Sex Hormone Results - what do they mean?

[nopecia]

Hi,

Sorry if this should be in a specific topic, but I’m not sure about where it should go.

I had some results from a blood test today, as shown below:

Serum testosterone 21.4 nmol/L (9-25)
Calculated free testosterone 516 pmol/L (215-760)
Serum sex hormne binding glob 27 nmol/L (15-48)

Background: I took finasteride (1.25mg per day) for almost 2 months early in 2012. I quit after experiencing issues with libido and sensitivity. For almost a year I tried a variety of methods to overcome the persistent symptoms e.g. supplementing zinc, exercising, all to no avail. I then went to a doctor a few weeks ago, but he dismissed my problems as “psychological” (big surprise…). I demanded a blood test anyway, and during the blood test I asked the nurse if she could recommend a doctor who might be more understanding. This doctor offered the above blood test result, however she still took a bit of persuasion on the topic of whether my symptoms are the result of taking this drug. She explained that my results were “normal”, however I managed to convince her to refer me to an endocrinologist because I suggested that perhaps another hormone such as DHT might be the issue.

I’d really appreciate advice/thoughts on the above basic test, and I will report back in when I get further tests/help from the endocrinologist.

[spstriken]

@Chrisis

Hi,

Sorry if this should be in a specific topic, but I’m not sure about where it should go.

I had some results from a blood test today, as shown below:

Serum testosterone 21.4 nmol/L (9-25)
Calculated free testosterone 516 pmol/L (215-760)
Serum sex hormne binding glob 27 nmol/L (15-48)

Background: I took finasteride (1.25mg per day) for almost 2 months early in 2012. I quit after experiencing issues with libido and sensitivity. For almost a year I tried a variety of methods to overcome the persistent symptoms e.g. supplementing zinc, exercising, all to no avail. I then went to a doctor a few weeks ago, but he dismissed my problems as “psychological” (big surprise…). I demanded a blood test anyway, and during the blood test I asked the nurse if she could recommend a doctor who might be more understanding. This doctor offered the above blood test result, however she still took a bit of persuasion on the topic of whether my symptoms are the result of taking this drug. She explained that my results were “normal”, however I managed to convince her to refer me to an endocrinologist because I suggested that perhaps another hormone such as DHT might be the issue.

I’d really appreciate advice/thoughts on the above basic test, and I will report back in when I get further tests/help from the endocrinologist.

in you next test include T3, FT3 and rT3. you should take measure your revers T3.Maybe your T3/rT3 ratio is not correct.

[nopecia]

Thank you for your insight, spstriken. Could you tell me more about why you think those tests are necessary?

[spstriken]

@Chrisis

Thank you for your insight, spstriken. Could you tell me more about why you think those tests are necessary?

just to rule out any issue with your thyroid and to make sure it is functioning properly, many here have got hypo thyroidal too and hypothyroidism also causes a lot of issues including ED. When I first time went to see my dr after my crash he included Thyroid tests too.

[nopecia]

Thanks man. I will ask about this. I feel disheartened that there are so few success stories on this forum. Almost seems this damage is permanent guess I have to try everything I can.