Help with blood work

[Mikexx]

Hi, looking for a little help or opinions on test results.

im a 46 year old 5'10" 145lbs with the results below

test, serum 849 ng/dl range 280-800
test, % free & weekly bound 11.4 range 9-46
test F &W bound 96.8 ng/dl range 40-250
dhea 194.8 ug/dl range 44.3-331

I was told that i need to take DIM (diindolylmethane) to get more free testoetrone and to balance them better.

does this sound right?

[zaggahamma]

mike welcome

never heard of that compound...
may i ask if you are on any meds currently, do you have any symptoms/reasons to get your hormones/bloodwork done?

[Mikexx]

Thanks for the reply JPKMAN

No not on any kind of meds. I rarley go to a doctor, so rarley im considered a new patient when i do go to family doc.

I have been feeling a lack of energy and low libido over the past few months.

I decided to get a basic test that checks CBC (Complete Blood Count), CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: kidney and liver function, electrolytes, blood sugar, minerals, digestive function, etc), Lipid Panel (cholesterol, tryglicerides), and Thyroid Panel (TSH, T3 uptake and T4). All these results looked good.

I have never had my testoerone checked and decided to add that test also.
The results of the testoerone test really surprised me, I was thinking it was gonna be low.

There is a health nutrition store here that offers different types of blood work fairy cheap (compared to doctors) to check ones health and they go over the results with you. They said my total testoetrone was high and free testoetrone was border low. They say DIM helps unbind some testoetrone, making more free testoetrone. therefore helping me get the most out of my testoetrone.

When researching, I came across this site. seems to be a lot of knowledgeable
people here.

[zaggahamma]

Thanks for the reply JPKMAN

No not on any kind of meds. I rarley go to a doctor, so rarley im considered a new patient when i do go to family doc.

I have been feeling a lack of energy and low libido over the past few months.

I decided to get a basic test that checks CBC (Complete Blood Count), CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: kidney and liver function, electrolytes, blood sugar, minerals, digestive function, etc), Lipid Panel (cholesterol, tryglicerides), and Thyroid Panel (TSH, T3 uptake and T4). All these results looked good.

I have never had my testoerone checked and decided to add that test also.
The results of the testoerone test really surprised me, I was thinking it was gonna be low.

There is a health nutrition store here that offers different types of blood work fairy cheap (compared to doctors) to check ones health and they go over the results with you. They said my total testoetrone was high and free testoetrone was border low. They say DIM helps unbind some testoetrone, making more free testoetrone. therefore helping me get the most out of my testoetrone.

When researching, I came across this site. seems to be a lot of knowledgeable
people here.

yeh there is bro....thats why i chimed in and at least got a little info from you so that someone that might know will chime in soon...
did you try a little google search on that compound...you'll be surprised how much info you can get reading up on your own

[Vettester]

Did you run a panel for your SHBG? Elevated levels of SHBG will usually cause the free bio-available testosterone be lower. In this case I would look at adding some Stinging Nettle Root to your regiment, along with a healthy dose of EFA's.

[Mikexx]

Thanks for the replies, Im new to all this testoetrone stuff so bear with me.

After looking at my test results done by Lab Corp it does not mention SHBG. :-(
I am going to talk to the place that wrote the test orders for me about the SHBG. Looks like that is really needed to get a full picture.

This is all the testoerone part of the test had in it.
test, serum 849 ng/dl range 280-800
test, % free & weekly bound 11.4 range 9-46
test F &W bound 96.8 ng/dl range 40-250
dhea 194.8 ug/dl range 44.3-331
PSA 0.3 ng/ml range 0.0-4.0
vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 38.2ng/ml range 32-100

I already take a omega 3 on a regular basics.
I have read up on the Stinging Nettle Root you recommend and the diinolylmethane (DIM) the nutrition store recommended. They both appear to be very good. I have already ordered the DIM and it should be here any day.
I think I am going to try the DIM first and see how it does.

How long after one starts do you recommend getting tested again?


