bbbb's test

Member Stories Lab Tests
#1

MY STORY: propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2284

As requested by Mew, I’m posting my bloodwork here, with ranges.

TSH : 1.4uIU/mL (0.27-4.2)
Free T4 : 18.4pmol/L (12.0-22.0)
SHBG : 27.4nmol/L (14.5-48.4)
Testosteron : 8.1ng/mL (2.8-8.0)
Free testosteron (calculated) : 205.00pg/mL (60.00-250.00)
Estradiol : 42.5pg/mL (7.6-42.6)
Cortisol (am) : 22.2ug/dL (6.20-19.4)

Things related to liver (I think) :
AST/GOT : 60U/L (<40)
ALT/GPT : 117U/L (<41)
Gamma-GT : 173U/L (<61)

#2

Estradiol is near top of range. This would be the source of your gynecomastia and stabbing chest pains.

You need to bring down your Estrogen levels – elevated levels in men lead to gynecomastia and sexual dysfunction, and Finasteride can shift the androgen/estrogen balance to be in favor of estrogens.

You could try natural DIM supplements to bring it down or failing that, low dose Arimidex (0.25mg) 3x per week. If your doctor is not open to working with you, you could see Dr Crisler or Shippen (contact info listed in Doctors section)

Liver enzyme values are way out of range high. You should get further liver tests to check function and potential damage, possibly an ultrasound too. Fin is metabolized extensively in the liver which can cause elevated liver enzymes… however as it’s been a long time since you’ve taken Fin, not sure why these remain high. Do you drink a lot of alcohol or have any other liver diseases (Hepatitis)?

Out of range high.

You might want to consider further adrenal tests (24-urine cortisol) and ACTH, Aldosterone, Deoxycorticosterone, DHEA-s.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What time were tests taken?

  2. What did your docs say about your results? If they said everything is fine, get a new doctor.

You should also consider checking your LH, FSH , DHT and Adiol-G levels.

#3

I don’t drink a lot of alcohol. It seems my liver has always been quite high (even in 2002 they were above the maximum), although in the past year they’ve gone a lot higher. I wouldn’t attribute this to the fin, because the values in 2007 (post-Proscar) were identical to 2002 (pre-Proscar). It’s probably bad eating habits and the fact that my body really needs some exercise.

Sadly, I don’t have hormonal levels for pre-Proscar period.

The tests were taken at 10am. Hadn’t eaten before.
The doctor did think some of the values (especially liver) were a bit too high. He did refer me to a specialist, so I guess I’ll contact that person.

#4

Considering your concern in your Member Story about stabbing chest pains and gyno, I’d say you also definitely need to deal with the elevated estrogen issue.

#5

estrogen is detoxified by the liver
fix the liver and your E will return to good levels

#6

Thanks for the advice.

I think the liver problem might be due to :

  • Eating too much fat and drinking the very occassional margarita (1-2/week)
  • After having done sports for 15 years very intensively, not doing anything for the past few years

I guess it’s time to shape up.

I will get the rest checked out though, because stuff like the brain fog and concentration problems appeared after using Proscar, so that’s probably unrelated to liver.

Thanks again and I’ll keep everyone updated !

#7

hi bbb

your cortisol level is high

you should take vitamin c or phosphatidylserine to make it lower

do you feel angry, stressed or nervous? It is because of your high cortisol level

#8

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#9

I had an ultrasound taken. Liver, kidneys, etc. all look perfectly fine.

A more thorough blood test is being done as well. Might take 2 weeks for some of the tests to get back.

But without a doubt, a lot of it is due to not enough exercise. I used to be a long distance runner, training 5-6 times/week, running up to 20 miles. But since I got injured in 1997, I haven’t done much sports anymore, because I keep getting injuries.

Time to give it another try though. I’ll keep you posted on the results of the blood test.