Blood Work Results

[Dash Bronson]

Could use a bit of feedback on my pre cycle bloodwork.

My observations-

Total test - ok
Free Test - low - why?

High Cholesterol
High ldl - Why? Im fit, eat well, lots of exercise (5-6hr hard running/lifting per week). Is it time for cholesterol meds?

Total estrogen seems high? Does this tell me anything without a specific E1, E2, E3 test?

Any feedback appreciated.

[kelkel]

Free T is low probably due to shbg being high. I did not see shbg on your BW but odds are this is the culprit as it binds free T. SHBG is difficult to control. This link was just posted in another thread and may help you:

https://www.zrtlab.com/blog/archive/shbg-modulator-01/

Re your cholesterol. Sometimes the issue is simply genetic. If you've been making efforts to improve and not seeing results you should speak to your doctor. Know that total cholesterol is not that big of an issue. A better indicator of cardiac risk is to divide your triglycerides by your HDL. Ideally you want a number less that 2. Yours is great. That said, you still want to work to reduce those numbers.

I struggle with low HDL and I recently went and had a Cardiac CT Scan for Calcium Score as I wanted to see exactly what was going on in my heart arteries. Insurance does not cover it but it's only about $85 and takes about 10 minutes. Getting this done eased my mind a great deal. Read this link.

https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/inf...=ct_calscoring

[Dash Bronson]

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Thank you for the feedback! Great info.

I see some of the causes of High SHBG can be things like coffee, prescription meds and “chronic endurance exercise” all of which i’m guilty.

Also, what are the factors involved with Dr.s generally recommending ART/TRT? Do they only look at total test or free also? I have many symptoms of low test, chronically tired, low sex drive etc. Would my free test level alone warrant some type of HRT?

Next test i’ll have E2 sensitive done. Can anything be said about my total estrogen at this point?

[kelkel]

Most doctors look only at the numbers. And many only total T. Remember, docs really aren't trained in hormones in med school, well a few hours worth anyway is about it. That said, with your numbers I'd work on your shbg. Even adding vid D can help a little in increasing Free T, which is what works for us. Just if you do supplement it be sure to test it (25-OHD) frequently as it's fat soluble not water soluble.

Now clinics on the other hand will do everything possible to get you on TRT. It's how they make money. I'd strongly suggest getting a little more BW to include shbg, sensitive E2 assay (total is not really helpful) and dig into your thyroid more as a possible cause of your fatigue. TSH, FT3, FT4, RT3 etc.

Could you possibly be overtrained and need some time off?

[Dash Bronson]

I’m going to include those as well on my next work up. Since the plan was to start a “mild” test cycle soon (200-250mg weekly) I may not bother with seeking TRT atm.

I’m deff not overstrained. For the last 6month or so i’ve done everything within my power to get healthier and to raise my natural T levels (knowing I had been on the low side in the past). I’ve cut/trained down to 14-15% BF from about 20-22% diet is spot on so is training. At 37yr old these are likely the highest natural T numbers I will ever see and suspect they were much lower before I got serious again.

I’ve always had issues with gyno after any previous mild cycles so I also suspect i’m genetically prone to high E low T. For this reason I will include Aromasin with my T cycle, and get that started prior to any extra T. Any suggestions on an Aromasin dose for me to maintain healthy level with say 250mg test/we? 12.5mg daily maybe? I will have these checked via blood of course, but at this point, not for at least 5-7weeks after my first pin.

[kelkel]

If you are prone to gyno you have a few choices. Run low dose Nolva while on cycle or restructure your cycles to include less testosterone and make up the difference with other anabolics that don't aromatize. Take a look at this:

https://jayccampbell.com/blog/estrog...ers-are-dying/

As well as this thread:

https://forums.steroid.com/anabolic-...your-life.html

[Dash Bronson]

If you are prone to gyno you have a few choices. Run low dose Nolva while on cycle or restructure your cycles to include less testosterone and make up the difference with other anabolics that don't aromatize. Take a look at this:

https://jayccampbell.com/blog/estrog...ers-are-dying/

As well as this thread:

https://forums.steroid.com/anabolic-...your-life.html

Good info. I do understand the importance of estrogen in men and I don’t want to crush mine. Which is why i’m giving thought to a small amount of AI prior to starting any test. In the past, id allow E to run wild without any ai and (obviously in hind sight) too high T dose. Then, once gyno was almost certain weeks into or weeks following a cycle, I’d then have to respond with extreme measures of letro.

If i’m not mistaken, the ai itself isnt evil just the results of it lowering estrogen to unsafe levels right? So if I were to find an ai dosing schedule that keeps my E2 in a slightly high, but not “too” high (gyno danger) zone I think i’d be better off... At least that’s my theory