Losing hope. Please help

Hi everyone,

I wanted to bring this issue up again now that I've had some blood work done.

In the past I've made some posts about not having a libido, and I've always contributed it to having taken accutane towards the end of my teenage years, roughly around 18 years old.

As a teen I DID have a very high libido, but I noticed after coming off accutane is when problems started to arise.

Over time, my erections have become poor and non-existent unless I am sexually stimulated (more on that later). I do not have morning erections; I don't have a need or desire to ejaculate on my own or engage in sexual activity, and if I were to try, it's extremely hard to do so.

The funny thing is. I do want to ejaculate normally as I once did as a teen before all this happened, but there's something stopping that whole process from happening.

Now, I can get sexually stimulated with a partner and orgasm that way, but if I were to cease all sexual activity, my erection goes south within a matter of seconds. Premature ejaculation is also a problem.

I've seen a urologist and my primary doctor about these problems, but all they have done is provided a script for Viagra and they don't know what else to do because they say that my hormones are fine. I don't accept that answer at all.

Clearly there must be something else I can do or try?

In the past some OTC supplements for working out have helped me minimally ignite my libido, but it only lasted about a week before I went back to normal again. I'm hopeful that maybe something like horny goat weed or another aphrodisiac can help as I'd like to lay this to rest.

I've posted my most recent blood work and hoping I can get some opinions on what you guys should think I can do or try to help.

Testosterone, TOTAL - 891 ng/dL
Standard range: >=240 ng/dL
*note* because my Total test was high, they did not do a complete hormone panel. I'm in my early 30s.

TSH - 3.03 uIU/mL
Standard range: 0.40 - 4.20 uIU/mL

Free T4 1.2 ng/dL
Standard range: 0.8 - 1.7 ng/dL

Cholesterol 168 mg/dL
Standard range: <=239 mg/dL

Triglyceride 126 mg/dL
Standard range: <=499 mg/dL

HDL 44 mg/dL
Standard range: >=40 mg/dL

Low density lipoprotein calculated - 99 mg/dL
Standard range: <=159 mg/dL

Glucose, fasting - 88 mg/dL
Standard range: 60 - 99 mg/dL

WBC COUNT - 6.1 K/uL
Standard range: 3.7 - 11.1 K/uL

Red blood cells count - 5.19 M/uL
Standard range: 4.10 - 5.70 M/uL

Hgb - 16.0 g/dL
Standard range: 13.0 - 17.0 g/dL

Hematocrit - 46.7 %
Standard range: 39.0 - 51.0 %

MCV - 90 fL
Standard range: 80 - 100 fL

RDW, RBC - 12.7 %
Standard range: 12.0 - 16.5 %

Platelets count - 279 K/uL
Standard range: 140 - 400 K/uL

RBC's, nucleated- 0 /100WC
Standard range: <=0 /100WC

Creatinine - 1.16 mg/dL
Standard range: <=1.34 mg/dL

Glomerular filtration rate, nonAfrican American - >60 mL/min
Standard range: >=60 mL/min

GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE - AFRICAN AMERICAN - >60 mL/min
Standard range: >=60 mL/min

TSH - 4.82 uIU/mL
Standard range: 0.40 - 4.20 uIU/mL

ALT 14 U/L
Standard range: 0 - 36 U/L

Maybe it's your meds, antidepressants are known to destroy libido. What exactly are you taking, if you don't mind?

your thyroid needs to be addressed.
(your TSH is too high)

[QUOTE=evolution83;7378486]Hi everyone,

I wanted to bring this issue up again now that I've had some blood work done.

In the past I've made some posts about not having a libido, and I've always contributed it to having taken accutane towards the end of my teenage years, roughly around 18 years old.

As a teen I DID have a very high libido, but I noticed after coming off accutane is when problems started to arise.

Over time, my erections have become poor and non-existent unless I am sexually stimulated (more on that later). I do not have morning erections; I don't have a need or desire to ejaculate on my own or engage in sexual activity, and if I were to try, it's extremely hard to do so.

