oscar's Hormone & Blood Test results

Thought I should post the results I have for the record - these are post fin (stopped ~2yrs ago) and before treatments.

Endocrinology

Total T 13 nmol/L (8 - 30) {pre-fin only 14.5 nmol/L, w/out any issues}
SHBG 19 nmol/L (10 - 40)
Albumin 45 g/L (35 - 50)
DHT 1.58 nmol/L (1.13 - 4.13)

BioChemistry

25-Hydroxy VitD 170 nmol/L (75 - 200) {this was 24 nmol/L before supplementing with VitD}

Sodium 139 mmol/L (136 - 145)
Potassium 3.8 mmol/L (3.5 - 5.0)
Chloride 102 mmol/L (98 - 107)
Bicarbonate 29 mmol/L (22 - 29)
Urea 4.5 mmol/L (3.2 - 7.4)
Creatinine 79 umol/L (62 - 115)
GFR >90 ml/min (>60)
Calcium 2.39 mmol/L (2.23 - 2.50)
Corrected Calcium 2.27 mmol/L (2.15 - 2.60)
Phosphate 0.52 mmol/L (0.74 - 1.52) {oor}
Total Protein 76 g/L (60 - 78)
Globulin 31 g/L (15 - 30) {oor}
Total Bilirubin 13 umol/L (3.4 - 20.5)
Ferritin 199 ng/mL (22 - 275)
Vitamin B12 392 pg/mL (187 - 883)

Liver

ALT 11 IU/L (0 - 55)
AST 18 IU/L (5 - 45)
GGT 15 IU/L (12 - 64)
ALP 81 IU/L (40 - 150)

Thyroid Function Tests

T4 16.9 pmol/L (9 - 22)
T3 5.14 pmol/L (2.63 - 5.70)
TSH 0.95 uIU/mL (0.35 - 4.94)
C-Reactive Protein <0.5 mg/L (0 - 10)
Glucose 6.6 mmol/L (3.9 - 6.0) {not fasting}

Haematology

Haemoglobin 14.5 g/dl (13.5 - 18.0)
Red Blood Cells 4.91 x10^12/L (4.5 - 5.5)
Haematocrit 0.414 (0.40 - 0.50)
MCV 84.5 fL (80 - 100)
MCH 29.6 pg (27 - 32)

Here are some more blood test results.

Endocrinology

Androstenedione 7.7 nmol/L (2 - 8.5)
Cortisol 275 nmol/L (140 - 600)
DHEA 6.2 umol/L (2.2 - 15.2)
17a-Hydroxyprogesterone 2.1 nmol/L (<12 nmol/L)

FSH 3.8 IU/L (2 - 8)
LH 5.9 IU/L (2 - 10)
Oestradiol 84 (<150 pmol/L)
Prolactin 174 mIU/L (<350 mU/L)

General BioChemistry

Magnesium 0.86 mmol/L (0.75 - 1)
Vitamin D2 <5 nmol/L
PSA *1.14 (<3)

Haematology


Post deleted.

Reason:

hello colin. A lot of people seem to be posting about ‘boosting cortisol production lines’. Not being sarcastic but can you post a link to an academic paper, text book or anything from an academic or doctor where such a thing is discussed so that i can read about it? thanks.

Post deleted.

Reason:

Taking pregnenelone to boost the CPL is kind of a young topic as far as being a lot of literature on it. But it makes sense in theory because it is the first in line other then cholesterol itself.

By boosting Preg, you will boost your entire metabolic rate, which will increase your T metabolism as well. However, In chillns theory you may need a T boost via taking Testosterone as well, along with GH. Also a thyroid boost is needed as well. When I see Crisler in a few weeks I’m going to talk to him specifically about this protocol, because if Dr. C didn’t believe in it himself he wouldn’t make it a sticky on his own forum.

Hi Toadstool. Yes, please ask Dr John. As far as Im concerned none of that stuff is backed up by any studies or any actual medical opinion - i can find no posts from anyone that has ever even followed that regimen. Yet it sounds impressive and has somehow taken on a life of its own and spread throughout the forums.

