Do any of these labs look abnormal to you? The doctor tells me everything checks out, however, I haven’t felt the best for a long time. Four years or so. Lethargic, low libido. Haven’t gotten regular morning erections for years. Maybe 1 a week if that. My diet is good, my sleep is good as well. I strength train regularly.
If I could receive help from someone who is well versed in these I would greatly appreciate it.
Low AST can be vitamin B6 deficiency. Low IG levels indicates an immune system that does not functioning correctly.
I would feel like shit with potassium at 3.8.
That’s an impressive testosterone panel!
I’m 25 years old- those are all natural numbers. I’ve been experiencing what I thought were potentially low T symptoms (I used AAS on and off from 17-19, though always with proper regimen & pct) I had labs ran 7/19 and they showed a TT of 506ng/dl and Free T of 67.1pg/ml, and NA levels of 4.2mmol/L. Those labs were taken after about 9mo off AAS. Have not used since.
The current labs show that my test levels don’t appear to be the issue. The lethargy and low libido I’m experiencing aren’t making sense. Is estradiol a touch higher than what would be optimal? Can vitamin deficiency (b6, NA) really make that big of a difference for me? If you’ve experienced vitamin deficiency, could you enlighten me as to what your symptoms were?
I’ve also read a TSH level of 1 is optimal. Mine is nearly double that.
Normal labs. Looking into normal variation in labs will indefinitely lead to a dead end (wrong assumptions).
How are you feeling - psychologically - re mood, inspiration and initiative? Stress? Anxiety? Any experience of trauma in life? Are you satisfied?
Adding: Labs should be based and prescribed upon a proper anamnesis. Labs are used to rule out any questions or to confirm probable illness. In the pharma forum, labs seem to be the only thing that matters. I have yet to see a proper medical history presented. Symtoms of tiredness or similar accounts for 1/3 of all patients seeking a general practitioner. Based on my own experience in the field - a majority of these cases have a psychiatric foundation. Is anyone (are you) interested in working more with these type of questions?
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I’ve had a vitamin D deficiency, described as hellish, no libido, fatigue and feeling generally very poor. Same with iron deficiency, which you don’t have. My potassium deficiency was life threatening, the feeling of impending death and feeling bad.
I don’t believe your symptoms could only be from a potassium insufficiency, something else is going on.
You got the MCH, low IG and low AST all three could be pointing to a liver problem.
This estrogen level is ideal and healthy.
Your TSH is fine. The TSH end result is the T3, Free T3 values.
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Be careful. What makes you draw these conclusions? In my opinion, this seems to be randomly guessing. Do you realize labs are often connected, whereas you may also confirm a finding in other labs? A liver problem have a different look.
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From a physiological standpoint I’m the best I’ve been in years. I actually spent the last 51 months in federal prison and came home 3/20/24 on ankle monitor. I’m motivated and excited to do things, but I would say that my energy levels are low as far as physical activity goes. The only thing keeping me training is my discipline. I’ve felt this way for a long time, probably since 2021. Obviously prison is a very negative environment and I’m sure that contributed to how I felt to an extent. I haven’t been out of that situation all that long, but I’m in a good place now and my current situation is pretty stress free. I’m not presently in need of anything, nor am I anxious about the future. I’ve never taken any meds for mental health disorders in my life, and I’ve never been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Everyone experiences depression during incarceration and I’m certainly no exception. As for traumatic experiences nothing out of the norm- fights etc in prison but I wouldn’t say that anything I experienced bothered me. Based on your experience, assuming you are a psychiatrist or something similar, would you contribute my current state of being to something psychological vs physiological? I’m open to anything that that will potentially help me.
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My sister was actually diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency. My levels were at the low end of the range, but not out of range. I’ve wondered about supplementing vitamin D and seeing if that helps. What were your levels when you had your vitamin D deficiency vs after you corrected the problem?
I’m also curious as to why you think there’s a potential organ issue. My labs are out of range on this test but from reading online they would be in range on other tests.
Thanks for your open minded contribution! It’s good to hear you’re in a better place today, which indicates against any major psychiatric illness.
Three years is a long time feeling depraved of energy. This do seem to coincide with your time in prison, which may give a hint of the origin. You are definitely undergoing a major change - adapting to a “normal” life outside prison.
If we for a moment return to a physiological (somatic) aspect of your low energy - dietary aspects may be considered (and yes, even trace minerals or certain vitamins may be considered). How has your diet been like, and what is it like today?
Any other clues on your behalf as to what may be the reason?
