Serum Bloodwork VS Saliva Bloodwork - Need some advice on tests, etc.

[oscar1990]

Hi there, I had a basic check-up on my hormones just to make sure everything was ok. I had two tests, one saliva and one blood. The saliva test was conducted by a private company which provided me results in 14 days. The blood-test was just a general needle in the arm and results were provided in 2 working days. My doctor is pretty cool, he works out and seems to know his stuff. However, you can never be to sure so I am after some opinions and advice just to make sure and justify this scenario I am currently in.

The reason why I got these tests done was because of my poor sleep- I was concerned with my hormones being all over the place. I am a pretty healthy guy, hit the gym, neat diet and also sexually active.

The only issues I sort of have is weaker erections and poor sleep patterns (waking up to urinate 2 times a night). In addition I dont have a stressful life, I live with my girlfriend, have a steady income and also a university student. I had two tests done, blood and saliva which came back with two totally different results. Could someone please interpret this info for me.

Saliva tests:
E2 5.2 (1.0-3.2) - Progesterone 180 (20-160) - Testosterone 264 (206-1100) - Cortisol 5.9 (6.0-15.5) - DHEA 0.7 (0.3-1.6)
My doctor totally ignored the saliva tests and said that it was absolutely inaccurate, he was also pretty confident whilst making this statement. He literally didn't even bother looking at the results. In addition, please keep in mind that the saliva test was suppose to be taken at 8am, I obviously did mine between 10:30-11am.

My blood test was a basic panel of
LH: 4.2 (Range: <7) for males under 60
FSH: 2 (Range: <7) for males under 60
Testosterone: 24 (Range: 9.1-29) My T in the past has been 21 and 23 so 24 seems legit

The bloodwork above was intiated by my doctor, he said if the saliva results were true my hormones wouldn't look so good and my T wont be on the high end. He also stated that my testosterone was relatively high and that I am perfectly normal. Furthermore, he also said that if someone is trying to tell you that your hormones are not normal they are trying to make some money off you. This notion seemed pretty logical. I trust my doctor as he seems like a person of good judgement.

I have used preworkouts in the past, literally abused the shit out of them 1.mr,Jacked, NoXplde, Superpump Max etc 2-3-4 scoops a day for like 3 months, I would get sick (gastro problems) and stay off them for like 3 weeks then get back on them and slowly build my way back up to 3 scoops.

I came to the conclusion that my adrenal glands are slightly disturbed/damaged due to abuse of stimulants thus causing me to have sleep disturbances and poor erections as PWO are essentially vaso-constrictors and have a whole lot of other shit we dont know about as it is an unregulated industry. I have overcome my addiction and will not use PWO for a long time. I have decided to go cold turkey just eat and lift weights till my erection strength and sleep cycles are much better, then I might decide to use a creatine monohydrate.

Could someone tell me which is more accurate, my doc's advice or some private saliva test laboratory-also what am I doing wrong to kill my erections and sleep patters? why are my erections softer and suffer from disturbed sleep patterns? is it a prostate, adrenal or body chemistry issue due to the abuse of sports supplements.


My stats- 6'0 - 75kg - 0.13%bf -

sorry about the life story, thanks in advance for all responses appreciate it!

[oscar1990]

Please note that I have had my E2 measured via blood test before and it was midway roughly around 81 (Range: <150)

[oscar1990]

Anyone?

[bullshark99]

Never been a fan of saliva testing, blood much more accurate (IMO) Didnt state your age, student, I am assumming young?? Had the same problem with adrenals due to caffiene and redline/bull other stimulants, all bullshit, no good for you. The quicker you can ditch that stuff the better.

Prostate???? Why are you getting up twice a night to piss? Have you had a PSA test, lots of controversy on them now but still important IMO. Depending on age and more importantly the PSA score, have a DRE done, actually just request it if you need to see a urologist for a PSA test. They are no fun, but only takes a couple seconds.

