergo sum, my s-testosterone is normal but my testosterone/shbg comes out at 3,3 (-ref. 3,5-9,3) which is in the deficiency range.

I work out alot, have a normal body weight on the lower side. I have almost no dark hair on my body, none on my upper body or arms and only slow facial hair growth on upper lip and chin with like 6 dark hairs in total on the side of the face.

My sex drive is normal-ish, but I'm depressed, severly unmotivated, lacking drive and have a hard time concentrating at anything. I have the energy to work out hard though because I make myself do it.

Talked to the doctor right now and he prescribed me testosterone gel since I still have symptoms.

Is it a good idea to take testosterone for high SHBG when my serum testosterone is normal, but when I have low free testosterone? Is it worth the risks, and what are the risks exactly btw. I'm having a hard time deciding how to go about this.

Thanks alot!

 

[Milton]

Welcome to the boards!

 

[halfwit]

I probably would have tried other methods, but testosterone replacement will indeed reduce your SHBG - alleviating low T symptoms.

 

[madball666]

I probably would have tried other methods, but testosterone replacement will indeed reduce your SHBG - alleviating low T symptoms.

Yeah I'm thinking about it as well but I don't know how to lower my SHBG.

 

[madball666]

Welcome to the boards!

Thank you sir!

 

[halfwit]

Yeah I'm thinking about it as well but I don't know how to lower my SHBG.

Aromatase inhibitors can lower SHBG, and I know there are certain drugs out there that aren't hormone related that can as well.

It honestly depends on what you're looking for. TRT is for life, but likely so is whatever alternative you find. I would be surprised if you felt much better on a gel/cream.

 

[madball666]

I see, so what what you suggest I do then?

I want to feel better basically. The main problem seems to be my high SHBG. Also my estrogen is normal, so my doc doesn't really know what else to do about the SHBG other than telling me to gain weight, since my weight was pretty low a couple of years ago.

Why don't you think gel will help btw?

 

[halfwit]

I see, so what what you suggest I do then?

I want to feel better basically. The main problem seems to be my high SHBG. Also my estrogen is normal, so my doc doesn't really know what else to do about the SHBG other than telling me to gain weight, since my weight was pretty low a couple of years ago.

Why don't you think gel will help btw?

Gels are a poor method of delivering hormones as they greatly depend on your skin's permeability - which many men lack as we get older. Gels also tend to aromatize at a higher rate, which increases estradiol - increasing SHBG.

I would investigate thyroid issues (linked to SHBG production), or potentially an AI by itself. Aromatase inhibitors, as long as you're not suppressed from AAS, will decrease SHBG, and slightly elevate testosterone.

HOWEVER, testosterone injections do all that, and a better job of it. This is really a matter of choosing which path you wish to pursue; a slave to the needle, or a slave to a pill - both can work, but it's really up to how you feel about a lifetime decision like this.

I'm a little biased as I've been on injections for over six years and have VASTLY improved the quality of my life, but my root cause didn't leave me much of a choice either. (I simply don't make testosterone beyond what a female makes any more naturally)

 

[Megatron28]

Definitely check out your thyroid. It affects SHBG.

 

[madball666]

I see. My skin is very thin though if that matters.

Thyroid doesn't seem to be an issue since I got it measured and the doctor didn't mention it. He also did mention that injections tend to pack a harder punch than gels and I would probably be switched over to it in a month or two which I guess is a good thing then.