Post Concussion blood test

[beesknees]

Hey new to the forum, I believe this is the right place for this. I am a 25 year old male generally healthy, although I have had some digestive issues and am very active and eat well. I had a serious concussion 3 months ago. After the concussion my Libido, energy and morning erections were diminished or all but gone. I lost a lot of upper body mass, lost confidence and generally felt like crap. This is along with all the other normal post concussion symptoms. All of the above mentioned has more or less stuck around after the 3 or so weeks of post concussion syndrome was over. I am hoping to interpret the testing i had done and get my life back. I don't have much pre concussion testing to compare this too so I am unsure If I damaged my pituitary or this is normal for me. I added reference ranges when they were available, also I am in Canada so measurements may be different.

t4/ 13.8pmol (11-22)
Estradiol 47 pmol/l
FSH 5 iu (1-18)
LH 3iu (2-9)
Testosterone 13.2nmol/l (8.4-28.7)/
Using an online free and bio available testosterone calculator (i used average albumin levels since they weren't tested i got (free test)1.43% Bioavailable test 33.5%
t3 4.9 pmol/l (3.5-6.5)
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies <28U/ML (<60)
DHEA 5.0 nmol/l
SHBG 55.6 nmol/L
IGF1 197 mg/L
Prolactin 11 ug/l (2-18)
There was other blood work but I don't think it is relevent

The doctor said Test, LH,FSH are low, SHBG is high, estradiol and IGF1 is ok. He also said DHEA is high but could be because of high cortisol, apperently DHEA go's up to counteract cortisol. He didnt mention the other tests. I don't know a lot of endocrinology but seems like Test is low and high shbg is making available test even lower. My understanding is that LH and FSh stimulate test and originate in the pituitary which is what can be damaged during a concussion. I only have a single test for testosterone for comparison from before I believe it was total testosterone and was about 650-700, this was 2 years ago. Any input is helpful

 

[Vince]

Welcome to ExcelMale, as you probably already know brain injury can cause low testosterone. If you do start TRT, here are the before and after test you should have. Suggested Lab Tests and Questions Before and After Initiation of Testosterone Replacement https://www.excelmale.com/forum/thr...ole-trimix-etc-fact-sheets-on-excelmale.1804/

 

[beesknees]

Thanks Vince, I believe that would be a last resort after all other methods of fixing the problem were exhausted. For starters I am not exactly sure if these levels were caused by the concussion. I am hoping someone with more knowledge than myself can help me interpret what all the levels mean in relation to each other and what that says about my hormonal status. I. Also I am going to try and get an appointment with a endocrinologist

 

[ERO]

I would not hold your breath for an endo - as in general, they seem to provide some of the worst TRT advice and protocols we see on this forum. (there are always exceptions of course) Seek out a TRT specialist if you can. One that is not just trying to sell you on treatment, but one that really understands the process. I know you are in Canada so Defy Medical cannot prescribe for you, but they could do a consult and evaluate your blood work and symptoms and help you understand the best next-steps.

 

[Vince]

Omega-3 fatty acids as a putative treatment for traumatic brain injury. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23363551
Providing omega-3s after an injury may help provide the nutritional foundation for the brain to begin the healing process itself.
http://www.brainhealtheducation.org/omega-3-protocol/

 

[beesknees]

Thanks for the info, I have been doing Omega 3's, coq10, Huperzine A. Apparently all helpful post concussion. Also thanks for the tip ERO, good doctors in any field are few and far between in my experience