Posts by restlessdriver

You might want to get your testosterone levels checked.

Noah Cook13 said:Hi there. Are these results normal? Aren't the LH and FSH levels a bit too low?

(S) Estradiol 111 pmol/L (40 - 162)
(S) LH 1.6 IU/L (0.6 - 12.1)
(S) FSH 1.4 lU/L (1 - 12)
(S) Prolactin 6.9 µg/L (3.5 - 19.4)
(S) Total testosterone 18.9 nmol/L (8.3 - 30.2)
(S) Free testosterone 456.3 pmol/L (174 - 729)
(S) Free testosterone percentage 2.4% (1.0 - 2.7)
(S) SHBG 37 nmol/L (15 - 100)

Thanks.

Yes, the LH and FSH are quite low, while the testosterone is about average—though everything really depends on age. If you're on the younger side, say in your 20s or 30s, then that testosterone is relatively low, whereas for an older individual, this might be perfectly fine...

The most important thing is why you had these tests done in the first place and what symptoms you're experiencing. If you aren't feeling any symptoms, then you're likely okay...

I really don't think these symptoms have anything to do with a common cold. I deal with allergy flare-ups myself from time to time—especially with dairy. Just one glass of milk (particularly the store-bought pasteurized kind) is enough to trigger the exact same issues you're describing. It’s a bit less intense with dust, but I suspect you might be reacting to dust or dust mites, especially since this starts happening while you're still in bed in the morning. You should probably get an allergy test done...

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I’d suggest checking your thyroid levels along with a few other markers. It seems highly unlikely that your external hormones are the culprit here...

Samuel Morales said:Alright, here’s the situation: 28-year-old male...

Testosterone 28 (8-29)
SHBG 48 (16-55)
FSH 1.68 (1.50-12.4)
LH 3 (1.7-8.6) ?!

Could I get some expert insight on this? My libido is low, and I've lost about 20 pounds of muscle over the last 6 months...

Your testosterone levels look great, which suggests the issue might not be hormonal. Both FSH and LH fluctuate quite a bit throughout the day, so those specific numbers shouldn't cause much concern. An LH of 3 is perfectly fine, as is the FSH. Usually, when we see real hormone issues, it’s because LH and FSH are sky-high (like FSH hitting 30 or 40) while the testosterone response remains poor.😵

The fact that your testosterone is relatively high means there isn't a physiological need for higher LH or FSH. I'd suggest focusing on your training and nutrition; that should hopefully yield some results. Try cutting out refined oils and reducing bread and other carbs in favor of healthy fats.

Personally, I struggle quite a bit with my testosterone. My last reading was only 6 nmol/L, yet my doctor keeps insisting I'm within the normal range—and I'm only 24. It doesn't account for all the symptoms I'm dealing with...

Once you stop smoking, your lungs start their own internal cleanup process, working to flush out all those toxins and tar buildup. That’s actually why you might feel a bit congested at first... it's just the body purging itself.

It takes a little while for the system to fully reset. For me personally, it took about a week or ten days before I could finally breathe easy again and truly feel my lung capacity returning, along with a million other benefits.

The discomfort isn't coming from the fact that you've quit; it's actually the lingering effects of the smoking finally leaving your system.

A post from a few months back.

I noticed this thread went quiet, but I’m dealing with something similar. I had an undescended testicle as a child and underwent surgery when I was seven. An ultrasound later showed they are smaller than average, particularly the right one, which is significantly undersized. Now, I'm facing the usual issues associated with low testosterone—fatigue, exhaustion, low libido, erectile dysfunction, and some fat accumulation even though I'm not overweight. It's also been impossible to build muscle mass or get visible abs...

Breaking down the symptoms.

My symptoms are pretty varied. To list a few: almost non-existent libido, weak erections, inability to gain muscle, and a slight "beer belly" despite maintaining a healthy diet and staying active. I don't smoke or drink. I shave every 7–10 days, but I've noticed patches or holes appearing in my beard growth. I also deal with frequent nervousness, mood swings, constant fatigue, poor concentration, and low physical stamina. Even though I have a lean build, there's noticeable fat tissue...

