I'm a 53 year old man in good health. I've been using a compounded testosterone cream 20-25 mg per day for a couple of years due to low bioavailable T. In 2019, I was experiencing anxiety, insomnia, low energy and some chronic GI issues. Here was my blood work in 2019:
total T 528 ng/dl (250-1100)
free T 47.1 pg/ml (46-224)
bioavail. T 90.7 ng/dl (110-575)
SHBG 54 nmol/L (10-50)
DHT 65 ng/dl (16-79)
estradiol 22 pg/ml (<39)
Since then, I have done many things to improve my health (supplements, eradicating chronic infections, detoxification, the testosterone cream, etc). In the past 10 months, I also added intermittent fasting/low carb diet and strength training (I had already done lots of cardio training). This has lead to a 15 pound weight loss despite gains in strength and muscle; I am more fit now than I have been in at least 20 years. GI issues and energy levels are much improved/resolved. I still have some anxiety and insomnia, for which I use 5 mg of edible THC at night (legal in my state.) My overall goals now are optimizing my vitality and longevity/healthspan.
My recent blood work has me puzzled and I would love some help with a few questions. Here are labs from 9/22 (units and ranges are the same as above)
total T 848
free T 48.4
bioavail. T 110
SHBG 89
DHT 129
estradiol 18
TSH 6.08
I recently started 30 mg Armour thyroid to deal with the elevated TSH.
In addition to weighing in on my specific questions, I'd love any other comments anyone has:
1) Why is my SHBG so much higher than it was before? I don't think I am deficient on any important minerals as I take lots of supplements and my liver is in good shape.
2) Why is my DHT so much higher than it was before? Is that a problem? (I had already lost most of the hair on the top of my head by 2019, before I started T).
3) Would switching to taking more T cream fewer days per week be effective at lowering the SHBG and increasing the bioavailable T? Or would it be smart to switch to an injectable form of T and do it fewer days per week (I'd rather stick with cream but I am willing to do sub-cut. injections if it would be the best move)?
4) Any ideas/thoughts about lifestyle, supplement or medication interventions that would improve this picture?
Thanks so much for any helpful comments and suggestions!
total T 528 ng/dl (250-1100)
free T 47.1 pg/ml (46-224)
bioavail. T 90.7 ng/dl (110-575)
SHBG 54 nmol/L (10-50)
DHT 65 ng/dl (16-79)
estradiol 22 pg/ml (<39)
Since then, I have done many things to improve my health (supplements, eradicating chronic infections, detoxification, the testosterone cream, etc). In the past 10 months, I also added intermittent fasting/low carb diet and strength training (I had already done lots of cardio training). This has lead to a 15 pound weight loss despite gains in strength and muscle; I am more fit now than I have been in at least 20 years. GI issues and energy levels are much improved/resolved. I still have some anxiety and insomnia, for which I use 5 mg of edible THC at night (legal in my state.) My overall goals now are optimizing my vitality and longevity/healthspan.
My recent blood work has me puzzled and I would love some help with a few questions. Here are labs from 9/22 (units and ranges are the same as above)
total T 848
free T 48.4
bioavail. T 110
SHBG 89
DHT 129
estradiol 18
TSH 6.08
I recently started 30 mg Armour thyroid to deal with the elevated TSH.
In addition to weighing in on my specific questions, I'd love any other comments anyone has:
1) Why is my SHBG so much higher than it was before? I don't think I am deficient on any important minerals as I take lots of supplements and my liver is in good shape.
2) Why is my DHT so much higher than it was before? Is that a problem? (I had already lost most of the hair on the top of my head by 2019, before I started T).
3) Would switching to taking more T cream fewer days per week be effective at lowering the SHBG and increasing the bioavailable T? Or would it be smart to switch to an injectable form of T and do it fewer days per week (I'd rather stick with cream but I am willing to do sub-cut. injections if it would be the best move)?
4) Any ideas/thoughts about lifestyle, supplement or medication interventions that would improve this picture?
Thanks so much for any helpful comments and suggestions!