Blood test in the morning: what should I ask for? UK

**Complete novice** · 08-28-2013, 02:48 PM

Hello all, I've red the sticky's but I will need to explain why I want each test done?

What exactly should I ask for and what reason should I give for wanting this test to be done?

Please help, long history of low test and no treatment has helped.

**Back In Black** · 08-28-2013, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Complete novice

Hello all, I've red the sticky's but I will need to explain why I want each test done?

What exactly should I ask for and what reason should I give for wanting this test to be done?

Please help, long history of low test and no treatment has helped.

With your GP? Has he done your tests before?

What treatment have you had?

**Complete novice** · 08-28-2013, 03:25 PM

History: I have been suffering with all the usual symptoms for nearly 2 years and have had four different endos:

1st gave me nebido after his under study thought this was the best treatment, I tried this and it gave me pain in my testicles (horrible), spots and no improvement at all, had two shots over 6 months.

2nd endo saw me and after I told him about my symptoms, he told me to stop (tbh I'm surprised I lasted that long with the pain) he then told me to leave it for 6 months which I found unacceptable.

3rd endo, was great spent all afternoon chatting to me and suggested I have a sleep study, see a dietitian and referred me to a so called specialist. He thought it was appalling I have had to live with these issues, but was retiring. So didn't want to start a new case, so to speak.

4th endo (so called specialist) wouldn't see me till I'd had a sleep study done, after I had that done it showed I had sleep apnea due to massive tonsils... Had them removed, got two hemoridges and a blood clot.. 3 operations later and a hell of a lot of pain. I took a 4 hour drive to have a blood test!!!

He then told my gp to start me on test enthate, the dose was 0.8ml every two weeks, after 4 days of first shot I felt worse than ever. Pain, shrinkage, spots, really wanted to commit suicide.. But I stuck it out for 2 months.. Was horrible.. He then told me to stop and have another blood test (4 hour drive). After that I was put on clomid, which after 10 days made my nipples feel like they had been through a cheese grater.. After another 4 hour drive the so called specialist told me he couldn't do anymore.

Now hear I am, going to see yet another endo next week, I want to get everything done before I go.

I could write a book on how bad my life has been

**powerlifterty16** · 08-28-2013, 04:10 PM

full thyroid panel(tsh, t3/t4 free, that should be enough for now and if they come back bad ask for more)....total and free testosterone , estradiol, shbg, choelsterol, liver values, fasting glucose, psa.....start off with those and cortisol/dhea

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by Complete novice

History: I have been suffering with all the usual symptoms for nearly 2 years and have had four different endos:

1st gave me nebido after his under study thought this was the best treatment, I tried this and it gave me pain in my testicles (horrible), spots and no improvement at all, had two shots over 6 months.

2nd endo saw me and after I told him about my symptoms, he told me to stop (tbh I'm surprised I lasted that long with the pain) he then told me to leave it for 6 months which I found unacceptable.

3rd endo, was great spent all afternoon chatting to me and suggested I have a sleep study, see a dietitian and referred me to a so called specialist. He thought it was appalling I have had to live with these issues, but was retiring. So didn't want to start a new case, so to speak.

4th endo (so called specialist) wouldn't see me till I'd had a sleep study done, after I had that done it showed I had sleep apnea due to massive tonsils... Had them removed, got two hemoridges and a blood clot.. 3 operations later and a hell of a lot of pain. I took a 4 hour drive to have a blood test!!!

He then told my gp to start me on test enthate, the dose was 0.8ml every two weeks, after 4 days of first shot I felt worse than ever. Pain, shrinkage, spots, really wanted to commit suicide.. But I stuck it out for 2 months.. Was horrible.. He then told me to stop and have another blood test (4 hour drive). After that I was put on clomid, which after 10 days made my nipples feel like they had been through a cheese grater.. After another 4 hour drive the so called specialist told me he couldn't do anymore.

Now hear I am, going to see yet another endo next week, I want to get everything done before I go.

I could write a book on how bad my life has been

Nebido protocol should be a shot at week one, another at week 6 and then at 8-12 week intervals. This should get get test levels up and constant, it sounds like your endo didn't follow this protocol?

Spots were caused by the increase in test, it's a common side effect, it's likely they would stop if you had stable test levels. Pain in your testicles is them shrinking. That is unavoidable without taking HCG which isn't prescribed in the UK. You would need to get your own HCG or put up with the pain until such time that it stops and your testicles have shrunk.

I'm assuming your second endo didn't give you a restart protocol? If not, your test scores are likely much lower than they were before starting nebido.

Test E is an old protocol in the UK and 1 shot every 2 weeks is terrible advice, your levels wouldn't be very stable which would make you feel up and down like a yoyo.

Let's hope your next endo knows what he is doing. Your spots and testicular pain may well return if you go back on therapy but they should be temporary. There are OTC supplements to help with the acne. Nebido is, supposedly, the king of TRT provided the right protocol is used. You should insist on the 6 week booster and then get your shot 10 weeks after that with bloodwork at that 10 week shot.

On my recent visit (first) to an NHS endo I was referred for the following tests.

Full Blood Count
Testosterone
estradiol
Thyroid
Prolactin
PSA
Ferritin
Vitamin D
Cortisol
B12
LFT
UFT

I'm not sure the last 2 are what he wrote down, you know Drs handwriting!

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 04:25 AM

Thanks for the response, I wanted to stop the nebido as it did nothing for me what so ever. My testosterone may have raised slightly to cause me getting spots, but as none of my symptoms had changed I agreed it wasn't the treatment for me.

