Lab Results Are In

[CFforged]

I got my full panel results back, not sure what is relevant and what isn't so here are the full results. I apologize for the length.

WBC 6.1 (4.1-10.9 10^9/L)
LYM# 2.2 (0.6-4.1 10^9/L)
LYM% 35.9 (10.0-58.5 %)
MID 0.6 (0.0-1.8 10^9/L)
MID% 9.4 (0.1-24.0 %)

GRAN# 3.3 (2.0-7.8 10^9/L)
GRAN% 54.7 (37.0-92.0 %)
RBC 5.46 (4.20-6.30 10^9/L)
HgB 14.4 (12.0-18.0 g/dl)
HCT 47.4 (37.0-51.0 %)

MCV 86.9 (80.0-97.0 fL)
MCH 26.4 (26.0-32.0 pg)
MCHC 30.4 (31.0-36.0 g/dl)
RDW 13.4 (11.5-14.5 %)
PLT 408.0 (140.0-440.0 10^9L)

MPV 9.3 (0.0-99.8 fl)
BUN 26.0 (7.0-18.0 mg/dl)
Creatine 0.8 (0.6-1.3 mg/dl)
eGFR 120.6
Glucose 84.0 (74.0-106.0 mg/dl)

Sodium 139.0 (136.0-145.0)
Potassium 4.6 (3.5-5.1)
Chloride 101.0 (98.0-107.0)
CO2 24.1 (21.0-32.0)
Calcium 9.6 (8.5-10.1)

Albumin 4.3 (3.4-5.0)
Alk Phos 115.0 (50.0-136.0)
ALT 37.0 (30.0-65.0 mmol/L)
AST 16.0 (15.0-37.0 m/L)
Direct Bilirubin 0.10 (0.00-0.20)

Total Bilirubin 0.4 (0.2-1.0)
Total Protein 7.5 (6.4-8.2)
Uric Acid 6.2 (2.6-7.2 mg/dl)
Magnesium 2.2 (1.8-2.4)
Phosphorus 3.4 (2.5-4.9)

TSH 0.88 (0.34-2.00 miu/ml)
Free T4 0.90 (0.59-1.17 ng/dL)
Total T3 0.97 (0.70-1.90 ng/mL)
LH 2.6 (1.7-11.2 miu/ml)
FSH 4.8 (1.0-42.5 miu/ml)

Prolactin 3.5 (3.6-ng/ml)
Estradiol 25.0 (25.0-74.0 pg/ml)
Testosterone 318.6 (199.0-1,586.0 ng/dl)
Ferritin 82.5 (22.0-340.0 ng/mL)
Cortisol 8.4 (3.1-22.4 ug/dL)

Folate 15.5 (3.0-16.0 ng/mL)
Vitamin B12 501.0 (230.0-1,050.0 pg/mL)
ANTI-TPO AB 8.0 (0.0-10.0 IU/mL)

Endo is unwilling to consider any kind of TRT with my test at 318. He acknowledged I'm on the low end but would not be willing to prescribe any kind of therapy. The only other things out of range were my MCHC, BUN and my E2 is right on the edge of the low range.

He recommended I start taking DHEA over the counter, 25mg per day, to help improve my sex drive. I can't find much useful info about DHEA online, anybody have any experience? Will it do anything?

If TRT is unnessecary, or just off the table, I might start thinking about doing a cycle. Any thoughts on everything above would be appreciated.

[Vettester]

Are there any kidney issues that you're aware of?

Their testosterone reference range is from LA to New York! I've never seen any place go that high. However, I guess that's irrelevant, as the doc wants to treat the score, not the patient. The downside is that you are 30, and a lot of places might be reluctant to treat you. Regardless, I would look for a 2nd opinion and see what you come up with.

At a glance, it looks like you are borderline secondary. Your LH is pretty low, which is more than likely the culprit for your lack of testosterone production. I would encourage that you seek an MRI to rule out any degenerative conditions.

DHEA can convert downstream, and might be a good addition, but I don't see where your doctor tested it. Not sure why he would point you towards a hormone that hasn't been tested (unless I'm overlooking something). IMO, I think that's his token gift to make you feel like you're getting your $$ worth.

I would probably seek out another doctor before going rogue on some cycle. Just because one guy won't go along with it doesn't mean that they're all that way. Hell, look at Wecker's thread. His doctor loads up guys with 500 test scores and 6's on LH. The variances on how these doctors diagnose and treat patients needing TRT is astonishing!

[flatscat]

You CAN find a doc to prescribe trt for you if you want it. Not sure at 30 if I were you I would jump on it though. And it will be cash only bro. I agree with Vette, You may find another doc, that will actually want to help you get your t numbers up - injecting t is not the only thing out there. These freaking docs piss me off - I felt like shiat at 300 and I bet you do too. Didn't see free t on your list unless I missed it. Don't forget these things will effect your t levels - sleep, weight training (especially large muscle groups), diet, cholesterol levels and so on. Good luck bro and don't give up - you can and should feel better!

[CFforged]

Are there any kidney issues that you're aware of?

I actually do have a kidney disease, IGA Nephropathy. One of the reasons I saw this guy is that he is a nephrologist as well as an endo. He ran blood and urine labs to check up on my kidney (I haven't had it checked in 18 years, no symptoms) and according to the labs there is no longer any trace of the disease. He went out of his way to say they are two diferent issues. Is there anything else in those results that make you think otherwise?

He pitched the DHEA as being some kind of over the counter test booster. The only area he mentioned it might improve is my sex drive. In his words he "hopes" all my other symptoms are temporary and caused by stress, though test levels at 300 makes me think otherwise....

[CFforged]

Forgot to mention I go back in late December to run labs again, in the meantime I might get a 2nd opinion

[zaggahamma]

so u go to this guy complaining of symptoms of low T and he points to an OTC med the government tried to ban....youre paying this guy to point to otc products

2nd opinion