Nurse Practitioner prescribed me 200mg weekly of test.

[Troposphere]

I just got some bloodwork back and I am curious y'all's thoughts.

51M

Free T - 59.8pg/mL

Total T - 477ng/dL

FSH - 3.4mIU/mL

LH - 4.1mIU/mL

SHBG - 36nmol/L

These are in range, but Free T and Total T seem like they are on the low end. I am very much in the internet research phase for TRT. No plans to start any time soon, but want to hear from people who are on TRT. I absolutely have no interest in TRT+ or doing any cycles. I would prefer to be lightweight and lean for my rock climbing goals.

 

[ZippityDooDah]

Gr33dyOctopus said:


ahhhh ty, that could be it... I thought this would be the place to put it, new to hormone therapy stuff.

Click to expand...

99% of the new threads you create, you put in the Public Square and it's pissing me off. If you can't figure out the proper section to post a thread, don't post it.

 

[Skidude]

Troposphere said:


I just got some bloodwork back and I am curious y'all's thoughts.

51M

Free T - 59.8pg/mL

Total T - 477ng/dL

FSH - 3.4mIU/mL

LH - 4.1mIU/mL

SHBG - 36nmol/L

These are in range, but Free T and Total T seem like they are on the low end. I am very much in the internet research phase for TRT. No plans to start any time soon, but want to hear from people who are on TRT. I absolutely have no interest in TRT+ or doing any cycles. I would prefer to be lightweight and lean for my rock climbing goals.

Click to expand...

Your Free T to Total T is outstanding, and total T is not too low for 51.

I think the question becomes symptoms and whether they are impacted by this at all.

When I started my Free T was 6.9 and I was targeting 20-30 goal.

If anything, my novice opinion would be, try boron and ashwagandha, to see if it helps.

This is outside of my expertise on how to deal with such high Free T

 

[Troposphere]

Skidude said:


Your Free T to Total T is outstanding, and total T is not too low for 51.

I think the question becomes symptoms and whether they are impacted by this at all.

When I started my Free T was 6.9 and I was targeting 20-30 goal.

If anything, my novice opinion would be, try boron and ashwagandha, to see if it helps.

This is outside of my expertise on how to deal with such high Free T

Click to expand...

With respect to Free-T, I think you are talking ng/dL which for me would be 5.98

 

[Skidude]

Mine is in pg/ml

You can see I overshot at 31.2 pg/ml

 

[Troposphere]

Skidude said:


Mine is in pg/ml

You can see I overshot at 31.2 pg/ml

View attachment 33205

Click to expand...

I am surprised by your chart given my results below. These charts make the levels look borderline low. Thanks for the insights!

 

[Skidude]

Troposphere said:


I am surprised by your chart given my results below. These charts make the levels look borderline low. Thanks for the insights!

Click to expand...

It does not make sense, let's hope someone can explain it better.

Maybe it is calculated vs direct

Here is what google says:

Free testosterone refers to the unbound, active hormone. Calculated free testosterone (derived from total testosterone, SHBG, and albumin) is widely considered more accurate and reliable by endocrinologists than direct measurement (via analog immunoassay), which is prone to interference. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Calculated Free Testosterone

• • How it works: Uses a mathematical algorithm (such as the Vermeulen or Sodergard equations) based on your lab values for total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and albumin. [1, 2]
  • Pros: Highly correlates with the clinical "gold standard" (equilibrium dialysis) and corrects for binding protein irregularities. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • Cons: Its accuracy depends entirely on the accuracy of the foundational total testosterone and SHBG assays. [1]
  • Action: To understand your specific levels, you can use validated estimation tools such as the ISSAM Free and Bioavailable Testosterone Calculator or consult your physician.

Direct Free Testosterone

• • How it works: Directly measures the free fraction using an immunoassay on your blood sample.
  • Pros: Simpler and faster for labs to automate.
  • Cons: Known to suffer from cross-reactivity with other steroid hormones. Reference ranges can also vary drastically between different labs (e.g., LabCorp vs. Quest) with no straightforward way to convert them

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Mine is from LabCorp portal

Total seems to match up:

 

[Skidude]

More info

Calculated free testosterone (cFT) estimates the unbound, biologically active hormone in your blood. Typical normal reference ranges vary by laboratory method and age, but for adult males, optimal ranges generally fall between 50 to 224 pg/mL. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Standard calculated free testosterone ranges for males include:

• • Adult Males (18-49 years): 55 to 171 pg/mL
    
  • Adult Males (50+ years): 43 to 125 pg/mL

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So you are apparently "border line" low on Free

Do you have many symptoms is the real question.

I did get benefit from TRT with similar scores.

No more daily naps, increased energy, increased libido, and some mood improvements.

I did wait until I had BMI in normal range from fear of aromatizing issues.

Ask your Doc their thoughts based on symptoms, it is a commitment that does not go away.. like my Tirz

 

[Troposphere]

Skidude said:


So you are apparently "border line" low on Free

Click to expand...

Skidude said:


Do you have many symptoms is the real question.

Click to expand...

Energy levels are good, especially since dropping 25lbs. Mood is also good. I am on summer break and have time to get enough sleep, cook good food and no work to steal my motivation to exercise.

Libido could be better, my wife sure would like that to improve.

Skidude said:


I did get benefit from TRT with similar scores.

No more daily naps, increased energy, increased libido, and some mood improvements.

I did wait until I had BMI in normal range from fear of aromatizing issues.

Ask your Doc their thoughts based on symptoms, it is a commitment that does not go away.. like my Tirz

Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, I am definitely taking my time with this decision.

 

[Mochizuki0124]

Honestly, youre only paying them to schedule your bloowork and read your bloodwork for you. Once you figure that out you can leave them and do your own labs and just us UGL.