Lipitor and other statins work by reducing activity of enzyme pathways that make cholesterol in the liver. So far so good. But for some people, this affects the enzyme pathways that also make CoQ10 and a CoQ10 deficiency can result. That lowers energy levels by slowing down mitochondrial production of ATP, the universal currency of cellular energy.
What was cholesterol before Lipitor?
TRT can improve cholesterol numbers.
Thyroid hormone fT3 also regulates mitochondrial metabolic rates as part of body temperature regulation.
You could have low energy from low CoQ10 and low thyroid function.
Do not take total cholesterol so low. <160 is associated with increased all-cause mortality. 180 would be ideal.
Labs:
TSH
fT3
fT4
IGF-1 to eval GH status
AM cortisol - at 8AM please
A1C
DHEA-S [not DHEA]
Check overall thyroid function by checking oral body temperatures as per the thyroid basics sticky. Note that in this case, low temperatures could be a mix including effects of low CoQ10.
Do you sometimes feel cold easily?
Outer eyebrows sparse?
Poor absorption of transdermal T is a symptom of low thyroid function.
You can try 50mg Ubiquinol [ note spelling carefully] form of CoQ10. It is not cheap. If you feel better …
Low CoQ10 can also lead to muscle soreness/weakness, persistent cough from weakened heart muscles leading to the same mechanism of the cough of congestive heart failure - I have seen Ubiquinol stop that.
Note that either of these things that slow down your metabolism can increase blood sugars, cholesterol and triglycerides.
TSH should be closer to 1.0
T4, T4, fT3, fT4 should be mid-range or a bit higher
Problems expected if not using iodized salt and/or multi-vits that list iodine+selenium
Might need a thyroid auto-immune panel. Auto-immune problems can be from selenium deficiency and/or long term iodine deficiency that increases TSH.
SERM’s do not decrease E2, they increase E2
Labs 03/28:
TT looked OK, but FT to low. SHBG assumed high inflating TT. Suggest that you aim for higher FT and ignore that TT is high. However, HTC may be your limiting factor.
E2 was good, Please clarify Armidex dose - does not make sense VS 5/26
Do not test LH/FSH on TRT, stupid to continue.
Prolactin seems elevated all of the time which may tie into gyno.
Dostinex/Cabergoline 0.5mg/wk Rx would tackle that.
Please read these stickies found here: About the T Replacement Category - #2 by KSman
- advice for new guys
- things that damage your hormones
- protocol for injections
- finding a TRT doc