The funny thing is. I do want to ejaculate normally as I once did as a teen before all this happened, but there's something stopping that whole process from happening.

Now, I can get sexually stimulated with a partner and orgasm that way, but if I were to cease all sexual activity, my erection goes south within a matter of seconds. Premature ejaculation is also a problem.

I've seen a urologist and my primary doctor about these problems, but all they have done is provided a script for Viagra and they don't know what else to do because they say that my hormones are fine. I don't accept that answer at all.

Clearly there must be something else I can do or try?

In the past some OTC supplements for working out have helped me minimally ignite my libido, but it only lasted about a week before I went back to normal again. I'm hopeful that maybe something like horny goat weed or another aphrodisiac can help as I'd like to lay this to rest.

I've posted my most recent blood work and hoping I can get some opinions on what you guys should think I can do or try to help.

Testosterone, TOTAL - 891 ng/dL
Standard range: >=240 ng/dL
*note* because my Total test was high, they did not do a complete hormone panel. I'm in my early 30s.


I recommend get it done yourself. Your Total T is at the high range, which makes me suspect that SHBG is high and Free T is low. Just a theory, but your problems are similar, but a little earlier and more severe than I experienced at your age. It only gets worse from here if SHBG continues to rise (if that's the case for you). Get the full T panel. Also get the Estradiol sensitive test. If you are in the USA, I highly recommend the ED panel offered by Discount labs: https://www.discountedlabs.com/ed-panel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ephemeral

Maybe it's your meds, antidepressants are known to destroy libido. What exactly are you taking, if you don't mind?

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I'm not on any, but thanks for assuming.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Deadlifting Dog

your thyroid needs to be addressed.
(your TSH is too high)

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It's fine actually. Doctor isn't concerned as it's not at a dangerous level, and I believe I had just gotten done having a cold or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

Testosterone, TOTAL - 891 ng/dL
Standard range: >=240 ng/dL
*note* because my Total test was high, they did not do a complete hormone panel. I'm in my early 30s.

---

I recommend get it done yourself. Your Total T is at the high range, which makes me suspect that SHBG is high and Free T is low. Just a theory, but your problems are similar, but a little earlier and more severe than I experienced at your age. It only gets worse from here if SHBG continues to rise (if that's the case for you). Get the full T panel. Also get the Estradiol sensitive test. If you are in the USA, I highly recommend the ED panel offered by Discount labs: https://www.discountedlabs.com/ed-panel

---

Shouldn't my total Test be high anyway? I know it just means it's the total amount floating around and doesn't really say how much is available or being used, but I thought having it high was a good thing?

I believe my SHBG was always high since past results always had it in the 50 range.

What exactly did you experience at my age, and if my results for SHBG and estradiol is high, with low free T, what would you suggest I do?

Would this also explain why I'm still having beard development and body hair growing / losing in certain areas? Lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

I'm not on any, but thanks for assuming.

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I've read in one of your previous threads that you were on meds and likely for the rest of your life, that's why I assumed. But I'm glad you're not on them anymore.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ephemeral

I've read in one of your previous threads that you were on meds and likely for the rest of your life, that's why I assumed. But I'm glad you're not on them anymore.

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I was on an anti-depressant for several years but took myself off because I was becoming a zombie with the feeling of just existing. My doc wasn't too happy and suggested I go back on, but I said no and I decided not to see him ever again.

I've had some anxiety pop back up recently but I'm managing it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

It's fine actually. Doctor isn't concerned as it's not at a dangerous level, and I believe I had just gotten done having a cold or something.

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Well no, not really, I'd feel like beaten down crap with those levels, but it depends on the person, some do fine even if minor thyroid dysfunction, but I think your doc is wrong and should be looked into.

I too recommend you get your SHBG tested, I coulnd't get any benefit from TRT even with Test level through the roof cause mine was high.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

I'm not on any, but thanks for assuming.



It's fine actually. Doctor isn't concerned as it's not at a dangerous level, and I believe I had just gotten done having a cold or something.