One major factor is how these levels fluctuate; my morning levels are okay, but by evening, they drop by about 30%. Once they hit that lower threshold, the symptoms intensify, leading to more frequent mood shifts and a sense of mild depression.

Recent morning blood work.
Testosterone 14.14 4.56-28.2 nmol/L
FSH 3.03 0.9-12 mIU/mL
LH 1.46 1.1-8.7 mIU/mL
DHEA-S 299.4 238.4-539.3 ug/dL
βHCG mL

Follow-up results taken at midday.
Testosterone 6.00 4.56-28.2 nmol/L
Free Testosterone 9.6 4.5-42.0 pg/mL
Androstenedione 0.98 0.7-3.6 ng/nL
HbA1c 4.8 4.5-6.3 %

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. I am 23 years old...

Your testosterone levels seem too low for your age. I’m about 16 myself, and I deal with some pretty heavy symptoms—zero libido, weak erections, constant fatigue, low energy, brain fog, and struggling to maintain muscle mass.

It might be worth getting a second opinion and making sure you get your bloodwork done in the evening...

General practitioners aren't specialists in this field, which is why you need an endocrinologist. I assume you'll re-run your labs both before and after seeing the specialist just to rule out stress as a variable, though I doubt it played a massive role if this has been a constant issue for you...

Depression can definitely tank your levels, especially since this is a new development for you, but it’s surprising how much yours dropped. In my initial bloodwork, I was at 18 nmol/L, even though my right testicle isn't functional—meaning under normal circumstances, I really should be north of 30 nmol/L. I've actually been waiting months for my next appointment; it's been about five months of waiting in total...😵

I get why you're worried. Doctors tend to be skeptical about starting therapy; they often hide behind "normal" reference ranges just to avoid liability. It seems like it's the same story everywhere. For your situation, you really need to rule out every possible cause before jumping into treatment, because you might not even need it—it could just be a symptom rather than the root problem...

How active are you physically? More importantly, what does your diet look like? Smoking and alcohol can also have a significant negative impact...

Here is a link that provides a really solid breakdown of the condition, the side effects, and the various treatments available.

http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_onl...w_t_weird_case

It’s closely linked to your testosterone levels. Your cortisol is likely elevated because your testosterone is sitting way too low—it really needs to be about double what you're seeing for someone your age.

I deal with testosterone issues myself; I actually detailed my situation in a separate thread within this subforum. At this point, your best bet is to see an endocrinologist to figure out exactly why those levels are dropping.

There’s primary and secondary low T. Primary is usually caused by issues within the testicular tissue itself, whereas secondary stems from the pituitary gland failing to signal the testes to produce testosterone, or perhaps due to certain genetic factors.

Did this happen suddenly, or has it been a constant thing for you...

Quote: Felix the Cat

Nicole Newman15 said:So, what should I be avoiding then...

Sent from my Apple iPhone 13 via Reddit...

Generally speaking, we're looking at starchy foods: flour, pastries, corn, potatoes, rice, processed industrial goods, soy, rye, juices, chips, various sweets, and even edible oils. Basically, anything built on a starch base...

Since our current diet is built on the stuff mentioned above, we really need to make some radical changes. It’s time to start eating more fish, focusing on omega-3s, and incorporating fish oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and flaxseed oil into our routines. Instead of using standard vegetable oils, try frying food in lard. Bone broths should be a staple, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables blended into smoothies. You can even season your greens with butter... and don't be afraid to go for the fattier cuts of meat...

Try cutting back on milk or cutting it out entirely. You can always turn it into kefir instead; that’s probably the best way to enjoy it...

Anita Hill has written some pretty solid literature—specifically, *Food Wars*...

Elizabeth Hall65 said:I always trim all the fat off my meat...I don't have any extra weight to lose, yet I feel like I'm constantly drowning in creamy desserts... I was honestly stunned to find out my cholesterol levels are that high.

