Blood tests done - is TRT warranted?

[johnhenry]

Hello all, I am wanting to ask the advice of the experienced people here. I hope this post is not too long, but there is a fair bit of info. I am from Australia, so not all blood markers available c/f US.
Date (blood tests) 14 Nov 28 Nov Units = = Ideal
Lutenizing Hormone 3.7 2.7 U/L (Ref range 1.0 - 9.0)
Progesterone 1.6 0.7 nmol/L 0.2ng/ml 0.27-0.9ng/ml
Oestradiol 94 139 pmol/L 39.7pg/ml 58.7pg/ml 15-30pg/ml
Testosterone 14 14 nmol/L 410ng/dl 410ng/dl 600-800ng/dl
SHBG 43 44 nmol/L 10-30nmol/L
Free Testosterone 242 231 pmol/L 66.5pg/ml 63.5pg/ml 140-200pg/ml
DHEA-S 4.6 umol/L 95.2ug/ml 500-600ug/ml
Cortisol 208 nmol/L 200-700nmol/L
Platelets 127 x 10^9/L Ref range 140-400
Lymphocytes 5.52 x 10^9/L Ref range1.00-4.00
Free T4 10 pmol/L Ref range 7.0 - 17
Free T3 4.8 pmol/L Ref range 3.5 – 6.0
TSH 2.0 1.8 mU/L Ref range 0.3 – 4.5
Background:
Age: 58 Height: 179cm – 5’10.5” Weight 79kg = 174lb BMI = 24.5 Carrying a slight bit of fat (maybe 1 kg – ie. 2 lbs) on belt line which is hardly noticeable, but would like to have none – that bit is very hard to shift, and maybe produces some aromatase enzyme….it would go with a two day fast but it seems to return all too easily.
Diet – along paleo lines ie. minimal carbs, sugar, dairy, grains and trans fats. Eat salads, good oils (olive, krill), a little fruit, beef, lamb, etc and periodic fasting to maintain below 80kg
Exercise three times/wk including strength trg (push ups, pull ups, chin ups) and have reasonable muscle definition. Would be in better shape than most men my age I think.
Symptoms – low libido and pe*is sensitivity is not what it used to be – takes a fair while to climax - EQ lacking - married three months ago to a lovely, supportive wife (need 30g of well known V for reliable performance), some brain fog at times, sore joints on some days, bit slow to recover from exercise, skin thinning.
My GP (doctor) is a good doctor, but is unfamiliar with successful TRT protocols – so very reticent to prescribe. However, he has agreed to work on this together. I have tried every natural approach – see www.boostyourlowtestosterone.com – Mark Wilson promotes good diet, high intensity exercise, not carrying extra weight etc – which I totally agree with – but when come to the end of that approach & still have unreliable erec*ions & low libido, what then?? So here we are..

Interpretation: (my relatively uneducated)
LH levels look low – not instructing testes to make more T (why?)
Total T low. SHBG high. & Free T low (one half to one third of ideal range). E2 higher than ideal also.
DHEA-S very low. Thyroid looks okay. My doctor happy enough with these numbers.
Cortisol low, and has been low for a long time.
Platelets lower than ideal and lymphocytes higher than ideal – indicating liver not cleaning out blood debris as well as it should be – not sure why..would like to get to the bottom of this too. Consuming raw beetroot twice a week to aid liver function. Question - will T esters put extra load on the liver to eliminate it?
Out of the reading I have done, I have an attached tentative protocol in mind. I have not been in a hurry to start, as once you start it seems you are in for the long haul. But I do want to have good health, vitality and libido without taking unnecessary risks. Comments very much appreciated.

[kelkel]

Quick answer? Your getting older. No offense, it happens.
LH low = same answer as above. Normal.
T drops, E rises as does shbg = getting older again.
DHEA low. Begin supplementing with micronized DHEA in the morning. That low I'd go with 50mg. Also D3.
Cortisol low may be adrenal issues.

Basically, barring any serious medical issue it just plain may be time for hormone supplementation. We're not kids anymore and why not be as healthy as possible. It's between you and your hopefully competent doc!

Others will chime in. I'm signing off for the night.

Welcome to the forum JH. Stick around. Read the stickies. Contribute!

kel

[ab037]

Not sure I read your lab right, your total testosterone at 410? At 58 doesnt seem to terrible but only you know how you feel.. im 20 years younger and have tested twice in the last 2 weeks @ 231 and 320 so working on getting myself fixed

[kelkel]

Exactly ab037. It's how you feel. We are not numbers on a scale! Good luck with your own issue!

[Guido]

Hi There. My first post so here goes. JH my doc has ordered a blood test for myself for the many symtoms I have been showing. At first I was medicated for depression, 18 months later I am still have many of the same symptoms ( minus the depressive mood ). I am only 37, however feel a lot older. So next Friday I will get my results and hopefully be put out of my misery.

[Bonaparte]

You should get a complete blood count (CBC panel) before worrying about liver issues.
And no, TRT should not affect your liver.
Supplement with NAC (N-Acetyl-cysteine), not beetroot.

[bass]

Exactly ab037. It's how you feel. We are not numbers on a scale! Good luck with your own issue!

although my levels were in good range I wasn't feeling all that good and recovery sucked. so my doc said exactly what you said, numbers don't mean anything if you don't feel right, she upped my dose to see if that takes care of it and guess what? I do feel a great difference already. my point is I agree with Kel and ab037, its about how you feel.