aloetard
Unofficial Disciple of Cataceous
high blood sugar that damages blood vessels, NOT high HDL
I think you meant to type last word as LDL not HDL.
high blood sugar that damages blood vessels, NOT high HDL
I was put on statins due to high cholesterol. I'm open to listening if you think I should get off them.The truth is they are only guessing that statins affect libido by "lowering testosterone" and it is the most stupid guess possible because they think libido = testosterone, while in reality libido is governed by gazilion factors outside testosterone.
Your triglicerides are low excellent which means you don't eat lots of carbs. Why do you take statins? The risk for cardiovascular disease is due to carb consumption, high blood sugar that damages blood vessels, NOT high LDL.
1 or 2?I should also note that I've been on ozempic for 1-2 years now
Why do you take semaglutide?.anastrazole / clomid, the ozempic,
I could certainly feel that it messes with my brain. Mood dropped. If you asked me which one to stop first....Why do you take semaglutide?.
The anecdotes and case reports for ED/libido are plentiful.
If he wants a provocative test I'd recommend hCG (500 IU twice weekly) or hCG with AI and call me in 6 weeks haha. Should be fun. But he has a lot going on there.I'm also not convinced that clomid longterm is without side effects.
Looking at your list, I think I can understand why you are searching for something that can possibly make you feel better.Here is a list of all my medications and supplements. My libido has fluctuated starting 2 years ago and worsened ever since. Basically dead over the past couple of months.
Jesus I never knew it was so many lol. It might be tempting to blame it on any one of the medications, but it's important to factor in the timing into the context. I've been on many of these for many years and the more recent ones only started a couple of months ago. My sex drive issues are 1-2 years long. The only things that coincide perfectly with my libido changes are the anastrazole / clomid, the ozempic, and some of the OTCs like CoQ10, fish oil, and vitamin D.
- Ozempic: 2 years.
- Statin: maybe 5 years+.
- Seroquel (likely getting off); newer but taken after sexual side effects had already been there.
- Lamotrigine: almost a decade.
- CoQ10: 2 years.
- Fish Oil: 2 years.
- Vitamin D: 2 years.
- I took boron complex, DHEA, and stinging nettle based on Dr. Saya's recommendation for a few months to see if it helped with libido. My DHEA increased but I didn't see any improvement. I've been off them for a month or two now.
- Minoxidil (topical): 5-7 years.
- Minoxidil (oral): less than a month.
- Prevacid: less than a month.
- Clomid: back on for less than a month.
I take ozempic for weight loss. I have an eating problem.
In the past, I have noticed that whenever I'm restricting calories, my libido drops, which is normal. But it recovers shortly after (even if I don't increase my calories). My guess is that, for those who say ozempic reduced their libido, it wasn't the ozempic itself but rather the calorie restriction. I'm open to stopping the ozempic, though, just to see what happens. It would be foolish of me to rule it out altogether.
I guess I'm surprised that no one views the pattern of higher SHBG and lower free T as the main issue. Even though they're not significantly high and low, it really does appear to show a pattern compared to previous labs. Even Dr. Saya said so. Do others agree with @sammmy that the calculator is correct whereas the labs are wrong on free T?
Age category (years) | Median mFT (ng/dl) | 95% mFT reference range (ng/dl) |
18-29 (n=140) | 12.0 | 6.7-25.3 |
40-49 (n=207) | 8.1 | 4.3.14.2 |
50-59 (n=146) | 7.1 | 3.8-12.8 |
60-69 (n=126) | 6.4 | 3.4-11.7 |
70-79 (n=125) | 5.6 | 2.7-8.7 |
Man I love it when madman uses cFTV. Sends a chill up my spine!I would tread lightly when it comes to the methods/assays used when testing free testosterone.
You never even had your FT tested using an accurate assay.
Big mistake here.
The only way to know where your FT level truly sits is to have it tested using what would be considered the most accurate assay Equilibrium Dialysis especially in case of altered SHBG.
Based on some of your results it may seem that way but unfortunately you never had your FT tested using an accurate assay which would be the gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis, Defy should know better!
