CoastWatcher
Moderator
Initial values: Total Testosterone: 2.0 nmol/L, (6.0-27.0)
Free Testosterone: 11.7 pmol/L (15.6-146)
Months of Androgel therapy failed to produce double digit readings for Total Testosterone and only raised the Free Testosterone level to 27.3.
Labs just prior to initiating Testosterone Enanthate.
Total Testosterone: 6.0 nmol/L, (6.0-27.0)
Free Testosterone: 27.3 pmol/L (15.6-146)
SHBG: 18 nmol/L (10-57)
IM enanthate began on 7 October. The following lab values were obtained six weeks later and represent my "trough" readings following six weeks of therapy (24 hours prior to next weekly injection).
Total Testosterone: 10.0 nmol/L (6.0-27.0)
Free Testosterone: 50.8 pmol/L (15.6-146)
SHBG: 26 nmol/L (10-57)
TSH: 0.69 miu/L (0.30-5.60)
Free T3: 4.5 pmol/L (2.9-6.0)
Free T4: 11.5 pmol/L (7.2-21.0)
My total testosterone seems ridiculously low for a trough reading after six weeks of therapy. It's true that my free testosterone nearly doubled and my SHBG climbed into the mid 20s (which I believe to be a good sign - please correct me if I am wrong). I must admit that I was stunned when my doctor reported these results; I had been feeling better, charged libido, focused concentration, minimal ED...but she (my doctor) was expecting to see a trough total in the 17.0 range. H
Her candor, and my surprise, has dampened my subjective response this week. The power of expectation has done a number on how I feel...and I know that is totally mental. But that is the picture.
Am I correct in thinking that's a bloody low trough? It seems that the free testosterone reading is pretty good, relative to what is was prior to injections, and the SHBG is (I think) a healthy range. Would dose-splitting be a possible response to this information? I'm to continue the current (100mg/wk) for six more weeks and we'll retest. As for how I feel, I hope the loss of libido is - indeed - temporary and will be restored in time as I understand what I'm dealing with.
Thank you for time and attention