Will TRT help me with these blood test results?

[Rkhal]

I posted on another forum as well, I hope it isn't considered poor form to post on here as well, just wanted to hear as many opinions/suggestions as possible before my next doctor visit

Had bloodwork at about 23 that showed low T, did not want to start TRT at that point as I had very few symptoms. 35 now and the low T symptoms are hitting me so had some new bloodwork done.

35 YO
6’3
180 lbs
VERY low bf
waist 31-32

Problems: fatigue, cuts heal very slow, trouble gaining muscle, starting to frequently get injured playing sports

I seem to be getting slight glucose intolerance (fasting glucose is still good due to diet/workouts), have been eating high protein, medium fat, low carb diet
here are my results:

LH 3.1 mIU/mL REF RANGE 1.7 - 8.6
TSH 3.750 uIU/mL REF RANGE .450-4.50
FT 6.2 pg/mL REF RANGE 8.7ng/dL - 25.1ng/dL (thus sub min.)
TT 529 ng/dL REF RANGE 264 ng/dL - 916 ng/dL
Estradiol sensitive 13 pg/mL REF RANGE 8 - 35
SHBG 82 nmol/L REF RANGE 16.5 - 55.9
PSA 0.4 ng/mL REF RANGE 0 - 4
fasting glucose- 91
BUN/Creatinine 27 REF RANGE 9 - 20
hematocrit 45.5 REF RANGE 37.5 - 51
Total Chol 151 mg/dL REF RANGE 100 - 199
Triglyc. 74 mg/dL REF RANGE 0 - 149
HDL 54 mg/dL REF RANGE >39
VLDL 15 mg/dL REF RANGE 5 - 40
LDL 82 mg/dL REF RANGE 0 - 99
T. chol/HDL ratio 2.8 REF RANGE 0 - 5

I have a consult next week at a TRT clinic. But I wonder if TRT is even something that would help me. I suspect that my problems stem from my low free-T/high SHBG, not so much my total T. So lets say TRT brings my total T from 529 to around 800 (the top of the range, REF RANGE 264-916). With my free T being so low can I expect TRT to bring that to the top of the range as well? Or would it likely be something where my total T can get to the top of the range but my free T even with an increase would still be low.

 

[Vince]

Supplementing with vitamin D3, will help. Read over this thread.
https://www.excelmale.com/showthread...d-their-levels
One larger injection of testosterone each week can suppress SHBG allowing both your Total and Free Testosterone to increase to better levels.
Some doctors will treat low free T with TRT but not many.

 

[CoastWatcher]

You wrote you are consulting a "TRT clinic." Be wary of any contract that you may be asked to sign. I certainly am not suggesting that all clinics in this field are working to capture unsuspecting patients and lock them into a financial straight-jacket, not by any means. However, we have had a number of members who did find they had fallen into such a trap.

 

[ratbag]

Also most hormone specialists will tell you a TSH over 2.0 means you are hypothyroid. You are well past that but in range so the average MD will tell you that you are just fine. While a hormone specialist will tell you your thyroid needs to be addressed. Remeber trhe most import part of understanding this all is the the average MD knows nothing about your hormones. They only look at lab results and do nothing else. Hormones are not so simple and if they were every MD would be an expert at making you feel well. But this is not the case so be sure you are going to see someone who specializes in just hormones and this is likely to be a private specialist who does not accept insurance. Look at DEFY (site sponsor) for example.

 

[Rkhal]

You wrote you are consulting a "TRT clinic." Be wary of any contract that you may be asked to sign. I certainly am not suggesting that all clinics in this field are working to capture unsuspecting patients and lock them into a financial straight-jacket, not by any means. However, we have had a number of members who did find they had fallen into such a trap.

I did my labs with Defy and I have my consult with them next week so I am confident I am good hands given the their reputation on here. Thanks for the heads up though.

 

[Rkhal]

Supplementing with vitamin D3, will help. Read over this thread.
https://www.excelmale.com/showthread...d-their-levels
One larger injection of testosterone each week can suppress SHBG allowing both your Total and Free Testosterone to increase to better levels.
Some doctors will treat low free T with TRT but not many.

I had a blood test about 12 years ago, I did not keep the results. I do remember my TT was actually lower at that time, it was barely over 400 and my FT was higher but still on the low end of the range. The doctors tried to restart me once with HCG and once with clomid but it did not help. They suggested TRT but I did not want to go on TRT at such a young age. I actually felt WAY better then with lower TT and slight higher FT. I hope you are wrong that most doctors will not try TRT with me for low free T. Really even my TT isn't quite in the mid range and I'm only 35.

I started taking D3 as per your advice and the thread you posted, I am in Florida and always in the sun so I don't think I was deficient there but I'm willing to try anything at this point.

 

[Vince Carter]

I think most responses here are on target, I believe Defy will treat low Free T which is a direct result of your very high SHBG, and your Thyroid def needs some further testing and possible treatment.

 

[RLW]

I started trt about 6 weeks ago with Defy. Prior to starting my labs were somewhat similar to yours. Free T exactly the same and total T around 500. I'm 39.

They will put you on trt with those numbers if that is what your looking for. I was unsure at the time but at this point I'm extremely happy I decide to do it. Obviously you will need to evaluate your situation and decide if it's right for you.

 

[Rkhal]

How was your shbg/estrogen? Are you feeling better?

I am definitely looking for trt, ive tried everything else for the last 12 years and going so long with low T is starting to cause health problems.

 

[RLW]

Estradiol was 20 and SHGB was 37 if I remember correctly so not totally the same situation as yours.

Previous to starting trt I had some of the same issue as you. I would sleep great and wake up feeling fresh but come mid afternoon I would pretty much take a nap daily. Doing a leg workout that would be a warm up a few years ago would leave me sore for days. And like you I felt like doing activities that were pretty normal for me I would always get muscle strains and it didn't make any sense. I really was having these issues for a couple years but because my sex drive was high I just figured my testosterone was probably normal.

A few weeks after starting trt I was seeing changes. I haven't taken a nap in weeks. I can work my legs and feel normal the next day. Basically I just feel normal which is what I was shooting for. So far very happy with it.