MY STORY: propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2308
I’m not sure how to read the results properly so if someone can help I would appreciate it.
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Total Testosterone is low/mid-range, ideally it should be up in the 600-700s, per propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … ht=diurnal
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What’s more concerning is the more crucial FREE Testosterone (that which is available to the body) is near the bottom of the range. Low Testosterone (total & free) can lead to loss of libido, ED etc.
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FSH is borderline low – you should get a sperm test done to check fertility.
Your doctor thinks these results are “normal”, but for a man in his 20s, the levels seem overall low. You need more tests to see what is going on:
Estradiol
Prolactin
SHBG
TSH
DHT
… etc, per the list in FAQ.
QUESTION: what time were these tests taken? Bloodwork should always be taken in the morning (before 10am) when T levels are highest, otherwise you will not get a true reading of your highest level.
I am visiting Dr McCullough in New york as per the doctors on the list you guys have. Should I ask show him these results and ask him to write a prescription for these additional tests?
Yes, request the above tests, as well as:
3-Adiol G
Progesterone
AST/ALT
DHEA-S
24hr-urine cortisol
24hr-ketosteroids
Androgen/Estrogen ratio
Testosterone/DHT ratio
Details:
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=92
What time were your tests taken?
I took the blood work at approx. 8 a.m. Being that it has only been nine days since I have been off propecia am I getting ahead of myself (don’t get me wrong I am very concerned), or should I definitely go ahead with these tests?
If you don’t mind me asking how did you find Dr. McCullough?
Thank you very much Mew.
There is nothing wrong with getting bloodwork done because you can not go back in time to see what effect the drug was having on your hormones. I would go ahead with further tests, because you can use them to compare against in the future should you get re-tested to see what changes have taken place down the road if you continue to have issues.
That said, it is still very early days for you so I would not panic at this stage… again, it can take 1-2 weeks for DHT to start coming back.
I have not seen Dr McCullough myself, however it wouldn’t hurt to see him so he can see you at this stage (right after coming off the drug), especially when it comes to penis/scrotum size and sensitivity (take photos if necessary)… if you experience shrinkage in the future, he will have first-hand evidence of this since you have photos you can refer to when you first came off.
What do those additional tests tell you? Do you think I should have the origina blood work done again as I have been off the drug longer?
Again thank you.
I recommend you start doing research on hormones so you’ll understand what you are dealing with. However, off the top of my head…
Estradiol – estrogen (E2)… if elevated in men leads to gynecomastia, ED, loss of libido, negative feedback on HTPA (low T, LH, FSH) etc.
Prolactin – if elevated leads to loss of libido, lactation
SHBG – Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, binds to Free Testosterone leaving less Free T available for your body
TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, some guys on Fin have elevated TSH and end up with hypothyroidism
DHT – Dihydrotestosterone, the most potent male androgen. This is a no brainer, Finasteride inhibited this so it should be tested.
3-Adiol G – per propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=761 may provide insight into 5AR2 activity post-Finasteride, as its a metabolite of DHT
Progesterone – if elevated can cause loss of libido in men. Finasteride may cause an accumulation of Progesterone due to inhibition of 5AR2 reduction of Progesterone --> Allopregnanolone (neurosteroid)
AST/ALT – liver enzymes. Finasteride is metabolized extensively in the liver by the Cytochrome P450 system, specifically CYP3A4… if AST/ALT levels are elevated it indicates liver damage.
DHEA-S – Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, produced by adrenals and may gave indication as to their function and contribution to androgen production
24hr-urine cortisol – Cortisol is an adrenal stress hormone, if elevated may lead to Cushing’s disease, negative feedback on the HTPA, and various issues related to hypercortisolism including ED and loss of libido. Since levels vary throughout the day, best to get a 24hr urine profile done.
24hr urine 17-ketosteroids – 17-ketosteroids are substances that form when the body breaks down male steroid sex hormones called androgens and other hormones released by part of the adrenal gland and the testis in males. May give indications as to androgen metabolism issues.
Androgen/Estrogen ratio – Finasteride can increase estrogen levels in men via blockade of DHT and resultant aromatization of T to E2… thus, Finasteride can influence the androgen/estrogen ratio to be in favor of estrogen in men, which is a bad thing if you want to remain “a man”.
Testosterone/DHT ratio – Normally Testosterone converts to DHT via 5AR2. However, since Fin blocks this conversion, it would be prudent to see if this conversion is happening correctly post-Fin. This also ties into checking for 5AR2 activity post fin per propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=761
In male pseudohermaphrodites with genetic 5AR2 deficiency, the Testosterone to DHT ratio is skewed heavily in favor of Testosterone, as DHT is often very low due to lack of properly functioning 5AR2 enzyme.
