Lab Results pre-HRT

[Trenchant7]

Got my labwork back. I ran this test first. Then started a low dose of Clomid (12.5mg) a few days later, while I waited for results. I already feel unbelievably better after 6 days. But my test results indicate that Clomid shouldn't help much right?

My Estrogen is already lowish. My LH and FSH are already normal.

These numbers don't indicate that my T is low because of secondary hypogonadism, right? My LH should be struggling. Now I don't know what could be causing this.

Testosterone Total: 295 LOW (348-1197)
Free: 7.61 (5 - 21)
% Free Test: 2.58 (1.5 - 4.2)

LH: 5 (2 - 8)
FSH: 3.9 (1 - 12)
Prolactin: 12.6 (4 - 15)
Estradiol (Sensitive): 8 (3 - 70)

DHT: 28 LOW (30 - 85)
DHEA: 132 (31 - 701)
SHBG: 33.8 (16.5 - 55.9)

Thanks

[BallSak]

You kinda have to take LH and FSH with a grain of salt because they are pulsed, there is not an even flow of them, and you don't know if the bloods were pulled during a pulse or in-between a pulse.

The Clomid could very well help you out. You don't know till you run it.

Your estrogen is low cuz your testosterone is low. Your dht is low because your testosterone is low.

SHBG is slightly high but not bad at all.

Start supplementing vit D and dhea.

[Trenchant7]

Thanks Ball - does supplementing DHEA do the same thing as supplementing Testosterone ? Turn off your natural production of it?

[kelkel]

You kinda have to take LH and FSH with a grain of salt because they are pulsed, there is not an even flow of them, and you don't know if the bloods were pulled during a pulse or in-between a pulse.
Pulsatile in nature yes, but they really won't range so much that you can discount or disregard the result. Regarding your LH result and low T have you had any testical injuries, trauma or other issues down there? Varicoceles, etc.?

The Clomid could very well help you out. You don't know till you run it.

Your estrogen is low cuz your testosterone is low. Your dht is low because your testosterone is low.

SHBG is slightly high but not bad at all.

Mid-range is fine. You don't really want low SHBG as it comes with potential problems. Remember, SHBG rises with age and maintaining better test levels helps prevent this.

Start supplementing vit D and dhea.

Test your D first please. Odds are it's low like BS said, but it's a hormone and a fat soluble one so you should test it first. If you do start pre-test start with a low dose. Use a micronized dhea product for best absorption.

Thanks Ball - does supplementing DHEA do the same thing as supplementing Testosterone? Turn off your natural production of it?

Nope.

[Trenchant7]

Okay,

Did 2 weeks on Clomid 12mg. Microdose. Vitamin D daily.

First week, my world changed for the better. Depression lifted. Libido up. Motivation back for the first time in years. Second week? Flatline on everything. All was gone. Figured it was a good time to redo the bloodwork.

Please reference the first set above and compare. As you can see I wasn't exactly low on LH and FSH so doing Clomid was probably not necessary. It seems my DHEA should've been my main target. Anyways ... check this out:

Testosterone : 885 (<---- !!!)
Free Test: 23.28 HIGH (5 - 21)
% Free T: 2.63 (1.5 - 4.2)

Estradiol (Sensitive): 18 (3-70)

LH: 8.7 HIGH (1.7 - 8.6)
FSH: 6.3 (1.5 - 12.4)

Prolactin: 7.9 (4 - 15)
DHEA: 131 (31 - 701)
DHEA-S: 210 (102 - 416)

Interpretation:

Mine: Start supplementing DHEA as that is clearly the sluggish precursor, and Testosterone and Estrogen increases should follow naturally. Not sure if I should bother continuing with Clomid.

Yours?

Why do you think my libido, motivation, and depression turned for the worse in the 2nd week? Because Estrogen is still low?

Edit:

Hemoglobin: 16.9 (12 - 17.7)
RBC: 5.2 (4.1 - 5.8)

[kelkel]

Why do you think my libido, motivation, and depression turned for the worse in the 2nd week? Because Estrogen is still low?

Way too early to tell why. Two weeks is really not enough time to assess any protocol, imho. Hormonal fluctuations will cause a myriad of feelings/emotions which can take time to settle.

[jasondd1]

How are you sleeping? Clomid only jacked up my progesterone and although my total climbed to 600 free did little and my sleep tanked.

[Trenchant7]

Thanks guys.

Its obvious my LH wasn't low in the first place (5.0).
Confirmation of that came when taking only 12mg for two weeks resulted in "HIGH" LH out of range.

Obvious situation. LH was doing fine. And I raised it.

Would you agree that it's not prudent to continue taking something that pushes my LH too high?

When I see my DHEA is pushing the low limit, wouldn't it make more sense to just supplement DHEA and drop the Clomid?

[kelkel]

If you don't need it (clomid) don't take it. Yes, I'd then work on your DHEA, D, etc.

[jsam]

Got my labwork back. I ran this test first. Then started a low dose of Clomid (12.5mg) a few days later, while I waited for results. I already feel unbelievably better after 6 days. But my test results indicate that Clomid shouldn't help much right?

My Estrogen is already lowish. My LH and FSH are already normal.

These numbers don't indicate that my T is low because of secondary hypogonadism, right? My LH should be struggling. Now I don't know what could be causing this.

Testosterone Total: 295 LOW (348-1197)
Free: 7.61 (5 - 21)
% Free Test: 2.58 (1.5 - 4.2)

LH: 5 (2 - 8)
FSH: 3.9 (1 - 12)
Prolactin: 12.6 (4 - 15)
Estradiol (Sensitive): 8 (3 - 70)

DHT: 28 LOW (30 - 85)
DHEA: 132 (31 - 701)
SHBG: 33.8 (16.5 - 55.9)

Thanks

Was this from ptivatemedlabs? Which tests\panels did you ger done?

[Trenchant7]

Was this from ptivatemedlabs? Which tests\panels did you ger done?

Yes, and it was expensive as sh*t. Fortunately I have found a doctor friend willing to order any tests I want from now on, and run it through my insurance. Since the medical system sucks, I have to take these shady methods to get basic medical care. And do it myself.

Actually it looks like I ordered them individually. Not part of any panel. The actual name of the tests match the names above.

I didnt use the "Panel" option because none of them had "only" what I wanted. Always a bunch of additional tests I didn't need. Some would double and triple up on the CBC as well. Unnecessary.

If you don't need it (clomid) don't take it. Yes, I'd then work on your DHEA, D, etc.

@kelkel - thanks for the response. I dropped the Clomid and have been on DHEA 5mg for a week or so now. Will retest everything in a couple weeks to see whats changing, if anything. I definitely still feel the Testosterone is up. So thats good.