So I got some additional blood work done, which shows my testosterone level has risen a little bit. Still no change on my symptoms though. I have also noted a spike in my TSH level, however I believe this is because of iodine supplementation (50mg p/d). I tried asking the nurse to cross it off the list, but she insisted we test for what the doctor asked.
I noticed that I neglected to include my ft3 and ft4 levels in my previous post. It seems that the ft4 level (14.6 pmol/L) is considerably higher than my ft3 level (4.4 pmol/L). Could this indicate an issue with ft4 > ft3 conversion?
On a more positive note, going to see a knowledgable and enthusiastic doctor this friday. Hopefully he can shed some light on my situation.
April 2017 results (from above)
Testosterone Total - 14.2 nmol/L (8.0 - 38.0)
Free Test (Calc) - 306 pmol/L (250 - 720)
SHBG - 30 nmol/L (15 - 100)
E2 - 54 pmol/L (< 130)
FSH - 2.0 IU/L (1.0 - 14.0)
LH - 3.0 IU/L (2.0 - 14.0)
Prolactin - 285 mIU/L ( < 390)
TSH - 2.2 mU/L (0.50 - 4.4)
FAI 47.3 (14.0 - 65.0)
Free T3 - 4.4 pmol/L (2.0 - 7.0)
Free T4 - 14.6 pmol/L (8.2 - 22.0)
rT3 - 330 (140 - 540)
Albumin - 46 g/L (35 - 50)
May 2017 results
Testosterone Total - 17.7 nmol/L (8.0 - 38.0)
Free Test (Calc) - 376 pmol/L (250 - 720)
SHBG - 29 nmol/L (15 - 100)
E2 - 103 pmol/L (< 130)
FSH -1.8 IU/L (1.0 - 14.0)
LH - 5.0 IU/L (2.0 - 14.0)
Prolactin - 305 mIU/L ( < 390)
TSH - 9.6 mU/L (0.50 - 4.4)
FAI 61.0 (14.0 - 65.0)
Free T4 - 11.3 pmol/L (8.2 - 22.0)
Albumin - 48 g/L (35 - 50)
Quite different to my results in April.
Edit: Seen the doctor yesterday. He prescribed 1ml androforte 5% daily, applied to the scrotum. I’m need to check back in with him after a month. He said he would also be willing to put me on injections.
I am a little reluctant to start taking it though, maybe I am scared of committing to this for life. He didn’t mention any long term commitments like that and said when I wanted to have kids we could stop the TRT and do HCG. He mentioned that TRT speeds up the MPB process and also prescribed me 1.25mg finasterate daily. Doesnt this drug go hand in hand with low testosterone? He said it would be fine because we’re monitoring my levels.
Is this something I can trial for a month, then stop if it doesn’t work for me? What is the likeliness of TRT fixing my symptoms: shrivelled penis and testicals, low sex drive, high body fat around my waste and fatigue (among others).