Yes, of course. It is important to repeat the tests (preferably at the same time and lab) to track changes over time.
Thanks Mew.
What about testicualr doppler(sonogram)? Do you know the ideal results for this test? I will post mine when I get it today.
Doc again said it is normal.
No idea about that, but feel free to post if you wish.
Let me preface this by saying I am feeling 100% as of right now and have been for weeks.
This bloodwork was taken when I was experiencing all the sexual sides from Propecia (ED, no brain/penis connection). This was also taken by Dr. MCCullough in NYC but the bloodwork was done at 4pm. I don’t know why…
What do you think of these results as I am getting blood done again on the 18th.
blood.doc (195 KB)
That definitely skews your T results since we don’t know how high they really are in the morning.
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Your Total T is out of range low. That’s a problem.
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Prolactin seems to be somewhat high for a guy, I believe Shippen usually likes to keep it round 3-5 in men.
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Bioavailable and Free Testosterone both seem pretty low considering the ranges.
Maybe if you got prolactin down a bit you’d see improvement in T levels but clearly something going on with your Androgen production… not enough T is being put out by the testes (low LH).
What did Dr. McCullough say? Is he going to investigate further with more/other tests, in the AM?
I am going to see Dr. McCullough again on the 18th and ask him to take another blood test. I think if I took one today my levels would be MUCH better as I am horny, have erections frequently etc.
At the time of this last test I was a fucking zombie so it would show in the blood work.
I guess I should ask him for another for peace of mind, right?
My GP gave me the results of part of my testosterone bllod test but only had th total T available and said it was low 237. I know it is low and feel accordingly, not as horny, not getting spontaneous erections etc.
The free T is the most importnat right? I will get the results of my bloods with my endocrinologist today as he tested prolactin etc.
I have been drinking alcohol everyday. What I’m going through right now does not feel exactly like what happened when basically my penis was numb for two weeks after propecia.
Now my balls are big but don’t really have the desire for sex or masturbating. I guesss I should just stop drinking for a while and see if t goes up? Do you think this will happen?
Great, so you’re low, you have an official diagnosis.
What did he suggest as a treatment to do something about it? Clomid? TRT?
Is this a joke? You’ve already mentioned you drink regularly in another thread, twice. People have given you their advice, seems you either don’t read it or don’t want to take it. Yea, stop drinking, it’s not healthy for you or your hormonal profile.
I understand I am sorry for repeating it, I’m just scared.
The GP said I need to wait for the free testosterone portion to see the next steps.
My question is if I stop drinking for awhile, do you think T-levels will ge t better and I will feel better?
I’m sorry for repeating myself, I’m just scared about this and feel if I stop drinking what if it doesn’t get better?, just causes me a lot of anxiety…
GP said also my blood pressure was high…
First, why are you drinking like an alcoholic? That’s no fix for anything, drinking is going to cause you even more problems in the long term. Why anyone would willingly self-damage themselves after something like Finasteride, I just can’t understand. Give your body a break so it can try and recover.
Second, alcohol can potentially impact Testosterone levels. Stopping drinking may help with this.
Third, what time were your tests taken?
I’d just wait for your results and see what the GP says… I’m sure if you told him you drink everyday he’d tell you to quit, too. If you have problems with that, go to Alcoholics Anonymous.
Good luck.
I did tell the doc I have been drinking everyday and he did say to stop it. Is there a direct correlation between drinking and low t-levels?
Tests were taken at around 6p.m. and I know you should obviosly have them done in the morning but he said just to do them then. i am awaiting blood work from my endo today…
Well if you don’t want to listen to anybody, that’s your issue. Nobody can help you if you don’t want to help yourself. Not trying to be an ass but if even your own doc tells you to stop and you don’t, good luck with that.
Do some research.
Why didn’t you just wait until the next morning? Evenings are when T levels are lowest. You should get them redone in the AM, you have no true reference for when your T levels are highest and this could skew your diagnosis/treatment.
Were the endo’s tests taken in the AM?
The endo’s tests were taken around 3p.m. and i will get them today. It is hard enought to get appointments with these docs nevermind having the tests done in the a.m. andi know it skews the results, it is just so frustrating.
However, I did get another blood test taken around 8:30 a.m. last saturday which I am still awaiting the results from that my urologist ordered.