Very Low E2 with High-ish T and SHBG???

[Space01]

Hey Guys,

I hope you can help me sort out my blood work. From what I can tell my testosterone tends be not great, but decent, but my SHBG tends to be slightly high and my E2 very low. My T looks to have crashed, but recovered somewhat recently. I exhibit pretty much all the signs of low T, but I have some other issues that may be causing my symptoms or just adding to the agony of the hormone issues.

I know my test levels are not optimal, but I wonder if my bigger problem is that my estrogen is so low? I have not gotten an ultrasensitive E2 done, but it seems that it will probably give me an even lower E2 number.

I don’t understand how my estradiol can be so low with high-ish testosterone and SHBG. Help interpreting my numbers below and what could be going on would be much appreciated!

 

[CoastWatcher]

Are you using any form of TRT at the present time? Do you have any other lab work (thyroid panel)? The more you can provide, including symptoms that you're experiencing, the more help the fellows here can provide.

 

[Space01]

Thanks CoastWatcher. No I am not using TRT and never have. My symptoms include fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, low of sex drive, lack of motivation, brain fog, memory problems, weight gain, hard to lose weight, hard to gain muscle. I do tend to have erections most mornings, so I do not fit the profile in that way. My back story is that I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome about 20 years ago and have never felt like I fully recovered. With reoccurring and increasing symptoms I recently went to a Naturopath (also an M.D.) who determined that I am reactivated for EBV, CMC & HHV-6 via antibodies in blood test. I also have certain MTHFR genetic SNPs that could be contributing to my symptoms. So, I'm trying to put the puzzle all together and figure out how my hormones may fit into the picture.

My Thyroid tests are below. Though my TSH is within the reference range, it appears to me that my thyroid is a tad sluggish also.

 

[Space01]

I should have added that I am 46 years old.

 

[Vince Carter]

I don't know how you can go about raising your E2, which seems to be problem #1 but all your other numbers disqualify your for TRT.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Estradiol should rise as testosterone levels increase if TRT is initiated. "E follows T." There are moderators on the forum with more experience and knowledge who, I am sure, can address these values in more detail.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Space, thanks for joining! Couple quick things ... I don't want you to think I'm discounting the E2 assays you've provided, but the gold standard to accuracy in serum measurement for men is the sensitive or ultra-sensitive assay. I suspect you will probably come back on the "low" end on one of those labs as well, but a Labcorp sensitive reading (which I believe has a Ref Range of 3-to-70 ..) will really give us thorough idea where your E2 really sits.

I can't make out the bottom labs for your thyroid; primarily speaking the Reverse T3 and Antibodies - TPO & TgAb. The FT3 doesn't show the Ref Range either, but most will be 2.0 to 4.4. If you can confirm these values, that will be quite helpful in the discussion. Interested to hear more about your MTHFR genetic profile analysis and any comments your physicians have provided. Any concerns with iron, ferritin, B12 & Lipids? Let me know .. Thanks!

 

[Vince]

Space01, before I started TRT if I wanted to raise my E2, all I had to do was take dhea.

 

[Vince Carter]

I'd definitely retest the Estradiol using the proper sensitive/ultrasensitive test and then ponder a course of action. That could absolutely be a lab error.

 

[davem]

Please, continue this thread. I fall into this same category. I have Low Estradiol (around 5) and High-ish SHBG too (upper end of normal). My T is good with 4 pumps of AXIRON (around 700) and I am muscular with low body fat (around 9%). 57 years old.
My bone scan shows osteopenia in my right hip too.
Should I try adding DHEA?

 

[Vince]

davem, I would definitely try dhea to raise your extrogen levels, maybe 10mg twice a day.

 

[davem]

Thanks for answering so quickly! Just to make sure I understand, you are saying to use both DHEA and AXIRON together?

 

[Vince]

daven, I never used axiron, I only injected and if it matters I have only injected in my shoulders for 14 weeks.