My first vitamin deficiency was at 12, second 15 and third 17. It took my 2 years to figure out I can’t handle a vitamin D level above 25, which is considered deficient for most people.
I actually found out the iron supplements my doctor recommended 3 years ago because of the inappropriate daily and every other day TRT injection protocols, the excessive iron supplementation triggered the vitamin D deficiency the first time, caused by too much iron in the body which prevents vitamin D synthesis.
As my ferritin levels climbed higher, triggering more vitamin deficiencies no amount of vitamin D supplements could get me out of a deficiency, levels were unchanged.
After stopping my iron supplements two days ago, I can’t even handle vitamin D3 at 400 IU. I was deficient one week ago.
Okay so I had the labs ran 5 days after coming home. Doctor thought possible vitamin D deficiency. I honestly thought my low energy was a low T issue- resulting from previous AAS use or some sort of hormonal imbalance. Now, I’m not sure. I also thought my symptoms could be a result of nutrient deficiencies from eating prison food all that time but the labs have kind of ruled that out. After getting home, I logged what I ate for a couple of days to see where I was at. Eating 1800cal of healthy food was a real struggle, and led me to the conclusion that I had been under eating for a long time. I’ve been raising calories little by little. My current diet is this minus about 25g of protein and a little fat. Workouts are a little more productive I would say, but overall motivation to do physical activities still sucks. And you’d think I’d want to screw everything in sight since I haven’t in a few years, but it’s just not the case.
I’m 6” and 173lbs for a reference. Couple abs visible
So less than 25 is deficient. Doesn’t seem like my levels are bad then, but the top end of the range is 100 and I’m still far below that.
No, technically below 20 is a deficiency. My endocrinologist said that when they see someone with a vitamin D deficiency, they prefer it to be greater than 30.
I have a high sensitivity to many things, other vitamins and minerals. I have very high sensitivity to alcohol and caffeine, stimulants.
I have a high sensitivity to androgens, hormones.
What is your height, weight and approx bodyfat %?
What is an overview of your exercise regimen?
Do you feel better in the morning? Or later in the day?
You might try a visit to the cardiologist to make sure there is a not a heart issue of some sort. You labs look fine.
Indeed, low energy needs to be properly investigated in a younger person. A regular ECG is a good starting point. That the OP is even able to excercise, should rule out any major cardiovascular disease.
I still have a feeling this is related to long term stress, considering a life altering experience in prison. Low libido is also in the majority of cases related to psychological stress.
IF you have confidence in a caring doctor, who will do proper follow ups - There is nothing wrong with trying out a mild antidepressant for 4-6 weeks. You should notice a positive difference in 2-4 weeks, and your doctor should check with you re tolerance after 1-2 weeks. Worst case scenario is that it doesn’t work, but then we have that information/confirmation. I would seriously consider a low dose trial treatment with either Duloxetine or Bupropione.
What I am saying, is that depression may present itself in many vague forms. A reactive depression secondary to long term stress is to be suspected (ruled out) here. For a hint, you may screen yourself through the MADRS-S questionaire online, but keep in mind it’s not a validated instrument. https://psychology-tools.com/test/montgomery-asberg-depression-rating-scale
That said, I am an internet stranger on this forum, though I have a medical profession since many years.
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I am 170-174lbs, 6’0”, and probably around 15%bf
Training: I do a full body gymnastics strength routine 3x a week. 30 sets total. Out of the book Overcoming Gravity 2. I also run sprints twice a week, 10x40yd. I jump rope occasionally as well. Here is me 4/2/24.
I can’t really say I have a set time when I feel poorly. Most mornings I’m up at 5:20 no problem (prison routine) and other mornings I don’t feel like waking up. Currently train in the afternoons after getting a couple meals through me but I would say a lot of the tiredness hits me around 3-4pm on non training days. It’s not so much a “time” as it is feeling low energy for training 24/7.
I took the test on the link you gave me. 12/60 was my score, they said scores of 7-19 was mild depression.
I’m not 100% against trying an antidepressant, but I will say I think they are bad long term. I also am very sensitive to “street” drugs and I am concerned that the chemical imbalances created by the mental health drugs wouldn’t correct themselves immediately after stopping use. Based on your experience, what is the best non drug options?
Hmm… on paper you have so much that is right.
Talk about sleep… any chance you’re not getting good sleep? Apnea, otc drugs, alcohol or cannabis needed to fall asleep? Those things can restrict you from deep restorative sleep phases. That’d be good to rule out.
What about caffeine intake? How much and at what times per day? Caffeine too late in the day can cause same thing, light sleep.
Just throwing more ideas your way…