Free Test very high

[bethdoth]

Are all labs created equal? When I get labs done at my civilian doc my total test is normally around 850 and free 150 or so. I had my annual VA physical and asked them to check it. Came back with total test at 979 ng/dl range 250-1100 and free test came back at 288.6 pg/ml range of 35-155.

I have not been feeling quite as good lately and have had a few issues with feeling like I am breaking out in hives and get itchy when I initially exert myself (cardio or lifting) but goes away in a few minutes. I have also had a superficial blood clot in my left leg since July.

Is free test that high a bad thing?

[kelkel]

Well, labs can have different ranges but mistakes can be made. That being said, your T levels will vary from day to day depending on a myriad of factors. No, it's not a bad thing having high (er) free T. It's probably an indicator of low shbg. Know that low shbg can be an indicator for type 2 diabetes / insulin resistance.

I'd say more thorough BW is in order rhoag.

[bethdoth]

Thanks for the reply. I have a doc appt this afternoon I will talk to her.

[bullshark99]

dude, if thats you, you look great! I am interested in your Drs explanation/feelings on this??? I have asked this question several times here and never seem to get anything concrete. My free runs pretty high as well. Total in clinical range but free high, just want to make sure this is not a health risk????

[2Sox]

I agree with Kel. I don't think having high levels are necessarily bad. In my mind, the higher the free T, the bigger your anabolic reserves are. Of course, it's very important to watch that hematocrit and RBC do not get dangerously high and your E2 is under control.
As an example, I'm on 112mg T Cyp/week and 875iu hCG /week (16mg/day and 125iu/day respectively). My recent Total T is hovering at 1400 (That's the crest. Trough is 800) and free T is double the top range in the 300's. Hematocrit is a little over the top range at 54, but blood donations keep this under control. E2 is totally under control with 12.5mg Aromasin every six days. Everything else is just fine. And I'm older than you. The nice thing is that keeping track of things gives you the option of tweaking your dosage.

[kelkel]

dude, if thats you, you look great! I am interested in your Drs explanation/feelings on this??? I have asked this question several times here and never seem to get anything concrete. My free runs pretty high as well. Total in clinical range but free high, just want to make sure this is not a health risk????

What issue bull?

[bullshark99]

Not so much an issue Kel, I have just asked a few times guys like GD, vette to name a few who are no longer with us if Free being over the top range was a long term risk and received mixed at best opinions. My BW for the most part is spot on with the exception of Free being high. My clinic claims its a non issue but I'm always leery when I no I'm being "sold" product.

[kelkel]

Ok, well like I said, I don't see an issue unless other factors are present like I mentioned in my first post.

[bethdoth]

Ya that is me in the pic (kinda fat)... my daughter decided I should be the Hulk at our annual Halloween camping trip. There is a new mens health clinic here in Green Bay that I have contacted. I am currently being treated by my family doctor and myself and getting her to do the proper labs is sometimes difficult. If I can't use (because of insurance) the Mens clinic I am going to change Doctors to the male doc in the same clinic that is also on HRT. He would probably be more willing to do better labs. I can not give blood because way back when I was in the Navy I was exposed to and given a shot for Hepatitis B, so they won't take it. I need to do something soon because I just have that gut feeling something isn't right.
I have started my winter cut, my strength is very good, but I just don't feel as energetic as I normally do.

[kelkel]

Consider a therapeutic phlebotomy.

[bethdoth]

I am going to try the local blood donor center and see if they will takle my blood. They will atleast once for testing. What type of donation should a person on HRT do ... whole blood, double red cell, plasma, or platelets?

[kelkel]

I prefer whole but DRBC is good as well. Donated yesterday actually.

[johnny the blade]

Is this something that can be done at a local Red Cross blood drive?

[bethdoth]

I'm not sure but I would assume that the Red Cross blood drive is whole blood. We have biolife and other local blood donation centers in our area.
On a different note I think I may have found my issue with getting flush and itchy when exerting myself. I stopped taking liquid CIA last Thursday. I was getting kinda lax in measuring how much I was taking (not measuring and just eyeballing it). Have had no problems for the last 3 days.

[kelkel]

Most blood donation centers take everything. Interesting on the cialis as it is a vasodialator. Post up when you start back at a proper dose and let us know if it reoccurs.

[bethdoth]

Well, I don't believe the issue was the Cialis. I am still having the issue with getting itchy, feeling like 100s of bees stinging me and getting flush. I stoped all my supplements except T for 2 weeks and still having the issue. I found a work around. I just go straight to cardio equip and go like crazy ...between 4 to 6 minutes it will start and then go away after 1-3 minutes. Seems once I break a good sweat it goes away, then I go lift. Went to the doc yesterday and she is sending me to an allergist. I will let you know if they figure this out.

[bethdoth]

Figured I would update this post. I did go to the allergist and he said I don't have an allergies never took blood or did any pin sticks. He just went by my symptoms. Then I went to my local VA doc, she did draw a few tubes of blood and ran a standard set of tests. No allergies detected. She said that I have a histamine intolerance. So I just started taking an antihistamine and this has helped. I still get flush and feel like bees are stinging me, but not as bad as before. It still only happens when I workout after work and not in the morning. Which seems logical, since the foods I eat all day must make this happen.

[OingoBoingo]

What's your E2?

[Jbolt62]

I'm having the same issue with the itching and hives, been going on for 3 years. Histamine Intolerance can only be control true diet, so there's no money in it for doctors. You mention Histamine Intolerance and most will look at you crazy and say they never heard of it.
The supplement DAO helps, but it's not cheap.