Doc wants me to start AI, says my free T and estrodial is high

[roadglide]

Had my follow up today. Doc says since my free T is high that my SHGB must be extremely low. No lab was done for SHGB. Wants me start an AI. I was kind of surprised. I thought Free T was a good thing. For some reason it doubled from my previous lab. The only difference is that I took my DHEA as normal. Previous lab I did not take it.

T=756...................348-1197
Free T=26.7..........7.2-24
Estrodial=38.1......8-35
DHEA=695.7.........71.6-375.4

Labs done 4/6/16 after only one month on cypionate. I was not taking DHEA for this lab.

T=790
Free T=14.3
Estrodial=39.5
DHEA=297

 

[MG123]

Did the doctor run a CBC? If so, what are your RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin numbers like? Are you having high E2 symptoms? Also, what is your protocol?

 

[James]

Had my follow up today. Doc says since my free T is high that my SHGB must be extremely low. No lab was done for SHGB. Wants me start an AI. I was kind of surprised. I thought Free T was a good thing. For some reason it doubled from my previous lab. The only difference is that I took my DHEA as normal. Previous lab I did not take it.

T=756...................348-1197
Free T=26.7..........7.2-24
Estrodial=38.1......8-35
DHEA=695.7.........71.6-375.4

Labs done 4/6/16 after only one month on cypionate. I was not taking DHEA for this lab.

T=790
Free T=14.3
Estrodial=39.5
DHEA=297

Although upstream, don't know DHEA has as strong an effect on free T in men as it does in women. His comment about how your shbg must be extremely low is kind of silly. Just test for it and find out. I added DHEA about 7 weeks ago and I'm fully expecting to see higher E2 numbers on the my next blood draw. I don't expect to see an increase in FT.

 

[ERO]

Was the E2 test the sensitive assay? If not, I would definitely not start an AI based upon these results - unless you have blatant high E2 symptoms like sore nipples. That and definitely check your SHBG. I mean, very high Free T is the logical result of low SHBG but better to find out than to guess.

 

[roadglide]

Did the doctor run a CBC? If so, what are your RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin numbers like? Are you having high E2 symptoms? Also, what is your protocol?

RBC=5.17.....................4.14-5.80
Hemoglobin=15.7........12.6-17.7
Hematocrit=47.3..........37.5-51.0

No E2 symptoms.

 

[roadglide]

Was the E2 test the sensitive assay? If not, I would definitely not start an AI based upon these results - unless you have blatant high E2 symptoms like sore nipples. That and definitely check your SHBG. I mean, very high Free T is the logical result of low SHBG but better to find out than to guess.

No it wasn't. Makes me wonder why E2 sensitive and SHGB isn't included in standard follow up labs.

 

[Vince Carter]

High Free T is indeed a good thing but there is a line of thought in HRT that the target isn't Total T but Free T and that's what some Dr's will focus on the most. Different way of thinking that doesn't necessarily mix with what we see around here.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Free testosterone presents notoriously unreliable test results. Different methods of obtaining a value and less than stellar consistency. In the absence of sensitive estradiol and SHBG scores I would hold fast. You can obtain both through Discountedlabs.com.

 

[roadglide]

So I'm going to have E2 sensitive done and SHGB. I'm assuming that I want to do this lab at my normal lab time before injecting Monday morning. Is that right guys?

 

[roadglide]

Free testosterone presents notoriously unreliable test results. Different methods of obtaining a value and less than stellar consistency. In the absence of sensitive estradiol and SHBG scores I would hold fast. You can obtain both through Discountedlabs.com.

Thanks and I'm planning on it. Already ordered labs.

 

[Vince Carter]

Yes I'd do those tests in your usual trough and I do them "fasting" but it's not required that i know of. Like Coasty said Free T is usually a calculation of Total T and Albumin values, IIRC.

http://www.issam.ch/freetesto.htm

 

[James]

Thanks and I'm planning on it. Already ordered labs.

Yes for E2 and while you're at it, yes for shbg.

 

[roadglide]

Had my follow up today. Doc says since my free T is high that my SHGB must be extremely low. No lab was done for SHGB. Wants me start an AI. I was kind of surprised. I thought Free T was a good thing. For some reason it doubled from my previous lab. The only difference is that I took my DHEA as normal. Previous lab I did not take it.

T=756...................348-1197
Free T=26.7..........7.2-24
Estrodial=38.1......8-35
DHEA=695.7.........71.6-375.4

Labs done 4/6/16 after only one month on cypionate. I was not taking DHEA for this lab.

