Estrogen lab question

[Vitamin_C]

My TRT doc is pretty good but does not do the sensitive estrogen test. My latest estrogen labs showed :

Estradiol 21pg/ml L (26-61)

Is there anyway to convert this to sensitive or no? would I actually be lower on the sensitive test pertaining to estrogen? I am on 10% t-gel at 100mg per day with 500 IU of hcg twice weekly. Doc and I just bumped up from 50mg daily to 100mg at 20% because free and TT were not moving up as well as we would like at 50mg. From his estrogen tests, I always seem to run on the low end of things.

 

[Vince]

VitC, if you're not on an AI and if you're feeling good. I wouldn't worry about it. You can run a lab ( sensitive test ) through discount labs http://www.discountedlabs.com/ and compare the two.

 

[Vince Carter]

The typically seen difference from ROCHE ECLIA to LC/MS/MS is that sensitive can be 10 points lower. In a very general sense, but specifically, it is always lower.

 

[CoastWatcher]

You can always obtain the sensitive test through Discountedlabs.com.

 

[ERO]

My TRT doc is pretty good but does not do the sensitive estrogen test. My latest estrogen labs showed :

Estradiol 21pg/ml L (26-61)

Is there anyway to convert this to sensitive or no? would I actually be lower on the sensitive test pertaining to estrogen? I am on 10% t-gel at 100mg per day with 500 IU of hcg twice weekly. Doc and I just bumped up from 50mg daily to 100mg at 20% because free and TT were not moving up as well as we would like at 50mg. From his estrogen tests, I always seem to run on the low end of things.

Something to consider: If your TRT doc was good - he/she would KNOW to use the right E2 test, right? I mean, that is very basic like 'TRT 101' basic. I would propose that you give consideration to getting a TRT doc that truly understands TRT and will partner with you in the process. This is why many of us here use and recommend Defy Medical.

 

[Vince Carter]

Speaking of they should know...Both Low T Center, and Renew Youth (a telemed similar to Defy), refused to give me sensitive tests.

 

[Vitamin_C]

I consider my TRT doc pretty good because he lets me have a lot of autonomy over my regiment and prescribes hcg, but yeah, he doesn't use the sensitive test. So my E numbers are probably actually lower than 21? I tend to not automatize to E and actually sit at the lower end of the E spectrum, my current TT is in the 540's on 50mg of T-gel, we upped it to 100mg daily now to see if we can crack into the upper end of the spectrum.

 

[Vince]

I consider my TRT doc pretty good because he lets me have a lot of autonomy over my regiment and prescribes hcg, but yeah, he doesn't use the sensitive test. So my E numbers are probably actually lower than 21? I tend to not automatize to E and actually sit at the lower end of the E spectrum, my current TT is in the 540's on 50mg of T-gel, we upped it to 100mg daily now to see if we can crack into the upper end of the spectrum.

That low of t ( 540 ) is the reason why your E2 is so low.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I consider my TRT doc pretty good because he lets me have a lot of autonomy over my regiment and prescribes hcg, but yeah, he doesn't use the sensitive test.QUOTE]

I understand your appreciative attitude, but, frankly, a doctor who doesn't use the sensitive assay simply isn't up to date on TRT practices.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Speaking of they should know...Both Low T Center, and Renew Youth (a telemed similar to Defy), refused to give me sensitive tests.

Curious, Vince, did you raise the issue? What was their reasoning?

 

[Vince Carter]

Renew said that's up to the Dr himself...???? With them you have a case manager that does everything and you have a FTF annually/locally with their physician. I would say that "well I'm paying for it so what's it matter...", but they wouldn't order it and I'd have to resist them shoving more Anastrozole on me. I'd buy those sens tests on my own though. They also have an antiquated treatment model.

With LowTCenter I was just learning my way, and that they're horribly antiquated with their once a week in the office requirements to not be able to question it much with them.

 

[Lancealot]

Renew said that's up to the Dr himself...???? With them you have a case manager that does everything and you have a FTF annually/locally with their physician. I would say that "well I'm paying for it so what's it matter...", but they wouldn't order it and I'd have to resist them shoving more Anastrozole on me. I'd buy those sens tests on my own though. They also have an antiquated treatment model.

With LowTCenter I was just learning my way, and that they're horribly antiquated with their once a week in the office requirements to not be able to question it much with them.

I agree with the LowT center assessment. I had a consult with them before and they do once a week injections, no hcg. I asked them why no hcg and they said it cost to much and your testes would only shrink a little! I also asked them if I could self inject at home and they said no, to much danger for abuse. As stated, there model of treatment is a terribly out of date TRT method.

 

[DDD]

I have struggled with trying to stabilize estrogen. I've had different blood tests, some using the sensitive assay and others using the standards. It's been difficult to compare the two. I've noticed that sometimes when I'm in the high 30s and low 40s even on the standard test I have symptoms of E2 and it affects libido. Is that normal? Would some of you mind sharing what are some of the symptoms you've experienced with higher and lower E2? For me, the symptoms seem to be pretty similar.

 

[ERO]

The symptoms are very similar. in addition to lowered libido, high E2 can include itchy/painful nips, water retention, flushing. Do you have any of those?

 

[DDD]

No, the only symptoms I've experienced with high/low E2 are the libido, arousal, and softer erections. My nipples actually become less sensitive. Under normal circumstances, I get aroused when my wife touches them. But with high/low E2, the sensitivity isn't there.