New Guy. Low SHBG, High E2

Hi guys, I’m new to the forum. I’ve read most Ksman stuff and I’m trying to figure what to do with my labs. I decided to test my T early this year because of trouble recovering from workouts and symptoms of brain fog, daytime sleepiness, tiredness, anxiety/depression.

-age: 23
-height: 5’9’’
-waist: 37
-weight: 180
-describe body and facial hair: normal body hair; facial hair looks undeveloped, can’t grow a full beard (could be genetic as I have native south american grandfathers and my dad can’t grow a full beard although my brother can)
-describe where you carry fat and how changed: was 162 pounds two years ago skinny fat type body with love handles. Got to 200 early this year with lots of fat in the gut and some in the chest area, probably 25%+ BF. Lost 20 pounds from march to september this year, the belly circumference didn’t change that much, still have some fat in the chest area, probably around 22% BF
-health conditions, symptoms: Had gynecomastia since puberty, got a surgery for it when I was 16. History of anxiety/depression starting after entering puberty. Bicycle accident at high speed when I was 17 (blow to the head), X rays showed nothing, didn’t got a MRI. Currently have demotivation, daytime sleepiness, feeling tired, brain fog.
-Rx and OTC drugs, any hair loss drugs or prostate drugs ever: 20mg Prozac for 2 years for anxiety (9 months off). No hair loss drugs or prostate drugs. Never did TRT before.
-describe diet [some create substantial damage with starvation diets]: Was eating high protein diet for most of the year, currently 1 month eating like crap (lost 6 pounds).
-describe training [some ruin their hormones by over training]: Three times a week heavy compound lifts, currently 1 month without training. No cardio.
-testes ache, ever, with a fever?: No
-how have morning wood and nocturnal erections changed: Morning wood looks ok, don’t know much about nocturnal erections.
-libido: Libido doesn’t look so bad but usually requires continuous stimulation to maintain erection. I have delayed ejaculation, sometimes I can’t reach orgasm (could be genetic, brother has DE too, or bad masturbation habits).

Labs: 05/10/2018

TSH: 1.18 uIU/mL

Total T: 316 ng/dl (241-827)

Insulin: 10.81 mUI/mL (2.60-24.90)

07/12/2018

FSH: 1.88 (2.5-10.2)

LH: 3.66 (1.5-9.3)

SHBG: 13.3 (18.3-54.1)

Total T: 229.41 (241-827)

Calculated fT: 10.93 (5.70-17.83)

Prolactin: 15.14 (2.1-17.7) could be wrong as I had sex the night before blood work, didn’t know it could mess the test

E2 (non sensitive): 38.95 (<39.8)

08/13/2018

Total T: 347 (244-836)

fT: 99.41 (38-183)

SHBG: 15.53 (14.50-48.40)

E2: 27.2 (11.3-43.2)

TSH: 3.580 (0.4-4.5) I’ve got TSH tested 3 years ago and it showed 1.8

Albumin: 4.9 (3.5-5)

Saw TSH high after these labs and measured temps in the morning and past mid day as per Thyroid basics stick Thyroid Basics Explained . Got 95.72-96.08 in the morning and didn’t got past 98.6 after mid day (realized I always had cold hands and feet). Did a thyroid ultrasound that showed nothing. I use iodized salt. Started IR with 50mg iodine (lugol 8 drops) for 2 weeks with 200 mcg selenium, 5000 iU vitamin D and a multi vitamin a day. Started feeling more energetic after 3-5 days on IR, hitting 98.6 past mid day, morning temps didn’t changed that much. Currently hitting 98.6 past mid day although sometimes the temps get lower, morning temps are around 96.44.

Current labs (blood work done 4 days after ending IR):

Complete Hemogram: Normal results

Colesterol: 153 (<200)

fT4: 1.34 (0.93-1.70)

fT3: 3,7 (2-4.4)

thyroid anti peroxidase antibody: 10.56 (<34)

Waiting for rT3 results

FSH: 1.59 (1.5-12.4)

LH: 5.3 (1.4-7.7)

SHBG: 16.53 (14.5-48.4)

E2: 39 (11.3-43.2) HIGH

Total T: 513.6 (244.836) It is strange because the total T got high after 1 month without training or maybe it is the iodine and the vitamins.

fT: 150.15 (38-183)

DHEA-S: 379.8 (211-492)

Ferritin: 79 (30-400) LOW?

Did liver enzymes because of the low SHBG and they were all fine

vitamin B12: 561 (197-771)

TSH: 3.22 (0.4-4.5) may be high because of iodine

What are your thoughts?

I believe the next step would be to lower the E2 using anastrozole. I’ve seen KSman recommend 0.5 mg arimidex every week in divided doses.

Thank you for the attention.

Your high E2 could be related to erection and libido troubles, low SHBG men usually have a lot of free E2 and need E2 on the lower end. Over training can lower testosterone, you took a break and levels increased. Hard dieting while overtraining is hard on your testosterone production.

Diet can affect E2 levels, alcohol can increase E2. Your Free T could be better, usually low SHBG men have more Free T.

Change diet and stay off the AI, try DIM supplements instead.

What time of day were all these labs drawn?

Thanks for the reply. The bloodworks were done close to 12:00 pm.

I don’t know what to do about my temperatures after the iodine. Labs looking normal (waiting on rT3). Past mid day looks good, around 37° C, but sometimes it lowers to around 36°C without any aparent reason. Morning temps range from 35.6 to 35.9 °C.

I’m giving arimidex a shot, been taking 0.5 mg per week in divided doses. Currently six days taking it with not so much difference in how I feel.

Should I worry about my ferritin levels?