[HRTstudent]

First of all, those workout stimulants can very very very easily be the root of your sleeping and erection issues. Totally reasonable to suspect that.

Also, as far as saliva vs blood tests... I have good faith in the blood hormone test sans cortisol. But for the main sex hormones, I trust the results from blood. I simply cannot say that I trust or distrust the saliva tests. I imagine there could be more error, but I'm not an expert in that.

It's odd that you got such wildly different results. I would go to whoever gave you the saliva test and literally explain your situation to them. You deserve to know why it was so different and they should be able to tell you, if they are a legitimate company. I would also probably try to get them to retest me at no cost assuming you followed directions. (And your T will not drop off by THAT much in only 3 hours.)

Given your age, prior T levels, these levels, and blood test results I am heavily leaning towards you having a healthy T level. If it's any consolation to you, you could get retested on the blood work if its covered by your insurance.

[kelkel]

Agree with the above posts. Op also you may consider Cialis for daily use for a lot of reasons, not just erection quality (but it's a bonus/er)!
Read this: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsro.../ucm274642.htm

[oscar1990]

Hi there, thanks for all the responses above.

I just woke up to go to uni I have an economics exam-ahaha so this has been some consolation knowing im a healthy male.

Bullshark99- I am 22 years old and will be giving stimulants a good long hard break. thanks for your advice!

HRT student- That seems pretty logical as I have payed for them to accurate conduct a saliva test-thanks for your advice! I might call them later in the week

Kelkel- I dont think I need cialis, I tried it a couple of weeks back and it didnt do anything for me? btw im 22.

My problem was that my erection and sleep wasnt so good, also my nuts didn't seem to naturally hang lower-but I think thats just the stimulants and once discontinued they will come back!!

Anymore further suggestions to reverse this situation krill oil, fish oil, cod liver oil, vit c? etc..

Thanks

[oscar1990]

Bullshark99 - when you say you had the same problem are you referring to erection or sleep problems or the lot? furthermore you seemed alittle confuse as to why I predicted it was a prostate issue, the only reason I am assuming this is as I have pee when I get up in the night.

btw I am 22 years of age.

[oscar1990]

In addition to all this I took a sleeping tablet last night called Dozile (australia) and slept like a baby, felt refreshed and woke up with morning wood. This is the first night that I have had a good night rest in a long time. I think I will cycle this tablet 1 day on 1 day off just so I dont reach homeostasis. Im leaning towards the Preworkout > Adrenals being the main problem here. I think I need a major detox: vit c, fish oils, cod oil, olive oil, avacado, pomegranate, oranges etc.

[oscar1990]

bump

[bullshark99]

same problem was meant as adrenel fatague, I was basically addicted to OTC stimulants and they were recking havoc on my system, sleep, erections energy basically a cycle of 1 to 2hrs of pick me up then a hard crash, then would do it all over again. these products really are dangerous if not used very sparingly.

Was asking about prostate because again here, unfortunetly I have some experience. Your a young dude, 22, the chances of cancer are almost non-existant. However, the fact you need to get up twice a night to piss indicates something may be going on?? It may be as simple as you need to stop drinking water/whatever after say 8pm or it may be something like BPH. The bladder is big enough where you shouldnt need to void twice per night (unless you are one of those young bucks that sleep 15 hrs a day).
Lastly, careful with the sleeping pills (again, I have experience here) ok to use short term or on occasion

[oscar1990]

Thanks for the advice once again.

Im currently not having any water like after 7-8ish.

My sleep cycles are much better, I feel refreshed after a nights sleep. Furthermore, I am currently cycling the sleeping tablets as follows: day 1 - 1 tablet, day2, none, day 3 - 1 tablet, day 4 - none. etc (intermittently)

ps. I dont think I will be using pre-workouts for a prolonged amount of time. I suggest anyone who is currently using 10scoops or more a week has an addiction and should abstain from using these types of supplements if consumed for more than 4-5 months consistently.