Why?🤔

There is a significant difference between making a cream cake with margarine versus butter. It’s the margarine that really messes with your cholesterol levels...

Nicole Newman15 said:Most people have slightly elevated cholesterol, but this is quite high.I was the first one in my family to deal with it, even though I don't eat much fat.I take medication—not every single day, but occasionally. You might want to try that, though I'd suggest trying natural methods first if you can. It didn't work for me, so I turned to pills...

Almost everyone has high cholesterol because most diets are centered around starches.

If fatty foods were truly the culprit, you wouldn't have seen those results yourself. According to recent studies, the real issue is the massive amount of carbohydrates we consume. The body "burns" through those instead of allowing fats to be metabolized, causing them to accumulate rather than being used for fuel.

Once I cut out bread, starchy products, various vegetable oils, and margarine—and started eating rich soups, using lard instead of oil, and basing my diet on fats without carbs—my cholesterol levels dropped by half. My body finally started using fat as its primary energy source.

Give it a shot and you'll likely find you won't need the medication. Unfortunately, most people opt for the quickest fix, which usually ends up being the most harmful...

To be clear, I’m not looking for any illegal shortcuts. I’ve been referred to an endocrinologist because my urologist couldn't provide a definitive diagnosis or a path forward; he essentially said this falls outside his area of expertise.

Based on what I know so far, I’m in a tough spot. My levels are low for my age, which makes daily life a struggle, especially since I'm dealing with over twenty different symptoms that point to this issue. At the same time, the numbers aren't "critically" low yet because I'm still young and haven't hit that natural decline seen in older men—plus, the reference ranges used by labs cover everyone from young adults to seniors. I’m not sure what the endocrinologist will make of all this or how much they'll dig into it, so I’m hoping to get some perspective from other specialists who follow this topic...

A reading of 16.17 nmol/L converts to roughly 450 ng/dl, while the standard reference range is 300-1000 ng/dl. However, looking at clinical literature, the average testosterone for someone my age is typically around 700-800 ng/dl depending on the study. Given my specific symptoms and the issues I've had with my testes, it seems pretty clear where the problem lies.

According to the data, these types of values are more typical for men over 60...

Of course, I'm waiting on a specialist's opinion to confirm this and provide actual guidance.

Are you an endocrinologist yourself? Thanks for getting back to me...

restlessdriver said:Could someone take a look at these hormone levels? I'm in my early 20s. I've dealt with issues regarding my right testicle for most of my life; it's smaller than average and doesn't function fully—maybe only about 20-30% capacity. The left one is fine.

I just got my full results back.

TSH 4.15 (Ref: 0.465-4.68 mIU/L)
Progesterone 0.90 (Ref: 0.0-0.64 nmol/L)
Prolactin 218 (Ref: 73-407 mIU/L)
Testosterone 16.17 (Ref: 4.56-28.2 nmol/L, though some labs go up to 40)
FSH 3.29 (Ref: 0.9-12 mIU/mL)
LH 2.92 (Ref: 1.1-8.7 mIU/mL)
Estradiol 83 (Ref: 40-162 pmol/L)
Morning Cortisol 455.4 (Ref: 101.2-535.7 nmol/L)
Afternoon Cortisol 276.1 (Ref: 79-477.8 nmol/L)

Naturally, I'm feeling the effects through a lower libido than usual for my age, poor concentration, constant fatigue, and a need for more sleep than normal (napping in the afternoons). My overall vitality and energy levels have been pretty low lately, too. Muscle mass is also lacking, likely due to the low testosterone. I've already ruled out thyroid issues via previous tests...

What are your thoughts on treatment options?

Has nobody commented on these results yet, even though they've been posted for a month?

Hannah Rodriguez16 said:To me, those symptoms look like a thyroid issue. Your TSH is sitting right at the upper limit. Have you had your T3 and T4 checked yet?

I had my thyroid labs done two months ago, here they are.

TSH 3.65 ref 0.465-4.68
FT4 16.7 ref 10-28.2
Anti-TPO 1.67 ref 0-5.6

My TSH has been creeping up over the last few months. My doctor mentioned that the results above were fine, though based on these latest ones, the TSH is definitely hitting the high end of the range. I was dealing with similar symptoms back then too...