Unfortunately many doctors let alone clinics are still out to lunch when it comes to testing free testosterone!
Even then if we take your results (TT, FT and Albumin) from each test over the last 2 years let alone the ones which seemed low and use the linear law-of-mass action cFTV your FT would be healthy/high and not low even with your highish/high SHBG.
If we take your most recent labs and plug in your robust TT 753 ng/dL, highish SHBG 44 nmol.L and Albumin 4.7 g/dL your FT 13.7 ng/dL would be healthy.
To put this in perspective most healthy young males would be hitting a FT 10 ng/dL tested using the gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis assay (most accurate) or a cFTV 13-15 ng/dL and this is a short-lived peak to boot!
Trough would be 20-25% lower.
More importantly a FT in the low 20s whether cFTV or standardized ED assay would be high!
-----
* Albumin 4.7 g/dL
- Total T: 753
- Free T: 8.75 (used to 15-16 before clomid)
- DHT: 43
- Estradiol: 18
- SHBG: 44 (used to be 37 before clomid)
- E3: not measured. Should I get it measured?
View attachment 47174
Direct Measurements of Free Hormones Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods
Only at Excel, are we gonna take you deep! Clinical Utility and Analytical Aspects of Direct Measurements of Free Hormones Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods (2022) Mark M. Kushnir, Heather A. Nelson, and Kelly Doyle Background The free hormone (FH) hypothesis states that hormone...www.excelmale.com
Age-stratified reference ranges for directly measured (ED LC-MS/MS) serum free testosterone in healthy men
Just to be clear up any confusion this is Fiers camps data for mFT reference ranges not the harmonized reference range being worked on by the CDC. *Serum samples were analyzed from healthy men participating in the SIBLOS/SIBEX and EMAS studies, both population-based cohort studies * mFT...www.excelmale.com
Dad now son at 19 low t
I got DX at 40 years old with secondary hypogonadism and have been on trt since. I remember I had lowish LH and FSH. Tried clomid which brought up LH moderately but did not bring up my testosterone enough. Also felt not well on it. I believe I have some primary and secondary. Because I have a...www.excelmale.com
Comparability of Free Testosterone Measurements- Results of the Interlaboratory Study
Assessment of free testosterone (FT) has been recommended as a biomarker for diagnosis and management of hypogonadism and female hyperandrogenism. Reliable laboratory measurements are essential for correctly diagnosing and treating these diseases. FT is currently measured using direct commercial...www.excelmale.com
High Total T, High SHBG, Low Free T (natural)
28M, active - lift weights and do cardio, 13% body fat, natural I've been experiencing low libido (lack of sexual thoughts, no morning erections) and a general tiredness where I feel like I can't get enough sleep for a few years now. I asked my Dr for a testosterone test a few years back and...www.excelmale.com
Testosterone Blood Test Results - Time of Day?
I have taken two blood tests over the last two weeks with very different results. I appreciate levels fluctuate all the time from day, week, month and clearly hourly, so getting a consistent results is almost impossible. I was very surprised at the difference in levels! Test 1 - taken at...www.excelmale.com
Understanding the Variations of LH, FSH, and Testosterone: Implications for Diagnostic Accuracy
Understanding the Variations of Reproductive Hormones: Implications for Diagnostic Accuracy Reproductive hormones play a crucial role in the functioning of the human body, influencing various physiological processes and reproductive health. Recent studies have shed light on the complex nature of...www.excelmale.com
I guess I'm surprised that no one views the pattern of higher SHBG and lower free T as the main issue. Even though they're not significantly high and low, it really does appear to show a pattern compared to previous labs. Even Dr. Saya said so. Do others agree with @sammmy that the calculator is correct whereas the labs are wrong on free T?
Your reported FT labs appear a mix the "direct" IA and other methods. If you go back and look you should be able to tease out what lab was what. You can definitely compare them all if you share what was what and make sure you get your units right.
Thanks for the detailed reply @madman . And yes, @aloetard I'm willing to put in the work!
How would I go about getting this test. Is it this? Quest Diagnostics: Test Directory