Shouldn't my total Test be high anyway? I know it just means it's the total amount floating around and doesn't really say how much is available or being used, but I thought having it high was a good thing?

I believe my SHBG was always high since past results always had it in the 50 range.

What exactly did you experience at my age, and if my results for SHBG and estradiol is high, with low free T, what would you suggest I do?

Would this also explain why I'm still having beard development and body hair growing / losing in certain areas? Lol

---

Hi SHBG will push Total T up because it protects T from liver metabolism. However, the T is not bioavailable, so it does not pass through the blood brain barrier where you need it to feel normal and for normal libido. I suspect this may be your problem. About 10% of guys are genetically programmed for high SHBG (myself included). We add an extra sugar molecule to the SHBG protein and that more than doubles the half life of the protein. So, even though we produce SHBG at the "normal' rate, we effectively have more than twice the circulating amount of the protein because it is metabolized slower then the other 90% of men.

As we age, the rate of SHBG production increases for all of us, but for those of us with this genetic anomaly, it has a much greater effect. When we are young, the total amount of T we produce is enough to saturate the protein and enough spills over into free T to feel normal and to have normal libido, erections, and ejaculations. However, as we age and the SHBG goes way up, we can no longer saturate the protein and Free T falls below a critical amount. That's when we start to notice it.

For me there were slight indications at age 30. By age 40, definite indications (but still not as bad as you), by 50, my libido, erections. and ejaculations were in the dumpster and I was feeling depressed, even though I knew deep down that it wasn't clinical depression. I went through a series of doc that were more than willing to hand out antidepressants like candy (I turned them all down) before I came across one that accurately diagnosed my condition. I got the help I needed and the rest is history.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bizzarro

Well no, not really, I'd feel like beaten down crap with those levels, but it depends on the person, some do fine even if minor thyroid dysfunction, but I think your doc is wrong and should be looked into.

I too recommend you get your SHBG tested, I coulnd't get any benefit from TRT even with Test level through the roof cause mine was high.

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I feel fine. I'll have it tested again but my thyroid has never been an issue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

Hi SHBG will push Total T up because it protects T from liver metabolism. However, the T is not bioavailable, so it does not pass through the blood brain barrier where you need it to feel normal and for normal libido. I suspect this may be your problem. About 10% of guys are genetically programmed for high SHBG (myself included). We add an extra sugar molecule to the SHBG protein and that more than doubles the half life of the protein. So, even though we produce SHBG at the "normal' rate, we effectively have more than twice the circulating amount of the protein because it is metabolized slower then the other 90% of men.

As we age, the rate of SHBG production increases for all of us, but for those of us with this genetic anomaly, it has a much greater effect. When we are young, the total amount of T we produce is enough to saturate the protein and enough spills over into free T to feel normal and to have normal libido, erections, and ejaculations. However, as we age and the SHBG goes way up, we can no longer saturate the protein and Free T falls below a critical amount. That's when we start to notice it.

For me there were slight indications at age 30. By age 40, definite indications (but still not as bad as you), by 50, my libido, erections. and ejaculations were in the dumpster and I was feeling depressed, even though I knew deep down that it wasn't clinical depression. I went through a series of doc that were more than willing to hand out antidepressants like candy (I turned them all down) before I came across one that accurately diagnosed my condition. I got the help I needed and the rest is history.

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So, this has been a problem since I was leaving my teens and entered my twenties, and has been present ever since. My SHBG has always been in the high 40/50s from past blood work, so idk what the optimal value should be.

I'm tired of doctors saying I'm fine, and I really don't know what else to do or tell them otherwise to convince them I'm not, because all they see is a high test value and assume all is well.

I'm with Kaiser, and if I get blood work done elsewhere I'm not sure how to explain to a PCP who isn't specialized in that area to help me.

Just exactly how did you you go about finding a doc to help you because I'm totally stuck and feeling lost. I'm no expert on this stuff and it's hard to find someone who is that will actually help instead of saying "here's a dick pill"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

I feel fine. I'll have it tested again but my thyroid has never been an issue.



