High SHBG, Low BioAvailable T - Options?

[kmarcetjr]

Hi there, I just joined this forum hoping that someone here can give me a little understanding about some test results I just got back.
When I went to me doctor about a week ago for my annual checkup I told him I was feeling ab normal, tired, no energy, muscle weakness, no middle of the night erections and just a general run down kind of feeling. The blood work he ordered for that visit all came back normal. I was thinking in the back of my mind it was low t, so I asked him about that he said it's possible but not too likely at my age, I'm 44. Anyway he agreed to send me for some more blood work, total test, free test, bio available and shbg levels. I just got the results back from quest, my doctor appointment to follow up those tests is next week.

Here are the results from quest diagnostics and the normal range:

total testosterone 685 range 250 to 1100 ng/dl
free testosterone 49.0 range 35-155 pg/ml
bio available test 98.6 range 110 - 575 ng/dl
sbhg 70 range 10 - 50 nmol/l

So my total test is ok, and even free test is in the normal range, but my bio available is low. Is that because the shbg is high? Is a low bio available testosterone level part of the cause of my symptoms? Is there a treatment for this imbalance?

Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Vince Carter]

Yes all your T is bound up with SHBG. Some Drs will treat low FREE T with TRT but that's outside the norm.

 

[kmarcetjr]

Yes all your T is bound up with SHBG. Some Drs will treat low FREE T with TRT but that's outside the norm.

So if my doctor doesn't want to treat my symptoms with TRT what are other options?

 

[Vince Carter]

Find a new Dr or live with it.

 

[kmarcetjr]

Find a new Dr or live with it.

Really? Well I think I would try to find a new Dr., I just want to feel like myself again. I have never felt this tired, run down and worn out in my entire life, even when I worked 16+ hours a day doing 2 jobs.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Really? Well I think I would try to find a new Dr., I just want to feel like myself again. I have never felt this tired, run down and worn out in my entire life, even when I worked 16+ hours a day doing 2 jobs.

Were there any other labs run? Can you tell us where you live? Many, perhaps most, doctors are going to be unwilling to address your concerns. We can offer referrals should you need them.

 

[Vince Carter]

I'd refer you to Dr Saya maybe he'll visit your thread with some insight. You can't lower SHBG in and of itself.

 

[Vince]

Supplementing with vitamin D3, will help. Read over this thread.
https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?2311-SHBG-who-has-successfully-lowered-their-levels

 

[Gman86]

I also have high SHBG, around 50-55, and my total testosterone needs to be at least 1200 for my free and bioavailable testosterone to be in a healthy range. Free and bioavailable testosterone is what matters. If those are low, you are going to feel the same as someone with a total testosterone around 200-300. TRT it is man. I would 100% call Defy. I've worked with two TRT doctors before Dr. Saya, and he is a god amongst men when it comes to TRT lol. I can't even explain how much better he was than my previous 2 doctors. Also, when my total testosterone gets up around 1200, my SHBG goes down to around 38, just from the testosterone boost, no other drugs required.

 

[Gene Devine]

SHBG can be lowered with the use of an androgen like Testosterone. One larger injection each week will suppress SHBG allowing both your Total and Free Testosterone to increase to healthy youthful levels.

SHBG is one of those hormones that finds its own level in men; but if elevated it can biding up your Free Testosterone and become symptomatic as in your case.

You need to be on TRT injections once weekly to get the desired results.

 

[kmarcetjr]

Were there any other labs run? Can you tell us where you live? Many, perhaps most, doctors are going to be unwilling to address your concerns. We can offer referrals should you need them.

Yes other test were run here are the results
I live in Sarasota Florida.

 

[kmarcetjr]

SHBG can be lowered with the use of an androgen like Testosterone. One larger injection each week will suppress SHBG allowing both your Total and Free Testosterone to increase to healthy youthful levels.

SHBG is one of those hormones that finds its own level in men; but if elevated it can biding up your Free Testosterone and become symptomatic as in your case.

You need to be on TRT injections once weekly to get the desired results.

Well I am hoping I can convince my doctor to put me on TRT then, but I don't have high hopes for that. Honestly I would consider self administered TRT if I can't find a local Dr. that will work with me and TRT.

 

[CoastWatcher]

You're in FL, contact Defy Medical in Tampa. Not that location matters in this case, Defy is a site sponsor and one of the leading providers of medical care for men dealing with androgen issues. I'm not a patient, I live in Canada, but fully respect the work they do and the care they provide. Don't take my word for it - call them and ask them blunt questions. You won't be taken for a ride. Everything is disclosed up front. Then do the same thing with Prime Body, another site sponsor. Different models of practice, but equally as capable.

 

[kmarcetjr]

You're in FL, contact Defy Medical in Tampa. Not that location matters in this case, Defy is a site sponsor and one of the leading providers of medical care for men dealing with androgen issues. I'm not a patient, I live in Canada, but fully respect the work they do and the care they provide. Don't take my word for it - call them and ask them blunt questions. You won't be taken for a ride. Everything is disclosed up front. Then do the same thing with Prime Body, another site sponsor. Different models of practice, but equally as capable.

I am in FL but Tampa is an hour to hour and half away, too far to drive once a week for an injection of testosterone. I'll be looking for a Dr. within a half hour drive.

 

[Vince]

I am in FL but Tampa is an hour to hour and half away, too far to drive once a week for an injection of testosterone. I'll be looking for a Dr. within a half hour drive.

Patients inject their testosterone, not doctors.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I am in FL but Tampa is an hour to hour and half away, too far to drive once a week for an injection of testosterone. I'll be looking for a Dr. within a half hour drive.

No doctor who understands TRT requires in-office injections; we all inject at home. That's particularly important since the typical, contemporary protocol requires multiple injections per week (smaller amounts of testosterone, injected more frequently produce far better results).

 

[Vince Carter]

I didn't run to TRT as his numbers just dont really support TRT as an option a sympathetic Dr perhaps would treat his Free T but he's got a very small envelope for treatment with that TT at least.

 

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

I am in FL but Tampa is an hour to hour and half away, too far to drive once a week for an injection of testosterone. I'll be looking for a Dr. within a half hour drive.

With many of these trt clinics, including Defy Medical, you won't ever have to leave your city for any reason. The consulting is done via phone, and the treatments are self-administered. Blood work can be completed at any nearby facility. Incidentally, I happen to live within walking distance of the Defy Medical building.

 

[kmarcetjr]

Patients inject their testosterone, not doctors.

Oh well I have heard of Dr.'s that start patients out injecting them at their offices and then after a while clearing the patients for injecting themselves at home.

 

[Vince]

Oh well I have heard of Dr.'s that start patients out injecting them at their offices and then after a while clearing the patients for injecting themselves at home.

I've never had a doctor inject testosterone for me, I did watch many videos on the proper ways of injecting. I really had no problem right from the beginning.