Simple question: I just got my test results, and can’t make up my mind whether they are something to worry about or not. Consider:
Total testosterone = 448 ng/dL
Reference given = 286 to 1511
Free testosterone = 0.22 ng/dL
Reference given = 0.16 to 0.39
Free:Total ratio = 5%
Estradiol = 19 pg/ml
Reference given = 0 to 56
My reading of this is:
a) I have a good ratio Free:Total, since the normal ratio is 2%, and my value is close to 5%
b) My absolute value of Free Test is OK, as it is 0.22 in a range of 0.16 to 0.39
c) BUT: My Total Test is definitely on the low end at 448, even though this is quite a distance from the usual “low” currently defined by many endos as 300 ng/dL.
d) Estradiol is very low, good news.
Am I reading this correctly ? Any feedback will be sincerely appreciated.
Dr. D
P.S. I will be 40 in April, have been training for almost 25 years, and am currently in the middle of a very taxing workout program + a hypocaloric diet. Is the fact that I am on a diet, plus that I am close to 8% bodyfat something that might be suppressing my test levels ?
I don’t know where you got those reference points but they seem to be inflated on the high side giving you the impression that you are on the low side.
Quest Diagnostics uses a refernce range of 241 ng/dl to 827 ng/dl. That means your reading certainly is not low. In fact, I think it would be pretty hard for anybody to get on HRT legitimately with a reading like that. That’s the type of reading most Endo’s strive to get their HRT patients up to.
And, yes, diet can certainly impact your test readings. However, at 8% bf you certainly aren’t starving yourself. Just make sure you are getting enough EFA’s.
The reference ranges came with the test. Unfortunately, the results were handed over by a secretary, no doctor to query. The upper limits seem very high to me, too.
My result hasn’t quite got me thinking about HRT, but it has made me realize that I am no spring chicken.
Do you think that TRIBEX supplementation may help ?
I have heard people get better results from Alpha Male but I have not tried it myself. The most important natural diet factor is to keep your EFA’a high and avoid excessive alcohol. Next time have your cortisol checked also. Some say your T:C ratio is more important than just your T numbers.
It can’t hurt and you won’t know until you try. As is not surprising, some respond well and some don’t. The thing about testosterone is that unless you have fairly dramatic symptoms of low test, raising it up the amount you can expect from something like TRIBEX isn’t going to result in dramatic changes.
If your lean body mass increased by 10% over the course of a month, would you know it for sure? If you’re obsessive about tracking your training results and measure and record them regularly, then you’ll have a chance of knowing if tribulus works for you. If not, then don’t expect much.
The reference ranges came with the test. Unfortunately, the results were handed over by a secretary, no doctor to query. The upper limits seem very high to me, too.
My result hasn’t quite got me thinking about HRT, but it has made me realize that I am no spring chicken.
Do you think that TRIBEX supplementation may help ?[/quote]
TRIBEX will help. Alpha Male is better. Alpha Male also contains Vitex which will inhibit estrogen and help with your ratio.
You don’t need HRT according to your tests. Supplementation from a performance standpoint, of course, is a different matter.
[quote]Avoids Roids wrote:
I don’t know where you got those reference points but they seem to be inflated on the high side giving you the impression that you are on the low side.
Quest Diagnostics uses a refernce range of 241 ng/dl to 827 ng/dl. That means your reading certainly is not low. In fact, I think it would be pretty hard for anybody to get on HRT legitimately with a reading like that. That’s the type of reading most Endo’s strive to get their HRT patients up to.
And, yes, diet can certainly impact your test readings. However, at 8% bf you certainly aren’t starving yourself. Just make sure you are getting enough EFA’s.[/quote]
Endo’s are retards for HRT, 99 percent of them know very little.
A qualified, good HRT doc WOULD DEFINITELY give you HRT if you wanted it(I dunno what avoids is talking about)Most HRT docs do NOT strive for those numbers - they are borderline, below average, but not bad for a 40 year old. Any HRT doc that knows anything would strive for a test level close to 1000…
All in all, if you feel good, keep pushing. Estradoil is fantastic, good for you. Go with how you feel. Don’t rush into anything.
I have no experience with specialized HRT doctors. Most of the ones I have heard about seem to be internet practices. I have only gone to old school (but young) enodchronologists who seem best qualified to help me with thyroid problems (I had thyroid cancer many years ago) and reversing bone loss due to oesteoproposis and poor nutrition in the past as well as low testosterone production.
I am happy with my T levels of about 600-800 ng/dl but would consider an HRT specialist (on a -face-to-face basis) if I wanted to go even higher with my T values.
[quote]Avoids Roids wrote:
I have no experience with specialized HRT doctors. Most of the ones I have heard about seem to be internet practices. I have only gone to old school (but young) enodchronologists who seem best qualified to help me with thyroid problems (I had thyroid cancer many years ago) and reversing bone loss due to oesteoproposis and poor nutrition in the past as well as low testosterone production.
I am happy with my T levels of about 600-800 ng/dl but would consider an HRT specialist (on a -face-to-face basis) if I wanted to go even higher with my T values.[/quote]
Good to hear your having a well recovery.
Treating thyroid issues is a much more standard procedure and faily routine for any trained endocrinologist.
HRT is so specialized, and with so much new and existing information out there that is radically changing by the week, that its always best to see someone who only specializes in that particular area.
Your test levels are great. Anyone in those ranges is healthy and totally normal. I wouldn’t open that can of worms either if I had your numbers.
V R - I agree. My total test is below average, and borderline HRT material.
Then again, in terms of how I feel: I feel full of energy, strong, libido is high, all systems are “go”, etc. As a matter of fact, I only went to get my test measured…to confirm to myself that the scientific (objective) reality would concur with my subjective perception, hence my shock.
Goes to show: There’s more to it than just a number, I guess.
[quote]dr dimitri wrote:
V R - I agree. My total test is below average, and borderline HRT material.
Then again, in terms of how I feel: I feel full of energy, strong, libido is high, all systems are “go”, etc. As a matter of fact, I only went to get my test measured…to confirm to myself that the scientific (objective) reality would concur with my subjective perception, hence my shock.
Goes to show: There’s more to it than just a number, I guess.
[/quote]
I think it goes to show there is other hormones that are VERY important, not just testosterone. Testosterone is the sexy, well known one. But its not the only one. Others are just as important.
Having an estradoil number in the 10 - 30 range can have just as big of an impact as anything. Estrogen is a potent hormone. To much or to little and its like a money wrench in the engine. Your estradoil is fantastic. Thats a biggie in your favor.
IGF, DHT, DHEA, these are all potent, important hormones. So are thyroid. I bet your numbers for these are all pretty good.
