Bobsyouruncle
New Member
I have been reading this great wealth of knowledge for a couple months and its finally time for my first post.
All labs by Quest D 50 years old 6' 225lbs
TT 633
FT Equ Dia 75 range 33-155
SHBG 52 <50
Estradiol sensitive 40 range <29
TH 1.3 range 0.4-4.5 will order autoimmune test next just to make sure
T3 Uptake 35 range 22-35%
Free T4 index 2.7 range 1.4-3.8
T4 7.6 range 4.9 10.5
Aldosterone 3 range <28
Renin 0.76 range 0.25-5.82
DHT 38 range 12-65
DHT free 1.99 range 0.62-3.38
FSH 5.3 range 1.4-12.8
LH 3.2 range 1.5-9.3 (this was 5.1 60 day ago)
Cortisol total 6.3 range morning 4.6-20.6
Cortisol free 0.21 range 0.07-0.93
ACTH 9 range 6-50
Symptoms cut and paste from google - all of these impact me and have slowly increased over the last 5 years or so but I noticed them starting 10-15 years ago. All previous Dr visit ended with, its in your head...take some SSRIs (which I am against specifically for men struggling with ED) and get in shape which I did and cleaned up my diet significantly. All my other labs have corrected to dead normal as a result of the effort...but I am stuck now.,
Additional symptoms possibly from low cortisol/aldosterone
So I have been prescribed Anastrozole and Fludrocortisone. The latter I understand, but the aromatase inhibitor has me concerned. Studies I have read report increased Ft and lower E2, but no confirmed symptom relief. I am also concerned this off label us is primarily to subdue the masses from "abusing" TRT not maintaining the health and function of men. I think it is utterly irresponsible not to have published Ft guidelines leaving us to shop around for help. I think Ft of 75 at 50yrs old with 10 years of struggling until blue pills no longer work is low. I am highly likely to grab a second opinion from Defy but wondered if the forum had any suggestions until I can meet with them.
My life has come to a halt...as stated to my primary and Endo...I am unable to work professionally in this condition, and my wife is gorgeous and I feel like I am dying a bit every day I am not intimate with her...I can't even sleep in the bed at this point.
I have more labs and details if needed. Opinions appreciated
All labs by Quest D 50 years old 6' 225lbs
TT 633
FT Equ Dia 75 range 33-155
SHBG 52 <50
Estradiol sensitive 40 range <29
TH 1.3 range 0.4-4.5 will order autoimmune test next just to make sure
T3 Uptake 35 range 22-35%
Free T4 index 2.7 range 1.4-3.8
T4 7.6 range 4.9 10.5
Aldosterone 3 range <28
Renin 0.76 range 0.25-5.82
DHT 38 range 12-65
DHT free 1.99 range 0.62-3.38
FSH 5.3 range 1.4-12.8
LH 3.2 range 1.5-9.3 (this was 5.1 60 day ago)
Cortisol total 6.3 range morning 4.6-20.6
Cortisol free 0.21 range 0.07-0.93
ACTH 9 range 6-50
Symptoms cut and paste from google - all of these impact me and have slowly increased over the last 5 years or so but I noticed them starting 10-15 years ago. All previous Dr visit ended with, its in your head...take some SSRIs (which I am against specifically for men struggling with ED) and get in shape which I did and cleaned up my diet significantly. All my other labs have corrected to dead normal as a result of the effort...but I am stuck now.,
- Lower motivation
- Reduced confidence
- Irritability
- Brain fog
- Mild depressive symptoms
- Lower libido
- Weaker erections
- Fewer morning erections
- Reduced orgasm intensity
- Lower energy
- Reduced strength
- Increased body fat
- Slower recovery
- Difficulty building muscle
- Gynecomastia unresolved from puberty and still around
- I think there is some testicular atrophy - don't have baseline to confirm
Additional symptoms possibly from low cortisol/aldosterone
- mild to moderate orthostatic intolerance (most noticeable after standing for 20min)
- HR increases upon standing anywhere from 20-40 BPM
- light activity doing dishes, vacuuming HR = 130
- Salt craving {i'm on 6-10g of salt per day to function)
So I have been prescribed Anastrozole and Fludrocortisone. The latter I understand, but the aromatase inhibitor has me concerned. Studies I have read report increased Ft and lower E2, but no confirmed symptom relief. I am also concerned this off label us is primarily to subdue the masses from "abusing" TRT not maintaining the health and function of men. I think it is utterly irresponsible not to have published Ft guidelines leaving us to shop around for help. I think Ft of 75 at 50yrs old with 10 years of struggling until blue pills no longer work is low. I am highly likely to grab a second opinion from Defy but wondered if the forum had any suggestions until I can meet with them.
My life has come to a halt...as stated to my primary and Endo...I am unable to work professionally in this condition, and my wife is gorgeous and I feel like I am dying a bit every day I am not intimate with her...I can't even sleep in the bed at this point.
I have more labs and details if needed. Opinions appreciated