Its not around the forums except Crislers and this one (from me). There’s not much of anything about it because its pretty new stuff, but Dr. Crisler is finding that it has a whole lot of benefits. As far as him using it on propecia patients, idk how many if any, but like you and I both agree, the science part of it makes a lot of sense. Pretty much, boost one and you boost all. Not everyone on this board has tested for low cortisol/preg/prog, but most ppl havent had them tested either, and if they test cortisol, its usually on time period reading which is useless IMO.

I will gather lots of info when I go see him, and hopefully gather some insight as too whether it has shown benefits on other patients hes had as well. When I ask about it on his forum I don’t get a response, which could mean a whole number of different things. Not necessarily bad either…

Actually it makes no sense. Testosterone is the male sex hormone. If you have enough of that it doesnt matter about cortisol/preg/prog. Men with hypogonadism are unable to produce testosterone, so they supplement and get better. Unlike us. Unless you can provide ANY evidence that shows ‘chllin’ 's theory works its just a lot of nonsense from some laymen posting on another forum.

increasing cortisol production line will increase the metabolic rate, thus increasing Testosterone metabolic rate, which will in turn increase T production. savy?

^Any evidence for that statement?

Also what is ‘Testosterone metabolic rate’ ???

I’m sure you know where his hormones 101 section is… He has a ton of citations at the bottom. Feel free to look it over yourself or ask him specifically. I realize you’re being skeptical, but what else do we have at this point? Your crazy androgen sensitivity theories? I’m just not willing to accept any of that. Seeing that as the cause would be accepting that we have no hope, and I just can’t accept that, and I refuse to…

I think the reason some ppl dont respond to TRT because there cortisol production line is too down regulated. IE: metabolic rate not being high enough. Thus, that is why JN responds to TRT very well now (for now). I believe he may not even need to be on TRT… Hes saying he feels fantastic, but I mean, you shouldn’t feel fantastic everyday. I never felt fantastic everyday when I was normal. We all have those bad days where we dont feel great, but sexually you should always be fine if you are a healthy male. See where i’m coming from?

Despite having a normal hormonal profile I decided to try and supplement with androgens in an attempt to lessen some of my symptoms. Here are my results so far:

Andractim (DHT in gel form)

Rubbed in a whole dose on my chest and perhaps felt slightly more aware of what was going on around me (highly subjective I know) - later tried x1.5 dose, x2 dose and x3 dose, yet felt nothing at all. Also rubbed in locally into my c*ck - again, with no effect, in fact possibly feels more numb (but maybe better nocturnal erections). I have currently stopped using this, it didnt seem to work and I dont know what it did to the rest of my hormones. But I recently read a study where men used it for 3months before erections improved, so may try again in the future.

Nolvadex

A serm, to make the body increase endogenous testosterone levels. It took me several weeks to realise that this stuff was making me feel worse, my libido, mental function and sleep particularly. I stopped straight away when I figured out what was going on. After stopping my sleep improved and a few days later reverted to its normal poor state. This was totally unexpected, it possibly may have more to do with what was going on in my personal life, but I really dont know what went on. Tests revealed it increased my test by several nmol and my shbg by even more nmol. My sexual function doesnt really seem to have recovered after being dented by this experiment and I basically wish that I had never used it.

whats normal about having gutter cortisol?

Oscar i know we don’t see eye to eye but here’s my objective thoughts on you.

You have very low cortisol levels like me. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t try hydrocortisone (between 10-20mg ED) for a while. It’s a risk-free experiment - amounts under 40mg are not suppressive. You can get it cheap at unitedpharmacies.co.uk I’m going to try it, too.

Be careful how much you use as larger amounts can become suppressive via negative feedback mechanism. Where did you get yours from, anyway? I’d like to try it at some point, mainly in hope to regain my girth loss (people have used DHT cream to increase penis size - probably unsuccessfully but i tmight help regain original size!!)

You should never stop a SERM cold turkey like that. You don’t mention your dosages.