So, this has been a problem since I was leaving my teens and entered my twenties, and has been present ever since. My SHBG has always been in the high 40/50s from past blood work, so idk what the optimal value should be.

I'm tired of doctors saying I'm fine, and I really don't know what else to do or tell them otherwise to convince them I'm not, because all they see is a high test value and assume all is well.

I'm with Kaiser, and if I get blood work done elsewhere I'm not sure how to explain to a PCP who isn't specialized in that area to help me.

Just exactly how did you you go about finding a doc to help you because I'm totally stuck and feeling lost. I'm no expert on this stuff and it's hard to find someone who is that will actually help instead of saying "here's a dick pill"

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Good docs are hard to come by. Are you in CA (I.e. Kaiser)? If so where? I had to pay through the nose for a great doc in the LA area. He does not take insurance, but he got me on a great protocol. After a while, I got my PCP to take over.

Most docs don't know jach $#it about SHBG.

Don't discount what the guys said about your thyroid. A more modern range for TSH is .3 - 3.0. Anything over 2 should really be looked at. Thyroid health is related to libido.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

Good docs are hard to come by. Are you in CA (I.e. Kaiser)? If so where? I had to pay through the nose for a great doc in the LA area. He does not take insurance, but he got me on a great protocol. After a while, I got my PCP to take over.

Most docs don't know jach $#it about SHBG.

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Yes, I'm in California. I'm in the San Jose bay area. I once was trying to do things through the lowtestosterone site, but they said my levels were high. I believe my blood test was done in the afternoon, so idk. I'm just going through constant circles here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kelkel

Don't discount what the guys said about your thyroid. A more modern range for TSH is .3 - 3.0. Anything over 2 should really be looked at. Thyroid health is related to libido.

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I'm not discrediting it, but my thyroid has always been fine whenever it's been tested even when I've had this problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

Yes, I'm in California. I'm in the San Jose bay area. I once was trying to do things through the lowtestosterone site, but they said my levels were high. I believe my blood test was done in the afternoon, so idk. I'm just going through constant circles here.



I'm not discrediting it, but my thyroid has always been fine whenever it's been tested even when I've had this problem.

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No help for the San Jose area. I've heard of a well known TRT doc in the Monterey area, but I forgot his name. Like most well known TRT docs, he probably doesn't take insurance. Must be some up in SF area too.

I would order your own labs from discounted labs and get a full picture of what's going on. I'd start with this one: https://www.discountedlabs.com/ed-panel and add in SHBG at the same time: https://www.discountedlabs.com/sex-h...-globulin-shbg. If you can strong arm your doc to order the labs instead and get it paid for by insurance, even better, but Kaiser has some pretty regimented protocols for testing.

That should give you enough information to know whether you should be pursuing this further. If you plan to jump into TRT I'd follow it up with this lab to get good baseline information BEFORE you start taking ANYTHING: https://www.discountedlabs.com/pre-t...wellness-panel

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

No help for the San Jose area. I've heard of a well known TRT doc in the Monterey area, but I forgot his name. Like most well known TRT docs, he probably doesn't take insurance. Must be some up in SF area too.

I would order your own labs from discounted labs and get a full picture of what's going on. I'd start with this one: https://www.discountedlabs.com/ed-panel and add in SHBG at the same time: https://www.discountedlabs.com/sex-h...-globulin-shbg. If you can strong arm your doc to order the labs instead and get it paid for by insurance, even better, but Kaiser has some pretty regimented protocols for testing.

That should give you enough information to know whether you should be pursuing this further. If you plan to jump into TRT I'd follow it up with this lab to get good baseline information BEFORE you start taking ANYTHING: https://www.discountedlabs.com/pre-t...wellness-panel

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If you can find the name of the doc in Monterey or even one in SF I'll gladly take a trip there and talk about all this. I'm certain Kaiser seems set in their ways with things, but I'll fight tooth and nail to get these ordered by them first and see what I can do. I just need to know the proper things to say so I don't get pushback.

