More Lab test confusion

[biceps72]

I apologize to the group in advance. It seems like there are dozens of posts involving the Poster lab results-- but here goes

59 year old male, primary hypogonadic, I have been on androgel for 2 years (currently taking 7.5 grams/day).

Most recent lab results reference range in parantheses)

Test total = 663 ng/dl (250-1100)
test, free = 105 pg/ml (46-224)
test (bioavailable) = 214 ng/dl (110-575)
SHGB = 22 nmol/L (18-47)
Albumin, serum = 4.4 (3.6-5.1)

DHT = 85 ng/dL (25-75)
PSA = 1.0 ng/ml (0.0-3.5)

Estradiol-2 < 20 pg/ml (<20-47)

several questions

1. my DHT is higher than normal range-- implication?
2. E2 was simply given as < 20, no number given, can it be too low? I take nothing but Androgel daily (nothing to control E2). Is there a way to increase E2 some, but not too much?
3. do these numbers look reasonable?


I most feel good although I get tired in the afternoons and usualy take a 40 min nap about 4 days/week. My libido is mostly great (almost too good at times but does seem to vary over the course of a month). I usually have morning wood and erections are strong and frequent (I never use viagra or any similar ED drug). I am retired and have the luxury to workout 2 hours/day, 5 days/week consisting of cardio and weight training).

This chronic tiredness could be a result of training hard but could it be related to other endocrine issues? What tests would be a good follow up? I have had thyroid panels done but never cortisol.

[JanSz]

I apologize to the group in advance. It seems like there are dozens of posts involving the Poster lab results-- but here goes

59 year old male, primary hypogonadic, I have been on androgel for 2 years (currently taking 7.5 grams/day).

Most recent lab results reference range in parantheses)

Test total = 663 ng/dl (250-1100)
test, free = 105 pg/ml (46-224)
test (bioavailable) = 214 ng/dl (110-575)
SHGB = 22 nmol/L (18-47)
Albumin, serum = 4.4 (3.6-5.1)

DHT = 85 ng/dL (25-75)
PSA = 1.0 ng/ml (0.0-3.5)

Estradiol-2 < 20 pg/ml (<20-47)

several questions

1. my DHT is higher than normal range-- implication?
2. E2 was simply given as < 20, no number given, can it be too low? I take nothing but Androgel daily (nothing to control E2). Is there a way to increase E2 some, but not too much?
3. do these numbers look reasonable?


I most feel good although I get tired in the afternoons and usualy take a 40 min nap about 4 days/week. My libido is mostly great (almost too good at times but does seem to vary over the course of a month). I usually have morning wood and erections are strong and frequent (I never use viagra or any similar ED drug). I am retired and have the luxury to workout 2 hours/day, 5 days/week consisting of cardio and weight training).

This chronic tiredness could be a result of training hard but could it be related to other endocrine issues? What tests would be a good follow up? I have had thyroid panels done but never cortisol.

Stay on 7.5gram Androgel.
Your DHT is still ok.

Your E2 test is most likely wrong. But I bet (only 1c) that your E2 is about right. Your good sex and ability to work out indicate this. Do not loose opportunity to find out this number, yu'll need it for future references.
You need "ultrasensitive" or "sensitive" assay.

Best if you could do your testing at Quest Diagnostics, blood drawn at Quest.
This test:
Estradiol, Ultrasensitive, LC/MS/MS (30289X)

you want to have
E2(25-29)
------------------------------------------

Your response to 7.5gram Androgel is rather low.
That may go together with your afternoon naps.
Your adrenals and thyroid need attention.
If you help them, that may also increase your response to Androgel.
That is why I am not suggesting increase of Androgel at this time, I am afraid that your DHT may go up too much.
You feel good physically and sexually, can afford to wait.
But actually your FreeT & BAT is marginal or low.

I have a long list of tests that I do every 1-1.5 years.
Post #44, between blue lines:
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/male-anti-aging/66268-jans-bloodtest-april13-2.html

You should do the whole thing, but if not, do at least this:

7 • Iodine Panel - (2503)
8 Selenium
9 Copper, serum
10 Zinc

27 T3 Free
28 T4,Free
29 reverse T3 (rT3)
30 Ultrasensitive TSH
31 Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (7260X)

17 • Iron and Iron Binding Capacity (7573X) - (356N)
18 • Iron, Total (571X) - (24984P)
19 • Ferritin (457X) - (22764P)
20 • Transferrin (891X) - (30346P)
21 • Folate, RBC & Hematocrit - (1768N)
22 • Hemoglobin A1c (496X) - (45484P)
23 • Hemoglobin, Plasma (514X) - (7211P)

37 Aldosterone
38 Cortisol AM/PM
39 DHEA sulfate

.
/

[chilln]

I apologize to the group in advance. It seems like there are dozens of posts involving the Poster lab results-- but here goes

59 year old male, primary hypogonadic, I have been on androgel for 2 years (currently taking 7.5 grams/day).

Most recent lab results reference range in parantheses)

Test total = 663 ng/dl (250-1100)
test, free = 105 pg/ml (46-224)
test (bioavailable) = 214 ng/dl (110-575)
SHGB = 22 nmol/L (18-47)
Albumin, serum = 4.4 (3.6-5.1)

DHT = 85 ng/dL (25-75)
PSA = 1.0 ng/ml (0.0-3.5)

Estradiol-2 < 20 pg/ml (<20-47)

several questions

1. my DHT is higher than normal range-- implication?
2. E2 was simply given as < 20, no number given, can it be too low? I take nothing but Androgel daily (nothing to control E2). Is there a way to increase E2 some, but not too much?
3. do these numbers look reasonable?


I most feel good although I get tired in the afternoons and usualy take a 40 min nap about 4 days/week. My libido is mostly great (almost too good at times but does seem to vary over the course of a month). I usually have morning wood and erections are strong and frequent (I never use viagra or any similar ED drug). I am retired and have the luxury to workout 2 hours/day, 5 days/week consisting of cardio and weight training).

This chronic tiredness could be a result of training hard but could it be related to other endocrine issues? What tests would be a good follow up? I have had thyroid panels done but never cortisol.


2hrs / day x 5 days/week of cardio and weights should have converted you into a "gorilla".

You're retired, which suggests your at an advanced age.

If you're working out like a gorilla (whether or not you've become one is another issue), at an advanced age, then you will need to discuss this with your medical professional adviser and consider the tests which JanSz has suggested. That's because your endocrine system will have started to misbehave in all sorts of subtle ways, which are different for all of us at an advanced age.

That's because decades of genetic and dietary weaknesses will have taken their toll, by causing cumulative DNA damage. The normal rules-of-thumb re average genetic degradation are being replaced by cumulative DNA damage, the older we get.

At some advanced age, the issues caused by cumulative DNA damage will dominate, and effectively all bets are off re what should normally happen. You are most likely at an in-between stage, but no-one really knows by how much until you do a comprehensive assessment.

If for some reason you're going to skip the proposed rigorous testing regimen, then at least do a Rheins urinary 24hr hormone panel.