Hello. I came here to ask some advice/opinions on this certain situation. It is actually about my father who is 60 years old of age. He has been complaining about fatigue, some depression and host of other symptoms (that usually might pop up as your age goes up) and first his GP prescribed him antidepressant (SSRI). He took it for about 3 weeks and quit because of it worsened his sleep quality and generally didn't really like the idea of taking that. So I have been dealing with my own (partially hormonal) issues in past so I have some knowledge on stuff like this. So I asked him to ask his doctor to test his testosterone levels. And turns out they came back quite low.
His LH levels were mid-range, total testosterone was 11 nmol/l (which converts to 317 ng/dl) with SHBG of 24 nmol/l so his free testosterone was quite low which would explain his symptoms, he also carries quite a bit of fat in his midsection (otherwise normal, fairly tall and skinny body). His other bloodwork like liver enzymes, kidney function, PSA levels etc. were normal. Blood glucose is in the pre-diabetic range but it has not changed for several years. He also always has had his red blood cells at the very low end of reference ranges, still in range though. So I wrote him a list of commonly done bloodwork that is done pre-TRT to request from his doctor.
Now apparently his GP has agreed to a 3 month "trial" of TRT with Testosterone Gel because he agrees his T levels are low. Now I am no expert here but isn't that a bit rushed, I dont know the full story yet but I guess his GP didn't want to check anything else now pre-TRT but to do some labs in like month or two after this "trial". Only thing he did agree to test BEFORE the teraphy was his estrogen, E2 levels. But there was several other blood work on the list. He has not started it yet but I think has the prescription. I have yet to have asked did his doctor mention possible estrogen control etc.
Other worth mentioning things are that he has had triple bypass surgery few years ago after suffering a minor heart attack. So he takes quite a few medications for blood pressure, blood thinner, cholesterol medication.. One thing I also noticed that he takes as prescribed is spironolactone. Isn't that medication some type of androgen receptor blocker/anti-androgen?
What do you think of this situation, he is very vary of questioning his doctor because he agreed to the TRT trial with gel so he don't want to mess it up and so forth..
Long post but I appreciate any insight someone might have!
His LH levels were mid-range, total testosterone was 11 nmol/l (which converts to 317 ng/dl) with SHBG of 24 nmol/l so his free testosterone was quite low which would explain his symptoms, he also carries quite a bit of fat in his midsection (otherwise normal, fairly tall and skinny body). His other bloodwork like liver enzymes, kidney function, PSA levels etc. were normal. Blood glucose is in the pre-diabetic range but it has not changed for several years. He also always has had his red blood cells at the very low end of reference ranges, still in range though. So I wrote him a list of commonly done bloodwork that is done pre-TRT to request from his doctor.
Now apparently his GP has agreed to a 3 month "trial" of TRT with Testosterone Gel because he agrees his T levels are low. Now I am no expert here but isn't that a bit rushed, I dont know the full story yet but I guess his GP didn't want to check anything else now pre-TRT but to do some labs in like month or two after this "trial". Only thing he did agree to test BEFORE the teraphy was his estrogen, E2 levels. But there was several other blood work on the list. He has not started it yet but I think has the prescription. I have yet to have asked did his doctor mention possible estrogen control etc.
Other worth mentioning things are that he has had triple bypass surgery few years ago after suffering a minor heart attack. So he takes quite a few medications for blood pressure, blood thinner, cholesterol medication.. One thing I also noticed that he takes as prescribed is spironolactone. Isn't that medication some type of androgen receptor blocker/anti-androgen?
What do you think of this situation, he is very vary of questioning his doctor because he agreed to the TRT trial with gel so he don't want to mess it up and so forth..
Long post but I appreciate any insight someone might have!
