39yo New to TRT, Old to Misery

[Sick in SLO]

Hello,

I have been miserable since 2011, and only recently did one of my docs feel the need to address testosterone. My lab work is attached...looks like I might finally be on to something with TRT! I have been lost in naturopath land and doing cleanses of all types for a couple years now. I even did a 10 day water fast to try to heal. My time is still eaten up doing FIR Sauna, Coffee Enemas, meditation, Oil Pulling...you name it. Its a pretty lame lifestyle for sure.

Since my labs are attached, I will simply list my symptoms and ask if any of you are going through something similar. i started a compunded cream TRT at 100mg/day on July 24th..so I am still under a month. I also added 10,000 IU of Vit D due to the low levels attached.

Symptoms:
Crushing Daily Fatigue - Napping each day and going to bed at 9pm
Eyes - Dry, irritated, light sensitive, fatigued, slightly out of focus
EMF Sensitivity - This one is rare I know...but I have it bad
MCS - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Chills - Bone deep, muscle chills upon exertion or when drinking caffeine or if I get scared by something
Inability to loose weight, sitting at 240lbs now with history of being over 300 and as low as 180 after the waterfast
Unmotivated


Anyone think I am on the right track with TRT?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Welcome to our site.

Can you pinpoint anything that happened in 2011 when you started feeling this way?

Your testosterone was low, but you started TRT already. I am looking forward to seeing the new number. Many guys have to use T creams with 200 mg/mL (200 mg per day) to get TT over 700 ng/dL, so keep that in mind. How do you feel now after a while on TRT?

I am assuming that you got a sleep apnea study, right?

Do you suffer from allergies (sinus, etc)?

Your TSH is high. There may be some sub-clinical hypothyrodism. Your symptoms also point to that direction. Chris can add more info on his thoughts on your thyroid values.

Your salivary cortisol does not look bad (a little higher than normal in the evening).

I do not trust salivary hormone levels (except cortisol) for any diagnosis, so won't comment on those.

I would love to see your iron and ferritin blood levels. Your high TSH and symptoms may indicate that there may be an issue related to mild anemia.

If everything above does not lead to answers, I would get tested for Lyme disease and also have my immunoglobulins checked.

 

[Vettester Chris]

I'll post more later tonight, as I'm knee thick into other activities for a Monday ...

Real quick, you have some issues with your Reverse T3/ Free T3 ratio. Free T4 is around 74% of Ref Range, Free T3 is around 61% of Ref Range. The ratio indicates that your FT4 is converting heavier rates of RT3, which happens when FT3 is pooling, usually an indicator of an imbalance with (one or more) cortisol, iron, ferritin, D3, electrolytes .. I'll look at it closer when things settle down ...

Thanks for joining!

 

[HarryCat]

Chris, what do you make of that high TPO level?

 

[BlatantDisregard]

Hi,
I just want to start off by saying I truly don't believe anyone on these boards is out to mess with people and this has been a great resource for me and I am really happy I found this forum. Yet at the same time I'd like to just point out that when you post your labs and stuff I'd highly recommend blacking out your name, birthdate and any other identifiers. Being the salty cop, I've seen too many bad things happen when the wrong people get that stuff.

just want everyone to stay safe here. If I'm out of line I apologize.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Chris, what do you make of that high TPO level?

Yep, you hit it Harry. It looks like potential autoimmune issues at the enzyme level of the thyroid.

OP, what does your medical team say with these results. IMO, someone should be looking further into Hashimoto's. This can cause all sorts of havoc with the thyroid. Sometimes it can be diminished a bit just by supplementing with a fair amount of selenium and iodine (I prefer Kelp).

Tell us more about your symptoms if you don't mind, and if there's any family history with autoimmune disorders? Like Nelson stated, it would be good to also see your iron & ferritin (TIBC good as well).

Regarding your Cortisol. First, props for getting the right tests!! You did well with the 4x saliva for cortisol & DHEA, where the correlation can be reviewed. E2 & other assays are better determined with blood serum, which Nelson had mentioned.

On your cortisol ... the rhythm of your circadian profile could probably show some improvement. In normal cases, you might want to see the morning result in the very top end, then steadily decline in the middle "zone" of the range, then down to the lower end of the range as the day progresses. Your morning range is low (By Dr. Lam's standards), then it drops to the bottom end for Noon, then a spike over the ref. range at 6:00PM, then it's on the low end (but that looks like it was done at 9:00PM?). The DHEA appears to be low (noted by your age).

Again, going by what I've read with Dr. Lam, it appears you are somewhere in possibly in a Phase 2 - Adapted w/DHEA Slump, or even possibly Maladapted Phase I. Under stress, the body is requiring "more" cortisol, this is where you start to get into the Pregnenolone Steal subject, where more pregnenolone converts to cortisol, less to DHEA, thus seeing a decrease in DHEA. There's a TON of stuff out there on this, and for the moment it's just discussion and speculation. However, I would highly encourage you to read more on this subject, look into further labs (e.g., ACTH), and review it with a qualified physician.

Knowing you have high antibodies, plus cortisol/DHEA correlation appears to be imbalanced a bit, I would personally try to seek a doctor who will address both of these subjects, "AND" that will know how to treat both subjects (and others). Hashis can be treated and controlled, as can adrenal issues ... Both could be factoring each other?!?!. It's just getting to the root of what item(s) need addressed and resolved ...

