High FSH

General Discussion
#1

So I’ve gotten the results of my recent blood tests. You can see my updated file in the blood tests section titled “RKimhl’s bloodtest results after finasteride”

High DHT with T looking good. The issue pointed out by my endo was my high FSH level. I’ve had this before and considering my two poor semen analyses, he suspects low inhibib B which I’ve tested for yesterday and will have in a couple of weeks. If so he would like to do a biopsy to check my Sertoli cells. From what I’ve been able to research so far, it’s possible for high levels of FSH to desensitize Steroli cells.

“the feedback control system regulating FSH secretion in a physiological setting appears to involve mainly inhibin B secreted by Sertoli cells”

“The contribution of testicular steroids to the regulation of FSH secretion is noticeably less important than that exerted by inhibin B signaling”

“In men affected by primary testicular disorders, Inhibin B falls in parallel with an increase in FSH plasma levels”

This is one of the studies I was looking at:

humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/co … /19/6/1431

The scary part is, the treatment requires an induced hypogonadotrophic state followed by HCG treatment. I haven’t discussed any of this with my doc yet, just surfing. Those with high FSH and low Inhibin B did not respond to treatment indicating damaged Sertoli cells, while those with high FSH and low range normal did respond. I guess it depends on the extent of damage.

What I’m concerned with and don’t know (being that I don’t know anything about hormones), is does this have an affect on libido and erections? Does anyone have an opinion on this? My endo said “maybe”. Or is this only a concern if I’m worried about fertility? I remember asking Melmen a while back about my poor semen and testes and he said it was only an issue of fertility. I’m guessing this DOES have something to do with my lowered sperm volume?

Has anyone else had high FSH? Not from what I’ve seen in the Blood section. Boston’s is on the high end of normal.

While scary, it’s at least something to consider as a cause.

Any feedback on by blood work would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

#2

Apparently my FSH is still very high, while T still very low.
Uro says I am “primary hypogonadism”.
Does anyone else have these symptoms?
I don’t know what to do.

He was first saying TRT, until I showed him some of Shippen’s protocols on paper (most of which are for “secondary hypogonadism” of course) but he said try Clomid instead anyway and see if that helps to raise your T after a month.
Think I should do it? What do you think guys? anyone tried it?

Thanks

#3

Boston - if you’re primary, you’d need both LH and FSH to be elevated, which I believe is not the case for you, according to your blood tests in the Blood Tests section (you have FSH at 10 out of a range of 12, and LH mid-normal).

So read through this, there may be a little bit of info to be gleaned…

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=491

“…the combination of an elevated FSH concentration and a normal LH concentration indicates that there has been damage to the seminiferous tubules but that the Leydig cells have not been affected.”

As for Clomid… there are potential visual side effects, but its a risk you’d have to weigh for yourself. Do your research. Also check these studies for other info on it:

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66

#4

Mew,
in this last study you posted
“STUDY: Clomid’s effects on T/E ratio in male hypogonadism”

they only took 25mg/day, and the average man seemed to achieve results.
The first study says 50mg 2x per day = 100mg/day… the dosage I think my doctor has told me to take.

Could this be the case??

Obviously after reading these studies I should probably just start by trying 25mg/day , right??

Thanks man.
what do you think?
btw, how come you haven’t tried Clomid yet?

#5

Boston,

I’m not in a position to advise on the use of Clomid. Best to seek out further studies and ask such questions of guys that HAVE taken it, ie at MesoRx forum…

I haven’t taken it yet because I want to work with a doctor through this, not on my own. Still in the process of seeking one out. Also want to try some natural stuff once I have my test results back… I have also been making small improvements over the past 20 months, nothing substantial though.

I will update my personal profile once I have results back. If I were you, before jumping on this I’d also seek out some second opinions from other docs/endos regarding treatment considerations, dosages etc.

#6

just curious, what sorts of small improvements? You seem awfully patient, you must be somewhat positive.
Aren’t you worried about fertility though? I thought your T levels were very low as well. Or is that where you have been making improvements? Your T is slowly slowly climbing isn’t it Mew?
Are you getting like bi-monthly T tests or something?

Btw, sorry to ask you so many questions, but to me, in all honesty mew, you seem like you know the most about this, and more than anyone…
so I want to ask you.
Has sensitivity been slowly returning, and that numbness going away at all? Can you get it up now? (sorry to get personal) and also, how about the peeing thing??
This is one of the things that bothers me the most… having to pee all the time…

So you say improvements. Please share.
btw I remember you saying once that walking helped you tremendously. I wonder if it would if you walked for 8-10 hours per day for a few weeks?? I wonder if it would return sensitivity and blood flow.
Thanks for reading.

#7

Boston,

Thanks for the compliments but I don’t know more than anyone here, there are a lot of us in the same boat. I’m just a guy that has read a bunch of studies (that are in the Fin Studies section) and have been trying to piece things together for myself, too.

As for all your questions, I don’t want to hijack this thread into an update about me. Like I said I’ll give an update to my existing Member Profile post at a later date.

But to be brief: I’ve only had 2 blood tests so far and on the last one (like 12 months ago) my T had risen from 388 to 519, so we’ll see where its at at the next one. Penis shaft is still numb, libido is very low/nonexistant, ED occasionally present but I can at least go for one round with a girl now. Peeing, I have mor urgency than I used to but I’m used to it now. THe biggest improvements have been in brain fog and anxiety, I don’t have anxiety anmore and brain fog has cleared up a lot, but I still have difficulty remembering things.

Anyway let’s keep this thread on topic. Cheers.

#8

and do you wake up every morning and feel like something is just up down there, you feel it, like something is just not connected right down there?? or achiness and dull pain…
Thanks for the update.
So you have a girlfriend now? thats good.

#9

I read yesterday about a guy on Meso who had high FSH, and another member said that this can point to thyroid problems. I had never heard of that before, but thought it was worth a mention. Um…hows your thryoid? (Free T3 and Free T 4 and TSH)

#10

should I try to get tested for these too. I can check them off on the sheet.
Thing is, I don’t want to annoy the doctor by doing too much behind his back if its not completely necessary.
As I mentioned above, he has only given me a test sheet with FSH, LH, Free T, and Total T marked off on it.
I was going to ad E, and cortisol, and idk maybe SHBG, although I couldn’t find a box to check for it…
What do you think also Mew?

#11

LOL…are you sure thats even legal?

I would just try to convince your doctor to get the testing done. If its no deal, then find another doctor who will. Yes you need to get your thyroid tested including Free T 3 and Free T4. If he doesnt want to get them, offer to pay for them yourself. He will probably only want to do TSH, but you need the Free T 3 and Free T4 to get an accurate diagnosis of a problem.

#12

RK, about the Inhibin B… it can surpress the HTPA:

dspace.hsl.washington.edu/dspace/handle/2012/53

Looks like your doc had the right idea. Let us know what comes of your tests.

#13

Thanks for the link Mew. Turns out my Inhibin B is fine. I’ve updated my blood file in the bloods section. Don’t know why my FSH is high, or if it relates to my low sperm count and mobility.

I’ve recently read that Colchicine can reduce sperm count and have an effect on spermatogenesis. I’m surprised my uro didn’t mention it as a possible cause. I’m sure it’s because of the low dose, but still… I’ve stopped taking it. I’ll keep you posted in any new info.

#14

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#15

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#16

FSH impacts spermatogenesis. If FSH is low, you might want to consider a sperm test to check fertility.