Help Decipher Labs - Very Low E2

[Vettester Chris]

I dont believe RT3 is a stand alone test, sure you can order it singly, and it might still be helpful but I *think* that that one has to be run concurrent to the others.

x2 on this ... You need to run ratios with RT3/FT3, which needs to be on the same lab draw.

Being your FT3 is at the very top end of the reference range, there could be concern for pooling, as noted by VC. Especially comparing against FT4, which is under 50% of the reference range. If you are taking Cytomel (T3 only), it would/could make sense. If you're taking NDT and/or T4 Only, or taking no meds, I'd be looking to make sure T3 Pooling isn't an issue.

I don't see any iron serum, sat/TIBC, and ferritin labs either? That and a full cortisol run would also give a better perspective on the thyroid.

 

[Nate]

Working on it guys. I'll add stuff as I can. I'll get iron and RT3 next round, (with maybe a 8am cortisol). The labs costs, I'm know it's my health we're talking about but labs take cash, not wants.

 

[Nate]

Not taking any thyroid meds.

What can be done about T3 pooling if I have that problem?

 

[Vince Carter]

Not taking any thyroid meds.

What can be done about T3 pooling if I have that problem?

I think the reason Chris mentioned Iron and Ferritin is that deficiencies there can be related to T3 pooling

 

[user_joe]

I had practically zero e2 as well but lower lh and fsh and of course test.

I dnt start to reslly see the benefits of trt until I was on 140-150/wk single injections which aromatize a little more. I would increase your dose some.

 

[Vettester Chris]

I think the reason Chris mentioned Iron and Ferritin is that deficiencies there can be related to T3 pooling

Exactly right, Vince! Nate, this where the thyroid gets a little complicated. T4 converts to T3 ... In short, T3 needs iron & cortisol (glucose thereof), plus various electrolytes for being transported to the cells, and for being active with receptor sites at the cells, ATP synthase, mitochondria, & cell proliferation / regulation. When FT3 isn't making it to the cells, it "Pools" or builds up, and the body will regulate a higher conversion rate and production of RT3.

Since you don't take meds, I would usually hope to see T4 and T3 serum levels relatively close to each other in the reference ranges. Your FT4 is at 45% of reference range, FT3 is at 95%! That's a big gap, and a possible indicator that T3 is getting stuck.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Not taking any thyroid meds.

What can be done about T3 pooling if I have that problem?

Read the post above, but essentially you would need to find the culprit and/or deficiency, and get it resolved. RT3 can be problematic for many reasons, as noted from my previous post, plus it increases when you get sick, have an infection, stressed, severely fatigued, etc., anything that puts the body in a state of conserving energy. Now you know what the body is doing when you have the flu.

 

[Nate]

I'll have to wait a bit to get thyroid tested again, with RT3. But, I may be able to go get iron and ferritin tests sooner as they aren't as much. But I have question about cortisol.

There is an expensive 24 hr salivary cortisol test which would have to wait. Or there is a cortisol blood test that's cheaper, but it looks like blood is taken at 8am and again at 4pm. It's a 3hr round trip to lab, not including the wait at lab. Would doing the 8am blood test only be worth while? (By the way it looks like the salivary test requires 2 trips to lab also for pickup and drop off--what a pain.)

Thanks for the thyroid lessons.

 

[Nate]

User Joe: that was my initial reaction after seeing labs: up the test. It stands to reason that single injections weekly would aromatise more. Do you feel mood swings or anything?

 

[Nate]

Interesting that no one has commented about my high LDL. Any recommendations? Could this be because of low E2?

 

[Vince]

Interesting that no one has commented about my high LDL. Any recommendations? Could this be because of low E2?

Quality of LDL will always trump quantity of LDL.


Prior animal pharm: Cardio Controversies -- Tale of 2 LDLs

 

[user_joe]

User Joe: that was my initial reaction after seeing labs: up the test. It stands to reason that single injections weekly would aromatise more. Do you feel mood swings or anything?

probably due to my somewhat low shbg I felt the up and then gradual down all week like that. I inject daily now at about 200/wk. every 3.5 days was fine also. Daily helped me get a handle on body acne and offered other slight improvements.

 

[meanbreen]

Your LDL is barely elevated and your Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio is excellent. Nothing to worry about there.

 

[Nate]

Thanks for the link Vince. It look like it may be over my head, but I'll try to chew thru it sooner than later.

 

[Nate]

But I have question about cortisol.

There is an expensive 24 hr salivary cortisol test which would have to wait. Or there is a cortisol blood test that's cheaper, but it looks like blood is taken at 8am and again at 4pm. It's a 3hr round trip to lab, not including the wait at lab. Would doing the 8am blood test only be worth while? (By the way it looks like the salivary test requires 2 trips to lab also for pickup and drop off--what a pain.)

Any opinions on cortisol tests?

 

[madman]

Quality of LDL will always trump quantity of LDL.


Prior animal pharm: Cardio Controversies -- Tale of 2 LDLs

Definitely as the LDL particle size is more critical regarding the negative aspects of cholesterol.