Blood Tests, Two Low Tests and One Normal test while on Testosterone Boosters

[sm22]

Hi All,

For the last 8 years, I have been suffering from brain fog, low libido, low motivation, head pressure and tiredness. The first couple of years I went to numerous doctors- family medicine, ENT, 2 neurologists, sleep apnea. No one was able to figure out what was wrong and not one doctor mentioned testosterone or anything to do with hormones. The only time I would feel normal would be after working which would only last a few hours and I just got used to feeling like crap and relied on naps and caffeine to get thru the day. For some reason, I decided to look into testosterone a few months ago and got hooked up with an online mens clinic. They had me go in to take an afternoon blood test, I then went to an endocrinologist and got tested. Both were low and I got prescribed testosterone cypionate 80mg twice a week and hcg once a week. I decided to hold off from taking the testosterone and HCG as my wife and I are actively trying to have a second kid. We didn't trust the TRT clinic nor the endocrinologist. I decided to start taking a couple of testosterone boosters from the Vitamin Shoppe, hoping that it would help with libido so that we could try to conceive. After taking the testosterone boosters we visited a local TRT/Mens Health Clinic in Minneapolis. This was the only test that my total testosterone came back in normal ranges but I am wondering if it was due to taking the testosterone boosters as I was getting emotional while taking them and my SHBG and Free T were both low. Here are my three tests in the order that I took them. My question is can the testosterone boosters increase my total testosterone and SHBG while keeping my Free T low.

I am 36 years old, CrossFit Enthusiast, 6'1 and 235 lbs, and muscular.

Test Results- Online Mens Clinic- Late Afternoon

Testosterone Total - 204 - (264-916)

% Free Testosterone(Dialysis) 1.3 - (1.5 - 3.2)

Free Testosterone- 27 - (52 - 280)

LH- 2.4 (1.7-8.6)

FSH- 2.3 (1.5-12.4)

Prostate- .6 (0.0-4.0)


Test Results- Endocrinologist- Fasted Morning Test

SHBG - 38 (13-74)

Testosterone - 215 (200-745)

Testosterone, free- 3.8 (3.1-12.8)

Testosterone, Bioavailable- 89 (71.7-300)

LH- 1 - (1-12)

FSH - 2.1 - (1-12)

A metabolic panel, prolactin, prostrate specific antigen, and hemogram all came back normal.


Test Results after taking Testosterone Boosting Supplements. Local Mens/TRT Clinic

Testost SerPl-mCnc 538 ng/dL 250-827 ng/dL Normal

SHBG SerPl-sCnc

52 nmol/L

10-50 nmol/L

High

FTc

8.49 ng/dL

12-20 ng/dL

Low

 

[Systemlord]

This was the only test that my total testosterone came back in normal ranges but I am wondering if it was due to taking the testosterone boosters

No, Test boosters pray on the desperate and don’t actually boost anything other than profits. Had you not taken the Test booster, the results would have been the same, a naturally daily fluctuation.

 

[Systemlord]

My question is can the testosterone boosters increase my total testosterone and SHBG while keeping my Free T low.

SHBG can change in isolation, increasing the Total T and Free T may not change much at all.

 

[sm22]

I took two weeks off of the testosterone booster and took another fasted morning test that was ordered by the endocrinologist. Here are the results.

SHBG- 44 (13-77)
Testosterone- 183 (200-745)
Testosterone Free- 2.9 (3.1-12.8)
Testosterone Bioavailable- 67.9 ( 71.7-300)

 

[JmarkH]

Testosterone - 215 (200-745)

Within range does not mean "normal." While DHEA can help, no supplement is going to be able to fix that low of a low T. Most clinics will work with you on a protocol that will allow you to conceive. example: a SERM [enclomiphene] with HCG. If the clinic is any good, they should be able to discuss this with you.

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

A few things...
- Test boosters are notorious for having unlisted compounds in them. Something viagra-esque is the most common but Clomid is likely to be another common substance, so they may have been helping, but if you are going to take clomid (or enclomiphene) you would want to know the dose so you can control it. That would also explain some moodiness.
- It's a longer discussion but from what I know of crossfit, it would be a good thing to do if you want to depress your Testosterone and possibly cause other issues similar to what you have. Try switching to a less systemically taxing form of training and keep the HIIT brief. Some brief sled work no more that once a week until your issues resolve should suffice for the HIIT. Do no sets to failure. I've seen nothing but benefits since I made similar changes.
- HCG is pro-fertility, but it is generally not combined with Clomid.
- I would get with a clinic like Defy that knows the hormone topic inside and out
- Get the book Perfect Health Diet and make that your nutritional home base.
- Work with a holistic doc to check you for other issues such as some form of long-term infection and/or other things that could cause similar symptoms such as thyroid problems.