Initial lab results in

[Kevin Ensminger]

Hello everyone,

i posted my back story in the intro.

Symptoms and reason for blood work was low energy, libido, poor concentration, drive, and sleep. I'm 5'10 227 lbs.

Looking at my labs, my PSA does look a little higher than most I have seen on here. That is a bit concerning. I do have frequent urination, I drink lots of water, and discomfort while urinating.

My luteinizing hormone appears to be in good shape. Perhaps this would be primary hypogonadism? If so, doesn't seem like clomiphene would be advisable?

I have scheduled a appointment with Defy Medical for January 11.

Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Gene Devine]

Your labs are not that bad at all. Would have liked to have seen more hormonal and thyroid labs as you don't have a complete picture.

Total Testosterone and Estrogen serum concentrations are okay. However, your Free Testosterone is very low. Would have liked to have seen SHBG labs.

Your conversion to E2 is fine but if you present with elevated SHBG that would explain why Free is so low...and quite honestly most likely the case.

You'd probably need to go to a TRT Clinic to increase serum Testosterone levels as I don't think to many general practitioners would prescribe with your levels given how uneducated they are.

You didn't mention how old you are?

 

[Kevin Ensminger]

I'm 40 yrs old. Post labs, I have learned about symptoms of hypothyroid. From time to time throughout the day, I will occasionally get cold hands and feet, though it is certainly not constant. I generally prefer a warmer indoor temp than most. Seems like maybe I should get that checked also before the appointment. Thanks.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I'm 40 yrs old. Post labs, I have learned about symptoms of hypothyroid. From time to time throughout the day, I will occasionally get cold hands and feet, though it is certainly not constant. I generally prefer a warmer indoor temp than most. Seems like maybe I should get that checked also before the appointment. Thanks.

You're a Defy patient, it should be no trouble getting the appropriate lab orders. So, thyroid and SHBG - was prolactin measured?

 

[Kevin Ensminger]

Prolactin was not measured. I will add that one to the list. Thanks.

 

[Gene Devine]

Thyroid at least should include: TSH - FT4 - FT3 - RT3 - Antibodies. Dr. Saya will order these for you.

 

[johndoesmith]

Ouch, this is a tough one. Total is rather low end, not the lowest though. E2 is absolutely fine, not high or low, it's just that pesky free testosterone.

SHBG must be pretty high, but also free testosterone assays are somewhat unreliable IMO.

Could you elaborate on your symptoms?

Do you have to pay for your labs or does your insurance cover them? I'd ask them. This way you can get a much more comprehensive panel ran without worrying about cost.

If not then I'd consider a retest, total, free, SHBG, prolactin, LH, FSH, TSH, free T3, and free T4 would be a good panel.

 

[Kevin Ensminger]

I don't have insurance, so yes, lab costs are a concern. I will be getting the the thyroid and shbg tested for sure.

As as far as more specific symptoms, I generally start my day out with decent energy but tire out within a few hours. An afternoon nap is not uncommon. My memory and focus can be downright awful. It is not uncommon for me to think of something I want to search on google, for example, only to forget what I was going to look for by the time I get to google 10-15 seconds later! That is the most alarming thing for me. Libido frequency, sustainment have dropped. Can't remember the last time I had morning wood. I am completely happy to sit on the couch all day. I never used to be that way. I basically feel like a shell of myself.

 

[johndoesmith]

I don't have insurance, so yes, lab costs are a concern. I will be getting the the thyroid and shbg tested for sure.

As as far as more specific symptoms, I generally start my day out with decent energy but tire out within a few hours. An afternoon nap is not uncommon. My memory and focus can be downright awful. It is not uncommon for me to think of something I want to search on google, for example, only to forget what I was going to look for by the time I get to google 10-15 seconds later! That is the most alarming thing for me. Libido frequency, sustainment have dropped. Can't remember the last time I had morning wood. I am completely happy to sit on the couch all day. I never used to be that way. I basically feel like a shell of myself.

Certainly makes it harder to do so with the lab test cost constraints IMO.

Honestly, you don't exactly sound low test, sounds more like a possible sleep disorder. Dr Saya will treat you well.

That memory thing is fairly common: "The duration of short term memory seems to be between 15 and 30 seconds, according to Atkinson and Shiffrin (1971). Items can be kept in short term memory by repeating them verbally (acoustic encoding), a process known as rehearsal." - http://www.simplypsychology.org/short-term-memory.html

I imagine when you go to google something, the distraction from rehearsing the thing you're trying to search causes you to forget it.