This is what I found out about diinolylmethane (DIM)
copy and paste

How can DIM help with age-related reduced levels of free testosterone ?
Since DIM promotes a more active metabolism of estrogen, unmetabolized estrogen levels fall and the 2-hydroxy-estrogens increase. The 2-hydroxy-estrogens possess the unique ability to displace testosterone from SHGB and set it free. Therefore, the combined effect of DIM to reduce unmetabolized estrogen and increase 2-hydroxy-estrogens can reduce elevations in SHGB and allow for more free testosterone. Both of these changes help maintain and restore a youthful balance between estrogen and free testosterone. This balance is a key to a healthy and active metabolism.

Does DIM help maintain a healthy testosterone level in older men?
Zelligs: "The same dynamics for maintaining higher total and free testosterone levels apply to healthy aging in men. Estrogen metabolism is slowed during aging in men, especially in association with obesity and regular alcohol use." [translation: As we age, our bodies take longer to "clear" the estrogen in our cells and higher than healthy levels of estrogen are common, especially in men who are obese or who are regular social drinkers.]

"Avoiding overactive testosterone metabolism, [clearing the testosterone too quickly] and reducing the conversion of testosterone into estrogen are goals of nutritional support in middle aged and older men."

"It is well documented that estrogen accumulates in the prostate gland starting at age 50 (42) and that estrogen is associated with the degree of prostate enlargement.

"Based on animal and human testing, DIM is again preferable to I3C in the area of men's health. Using DIM in men avoids accelerating testosterone metabolism, especially regarding unwanted conversion of testosterone into estrogen."


Even more impressive is research showing that unmetabolized estrogen accumulates in prostate tissue in men as they age. Exposure of human prostate tissue to unmetabolized estrogen in the laboratory did indeed result in activation and increased production of prostate specific antigen protein (PSA). The PSA protein level in men's blood is now used as a screening test to determine the severity of prostate enlargement or to determine the chance of prostate cancer. Recent studies also have shown that estradiol, the active form of estrogen, causes the prostate gland to increase its production of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Increased PSA production, however, can be inhibited by the "good" estrogen metabolites promoted by DIM. This indicates that "good" estrogen metabolites are more beneficial for prostate health than unmetabolized estrogen-like estradiol. (53)

Various supplements, including DIM, can now be used to reduce the risk of prostate enlargement and promote a healthy prostate. Optimum testosterone-2-estrogen hormonal balance achieved with the use of DIM can help to preserve a youthful urinary tract, prevent age-related prostate growth, and perhaps reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Long term safety has been demonstrated in DIM.

[Vettester]

Truthfully, if I'm reading this correctly, your free "T" is higher than most. Most guys are between 2% to 4%. Double check your reference range for the free test %. I might be looking at it wrong myself. Also, here's a link that has some good information about SHBG and how it relates to free testosterone http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/labt...stosterone.htm

That's actually a very impressive total "T" score to have at 46 without taking any TRT. If libido is an issue you should also be checking your estradiol (E2) and DHEA levels just the same.

[Mikexx]

I double checked the reference ranges they are as posted. I am gonna try the diinolylmethane (DIM) and see if it makes a difference in libido. If it doesnt make a difference in a month or so. Im gonna get the test run again and make sure they get the SHBG next time. Thanks for the link, real good info. The more i read the more it all make sense.

[Vettester]

Cool, Mike! Keep us posted with your progress. Double check the other hormones too. Something as simple as high/low E2 can throw the libido off track and can contribute to the hormonal pathway out of balance.

BTW, did they check your albumin on this last panel (probably on your metabolic panel)? That factored with SHBG & Total Test can give us another perspective on your free testosterone .

[zaggahamma]

mike...best of luck..i'll be watching this post as well looking for updates if you will...

thanks

[Mikexx]

Vetteman and jpkman, you bet i'll be checking in. sites in my favorites. thanks for all the input and help.

I looked back at the metabolic panel and found the albumin.

Albumin, serum 4.7 g/dl range 3.5-5.5

I dont know why they didnt do a SHBG, seems like that is needed to help get the full picture of things.