Low T: Zrt labs, Joint pain

**Ccdiesel** · 08-01-2013, 10:56 PM

This is my first post. Not sure where to post this but I've been having progressively more joint pain and common low t symptoms for a couple years. I'm 26, so not good. I tested twice, just total T and cortisol. Results were:

Test total: 347 ng/dl taken 6:15am
Test total: 317 ng/dl taken 6:15am
Cortisol: 7.9
Cortisol: 7.5

I'm in the Tucson area, has anyone found a good progressive doctor? I've seen my primary care and he blew me off because "I'm too young".

Joint pain and low libido are my biggest concerns. I've lost about 45 pounds in 2 years and I feel like if I do any physical activity I'm not healing well after. Sore for days. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

**powerlifterty16** · 08-01-2013, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by Ccdiesel

This is my first post. Not sure where to post this but I've been having progressively more joint pain and common low t symptoms for a couple years. I'm 26, so not good. I tested twice, just total T and cortisol. Results were:

Test total: 347 ng/dl taken 6:15am
Test total: 317 ng/dl taken 6:15am
Cortisol: 7.9
Cortisol: 7.5

I'm in the Tucson area, has anyone found a good progressive doctor? I've seen my primary care and he blew me off because "I'm too young".

Joint pain and low libido are my biggest concerns. I've lost about 45 pounds in 2 years and I feel like if I do any physical activity I'm not healing well after. Sore for days. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

how old are you and why is your lab open at 6 am?

**Ccdiesel** · 08-01-2013, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

how old are you and why is your lab open at 6 am?

I used zrt labs blood spot tests and I am 26.

**kelkel** · 08-02-2013, 08:11 AM

If your T is low then there's a good chance your E is also low. E follows T. Low E = joint pain, weak libido, etc.

**Ccdiesel** · 08-02-2013, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by kelkel

If your T is low then there's a good chance your E is also low. E follows T. Low E = joint pain, weak libido, etc.

Ya those were my thoughts as well after seeing so many guys take a big dose of AI. My joints feel dry and crack, especially in the morning. My knees and shoulders are the worst. I checked for overall inflammation and that came back extremely low and Advil does not affect my aches and pains. That's what lead me to test my T.

It took a while longer but now I have very low libido and erections are not goo. No more morning ones either.

**The Deadlifting Dog** · 08-02-2013, 09:04 AM

Have you had your thyroid tested?

Hypothyroidism can cause joint pain. Many believe it can also cause low T.

**J DIESEL3** · 08-02-2013, 10:53 AM

I was just like kel said when i tested low t...

Man my shoulders and knees felt like my bones were grinding also!I was like this even on test.With my injections every 3.5 days and a dose that was to low my e2 was like 6 without AI

Oh and yes having my e low crushed my libido too!!

**Ccdiesel** · 08-02-2013, 11:41 AM

I tested tsh t3 and t4 shortly after my first low testosterone results and my levels were all okay.

I had zrt run my last sample for estrogen, it just came back as 39 pg/ml. It says within range. But I am not familiar with my normal estrogen levels. At 22 I had tested total T and I was around 1100. Never tested anything else.

Joints don't feel like bone on bone, but definitely tendon popping and a dryness feeling.

**Ccdiesel** · 08-02-2013, 03:48 PM

Any recommendations?

**FRDave** · 08-02-2013, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Ccdiesel

Any recommendations?

Your test levels are low and your E2 levels are a little high which could be the cause of your libido issues. Not sure on the joint pain as this can be a number of things, but it's not due to low E2 levels like most would have assumed.

Have any other labs or this it?

**Ccdiesel** · 08-02-2013, 06:01 PM

No other labs unfortunately. Can low test and working out cause joint issues?

**FRDave** · 08-02-2013, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Ccdiesel

No other labs unfortunately. Can low test and working out cause joint issues?

I would assume yes since test levels can effects bone mass and tendon strength, but don't take my word on it. Hopefully the experts will chime in on this one...

**Ccdiesel** · 08-02-2013, 07:36 PM

Bottom line, I don't know where to go from here. T levels are obviously not good so if supplementing T is the route to diagnose with some certainty I do not know how to go about it.

I don't think I am injured because of the symmetry of the pains and cracking. It's every major stressed joint including my back. I haven't lifted in about 9 months now.

**Ccdiesel** · 08-02-2013, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by FRDave

I would assume yes since test levels can effects bone mass and tendon strength, but don't take my word on it. Hopefully the experts will chime in on this one...

Thanks for the input I appreciate it.