Blood Test Results - Libido Issues - Please Help!

[JYD]

Hey Guys,

I'm 35, great shape, longtime lifter, 190lbs, 12% BF.

On De***ber 28th, 2011 I noticed the following symptoms: SUDDEN loss of erection quality, weaker urine stream, disrupted sleep to urinate, irritability, anxiety, libido loss, fatigue, loss of motivation, lost sense of well-being. This progressed as the weeks went on. I saw a GP and explained things and he suggested I get a blood tests to check for testosterone levels and other things.

Here are (some) of the results from my 8:30am Jan. 18th, 2012 blood test :

-Prolactin - 151 mIU/?L (85 - 500)
-Cholesterol - 4.2 mmol/L (3.9 - 5.5)
-FSH - 2.4 U/L (1.5 - 13.0)
-LH - 4.8 U/L (2.0 - 10.0)
-Testosterone - 14.3 (11.5 - 32.0)

***I was ALARMED that my test , FSH, and LH were all in the low-normal range. How could this be?? For years my libido was ALWAYS very high and I was always very aggressive and positive. The low-normal scores were very surprising. I do think the these had a problem with my prostate. ***

The urologist who looked at the above results was very non-chalante and said, "Your in the normal range, so there's no problem. IT IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD. Stop worrying so much and deal with stress and anxiety better." I decided to take another blood test upon the advice of my GP. I read that you can still exhibit these symptoms if you are in the low-normal range.

I asked for my GP to order a test for FREE Testosterone and here are the results from my Feb. 7th blood test (3 weeks later from 1st test ):

Reproductive Hormones - Roche Method

Oestradiol - 86 pmol/L ( <160 )
Testosterone - 20.2 (11.5 - 32.0) ****UP from previous blood test ***
SHBG - 28 nmol/L (15 - 50)
Free Androgen Index (FAI) - 72.1 % (15 - 100)
PSA - 1.6 ug/L ( 0.20 - 2.1 0 ) ***men 30 - 39, the median range is 0.75 ug/L***

A follow up rectal exam of my prostate revealed that it was VERY inflamed. I subsequently took urine tests to test for infection and all came back negative for infection.

QUESTIONS
How could my total test go up that much in 3 weeks?
Was my stress levels high enough to lower my test and experience these symptoms?
What does my SHBG score mean: am I in a good range?
What does the FAI score mean - it appears to be in a range as a percentage?
Did they FORGET to test my FREE testosterone ?
Would my enlarged prostate cause the ED and lowered testosterone ?

Overall, I should now tell you that during this time, I am about to move overseas after living in Australia for 3 years, I have very little money, I am in a relationship with a woman I may never see again, and my business that I own was driving me crazy.

My GP also found that my prostate was enlarged and I have been taking doxycycline and that seems to be making a positive impact on things.

As of today, my well-being and erection quality is slowly coming back.

Any thoughts or suggestions on my bloodwork are greatly appreciated! The doctors were not very helpful in telling where my levels stand for a 35 year old male.

[kelkel]

To respond to your questions:


How could my total test go up that much in 3 weeks?
Your body is not a machine and levels will range up or down depending on stress, diet, life in general, time blood was pulled, etc.

Was my stress levels high enough to lower my test and experience these symptoms?
Can't answer that as every "body" responds to stress differently

What does my SHBG score mean: am I in a good range?
SHBG and to some extent, Albumin (proteins) bind Test in your blood. The more bound, the less free T you have. Free T is what becomes biologically active and does the good things for us. Be nice to see it a little lower.

What does the FAI score mean - it appears to be in a range as a percentage?
It's supposed to give a idea regarding free T levels by using a formula: FAI=Total T divided by SHBG x 100. Medically there are really no hard/fast normal ranges, just lab ranges so don't kill yourself worrying about it.

Consider reading up on Cialis 5mg for daily use. Google Cialis and BPH. Nevermind, here's the link: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsro.../ucm274642.htm

LH/FSH low but in range. Monitor it with bloodwork in the future and compare to older BW to see if levels have been slowly declining. If so, consider an MRI to rule out any pituitary issues which can be a common cause of poor values there and subsequently downstream.

Your enlarged prostate will not normally cause erection issues. Meds to treat it can though.

Curious, do you know what your sensitive E2 level is?

Hope some of the above helps and welcome to the board JYD!

[JYD]

Hey kelkel,

That was very helpful. I'm going to go home and get settled and then get a follow up in about 4-6 months, but first, I'll see how I just feel. It seems that I feel good some days, and then just tired other days.

Good tip on the BPH and Cialis; I wonder why that info is not more widespread!?

Also, I have no idea what the sensitive E2 level is; I just presume it's this: Oestradiol - 86 pmol/L ( <160 ).

Many, many thanks!

[kelkel]

Call your doc and request a script for the Cialis for daily use. He should have no problem with it. I'd bet if you stopped in they'd give you a month for free. They have loads (joke there) of it laying around in most cases. You can find out if it's a sensitive assay by looking up the lab codes on line in most cases.

[steroid.com 1]

I think kel did a good job summarizing your BW.

Everything looks good to me as well.

Many of your symptoms can point to elevated or suppressed Estradiol (Oestradiol) levels.

Your panel: Oestradiol - 86 pmol/L ( <160 ) is normal so no worries.

I do think this is related to stress as you pointed out that the symptoms were rather sudden and your personal life with your job contributing.

This should pass in time as things get better.

[JYD]

Thanks guys! This has all been very helpful. I think things will get back to 100% once I get back home and rest for a few weeks. Then need to find a new job and start life all over back home next to family and friends.

This is a really cool, supportive, and informative place. Many thanks to everyone's support.

[steroid.com 1]

Thanks guys! This has all been very helpful. I think things will get back to 100% once I get back home and rest for a few weeks. Then need to find a new job and start life all over back home next to family and friends.

This is a really cool, supportive, and informative place. Many thanks to everyone's support.

From all of us JYD; you're very welcome.

Stick around some and join in, as you can see there are a bunch of smart guys on this forum and we're probably the best one on the Internet for it!

gd