[quote]D.Diggs wrote:
I’m 31 years old and believe I may have low T. I’m new to my area(Virginia suburb of DC) and don’t have a Primary Physican that I see. I’ve read all of the stickies and now taking my time to absorb it.
Symptoms:
-I have trouble losing fat and gaining muscle despite exercising and eating a decent diet.
-I experience pronounced soreness, slow recovery & improvement from exercise. (gauging against peers I’ve worked out with throughout my life.)
-Decreased Libido.
-Low energy levels and varied mood.
-A general “foggyness” and ability to focus.
age:31
height:6’
weight:215
waist:36
describe body and facial hair: Always been hairy.(Except my head now)
did to grow fast or slow and steady as a teen: Fast, 5’ll at 14
testes ache or hurt? ever? Yes
mood: Exta-varied; Though highs are not a high or as often
depression: Not necessarily, but lethargy fairly often
libido: Decreased
get cold easily? a change?: No, used to run hot, now not as much
dry skin, brittle nails? No
use iodized salt? Yes
eat much sea food? About 2 times a week, usually Tuna steaks
exposure to chemicals? No
ever used hair loss drugs? Yes: Used propecia from 17 to 23
Rx and OTC drugs: None[/quote]
This was my post from almost a year ago. I went through a bunch of career and life changes affecting my insurance. I FINALLY got some test done about 3 months ago. The PC doctor while seeming skeptical,(“you could be depressed”, “its harder to watch your diet than most people realize”) was willing to grant some test with little opposition in addition to the metabolic and lipid panel.
Testosterone Serum: 563 ng/dl
Estradiol: 23.2 pg/ml
TSH: 2.130 uIU/ml (.450-4.500)
The only flaw was that the reference interval for the Test serum and Estradiol came back with an improper or missing reference interval range. Is it possible that the lab screwed up the results?
Everything I’ve seen seems to indicate that these would be solid numbers and that I should not be experiencing the symptoms that I do.
I waited to post these numbers because it was hypothesized that I may actually be gluten intolerant from a nutritionist. For the past five week I’ve been on a lower carb, non gluten diet that I’ve stuck to pretty strictly. I have seen stabilization and a slight raise in energy levels, though probably still not where they should be.
However, despite being in what should be a caloric deficit most days, averaging 5 workouts a week (2-3 days of compound strength training, 2-3 days of HIIT) I have lost .5 pounds and before and after photos that would indicate zero change in body composition. ( I can post if requested)
Any help is appreciated.