SERM’s like Nolva and Clomid are weak synthetic estrogens which occupy the receptors thereby tricking your body into producing more testosterone. Problem is with an increase in testosterone you can have a natural increase in estrogen levels too. Since SERM’s don’t actually do anything to change actual estrogen levels, it may be that when you went off it you actually had higher e2 levels too. I reckon an AI is useful alongside SERM’s to enjoy any real lasting benefit is necessary and i have watched many people (not fin sufferers) do this with some success…

I’ve also seen people get gyno and estrogen problems from using a SERM alone or not tapering off it correctly.

IMO its absolutely vital to implement these drugs strategically into a systematic protocol with proper weekly bloods. Too many people simply try arimidex or nolva (seperately), dont get a miraculous recovery and conclude they don’t work. The reality is, expecting a random dose, duration and combination (or lack thereof) to work is unrealistic imo. Arimidex takes 6 weeks to level out T/E ratios, and it’s been proven that 3 months usage can normalise these outright, for example.

It’s about giving your endoctrine system a real chance of recovery not swallowing some drug in hope that it happens to magically reverse everything in one swoop.

Hydrocortisone is not smarties, it should not be tried without supervision. Giving out some online pharma’s site to self-medicate is bad advice, that’s why half of us are here.
I don’t really think Oscar’s cortisol is that low - have you seen mine?

Weekly bloods are practically an impossibilty for everyone. I’m getting fed up of peripheral PFS ‘victims’ reading hormone forums for two weeks then lecturing the rest of us about what we should be doing.

Oscar, your T levels were quite low to begin with. As you said, you functioned fine, everyone has their natural level and libido is just like any other guy’s. Did you have a lot of body hair, how often did you shave?

It’s a bit strange you had the decline after quitting with attendant symptoms and your T levels didn’t change much.

I haven’t seen yours but your levels have nothing to do with his. His are low range.

NOTE: To make any real judgements on cortisol you’d need am and pm bloods and a 24 saliva test (4x throughout the day). I’m just going on one result but yes that does appear low…

As for HC not being smarties. Clearly. But our condition isn’t peanuts either. There is no risk of HC at small trial doses, actually. “Supervision”…I mean, really, what supervision do most of us get anyway? Very little. Even with the best endo’s the attention afforded to one patient tends to be low. This “doctor oversight” idea is a bit of a myth…

Yes i suppose they are for most but if you want to commit correctly to a treatment plan i reckon people should move hell and earth in order to atleast get bi-weekly blooods for the first few weeks on a specific protocol. Frankly, its a shot in the dark if you can’t. Our bodies are compromised they need tailored care to aid them through recovery. This is why i reckon given the right resources so many more people would have much more success with protocols.

I’m not bothered if this is directed at me or not, personally. I have confidence in what im saying in terms of its potential utility and its safety.

The whole “you’re not a real victim…‘i am’” is getting old real fast though.

Its twatish attitude like this that actually encourages people to NOT return here if/when they improve or recover. There are a few posters currently achieving good results on very different appraoches but they’re aren’t being active on this forum due to the Oscar’s and select few others ready to shoot them down. I know this because ive been told this specifically. They will reveal their methods if and when they do recover, of course but its sad that they have little interest in actively participating throughout their improvements due to a certain culture that is emerging on here courtesy of a handfull of posters.

[/quote]
Is it really that strange? My levels are high, too. If anything this points to other causes than simple tesosterone levels. We already know many people don’t improve even on high doses of TRT… Clearly there are other issues here that is why i focus strongly (on my interpretation of hormones) on estrogen management, cortisol levels and thyroids.

That’s crap, everyone who recovers would want to shout it from the rooftops. Don’t pretend that you know something the rest of us don’t. If you know of someone who took fin, crashed, got bad ED, brain fog and a hots of other sides then recovered that would be interesting. But it doesn’t exist because we don’t know what has happened to us. Do a bit of reading on here ffs, countless men have tried TRT and fixing other hormones and haven’t been fixed. Propagating other theories is actively harming our cause since it infers we can solve this if we just spend $50k on a Dr Crisler and move to Michigan to see him every week, not that we have a serious health issue which requires in depth research from scientists - not guys who google and read forums.