low DHEA -> low 5ar2? Help

Member Stories Lab Tests
#1

OVERVIEW

I have 3 blood tests to post and would appreciate some feedback and recommended treatment. The 1st test is from 2 months before using fin (I had not ever used any steroids/hormone altering drugs and did not have any pre-existing conditions or hormonal problems.). The 2nd test is from 6 weeks after stopping fin. The 3rd test is from last week (19 months after stopping fin). Unfortunately I never got tests while on fin.

I am hopefully getting 3adiol-G, SHBG, pregnenolone, GnRH etc. tests but my current endo is a dumbass. Thankfully my hormone levels aren’t too messed up but I’m still suffering and I want to go back to normal even if it means losing my hair.

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SYMPTOMS

Side effects while on fin:
-mild ED
-loss of libido
-no morning erections
-OCD sexual thoughts/anxiety about sides (reason I quit)

Current main problems (including NEW symptoms after stopping fin):
-long refractory period (consisting of shrinkage and sometimes “burning” discomfort)
-fibrosis/prostatitis symptoms (may be recovering from this)
-no morning erections
-low libido
-“crash” after weightlifting, body sensitive to stress?
-genital numbness/“pressure” discomfort (rare, usually after workout crash), nut ache (rare)

Signs of partial recovery:
-improved erectile function
-improved orgasms
-increased nocturnal erections (mornings still rare/weak)
-oiler skin/itchier scalp
-increased chest/back hair
-increased sweat/BO
-5-10% increase in hairloss (nothing compared to pre-fin)

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OVERALL CONDITION

Before fin: 100%
During fin: 40-60%
Post-fin crash: 0-10%
Now: 50-80% (If I go 5-7 days without ejaculating I feel 90-100% recovered including hairloss. Ejac brings me back down to 50-80%. Workout brings me down to 30-50%)

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BLOOD TESTS

2 months BEFORE fin (wish it was more comprehensive):
T total: 847 (249 - 836 ng/dL)
TSH: 1.57 (0.35 - 4.00 uIU/mL)
PSA: 0.56 (< or = 2.5 ng/mL)

1.5 months after stopping fin:
T total: 992 (250 - 1100 ng/dL)
T free: 132 (35 - 155 pg/mL)
TSH: 2.14 (0.4 - 4.50 mIU/mL)
T3 free: 3.7 (2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL)
T4 free: 1.2 (0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL)
PSA: 0.4 (< or = 4 ng/mL)

19 months after stopping fin:
DHEA: 294 (61 - 1636 ng/dL) low
DHEA-S: 243 (85 - 690 mcg/dL) sort of low
T total: 790 (250 - 1100 ng/dL)
T free: 113 (35 - 155 pg/mL)
DHT: 50 (16 - 79 ng/dL) sort of low
Androstenedione: 74 (50 - 220 ng/dL) *low?
Estradiol: 20 (7 - 43 pg/mL)
Prolactin: 4 (2.1 - 17.7 ng/mL)
Progesterone: 0.6 (0.2 - 1.4 ng/mL) *low?
FSH: 4.7 (1.4 - 18.1 mIU/mL) *low?
LH: 3.7 (1.5 - 9.3 mIU/mL) *low?
TSH: 1.13 (0.35 - 4.94 uIU/mL)
T3 free: 3.7 (2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL)
Cortisol urine 9:30am: 12.8 (6.2 - 19.4 ug/dL)

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Feedback and advice appreciated.

#2

You seem fine. Based on what your symptoms are you should recover. Your test levels after fin was fine. That’s a good sign.

#3

Thanks for the response. But the low DHEA shows I have a hormonal imbalance (presumably low 5ar2 activity). Need to get some more blood tests for sure, and then start some supps.

Also, I can’t edit my original post but I forgot to add my PSA result from the 3rd (new) test. My PSA is now .5 (< or = 4 ng/mL) compared to the 2nd test from 18 months ago (.4), closer to baseline (.56). Not sure how much of a difference that is but possibly my prostate is returning to full size?

#4

Low DHEA would maybe point to adrenal fatigue. Your Progesterone is lowish too, again maybe pointing toward adrenal fatigue. Though your thyroid looks good so maybe not. Maybe get a 24 hour salivary cortisol test? They aren’t all that expensive.

#5

True, but low DHEA can also just point to some hormonal imbalance. From studies I’ve seen there is a direct correlation with DHEA and 3adiol g. And also that fin messes up steroidgenesis and decreases DHEA.

Just landed a job recently I’m happy about and felt horny as fuck the next day, possibly a DHEA boost. I think my best bet is trying to improve my life and become happier to increase DHEA naturally. Eating healthier, taking creatine, and lifting more recently has helped a bit too. I’ll be continuing my supp trials as well.