Low Free. New to the site.

[CaptianCurious]

Hello everyone.

I was on trt for a few years and came off to try and have kids. We have one on the way, so I'm weighing my options and thinking about going back on.

Labs from a few months ago:

Labcorp

Total T 570 246 - 916 ng/dl
Free T 7.3 8.7 - 25.1 pg/ml LOW
SHBG 69 16.5 - 55.9 nmol/L HIGH

So, obviously I have the free T and bioavailable T (calculates to 170) of a 60 year old. My labs were pretty similar 5 years ago. I've tested everything else a dozen times or so and it's fine. I've been high shbg, which I think is just the body's attempt to conserve T due to low production. Estrogen is low too, and I don't have diabetes.

I feel okay but I do have typical low T symptoms: low ambition, mediocre energy, mentality languishing, and a noticeable dip in my libido for the first time in my life.


Thoughts on if this warrants trt?

It's a pleasure to meet everyone!!

 

[Vince Carter]

Some Dr's might treat your Free T but the legit diagnosis is tied to your Total Test which is above that cutoff, so I don't know how you get past that part of things. What about a return to your previous Dr etc etc

 

[Systemlord]

Welcome CaptainCurious,

Low LH might get a diagnosis when Total T is in range and have low Free T.

You ask if these levels warrants TRT, if you felt improved symptom relief and where on a reasonable protocol while on TRT, than the answer is an easy one.

All one need to see is Free T is below ranges and symptoms are present.

 

[CaptianCurious]

thanks for responding.

@Vince. Yes, I could go back to the old doctor. There's also Defy medical and a few other shops.

I did feel better before, although the this time around I would like a lower dose - 120 vs 180 /week. So I am a bit worried that what I remember as an improvement is from a supraphysiological boost and not just from correcting an inadequacy.

It is gradually creeping lower as time goes on, so it seems to be a question of when rather than if.

 

[Systemlord]

thanks for responding.

@Vince. Yes, I could go back to the old doctor. There's also Defy medical and a few other shops.

I did feel better before, although the this time around I would like a lower dose - 120 vs 180 /week. So I am a bit worried that what I remember as an improvement is from a supraphysiological boost and not just from correcting an inadequacy.

It is gradually creeping lower as time goes on, so it seems to be a question of if rather than when.

I'm very happy with Defy Medical, it seems every consultant we discuss a path to improve upon in optimizing my health.

As of right now given your levels studies are showing men with low Free T have more aggressive prostate cancer and cardiovascular problems.

 

[Vince Carter]

If any one might treat based on Free T I think that Defy would be the best choice.

 

[CaptianCurious]

and I do know that a low Total is a stronger diagnosis but I do think I probably do have low T signalling.

Tinkering with an online free T calculator, my bio and f are equivalent to under 400 total if my shbg would be 25-40.

In fact, once, we tried danzolol for a few weeks to lower shbg, and that's exactly what happened - my shbg declined to 30 but the total just came down to under 400 or something. It didn't seem to affect overall production.

 

[CaptianCurious]

Yes, I've seen studies like those. That's why I'm looking into it. I'm not just trying to bulk or have some porn star sex life. In fact, I specifically don't want those things.

But if I do need it, I'll find someone who understands my argument.

 

[wsj357]

Hello everyone.

I was on trt for a few years and came off to try and have kids. We have one on the way, so I'm weighing my options and thinking about going back on.

Labs from a few months ago:

Labcorp

Total T 570 246 - 916 ng/dl
Free T 7.3 8.7 - 25.1 pg/ml LOW
SHBG 69 16.5 - 55.9 nmol/L HIGH

So, obviously I have the free T and bioavailable T (calculates to 170) of a 60 year old. My labs were pretty similar 5 years ago. I've tested everything else a dozen times or so and it's fine. I've been high shbg, which I think is just the body's attempt to conserve T due to low production. Estrogen is low too, and I don't have diabetes.

I feel okay but I do have typical low T symptoms: low ambition, mediocre energy, mentality languishing, and a noticeable dip in my libido for the first time in my life.


Thoughts on if this warrants trt?

It's a pleasure to meet everyone!!

Any private doc will take you on. Your free t is below and at your age it should be higher. Don’t expext insurance to pay for anything. Private is ten times better anyways.

 

[CaptianCurious]

Thanks for the insight guys.

I am trying to double check to see if a group of people familiar with the issues think it's as big an issue as I do.

Cheers

 

[Vvs1]

Thanks for the insight guys.

I am trying to double check to see if a group of people familiar with the issues think it's as big an issue as I do.

Cheers

Yes, your free T is very low, and it is a huge issue.

I had an appt with Dr Calkins from Defy and he put it blunt that my low free T was definitely a problem and he has a let's fix it attitude.

Once you have labs and a physical, you can get an appointment in a few days. You can add labs at a discounted price and he'll review them all with you.

 

[CaptianCurious]

thanks Vvs1. I might go with Defy.

I'm an American living in London but I do make trips back to the US frequently. I could go to Dr. Hertoghe in Belgium.

Hertoghe prefers gels (I think) and the American docs usually use enanthate. I would love to try 260 mg of Undecanoate every two weeks but that's very nonstandard.

It's generally legal to import a short-term individual supply in the UK, but still, I'd prefer to stay on the "right" side of the medical establishment.