I have been to the docs today and had the following bloods taken:

Full Blood Count
Testosterone
estradiol
Thyroid
Prolactin
PSA
Ferritin
Vitamin D
Cortisol
B12
LFT
UFT

Apart from the mentioned treatments is there anything else available?

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by Complete novice

Thanks for the response, I wanted to stop the nebido as it did nothing for me what so ever. My testosterone may have raised slightly to cause me getting spots, but as none of my symptoms had changed I agreed it wasn't the treatment for me.

I have been to the docs today and had the following bloods taken:

Full Blood Count
Testosterone
estradiol
Thyroid
Prolactin
PSA
Ferritin
Vitamin D
Cortisol
B12
LFT
UFT

Apart from the mentioned treatments is there anything else available?

Ha ha, did you ask him to do everything I got?

Your symptoms may not have changed because of the protocol but there may be other issues that may be flagged with blood tests or an MRI scan.

Anything else available? Let's see what the results of these tests are, you will need to post them up with ranges so the guys can take a closer look.

Have you had an MRI scan at any point since visiting the first endo?

What are your 'usual symptoms' btw?

Also, what are your stats

Age
Height
Weight
Bodyfat
Any cycle history?

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 04:35 AM

Yep, got everything done, nurse said I better lie down, they are taking a lot of blood...

The last time I had my test checked it was in the "normal range" although I have all these symptoms.

I had an MRI done and it came back fine.

My sperm count is fine and they say if I can produce a good sperm count and my test level is in the normal range. They can't do anymore than they have done.

This doesn't help me or my symptoms tho.

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 04:37 AM

What symptoms exactly though? And your stats?

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 05:19 AM

Stats: 35, 250lb, 6ft, 30% + bf (gained over 3 stone since diagnosed with low test).

Symptoms: no libido, no drive, no erections, no morning wood or any other time. Tired and lethargic constantly, very moody, depressed, anxious, no get up and go. Weight gain, fat gain, just generally feel like crap.

I train as often as I can, lift heavy and eat as clean as I can.

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 05:30 AM

Can you list the diet you are using to try and lose weight?

How's your blood pressure.

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 05:45 AM

I have seen a dietitian, nutritionalist and had tests to check metabolic rate and been in bod pod ect. My blood pressure is fine I think, well the doctor said it was this morning.

Diet:

Meal 1- 1 cup oats, mixed berrys, honey, coconut milk, scoop of whey, blended.
Meal 2- 200g chicken, almonds, spinach and mixed salad.
Meal 3- same as meal 2.
Meal 4- my protein recovery shake
Meal 5- 200g lean beef, lots of green veg.

Pretty much perfect, but doesn't work.

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by Complete novice

I have seen a dietitian, nutritionalist and had tests to check metabolic rate and been in bod pod ect. My blood pressure is fine I think, well the doctor said it was this morning.

Diet:

Meal 1- 1 cup oats, mixed berrys, honey, coconut milk, scoop of whey, blended.
Meal 2- 200g chicken, almonds, spinach and mixed salad.
Meal 3- same as meal 2.
Meal 4- my protein recovery shake
Meal 5- 200g lean beef, lots of green veg.

Pretty much perfect, but doesn't work.

Well, if it doesn't work it isn't perfect I guess. Do you know the macros? How long have you been eating like this?

How much cardio and lifting do you do?

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 07:17 AM

Been on this exact diet for over 4 months now and am still the same fat percentage. I train 4 days a week, don't do cardio as I have a serious injury to my knee which restricts me from doing anything using my legs.

I go to the gym and lift fairly heavy and put my all into every workout (symptoms don't help)

is there anyway I would have all these symptoms other than low test?

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Complete novice

Been on this exact diet for over 4 months now and am still the same fat percentage. I train 4 days a week, don't do cardio as I have a serious injury to my knee which restricts me from doing anything using my legs.

I go to the gym and lift fairly heavy and put my all into every workout (symptoms don't help)

is there anyway I would have all these symptoms other than low test?

Low test. E2 out of whack. We will know better when you get your results. Your high bodyfat won't help matters. Do you know the macros's of that diet? Can you list them for each meal?

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 07:58 AM

Don't know the exact macros tbh! The fat/weight gain has come with the low test and other symptoms, I don't drink/take drugs and have never taken steroids before.

I was seriously considering taking a small course to see if I actually felt any better. As the endos are useless in my experience! Spose I'm just going to have to wait for the results tho!

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 08:01 AM

Are the weights of food you mention in the uncooked or cooked form?

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 08:11 AM

All cooked weight

**Back In Black** · 08-29-2013, 08:12 AM

Ok, and you can't even do an elliptical trainer or bike? How many times a week do you lift?

**Complete novice** · 08-29-2013, 03:58 PM

Tbh I do some sparring and bag work but anything where I use my legs is out of the question, I can't even run across the road, my knee is shot at after an old injury.

I train 4 days a week,

Monday - chest
Tuesday - back
Thursday - shoulders
Friday - arms

I go to physio every week for my knee. And have been doing so for the past year.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-29-2013, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Complete novice

Tbh I do some sparring and bag work but anything where I use my legs is out of the question, I can't even run across the road, my knee is shot at after an old injury.

I train 4 days a week,

Monday - chest
Tuesday - back
Thursday - shoulders
Friday - arms

I go to physio every week for my knee. And have been doing so for the past year.

maybe you could do calf work and hamstring curls to get some knee work in? im lucky i have a herniated disc but still am able to squat..jsut not deadlift.