T=790
Free T=14.3
Estrodial=39.5
DHEA=297

So after two plus months on the AI I have some lab results from my PCP. Labs were drawn on Tuesday Morning after a Monday morning injection. I did labs for my HRT Doc today before my next injection and should have results in a few days. Some of the labs done by my PCP have a different range. So I'm not sure how they compare. Like I said I should have more comparable labs in a few days.

TESTOSTERONE, FREE (QUEST)

Result2.45

Unitsng/dL

Reference Range0.87-5.47

TESTOSTERONE (TOTAL)

Result886 High

Unitsng/dL

Reference Range175-781

SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN

Result34.0

Unitsnmol/L

Reference Range19.3-76.4

ESTRADIOL

Result34

Unitspg/mL

Reference Range>< 57

 

[Vince Carter]

Wrong Estradiol test so I'd wait to see what else you have coming.

 

[johndoesmith]

Had my follow up today. Doc says since my free T is high that my SHGB must be extremely low. No lab was done for SHGB. Wants me start an AI. I was kind of surprised. I thought Free T was a good thing. For some reason it doubled from my previous lab. The only difference is that I took my DHEA as normal. Previous lab I did not take it.

T=756...................348-1197
Free T=26.7..........7.2-24
Estrodial=38.1......8-35
DHEA=695.7.........71.6-375.4

Labs done 4/6/16 after only one month on cypionate. I was not taking DHEA for this lab.

T=790
Free T=14.3
Estrodial=39.5
DHEA=297

That reference range does seem like the sensitive test from labcorp.

If you're not having high E2 symptoms I wouldn't take an AI. There's no need to unless you're having high E2 symptoms.

So after two plus months on the AI I have some lab results from my PCP. Labs were drawn on Tuesday Morning after a Monday morning injection. I did labs for my HRT Doc today before my next injection and should have results in a few days. Some of the labs done by my PCP have a different range. So I'm not sure how they compare. Like I said I should have more comparable labs in a few days.

TESTOSTERONE, FREE (QUEST)

Result2.45

Unitsng/dL

Reference Range0.87-5.47

TESTOSTERONE (TOTAL)

Result886 High

Unitsng/dL

Reference Range175-781

SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN

Result34.0

Unitsnmol/L

Reference Range19.3-76.4

ESTRADIOL

Result34

Unitspg/mL

Reference Range>< 57

Wait, why are you testing the day after injection? What is your protocol? You should test trough, day of injection but before injection.


Wrong E2 test this time, so I'd imagine you may actually be low on E2 if that's your peak, and it's a standard test.

 

[roadglide]

That reference range does seem like the sensitive test from labcorp.

If you're not having high E2 symptoms I wouldn't take an AI. There's no need to unless you're having high E2 symptoms.



Wait, why are you testing the day after injection? What is your protocol? You should test trough, day of injection but before injection.


Wrong E2 test this time, so I'd imagine you may actually be low on E2 if that's your peak, and it's a standard test.[/COLOR]

The labs I had done by my PCP was primarily for basic physical stuff and I just asked him to throw in hormone labs for grins. The labs I did for my HRT doc were done Monday morning before injecting.

Yea I'm a little confused on the AI and why the Doc wants me to take it so bad. I didn't have any symptoms and don't feel any different since I been taking it. Except maybe gym performance has weakened, but yesterday I had a strong workout so who knows?

Thanks for the input!

 

[Vince]

I'm really surprised how AI lowered your free T. I agree with everyone, you don't need an AI.

 

[johndoesmith]

The labs I had done by my PCP was primarily for basic physical stuff and I just asked him to throw in hormone labs for grins. The labs I did for my HRT doc were done Monday morning before injecting.

Yea I'm a little confused on the AI and why the Doc wants me to take it so bad. I didn't have any symptoms and don't feel any different since I been taking it. Except maybe gym performance has weakened, but yesterday I had a strong workout so who knows?

Thanks for the input!

Your doctor is being a bit premature in treating E2. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, at least he's willing to treat E2!

I personally wouldn't want to be on an AI if I didn't have high E2 symptoms. The less drugs the better!

 

[roadglide]

Thanks guys we'll see how it goes in a few days when I get my labs back and have my appointment.

 

[roadglide]

I'm really surprised how AI lowered your free T. I agree with everyone, you don't need an AI.

I'm not sure it lowered it. I'll find out when I get my Lab Corp results.