Hi,
Around 8 months now been having really low libido and erectile dysfunction. Symptoms have personally been awful for me and feel noone is helping me, I’ve been to various GPs and went to a an endocrinologist (see below)
Based on the UK. Aged 30, 80kg, weight lift 3-5 times a week. Diet could be better in terms of protein intake but I do eat a good amount of carb
Shbg - 95nmol (range 10-47)
Total t - 39.9nmol (range 8-29)
Free t - 0.42 (range 0.117-0.62)
FSH - 9.9 (1.5-12)
LH 7.5 (1-8.6)
Estrogen - 26.1pmol (41.1-159)
DHEA - 4.89umol (4.34-12.2)
Prolactin - normal
I am type 1 diabetic which is very well controlled which I think is part of the problem after doing research online. I am also hypothyroid which is well controlled (apart from 6 months ago when it was overtreated). Now treated properly and TSH 3.49
I’m at an age where I still want children, I did an at home sperm test and motility and concentration were good. I have a lab semen analysis booked for next week.
Spoke to an endinocrinoogist privately who solely blamed my overtreated thyroid from 6 months ago! After researching online this should only be a temporary effect and shbg should correct itself after 2-3 months which it hasn’t!
Not sure what to do next, Ive been looking on the forums and TRT seems the only option which would be a shame given my good natural testosterone levels. Also a bit worried about it affecting my fertility. I’ve tired boron, stinging nettle magnesium and selenium, I found a transient improvement but nothing significant. Would really like some advice as it’s starting to have a massive impact on quality of life and mood too.
Something seems amiss here
Super high SHBG
Super high total T
Decent free t but based on your high total it should trend higher. High SHBG is messing with free T
Low estrogen. This should be much higher based on total test. Estrogen is somewhat linear with test. No wonder you feel like crap.
What are you taking for thyroid? What do your numbers look like?
You said you were overmedicated for thyroid.
What were you taking at that point?
How long?
When did you start your current protocol?
Your bloodwork numbers are very weird but your test/estrogen ratio is def way off and estrogen is low which would mean your not converting enough test to estrogen I would imagine because it’s mostly all bound.
I was on 200mcg and TSH dropped to <0.01. Have since reduced to 150mcg. Which I have been on for 6 months. I’ve been on 200mcg for at least 5 years prior and was never overtreated. The high thyroid did cause weight loss.
Currently not on TRT, but been trying supplement such as boron for 2 months now. The estrogen is strange as it was fine 3 months ago, not sure if the supplements may have caused that to drop too.
Well beyond my expertise. I had a similarly high SHBG and was miserable. My total Test was also high 770 (300-1100 range). Boron didn’t work and I didn’t drink, so I jumped on TRT. That has made my life significantly better. My SHGB eventually decreased and is now mid range. That said, your test and free test is in range. Your issue seems to be estrogen and SHBG.
I had a doctor suggest Oxandralone to lower SHBG, but didn’t pursue it because it’s off brand anavar and I’m not interested in using gear at this point. This negatively affects lipids, so it’s not a free lunch. Only mentioning, because it was suggested as a possible solution to me for similar high SHBG.
If I were you, I’d find someone who really understands hormones, even if that means paying out of pocket to someone in another country.
I’m with dchris. I’m on TRT and I feel immeasurably better overall. Numbers are useful, obviously, but sometimes you just have to go with what you feel.