Faded's bloodwork

Member Stories Lab Tests
#1

So I crashed in August, while still on Fin. Initally went to a rhematologist (I already had a positive ANA and thought the crash was an auto-immune symptom). Got some bloodwork 8/25, then hormonals 9/17/12. Sometime after the hormonal bloods I began to wean down off fin, and got totally off about 3-4 weeks ago. Going to get re-tested for post-fin, after the holidays. Unfortunately I have no records prior to fin, not even a basic CBC. My liver enzymes, however for the past 10 years have fluctuated quite a bit, going high (AST and ALT as high as 100, but also as low as 20). If there is interest I can post a more complete CBC. Autoimmune tests were all negative. Any questions or ideas of course are welcome.

9/17/2012
FSH: 3.8 (1.6-8.0 mIU/mL)
LH: 4.6 (1.5-9.3 mIU/mL)

Prolactin: 5.9 (2.0-18.0 ng/mL)
Estradiol: 24 (< or = 39 pg/mL)
DHEA Sulfate: 196 (110-370 mcg/dL)

3A Androstanediol-G: 68 (260-1500 ng/dL)

Testosterone Total: 536 (250-1100 ng/dL)
Testosterone Free: 73.3 (46-224 pg/ml)
Testosterone Bioavailable: 163 (110-575.0 ng/dL), this is low, in the bottom 10%
SHBG: 32 (3.6-5.1 g/dL)
Albumin, Serum: 4.9 (3.6-5.1 g/dL)

17-OH-Progesterone, LCMSMS: 53 (42-196 ng/dL)
DHT, LCMSMS: 7 (16-79 ng/dL)

Liver
ALP: 65 (30-121 U/L)
ALT 48 (1-38 U/L)
AST: 32 (5-42 U/L)

Thyroids
Total T3: 96 (80-193 ng/dL) - not out of range but definitely on low side
T4: 7.2: (4.5-12.5 ug/dL)
Free T4: 1.10 (.80-1.90 ug/dL)
Intact PTH 43 (12-72 PG/ML)

Celiac Panel:
Gliadin IgG Deamidated: 78.4 (<20 U/mL)
Gliadin IgA, Deamidated; 4.0 (<20 U/mL)
Transglutaminase IgA Autoabs: 3.0 (<15 U/mL)
Immunoglobulin A: 230: (70-400 mg.dL)

#2

So some time in February the amount of bad days began to decline, and I’d have what turned into a few days of good, a few days of bad, and then maybe a week of good, a few days of bad. I went back to the doctor to get my labs and it seems they are improving, commensurate with how I feel. I would not say I am 100% recovered- I still get brainfog, have a withered prostate, muscle/bone loss, and have a very hard time dealing with stress without getting furious. But, I have noticed my creativity has come back, and libido/spontaneous/nocturnal erections are greatly improved. I’m grateful for any gains I’ve gotten. Here are the labs.

FSH: 4.2 (1.6-8.0 mIU/ML)
LH: 2.2 (1.5-9.3 mIU/ML)

Estradiol: 19 (< or =39 pg/mL)
Testosterone, Total: 551 (250-1100 ng/dL)
Testosterone, Free: 71 (46-224 ng/dL)
Testosterone, Bioavailable: 152 (110-575 ng/dL)
SHBG: 34 (10-50 nmol/L)
Albumin, Serum: 4.7 (3.6-5.1 ng/dL)
DHT: 30 (16-79 ng/dL)
3-Adiol: 305 (190-900 ng/dL)

Vitamin D25-OH: 59 (30-100 ng/ML)

ALT: 44 (9-60 U/L)
AST: 29 (10-40 U/L)
GGT: 60 (3-90 U/L)

To summarize, liver enzymes are back in range. DHT and 3-Adiol are back in range (albiet a little low). I am optimistic that over time, and with enough sleep these will further normalize (I’ve only been off fin 4 months so far). My regimen was primarily GF/DF diet, and eating in a way which reduced estrogen and theoretically increased T. I supplemented vitamin D, gave up drugs and alcohol. Took melatonin and 5-htp (not at the same time) for sleep. Hard to say if any of it actually mattered or if my body would have recovered naturally, regardless. I doubt the diet hurt though. I lost a lot of gut fat and moob fat on it (although lost muscle too).

