New member seeking guidance

[270wsm]

After reading this site I'm confused at to what my blood results should be. My blood tests have different ranges than what I see you guys post. And my doctor says everything is fine. But I suspect something is still off.

 

[270wsm]

Can someone with experience tell me if my labs are ok?

 

[FeelingLost]

Different labs use different ranges it's no biggy.
If I had numbers like yours I would be looking elsewhere if you are feeling something is wrong.

 

[Vince]

If I'm understanding you You're not on TRT and your levels are good, but you don't feel right? My next step would be a complete thyroid panel. With Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and Thyroid antibody.

 

[Mountain Man]

I doubt if those numbers warrant TRT. No responsible doctor is going to give you TRT. If “something feels off” means you don't feel right, then I'd look at your lifestyle and diet. Giving age, height, weight, body fat percentage and diet/exercise habits will,give us better info. I think too many guys do analysis paralysis with bloodwork and should look at lifestyle, diet, exercise, and sleep. If these are not dialed in, then of course you won't feel right. You might have to roll up your sleeves and do some hard work. Without giving us this info, anything we suggest is speculation. Your numbers are excellent, so I suspect that something behavioral like what I am asking about is where to begin.

 

[270wsm]

If I'm understanding you You're not on TRT and your levels are good, but you don't feel right? My next step would be a complete thyroid panel. With Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and Thyroid antibody.

Im sorry. I wasn't very clear. I am on TRT. I've been on .6 ml/ week of test cyp for about 4 years. The last two months I've been doing .3 twice a week sub q based on reading the good results doing it like that. Those labs are only a week old. Does my SHGB seem low or is it ok? My Free T3 is high at 5.8. T4 is borderline low. TSH is 1.5 My blood pressure is a little high. I have brain fog most days. And I'm having trouble losing weight.

 

[Vince]

Im sorry. I wasn't very clear. I am on TRT. I've been on .6 ml/ week of test cyp for about 4 years. The last two months I've been doing .3 twice a week sub q based on reading the good results doing it like that. Those labs are only a week old. Does my SHGB seem low or is it ok? My Free T3 is high at 5.8. T4 is borderline low. TSH is 1.5 My blood pressure is a little high. I have brain fog most days. And I'm having trouble losing weight.

Your shbg does look low, but injecting twice a week should help. Are you on any thyroid meds?

 

[270wsm]

No thyroid meds.

 

[Vince]

I'm not sure what to tell you but hopefully others would chime.

 

[270wsm]

Thank you.

 

[Systemlord]

My blood pressure and heart rate always are elevated when estrogen gets high, your SHBG is low enough where you should be injecting EOD. My SHBG is higher than yours and TRT doesn't completely resolve all of my symptoms unless I inject 20-25mg EOD. Estrogen management is important more so for low SHBG guys as most of our testosterone is free and unbound, if estrogen is high it will feel as if TRT isn't working. Also low thyroid function will also make it seem TRT isn't working and can make you feel worse.

High estrogen for me equals brain fog, low SHBG men can't tolerate much estrogen at all. You need to shoot for 20 pg/ml do to most of it being free.

Do you have remaining symptoms?

.3ml from 100 or 200mg vial? It's the different between 30mg from 100mg vial and 60mg from 200mg vial.

 

[madman]

After reading this site I'm confused at to what my blood results should be. My blood tests have different ranges than what I see you guys post. And my doctor says everything is fine. But I suspect something is still off.

View attachment 4960

Your shbg is low but your total t is descent at 656.02 range (205.00-781.00 ng/dl) and your bio-available t is in a good range as well as your % free t is slightly high over range and if you feel good overall regarding relief/improvements of low t symptoms and overall well being than no need to worry.

Mind you if you are not feeling good on your protocol than you may need to look into dose/injection frequency due to your low shbg.

Where do you live and as far as e2 you need the sensitive assay to truly know where your estradiol sits as high e2 can cause many negative issues regarding ed/libido/mood/...............excess water retention which can increase ones blood pressure!

See it is the TMS for estradiol you are near the high end and due to your low shbg this may be too high for you.

 

[270wsm]

My blood pressure and heart rate always are elevated when estrogen gets high, your SHBG is low enough where you should be injecting EOD. My SHBG is higher than yours and TRT doesn't completely resolve all of my symptoms unless I inject 20-25mg EOD. Estrogen management is important more so for low SHBG guys as most of our testosterone is free and unbound, if estrogen is high it will feel as if TRT isn't working. Also low thyroid function will also make it seem TRT isn't working and can make you feel worse.

High estrogen for me equals brain fog, low SHBG men can't tolerate much estrogen at all. You need to shoot for 20 pg/ml do to most of it being free.

Do you have remaining symptoms?

.3ml from 100 or 200mg vial? It's the different between 30mg from 100mg vial and 60mg from 200mg vial.

My test is 200mg/ml

 

[270wsm]

Your shbg is low but your total t is descent at 656.02 range (205.00-781.00 ng/dl) and your bio-available t is in a good range as well as your % free t is slightly high over range and if you feel good overall regarding relief/improvements of low t symptoms and overall well being than no need to worry.

Mind you if you are not feeling good on your protocol than you may need to look into dose/injection frequency due to your low shbg.

Where do you live and as far as e2 you need the sensitive assay to truly know where your estradiol sits as high e2 can cause many negative issues regarding ed/libido/mood/...............excess water retention which can increase ones blood pressure!

See it is the TMS for estradiol you are near the high end and due to your low shbg this may be too high for you.

Thank you. I will ask my doctor to do an E2 ultra sensitive. I will likely request a more thorough thyroid panel too

 

[Vince Carter]

Really the only thing I see has been noted, wrong Estrogen testing, should be (Ultra) Sensitive LC/MS/MS. Also note the Thyroids in post #4 from my friend Vince but add to those: TSH

 

[Systemlord]

My test is 200mg/ml

Your protocol is wrong for someone with SHBG well below 20, that's why you feel something is off. That's pretty much how I feel injecting 50mg twice weekly, all symptoms resolved expect sexual function even with excellent numbers.

Your doctor can't look at a bunch of numbers are determine you're fine when you say otherwise, you know your body better than he does. I dislike doctors who based decisions based solely off the numbers. His knowledge in SHBG is lacking, most experienced doctors would have placed you on EOD injections year ago.

 

[270wsm]

Well I just started the twice a week sub q about two months ago. Maybe I need to give it time to make changes? Is sub q better than IM ?

 

[Systemlord]

Well I just started the twice a week sub q about two months ago. Maybe I need to give it time to make changes? Is sub q better than IM ?

Two months is enough time to see changes, you've been on TRT for 4 years, it's not just like you started TRT. Most here will tell you that your protocol is wrong given your SHBG level and is the reason you results have been mediocre. The difference between dealing with an experienced doctor and not is 4 years wasted on the wrong protocols.

I was lucky enough to find out I wasted a year on the wrong protocols, my doctors didn't have a clue about proper protocols and is why my results are mediocre. Luckily I figured everything out on my own.

SQ versus IM, everyone is different.

 

[270wsm]

Thank you 👍🏻

 

[madman]

Thank you 

There should be no difference regarding absorption/effectiveness whether one chooses to inject sub-q vs im, and all that should matter is which method is easier/causes the least amount of discomfort to the individual.

Either way once injected the oily solution forms a depot in adipose (sub-q) or muscle tissue (im).