Pre HRT Bloodwork Results for TennTarheel (10/19/2012)

**TennTarheel** · 10-24-2012, 11:38 AM

Finally got my BW Results!! I have 5 pages of numbers, so guys let me know which other numbers you would like to see. I will try to put the ones that I remember are pertinent for you to see whats going on...

Total Test 249.33 (250-890)
Free T 41.4 (47.0-244)

SHBG 42 (13-71)
Cholesterol 142
HDL 42
LDL 86
Triglyc 72

Estradiol 13.7 (0.0-39.0)

LH 1.7 (1.5-9.3)
FSH 5.0 (1.4-18.1)

Vit D(25-Hydroxy) 50 (30-89)

Obviously my Total and Free T are the things that stuck out the most to me and definitely validates what ive been feeling and hypothesizing was the case. Anything else that would help you guys out? Something you may find interesting or pertinent? Any advice would be awesome. The doc wants to put me on Fortesta for a few weeks and then get bloodwork done. I obviously want injections but am waiting for him to call me back. He wanted to think on it. Fock!

**bass** · 10-24-2012, 11:46 AM

before you make any decisions post your entire BW with ranges. did you do thyroid panel? we also need your stats, age, weight, height, BF%...

**TennTarheel** · 10-24-2012, 12:18 PM

I'm 5'9", 170lbs. Around 8 or 9% bf, been lifting seriously for about 18 yrs. I've lost about 25 lbs of lean muscle over the last couple years. Oh, I'm 32 years old. Also on suboxone which I feel is the culprit for my low test. I will be on it for at least another couple years

**bass** · 10-24-2012, 12:31 PM

thanks for posting the BW Tenn. well, I'll let GD chime in on this one, your thyroid is your biggest problem at this point and you will need to know why? i couldn't see some numbers but your cholesterol is on the low side, maybe diet related. your LH FSH are on the low side probably because of you thyroid. did your doctor say anything about your TSH?

**TennTarheel** · 10-24-2012, 12:35 PM

He said it we would just keep an eye on it and add a couple other tests in 3 weeks. He feels like it will probably level back out when I get a nice even test level and get back to my normal lifestyle. But who knows

What can affect my thyroid readings before BW? Could caffeine or nicotine throw it off? I dip a lil Copenhagen every now n then

**bass** · 10-24-2012, 01:28 PM

not sure if diet has any effect on TSH, but i can assure you TRT will not bring it down to normal. here is a good website to lean more about thyroid,

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

**TennTarheel** · 10-24-2012, 01:59 PM

Yeah, I think this test must have gotten thrown off by something bc I hardly have any of those symptoms they listed for thyroid issues. I could be wrong but I'm definitely gonna see what the next tests say. Doc is adding a couple different thyroid tests in that weren't done on this one

**TennTarheel** · 10-24-2012, 05:16 PM

Oh Bass, I did tell the doc that I have been having trouble sleeping and he said HRT would help with waking up so much at night. And with more sleep, my thyroid should straighten out since I'm not having a lot of the classic symptoms. He just felt like it was going to get better

**TennTarheel** · 10-24-2012, 08:41 PM

Anybody else have any input or insight? Thanks Bass

**xcraider37** · 10-24-2012, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by TennTarheel

Oh Bass, I did tell the doc that I have been having trouble sleeping and he said HRT would help with waking up so much at night. And with more sleep, my thyroid should straighten out since I'm not having a lot of the classic symptoms. He just felt like it was going to get better

I agree with your doc trt has helped me sleep better, but can't speak for your thyroid. Best advice I can give you is to do your own research.

**TennTarheel** · 10-26-2012, 04:30 PM

Well, I went to a second doc to get an opinion on bloodwork and see what he said. He had NEVER heard of using hcg along with test. He wanted to only put me on hcg. At least I got a script for about 20 weeks worth. He was writing all these things down I was mentioning. Arrogant is an understatement to describe this guy. I'm very discouraged.

**bass** · 10-26-2012, 04:50 PM

sorry to hear your appointment didn't go as you liked. what kind of hCG is this, premixed or dry? hCG has shelf life of 6-7 weeks.

**TennTarheel** · 10-26-2012, 09:12 PM

Well my wife is a pharmacist, so I'm gonna just get it in a few fresh batches :-)

**jackkerouc** · 12-11-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by TennTarheel

I'm 5'9", 170lbs. Around 8 or 9% bf, been lifting seriously for about 18 yrs. I've lost about 25 lbs of lean muscle over the last couple years. Oh, I'm 32 years old. Also on suboxone which I feel is the culprit for my low test. I will be on it for at least another couple years

TennTarheel - Why are you taking Suboxone? Opioid addiction? Perhaps your current low T is due to your past rather then Suboxone?

Your wife is a pharmacist? Kid in a candy store....

**jackkerouc** · 12-12-2012, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by jackkerouc

TennTarheel - Why are you taking Suboxone? Opioid addiction? Perhaps your current low T is due to your past rather then Suboxone?

The Impact of Opioids on the Endocrine System
Katz, Nathaniel MD, MS*; Mazer, Norman A. MD, PhD†

Abstract
Objectives: Opioids have been used for medicinal and analgesic purposes for centuries. However, their negative effects on the endocrine system, which have been known for some times, are barely discussed in modern medicine. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the impact of opioids on the endocrine system.

Methods: A review of the English language literature on preclinical and clinical studies of any type on the influence of opioids on the endocrine system was conducted. Preliminary recommendations for monitoring and managing these problems were provided.

Results: Long-term opioid therapy for either addiction or chronic pain often induces hypogonadism owing to central suppression of hypothalamic secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Symptoms of opioid-induced hypogonadism include loss of libido, infertility, fatigue, depression, anxiety, loss of muscle strength and mass, osteoporosis, and compression fractures in both men and women; impotence in men; and menstrual irregularities and galactorrhea in women. In view of the increased use of opioids for chronic pain, it has become increasingly important to monitor patients taking opioids and manage endocrine complications. Therefore, patients on opioid therapy should be routinely screened for such symptoms and for laboratory abnormalities in sex hormones.

Conclusions: Opioid-induced hypogonadism seems to be a common complication of therapeutic or illicit opioid use. Patients on long-term opioid therapy should be prospectively monitored, and in cases of opioid-induced hypogonadism, we recommend nonopioid pain management, opioid rotation, or sex hormone supplementation after careful consideration of the risks and benefits.