If not I'll have to pay out the ass for blood work that Kaiser should be doing. If I have to contact corporate about it I will lol.

Also, since low T causes muscle loss, how long does it take for that to happen? I've lost significant size of my quads and hamstrings over the years to the point that my calves are almost chicken legs. They used to be very thick and now that's not the case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

If you can find the name of the doc in Monterey or even one in SF I'll gladly take a trip there and talk about all this. I'm certain Kaiser seems set in their ways with things, but I'll fight tooth and nail to get these ordered by them first and see what I can do. I just need to know the proper things to say so I don't get pushback.

If not I'll have to pay out the ass for blood work that Kaiser should be doing. If I have to contact corporate about it I will lol.

Also, since low T causes muscle loss, how long does it take for that to happen? I've lost significant size of my quads and hamstrings over the years to the point that my calves are almost chicken legs. They used to be very thick and now that's not the case.

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If I run across the name I'll let you know. You may want to do an internet search for TRT dos in Monterrey and/or SJ.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that past the age of 40, the average man looses about 8% of muscle mass per decade (about 1 pound per year) until age 70 and then it increases to 15% thereafter.

By comparison, I've added about 1 pounds per year over the last 6+ years while on TRT. So compared to my peers, I'm about 2 pounds per year ahead of them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

If I run across the name I'll let you know. You may want to do an internet search for TRT dos in Monterrey and/or SJ.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that past the age of 40, the average man looses about 8% of muscle mass per decade (about 1 pound per year) until age 70 and then it increases to 15% thereafter.

By comparison, I've added about 1 pounds per year over the last 6+ years while on TRT. So compared to my peers, I'm about 2 pounds per year ahead of them.

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Since my early 20s I started to very slowly lose mass in my calves, which has now happened to my quads and my calves are so small I'm disgusted by it. Could it be due to inactivity for so many years? I just don't see how sitting for so long due to work environments can cause a drastic drop so quickly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

Since my early 20s I started to very slowly lose mass in my calves, which has now happened to my quads and my calves are so small I'm disgusted by it. Could it be due to inactivity for so many years? I just don't see how sitting for so long due to work environments can cause a drastic drop so quickly.

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Sure can. I had my Achilles operated on five months ago. I lost almost 2 inches off my right calf in less than two months.. Once I was able to get back into the gym, I stopped the atrophy but it's still about 1/2 in smaller than my left and I work legs like crazy on leg day...

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Originally Posted by RoxRunner

Sure can. I had my Achilles operated on five months ago. I lost almost 2 inches off my right calf in less than two months.. Once I was able to get back into the gym, I stopped the atrophy but it's still about 1/2 in smaller than my left and I work legs like crazy on leg day...

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But, let's say someone just naturally has big legs without hitting the gym, and then over time just starts losing a big portion of muscle for reasons not known, but likely from sitting so much. Is that possible?

So, I went and emailed my Urologist about how I wasn't happy being prescribed dick pills, and here's his response. Seems like I'm just getting push back and would like others opinions.

My initial email should be the second attachment

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evolution83

So, I went and emailed my Urologist about how I wasn't happy being prescribed dick pills, and here's his response. Seems like I'm just getting push back and would like others opinions.

My initial email should be the second attachment

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At some point you have to give up on mainstream medicine and just do it yourself. For the cost of a couple of Starbucks lattes, you can have your answer and then go back in armed with information and/or find a different doc that will listen. Either way, establishing through properly conducted labs that you do indeed have low Free T is priceless. He's a link where you can get properly conducted Total and Free T done from a well recognized and reputable laboratory for $30.45 (plus a $6.00 lab fee). With that information alone, you will know whether you should push back and have the information muscle to do the pushing. I seem to remember seeing first time customer and other coupon codes out there on the internet. Do a search to find the most current ones. This one claims 35% off your highest cost lab in an order good through the end of 2018 (GUBUV35). This one claims $35 off your entire order good through 2019.

