Blood Tests - can anyone interpret these NHS results?

Member Stories Lab Tests
#1

I recently had my first blood tests through a GP on the NHS. I didn’t request any specific tests and it looks like the doctor ordered a wide range. All results are classified as “normal” according to the doctor, although he’s consulting with a colleague about what to do next.

Unfortunately many results did not have ranges next to them. Can anyone help interpret the results and point out anything interesting?

Also, can anyone recommend the next steps to take? I’m especially keen to hear from anyone else in the UK with experience dealing with the NHS.

RESULTS:

Red blood cell folate = 242.2 ng/mL (126 - 480)
Serum sex hormone binding globulin level = 34 nmol/L
Prostate specific antigen = 0.26 ng/mL
Red blood cell distribution width = 12.3 %
Basophil count = 0 /L (0.0 - 0.1)
Haematocrit = 0.438 ratio
Lymphocyte count = 3.4 /L (1.0 - 3.5)
Total white cell count = 7.6 /L (4.0 - 11.0)
Red blood cell (RBC) count = 4.96 /L (4.16 - 5.57)
Mean platelet volume = 10.8 fL (8.0 - 12.0)
Platelet count = 288 /L (120 - 400)
Neutrophil count = 3.5 /L (2.0 - 7.5)
Monocyte count = 0.4 /L (0.3 - 1.0)
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) = 88.3 fL (83.0 - 101.0)
Mean corpusc. Hb. conc. (MCHC) = 34.7 g/dL (31.4 - 35.0)
Mean corpusc. haemoglobin (MCH) = 30.6 pg
Haemoglobin estimation = 15.2 g/dL (12.5 - 17.0)
Eosinophil count = 0.1 /L (0.0 - 0.4)
GFR calculated abbreviated MDRD = 89
Serum globulin = 28 g/L
Serum urea level = 4.7 mmol/L
Serum total protein = 73 g/L
Serum sodium = 142 mmol/L
Serum potassium = 3.6 mmol/L
Serum inorganic phosphate = 1.22 mmol/L
Serum creatinine = 87 umol/L
Serum chloride = 103 mmol/L
Serum calcium level = 2.34 mmol/L
Serum bilirubin level = 11 umol/L
ALT/SGPT serum level = 23 IU/L
Serum alkaline phosphatase 48 IU/L
Serum albumin = 45 g/L
Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase level = 23 IU/L
Plasma C reactive protein < 0.2 mg/L
AST serum level = 25 IU/L
Blood Glucose = 7.7 mmol/L (non fasting)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate = 4 (1 - 10)
Serum free T4 level = 16 pmol/L
Serum TSH level = 1.33 mU/L
Serum testosterone = 18.5 nmol/I
Serum ferritin = 107 ug/L
Serum vitamin B12 = 304 ng/L

#2

To help review bloodwork, can you fill out the Member Story template so we can better understand your situation, symptoms, treatment attempts etc?

Here is the template, post your response in MEMBER STORIES section: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=371

#3

I added my member story here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6762

#4

After my first blood test results came back “normal” my doctor requested three more tests, which are some of the tests recommended on this site.

I got them back a few days ago, and LH was low/out of range. The doctor admitted he had no idea what this meant, and he was referring me to an endocrinologist.

I asked about the link between low LH and Hypogonadism - he then did a physical examination of my testicles and said they felt fine, and that in Hypogonadism the testicles would be extremely small.

Serum prolactin level = 219 mU/L (75 - 375)
Serum LH level = 1.6 IU/L (2.0 - 12.0) “Low”
Plasma FSH level = 4.2 IU/L (1.7 - 8.0)

Does anyone know what low LH means?

#5

Pituitary not sending out enough Luteinizing Hormone. LH is what tells your testes to produce Testosterone, and there are negative feedback loops between testes, pituitary and hypothalamus that regulate LH/Testosterone secretion.

LH/FSH are pulsatile hormones so it could be the snapshot you took caught your LH at a low level before a pulsatile surge. You should definitely retest it a few times, and consider a GnRH challenge test (ie LHRH test) to rule out hypothalamic/pituitary issues if it still presents an issue.

As well, if you can get 3-adiol G tested, all the better as many men with PFS seem to have low/below range values:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2763

#6

Thanks for the info. I have about 3 weeks to wait before an appointment with an Endocrinologist is set up (through the NHS). I’m trying to decide what other testing to pursue on my own/privately.

I’ll try to get the LHRH / Adiol-G tests and others on the recommended list and report back with results.

#7

After a long wait I have some blood test results as ordered by the Endocrinologist. I don’t have the full page of results, just a couple that the Endo mentioned in his letter to me and my GP.

Testosterone = 14.6 nmol/L / 420.7 ng/dl
LH = 1.9 IU/L
FSH = 3.4 IU/L
Prolactin = 423 (normal <375)

The Endo commented that Testosterone was normal, LH too low, FSH slightly low and Prolactin too high.

He next wants to re-test to confirm and if the same results come back, possibly do an MRI of my pituitary gland.

The results were consistent with the earlier tests I did for my GP, although Testosterone was even lower this time, despite being tested at 9 am.

#8

I now have the results of my repeat blood test for LH/FSH & Prolactin:

12 Oct 2012 09:40

  • Prolactin 264 mu/L (75-375)
  • Macroprolactin Negative
  • LH 2.8 iu/L (2.0-12.0)
  • FSH 4.2 iu/L (1.7-8.0)

I requested these latest results from the hospital but haven’t heard from the Endo yet. Prolactin was quite a lot lower than the previous test and all three figures are now in range.

However, I’ve now tested these Pituitary hormones three times over the past few months, and the trend is pretty clear: LH/FSH low, Prolactin high.

#9

Here are some selected results which I recently requested from the hospital, as the Endo only mentioned a few of the results.

10 Aug 2012 09:01

  • SHBG = 30 nmol/L (15-55)
  • Androstenedione = 3.4 nmol/L (0.0-9.0) - Conversion = 97.42 ng/dL
  • DHEA-S = 6.2 umol/L (0.7-11.5) - Conversion = 229.63 ug/dL
  • 25 OH Vitamin D = 45.8 nmol/L (70-150) - Conversion = 18.3 ng/ml

Based on most optimal ranges, DHEA-S is slightly low, Androstenedione is low, Vitamin D is low

#10

Low Vitamin D is something many PFS guys have. Vit. D supplements and spending some time in the sun will help.

#11

And what exactly are the symptoms the doctors are trying to cure?
As your testosterone is fine, there probably is no problem with the a little bit low LH. Perhaps get a semen exam to be totally sure there’s enough of LH in your body for the main functions?

#12

The doctor was concerned that Prolactin was too high (at 423 mu/L) and it was likely suppressing gonadotropins (LH/FSH).

I then did a follow up test where Prolactin was lower and within range (264 mu/L). I don’t yet have the doctor’s opinion about that result, and he may not want to do anything else at this point.

High Prolactin levels can cause low libido and ED.

#13

That’s what I’ve read too. Has your doctor suggested anything for lowering prolactin?

#14

MerryChristmas - Doc has not suggested anything to lower Prolactin as my latest result was in range.