 

[Vettester Chris]

And just to stress, I'm ALL for TRT (that's obvious with the nature of ExcelMale), BUT, it's not going to be a great source of benefit when other areas like the thyroid and adrenals are going through a litany of their own ordeals. In some cases, lack of Free T3 making it into the cells of the body will have an effect on ATP and energy thereof.

My belief being that a great portion of the endocrine system should be in relevant balance to ensure productivity with all the key hormones. I.e., we see over and over again where members and doctor's patients are having serious adverse effects when total and free test serums are in the upper limits, but E2 is very low or very elevated. The imbalance of one critical hormone can just as easily mitigate the benefits of another hormone, i.e., testosterone, from providing desired results.

 

[Sick in SLO]

Wow, guys I am in disbelief at the time you have spent on my thread! I have not used Forums before, and I intend to get back to you guys by tomorrow for sure. I did however think that I darkened the spots on my PDF that were personal but it looks like BlatantDisregard was able to see my name etc. Bummer, how do I delete that original lab posting?

Also, I was under the assumption that I would get an email when someone replies to my thread but none have been received so I just checked in real quick and saw all the responses. My settings are set to send me an email so I am not sure what is up there...

 

[Vettester Chris]

SLO, I removed your attachments so that you can touch up your originals, and do what you need for them. When they're ready, you "should" be able to just edit your post, then upload them again with the "Attachment" function. If not, just post them in the thread, I'll get them moved to the top of the page with your original post.

Thanks!

 

[Sick in SLO]

Hey Guys, I have read all of your responses and will answer each of your questions below ...

Q: Can you pinpoint anything that happened in 2011 when you started feeling this way?
A: I had just lost about 40 pounds following Tim Ferris's Slow Carb & Kettlebell swing fat loss routine. I also had a fairly recent lung infection that required multiple rounds of antibiotics. My wife had our second child in Feb of that year. Most Nauropaths have a theory that I freed up either tons of toxins or a dormant infection when I lost all that weight and my inability to detox left my nervous system flooded with the fat soluble toxins like mercury, plastic etc. I followed a LONG detox path which has helped a lot. My original symptoms floored me. I could not straighten any of my limbs due to tendonitis in ALL of them at once. Fears of ALS set me off on a year long Anxiety attack….so adrenal fatigue makes sense too. But I have been restful for a couple years so not sure how that still lingers.

Q: Your testosterone was low, but you started TRT already. I am looking forward to seeing the new number. Many guys have to use T creams with 200 mg/mL (200 mg per day) to get TT over 700 ng/dL, so keep that in mind. How do you feel now after a while on TRT?
A; I have more energy for sure, less napping, but the brain fog is a bit heightened…?

Q: I am assuming that you got a sleep apnea study, right?
A: You are the third to ask that in about 2 months, but no I have not. It would be a great time to do that since I hit my huge deductible already this year with an ER visit for a strange infection.

Q: Do you suffer from allergies (sinus, etc)?
A: Formerly yes, all my life. When this new illness took over in 2011, all that stopped when I cleaned up my diet. Also FYI I spent about 10 years partying very hard from college until I was about 32. I have not had a drink since 2007. It sure seems unfair to get this sick as a result of trying to get healthy!


Q; I would love to see your iron and ferritin blood levels. Your high TSH and symptoms may indicate that there may be an issue related to mild anemia.
A; Feritn was 183 on the very last line of the posted labs. It was right in the middle of the range! Also, with the high HCT and HGB wouldn't that seem like the opposite of anemia or am I misunderstanding that one?

Q: If everything above does not lead to answers, I would get tested for Lyme disease and also have my immunoglobulins checked.
A: Western Blot Lyme Negative in 2013. I am sure I have had immunoglobulins checked but don't remember the details. I wish I could privately send you my larger labwork profile but its pretty big!

Q; OP, what does your medical team say with these results. IMO, someone should be looking further into Hashimoto's. This can cause all sorts of havoc with the thyroid. Sometimes it can be diminished a bit just by supplementing with a fair amount of selenium and iodine (I prefer Kelp).
A: Yes! I was started on selenium recenty for the Hashimotos, but also told that my antibody level was SO low for hashis…like it was just starting or something. All prior blood work was normal on this front up until these. I have also read recently that iodine supplementation with Hashimotos can be damaging instead of helpful. I do see this subject debated though....

Q: Tell us more about your symptoms if you don't mind, and if there's any family history with autoimmune disorders? Like Nelson stated, it would be good to also see your iron & ferritin (TIBC good as well).
A: Ferritin was on the labs as mentioned above…very last line. Looked normal. Family history is riddled with cancer, alzheimers, parkinsons, diabeties (grandparents all dead from these). I have my 23& me DNA results that show poor methlyation genes too. But, I am determined to live healthy as I can!

I am VERY hopeful that TRT can help me feel more normal, and I know that one month is not a long testing period. My Free T was 4.9, isn't that super low? I gotta think I am on to something!

My next post in this thread will be my exact symptoms, the issues identified (like Low T, Low D, Overweight etc) and what I am doing for them. I can not tell you how thankful I am for your input gentlemen!!