If you want a SHBG lab done, it's another $68.36 and if you have it done at the same time, you save a second $6.00 lab fee. (https://www.discountedlabs.com/sex-h...-globulin-shbg)

If you want pretty much everything on your list, it's $204.75 (https://www.discountedlabs.com/ed-panel). However, I suggest you simply start with a basic Total and Free T to see if this is even your problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

At some point you have to give up on mainstream medicine and just do it yourself. For the cost of a couple of Starbucks lattes, you can have your answer and then go back in armed with information and/or find a different doc that will listen. Either way, establishing through properly conducted labs that you do indeed have low Free T is priceless. He's a link where you can get properly conducted Total and Free T done from a well recognized and reputable laboratory for $30.45 (plus a $6.00 lab fee). With that information alone, you will know whether you should push back and have the information muscle to do the pushing. I seem to remember seeing first time customer and other coupon codes out there on the internet. Do a search to find the most current ones. This one claims 35% off your highest cost lab in an order good through the end of 2018 (GUBUV35). This one claims $35 off your entire order good through 2019.

If you want a SHBG lab done, it's another $68.36 and if you have it done at the same time, you save a second $6.00 lab fee. (https://www.discountedlabs.com/sex-h...-globulin-shbg)

If you want pretty much everything on your list, it's $204.75 (https://www.discountedlabs.com/ed-panel). However, I suggest you simply start with a basic Total and Free T to see if this is even your problem.

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None of those discount codes work. If they did I'd order the highest lab with all the testing done.

If I don't have a problem with hormones I really don't know what could be causing these ED / libido issues

Hey folks,

I realize I'm reviving an old thread, but figured instead of creating yet another one in regards to the same topic, I'm just going to touch up here and make it known that I went ahead and had several labs done last week testing my hormones and seeing if anything can be tied to my lack of libido.

The response from the endocrinologist seems like they're scratching their head with their reply, but I'd like to ask everyone's opinion here.

I appreciate any and all help.

Please note, all tests were conducted in a fasting state at 8:30 AM. My thyroid has fluctuated over several tests and my Dr says there's no reason to act upon it unless my level were to be a 10 or higher. Since it's remained relatively low, I have been told I am fine.

TESTOSTERONE, LC MS/MS
Your value: 887 ng/dL
Standard range
240 - 700 ng/dL

Testosterone, Free, Calculated
Your value: 171.5 pg/mL
Standard range: range 59-166 pg/mL

Luteinizing Hormone
Your value: 3.6 mIU/mL
Standard range
1.5 - 9.3 mIU/mL

FSH
Your value: 5.7 mIU/mL
Standard range
1.4 - 18.1 mIU/mL

TSH
Your value: 4.8 uIU/mL
Standard range
0.4 - 4.2 uIU/mL

ESTRADIOL, ULTRASENSITIVE, LC MS/MS
Your value: 40 pg/mL
Standard range
< OR = 29 pg/mL

Sexhormone binding globulin
Your value: 47.2 nmol/L
Standard range
10.0 - 60.0 nmol/L

Hemoglobin
Your value: 17.0 g/dL
Standard range
13.0 - 17.0 g/dL

Hematocrit
Your value: 50.1 %
Standard range
39.0 - 51.0 %


Dr Response:

"The labs look just marginally high this time.

The Free testosterone and total were high. The SHBG was normal.

The estradiol is a touch high but just likely your normal range since it seems like everything is high.

I think it is just your normal variant and will let your Primary Care Physician know that we dont really have to intervene or act on it.

For erectile dysfunction would recommend you continue the cialis and it seems like the ED is not related to hormones but more likely from anxiety and may respond to therapy.

-Department of Endocrinology"

#1 its your post so you are allowed to revive it even if its several years old.

Sorry to hear you are still dealing with the same issue.