Any suggestions on how to increase bioavailable T?

#3

As I can see, you have a good chance of improving everything naturally.

As for Liver enzymes, Is there anyway to bring Alkalyine Phosphate back in the range?

Please let me know.

#4

I googled around for a ‘liver cleanse’ diet and tried to eat more foods that were allegedly helpful. BUT I never had high ALP. The diet was pretty standard. Some people like Milk Thistle for a liver cleanse but for me and others it had a drastic negative effect. I’d avoid or use with caution. Mostly I ate lots of broccoli, radishes, onions, garlic, avoided all preservatives. I also had blood tests to rule out a battery of liver diseases. Are you off of finasteride? My liver enzymes did not decrease until I was off it.

#5

Hi Faded,

I noticed that you went to see Dr. Jacobs in Ny as well. Did he assist you in your recovery and dud he prescribe anything to you. I am also a patient of Dr. Jacobs and am awaiting for us to discuss my blood tests results.

Below is what I got back.

Bio T 209 ng/dl
Total T 657 ng/dl
Free T 92.2 pg/dl
Estradiol 26 pg/dl
SHBG 32 ng/dl
LH 5.3
FSH 1.7

Have yet to get tested for DHT.

I am 3 months and a week into my recovery. Hoping I will get better.

#6

Hey Petimalla, I remember you opted not to try the TRT treatment. Are u still upwardly improving without setbacks?

#7

I have not been prescribed any treatment as of yet. This all depends on what the doctor tells me.
My latest bloodwork are the results of good diet and light excercise.

I saw a bit increase of libido about two weeks back. It has decreased again but I am unsure why. I believe it may have been caused by stress and masturbation but I am unsure.

Energy wise I am fine. My sole issue the the low libido and shrunken
junk when flaccid.

#8

I actually am seeing Dr. Jacobs too (over the phone). I just got my test results back and am waiting to discuss them with him.

Thought I’d post them.

Vit D: 27 (18-72 pg/mL)
3 adiol g: 873 (190-900 ng/dL)
DHT: 71 (16-79 ng/dL)
ACTH: 24 (6-50 pg/mL)
Cortisol: 20 (4-22 mcg/dL)
DHEA: 490 (110-510 mcg/dL)
FSH: 3 (1.6-8 mIU/mL)
LH: 3.8 (1.5-9.3 mIU/mL)
Prolactin: 5.7 (2-18 ng/mL)
Estradiol: 26 (< or = 39 pg/mL)
Test, tot: 775 (250-1100 ng/dL)
Test, free: 121.8 (46-224 pg/mL)
Test, bioav: 261.1 ( 110-575 ng/dL)
SHBG: 30 (10-50 nmol/L)
Albumin: 4.7 (3.6-5.1 g/dL)

#9

You testosterone and dht levels seem to be well balanced and way higher than mine. Considering your Bio T and Free T are with decent levels.

What symptoms do you have ?

#10

Yeah I was pretty surprised with my levels to be honest, especially my 3 adiol g which was close to out of range high.

I have low libido, loss of attraction to other people, almost no morning/nocturnal/spon erections, my hair stopped falling out, weird sleep, and really awful brain fog.

I’m definitely interested to hear what jacobs will have to say.

#11

Interesting I do get morning/nocturnal erections but not spontaneous. I do get aroused at time when talking freash with my gf. No brain fog or energy or sleep problems.

But my libido has been hit and shrunken junk.

#12

Hey Petillamala-

Sorry for the delayed response, haven’t logged in in a while. Anyway, I saw Dr. Jacobs 2 or 3 times. He took a “wait and see” approach and didn’t put me on TRT or Clomid (although he did present it as an option if things didn’t improve). I found seeing him psychologically very useful because he was the first doctor who actually seemed to believe in the problem, later advised me to get off the poison, and kept reiterating that I was likely to get better on my own over time. I was in really bad mental shape when I first saw him and I think hearing a doctor tell me that was helpful and reassuring. Which does play into his theory about managing anxiety to help PFS sufferers. He is pricey but I figure I was done paying for fin, and I’d break even after a year. I am not 100% but have had some dramatic improvements since the crash. If you manage your expectations towards doctors, i.e. that they are not gods, it helps. I also saw a naturopath who got me off gluten & dairy which have helped with a variety of problems. Good luck!