MusclesMarinara
New member
I have not posted here in probably 7 years.
Male, 6'1", overweight at 295lbs, 245 lbs would look pretty good on me for reference of my frame. 32 yrs old, Weight training for 14 years.
Previously (2) T only cycles 7-8 years ago with AI and PCT.
Symptoms which prompted a visit to the Dr. and bloodwork included:
Fatigue - particularly early evening and during workouts
Increased anxiety, irritability, and generally a depressed mood. Relationships were suffering as a result.
Lack of ambition in both career and personal life
Strength is waning and body fat rising. Muscular endurance has reduced significantly adding to the frustration of an already mediocre existence.
Feb 25
Initial blood panel taken at 8 AM (checking triglycerides, A1C, Thyroid, Free Test, etc) came back generally good with the exception that Test Serum came back "Low" at 296ng/dl (reference 348-1197). Free Test (Direct) came back at 10.4 pg/ml (reference 8.7-25.1) .
It was recommended that I improve my diet to lose weight, supplement with 50mg of DHEA sulfate daily, and check the levels again in 5 months. I couldn't wait (because I don't want to commit to feeling like ****) for another 5 months, so I went to an Endo. My visit was met with a lot of skepticism (due in part to my age) and the Endo did not seem concerned with my symptoms but was somewhat dismissive until more testing was performed. It was recommended I stop taking DHEA sulfate. I did and within 2 weeks had an additional panel (11 am) with more comprehensive tests. Results are as follows:
April 15
Test Serum - 332ng/dl (348-1197 reference)
Free Test Direct - 12.3 pg/ml (8.7-25.1 reference)
LH - 2.6 mIU/ml (1.7-8.6 reference)
FSH - 6.5 mIU/ml (1.5-12.4 reference)
Prostate specific Ag Serum - 0.9 ng/ml (0.0-4.0 reference)
Hemoglobin A1c -5.4& (4.8-5.6 reference)
Prolactin - 7.3 ng/ml (4.0-15.2 reference)
TSH - 1.260 uIU/ml (0.450-4.500 reference)
T4 Thyroxine Free Direct -1.18ng/dl (0.82-1.77 reference)
DHEA Sulfate - 237.8 ug/dl (138.5-475.2 reference)
T4 Thyroxine - 7.1 ug/dl (4.5-12.0 reference)
Ferritin, serum - 151 ng/mL (30-400 reference)
Estrogens, Total - 61 pg/mL (40-115 reference)
As most of the levels seem with "normal" range with the exception of Test Serum, how can I get my symptoms to improve and test to increase without causing more issues and throwing everything else out of balance?
Did I miss anything that is a concern level? I would like an optimal level to support an active, high energy lifestyle, and demeanor. I'm reluctant to lose weight at the expense of hard earned muscle and I feel like a low test level will make this increasingly difficult. Do you think at my age a physician will help in this endeavor?
Male, 6'1", overweight at 295lbs, 245 lbs would look pretty good on me for reference of my frame. 32 yrs old, Weight training for 14 years.
Previously (2) T only cycles 7-8 years ago with AI and PCT.
Symptoms which prompted a visit to the Dr. and bloodwork included:
Fatigue - particularly early evening and during workouts
Increased anxiety, irritability, and generally a depressed mood. Relationships were suffering as a result.
Lack of ambition in both career and personal life
Strength is waning and body fat rising. Muscular endurance has reduced significantly adding to the frustration of an already mediocre existence.
Feb 25
Initial blood panel taken at 8 AM (checking triglycerides, A1C, Thyroid, Free Test, etc) came back generally good with the exception that Test Serum came back "Low" at 296ng/dl (reference 348-1197). Free Test (Direct) came back at 10.4 pg/ml (reference 8.7-25.1) .
It was recommended that I improve my diet to lose weight, supplement with 50mg of DHEA sulfate daily, and check the levels again in 5 months. I couldn't wait (because I don't want to commit to feeling like ****) for another 5 months, so I went to an Endo. My visit was met with a lot of skepticism (due in part to my age) and the Endo did not seem concerned with my symptoms but was somewhat dismissive until more testing was performed. It was recommended I stop taking DHEA sulfate. I did and within 2 weeks had an additional panel (11 am) with more comprehensive tests. Results are as follows:
April 15
Test Serum - 332ng/dl (348-1197 reference)
Free Test Direct - 12.3 pg/ml (8.7-25.1 reference)
LH - 2.6 mIU/ml (1.7-8.6 reference)
FSH - 6.5 mIU/ml (1.5-12.4 reference)
Prostate specific Ag Serum - 0.9 ng/ml (0.0-4.0 reference)
Hemoglobin A1c -5.4& (4.8-5.6 reference)
Prolactin - 7.3 ng/ml (4.0-15.2 reference)
TSH - 1.260 uIU/ml (0.450-4.500 reference)
T4 Thyroxine Free Direct -1.18ng/dl (0.82-1.77 reference)
DHEA Sulfate - 237.8 ug/dl (138.5-475.2 reference)
T4 Thyroxine - 7.1 ug/dl (4.5-12.0 reference)
Ferritin, serum - 151 ng/mL (30-400 reference)
Estrogens, Total - 61 pg/mL (40-115 reference)
As most of the levels seem with "normal" range with the exception of Test Serum, how can I get my symptoms to improve and test to increase without causing more issues and throwing everything else out of balance?
Did I miss anything that is a concern level? I would like an optimal level to support an active, high energy lifestyle, and demeanor. I'm reluctant to lose weight at the expense of hard earned muscle and I feel like a low test level will make this increasingly difficult. Do you think at my age a physician will help in this endeavor?
