4 Endo I've seen. Can someone look at my #'s?

[jtuner77]

I have been fighting this tired depressed state for about a yr now(this state is way worse then just my semi tired state I have been in for 6-8 years). I have been going back and forth over the last 4 years with Endos. All stating I was "within the normal range" but was really in the lower end of the 300-1080.

First test in 2010 was 416
Second in 2011 was 387
third in 2012 of 361
First test in 2013 of 338

Today I got my last test results back that my 4th Endocrinologist had me take. Here are the #'s and the ranges

Total Test 364NG/DL, Range of 250-1100(odd how most of my tests had a range of 300-1080 but this one has a bottom of 250 now)
Free Test 62.4PG/ML, range of 35-155.0
Prolactin 7.5ng/mL, range of 2.0-18.0
LH 6.3mlU/mL, range of 1.5-9.3
SHBG 19 NMOL/L, range is 10-50(this doesn't make any sense, i thought the younger you are the lower the # is, studies show that I should be around 40.1 for an average but I am way below that numerically)

After I got the call in the morning and missed it I called the office back and the nurse said she got the test back, all was withing "normal" range. I am starting to hate the use of that word. I told her normal range is a WIDE range and I am tired of the bs that every endo tells me about it being normal.

I requested to see this doc and told her I refuse to feel like crap any longer and will not just settle for that answer she gave me anymore. I am tired of them JUST treating me off the #'s how about treating my lack of energy, depression, fogginess, non existent libido, constant weight gain and overall just piss pour quality of life.

Can anyone give me an idea why my shbg is so low numerically and anything else I should use in my conversation with the doctor tomorrow?

Thanks a ton guys....

[HRTstudent]

you mention you have been tired and depressed for a year now.

why did you start seeing an endo in 2010?

how old are you?

I'm sure we can offer you some help, and if nothing else, a group of people to talk to who have been and are in your shoes.

[jtuner77]

I have felt on some level run down, depressed but it got real bad in the last 8-9 months so after going to see a therapist and psych they both thought it might be more a physical thing versus a mental. They said the red flag went up when I told them I had just lost a gf and one of the defining reasons was having no interest in sex and couldn't maintain an erection.
I am 36, HRTstudent

[jtuner77]

Anyone?

[Rusty11]

Have any of these endos done thyroid labs?

[100%]

What was your blood sugar any diabetics in the family. The (TAAAA)n polymorphism of th... [Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2011 Feb;119(2):126-8. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1262801. Epub 2010 Aug 5.
The (TAAAA)n polymorphism of the SHBG gene in men with the metabolic syndrome.
Xita N, Milionis HJ, Galidi A, Lazaros L, Katsoulis K, Elisaf MS, Georgiou I, Tsatsoulis A.
Source
Department of Endocrinology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Low serum Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) has been proposed as an indicator of the Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease in men. On the other hand, the (TAAAA)n repeat polymorphism in the SHBG gene has been shown to affect SHBG levels. The possible role of this polymorphism in the MS was examined in the present study.
DESIGN:
The study population consisted of 83 men with MS aged 54.9±14.8 years and 166 healthy men of the same age. The diagnosis of MS was based on the criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program - Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III). The waist circumference was recorded and blood samples were obtained after overnight fasting for biochemical and hormonal tests. The SHBG(TAAAA)N polymorphism was genotyped in peripheral blood leucocytes.
RESULTS:
Genotype analysis for the (TAAAA)n polymorphism of the SHBG gene in the patients and controls identified 6 alleles having 6-11 TAAAA repeats. Patients with MS had more frequently short-allele genotypes (with 6/6, 6/7, 6/8, 7/7, 7/8 or 8/8 tandem repeats) compared to controls (53% vs. 39.8%, p=0.047). In the entire study population, men homozygous for the 6 TAAAA repeat allele had lower SHBG levels (p=0.01) and higher waist circumference (p=0.006) than men heterozygous or non-carriers of this allele.
CONCLUSION:
Short SHBG(TAAAA)N allele genotypes may play a role in the development of the MS. The mechanism of this contribution remains unclear.
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
And this Associations of Sex-Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) with Non-SHBG-Bound Levels of Testosterone and Estradiol in Independently Living Men

[kelkel]

What's your lifestyle like JT?
Height
Weight
Estimated body fat %
Do you exercise?

Regarding your numbers your TT does seem low. SHBG on the low end but livable. LH appears decent as well. I agree with Rusty that thyroid labs would be of interest as well in your case. Full labs not just TSH. E2 Sensitive assay and Iron Panel too. In the Finding a Doc Sticky is an example of complete BW to obtain. One more question, have you been examined for varicoceles by any of your doctors?

[jtuner77]

Have any of these endos done thyroid labs?

Rusty no they have not. I am going to see him here in about a hour and make a more forceful case and ask for a 100% complete blood panel with all my thyroids tests as well.

What was your blood sugar any diabetics in the family.

DO not know Blood sugar levels but no history of Diabetes

What's your lifestyle like JT?
Height
Weight
Estimated body fat %
Do you exercise?

Regarding your numbers your TT does seem low. SHBG on the low end but livable. LH appears decent as well. I agree with Rusty that thyroid labs would be of interest as well in your case. Full labs not just TSH. E2 Sensitive assay and Iron Panel too. In the Finding a Doc Sticky is an example of complete BW to obtain. One more question, have you been examined for varicoceles by any of your doctors?

Height 5'11"
Weight 240 (9-10 months ago I was 190)
Estimated Body Fat % now is about 30-35%
I do not exercise anymore. I would say the tiredness has almost crippled me. I walk a mile or two a night but my body is so weak and i just lack energy to lift. 9-10 months ago I was lifting daily, heavy and hard.

Kelkel never been examined for varioceles. What is that?

[Rusty11]

Interesting. The main "specialities" of an endo are diabetes and thyroid function. I'm scratching my head as to why that's never been looked at with bw. Any other symptoms besides depression and lack of energy? These are classic hypothyroid(low thyroid function) symptoms, along with weight gain and a few other things. It controls most functions of your body. I have no idea if this is a contributing factor, but please ask today when you see him. Google varioceles.

[jtuner77]

My doc pretty much said he won't treat me and my medical insurance wouldn't cover it as its within range. On to Endo #5 or off to find that other type of doctor you guys have recommended.

I did get him to do another full complete blood panel for my next doc.