It looks like your estrogen is high.
ESTRADIOL, ULTRASENSITIVE, LC MS/MS
Your value: 40 pg/mL
Standard range
< OR = 29 pg/mL

That is a big libido killer for most guys. I dont see where they tested it in your previous blood work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cylon357

This latest bloodwork is natty? Because the only thing that is out of line is TSH. My doctor likes to keep it under 2.0 and 62.5mcg levothyroxine does that well for me. This is a cheap drug and zero reason not to try it starting at say 50mcg and retesting in a couple of months. Thyroid issues led to lethargy for me... not exactly the same as libido issues but I got on it before it became a problem.

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Yes, completely natural blood work. One of the many doctors I spoke to even asked if I had taken anything to raise my test levels a good 100 points from the last test I had lol. For going on 38 y.o. I'm guessing it's a good problem to have? I assume most testosterone results are usually shit for most guys at my age...?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lovbyts

#1 its your post so you are allowed to revive it even if its several years old.

Sorry to hear you are still dealing with the same issue.

It looks like your estrogen is high.
ESTRADIOL, ULTRASENSITIVE, LC MS/MS
Your value: 40 pg/mL
Standard range
< OR = 29 pg/mL

That is a big libido killer for most guys. I dont see where they tested it in your previous blood work.

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Estrogen was never tested before as I had to go through many hoops to get to this point. The original urologist I spoke to essentially said I was fine and gave me Cialis. That was during my OP and it was left alone until my original PCP asked me about what was going on with my situation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cylon357

This, too, is something to try. I didn't really give it much thought because your total and free T values are so high, but yeah, maybe try bumping that E2 down. Either with a touch of AI (like 1/8th adex 2x per week) or.... well, crap, I was going to say "increase your injection frequency" but you aren't on TRT. Never mind on the "or" part.

Definitely address that thyroid, though. Regardless of anything else, your TSH is a problem.

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I've read up on my thyroid levels and my PCP had me retest it a few times because it's fluctuated in numbers. It's never been high enough to warrant any action, according to her, but was tested to ensure it never went above 10. I've fluctuated between 3.03 being the lowest, and 5.4 being highest.

For full transparency, here's what my TSH numbers have been:

Standard range: 0.4 - 4.2 uIU/mL

6/13/17: 4.82
7/27/17: 3.03
3/1/21: 5.4
8/16/21: 3.7
10/6/21: 4.8

I know y'all are concerned with my thyroid, but idk what to say to my PCP if she's saying it's fine and had my T4 check out as stable.

What are the effects of leaving it untreated as is, or if it gets higher?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cylon357

Your thyroid is a problem, period. If you don't address it, life is going to suck. Insist with your pcp, and if they don't want to prescribe even 50mcg levothyroxine per day, get a new doc or find it yourself.

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Can you tell me how life will suck? I believe my aunt was on something for her thyroid but all I know was she would be deeply tired without it. Idk what other serious complications could arise from this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cylon357

No, I have spoken on this enough. Dr Google can help you much more.

You have had thyroid issues for 3 years, and won't take the steps to address them. There really isn't anything else to say.

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I won't take the steps to address? lol I haven't denied or refused anything if my doctor has said I'm fine, and has done follow-up testing to ensure that. That's not to say she is right, because doctors make mistakes.

I'm obviously open to discussion and treatment about this, but all you've said is that my thyroid is an issue, life will suck if I don't address it, and that your doctor has prescribed you meds to keep yours in line with where it should be.

You think I haven't read up on thyroid health? I've seen where optimal levels and even "normal" levels should fall, and like I mentioned before, if anything is over 10 it's a serious problem and should be addressed.

Yes, I've read about complications it can cause, including fatigue, heart disease, depression, weight gain etc, but genuinely curious about how "life can suck". Maybe those are the things you're referring to, maybe not?

I'm not trying to start an argument or debate, just wanting to gain more insight from those who've had issues with their thyroid and what they went through.

Idk why you'd have to be so unwilling to share details from someone asking for a POV, when you haven't even "spoken on it enough" except a few sentences.

Regardless, I appreciate your opinion and concern on the matter. Thank you.