What’s up guys.
So I know next to nothing about this process. I went in to get blood work because I’ve been struggling with fatigue, lack of sleep, low libido and a seeming inability to drop weight for as long as I can remember. Doc ran the usual blood work along with test and thyroid. Lo and behold my test was low. For reference, fertility is a concern of mine and I want to have kids in the future.
Total test - 216.9 (264-916 normal)
Free test (direct) - 8.0 (9.3-26.5 normal)
T4 free, direct - 1.29 (0.82-1.77 normal)
TSH - 1.040 (0.450-4.5 normal)
Triiodothyronine, free, serum - 3.4 (2.04-4.4 normal)
My PCP wants me to see a urologist to get his opinion and see what he recommends on how to proceed. He hopes it to be a one time consultation so he can continue the treatment himself thus saving me money. (My insurance only kicks in after a $5500 deductible so this is all out of pocket, with the exception of PCP visits)
Alternatively, I have a good friend on test and hcg concurrently to help with the infertility. He has a friend that runs a clinic where I can get all this done but itd be more expensive.
Basically I’d like to get this all done thru my PCP as it’s cheaper than going thru the clinic. But I also want it done right, so I will go to the clinic if necessary.
Are there any suggestions you guys have on how to guide the upcoming conversation with the urologist to help things progress properly and thus allow me to go thru my pcp? From some of the stories I’ve read on here docs can be pretty dense on this stuff so in addition to my own general research I’d like an opinion on the specifics regarding my blood work and how best to guide an opening convo.
Thanks
Don’t get hooked on these normal ranges and assume you’re fine within them, there far too broad with too many experiencing symptoms within them. If it weren’t so there wouldn’t be millions of people scouring the internet trying to find out why they feel so bad after their doctors tells them their fine for the fact that their in the normal ranges.
Your Total T and Free T scores suggest SHBG is on lower end, SHBG levels determine dosages and injection frequency. Be prepared for your urologist to suggest a path forward that counters everything you have learned here, it’s because doctors don’t cover male hormones in medical school and are way behind on how to properly administer TRT.
Most men will see mid to high normal testosterone injecting 50mg twice weekly injected Sub Q which can help with estrogen management, if this doesn’t work most low SHBG men find injecting smaller doses EOD to work well. Something your doctor should be concerned about is an estrogen blocker and HCG to maintain fertility keeping your testicles from pulling up into your scrotum which can be painful.
Thyroid labs look alright, best way to confirm thyroid status is by checking body temperatures using an oral glass thermometer for 5 minutes upon waking and 2pm at full rest for both. Best to do it on a day off where you’re expected to be laying around on the recliner watching Judge Judy.
If you need a referral for a consultation I know of two AAA doctors who do advice only consultations working with doctors around the globe.
Thanks sytemlord.
I’m going to check out the clinic this week and hopefully just get things rolling. I’m curious what the cause could be. Simple genetics, pituitary probs, or something else? I guess I’ll find out soon enough. Thanks again! I’ll update when I know more
It’s a growing trend worldwide and the cause is many, genetics, contaminated environment, eating heavily processed foods, pesticides, genetically alter crops and sedentary lifestyles. We humans used to do intermittent fasting naturally, we hunt, we kill, we eat. We didn’t sit around all day munching on food on the recliner watch TV, going to work sitting down for 8 hours.