Do you all really think it's the thyroid?

Dr. Oz recently mentioned that an ideal TSH should be under 2.5.😵

Could someone take a look at my hormone panel?

Could someone take a look at these hormone levels? I'm in my early 20s. Historically, I've dealt with some issues regarding my right testicle; it's slightly smaller than average and doesn't seem to be fully functional—maybe only about 20-30% capacity. The left one is perfectly fine.

I finally got the full results back.

TSH 4.15 0.465-4.68 mIU/L
Progesterone 0.90 0.0-0.64 nmol/L
Prolactin 218 73-407 mIU/L
Testosterone 16.17 4.56-28.2 nmol/L (some labs go up to 40)
FSH 3.29 0.9-12 mIU/mL
LH 2.92 1.1-8.7 mIU/mL
Estradiol 83 40-162 pmol/L
Morning Cortisol 455.4 101.2-535.7 nmol/L
Afternoon Cortisol 276.1 79-477.8 nmol/L

Naturally, I am feeling the effects through a lower libido than you'd expect for my age, poor concentration, constant fatigue, and a need for more sleep than usual (especially afternoon naps). My overall vitality and energy levels have been low lately, and my muscle mass is also lacking, likely due to the testosterone levels. I've already ruled out thyroid issues, as I had those checked previously.

What are your thoughts on therapy...

brightraven27 said:I’m a total amateur when it comes to this stuff, but I was watching Dr. Oz today and they actually covered this topic.😁

Apparently, body fat absorbs testosterone, so if you're struggling with excess weight, that should probably be your first priority.

Also, you should try cutting back on bread, pastries, anything dough-based—like puff pastry, pizza, pies... or sweets.
I'm not entirely sure why, though. I wasn't paying close enough attention.😁

I don't have any issues. I'm 6'1" and about 167 lbs (though I carry a little extra fat due to low testosterone, even if it doesn't look like it at first glance). As for my diet, I don't touch bread, pastries, or white flour. My carb intake is very low, coming mostly from potatoes and rice...

When it comes to testing, fats are crucial. Cholesterol is actually the precursor for testosterone production and synthesis, so it plays a major role in hormone levels. It turns out cholesterol isn't quite the villain we once thought it was. Basically, less dough and more healthy fats can help manage blood sugar too. For instance, you could swap out vegetable oils for lard, keeping olive oil as an exception.

Everything else is under control on my end, but my levels are low for other reasons, so I'll likely look into TRT...

jadeharbor81 said:if I may ask, which ones...

Low testosterone, which leads to fatigue, brain fog, excessive sweating, and just a general lack of energy levels.

Also, constant exhaustion shouldn't be ignored; it could be linked to thyroid hormones or iron deficiency—my ferritin levels are also quite low.

Dennis Davis5 said:thanks for the guarana tea. 👍

I'm often completely wiped out. Especially after walking around during late nights out. I just run out of steam. Some people told me my blood sugar might be low. So, I drink energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster Energy, Coca-Cola, ...

And I'm going to start taking royal jelly capsules again. I haven't taken them for two months. Ever since I started back in the fall of 2013, I haven't been sick once. Royal jelly is amazing. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Take a look at the points above and make sure you don't have a bacterial infection, which could also be the culprit. Try to avoid Coca-Cola and Red Bull; besides the sudden blood sugar spikes, which aren't great, the caffeine and taurine only create an illusion of energy. You aren't actually gaining anything; your body is just being forced into a state of hyper-alertness while the underlying issues remain. Generally, it's best to avoid carbonated drinks and stick to water... it's the best way to stay hydrated.

Dennis Davis5 said:Well, thanks for the enlightenment... I wake up feeling like I have zero strength in my hands. It’s a struggle just to hold a glass of water. And I make sure to stay hydrated and avoid the heat. So, either offer some actual advice or just let it be...

I'm dealing with something similar, though in my case, there are underlying health issues causing it.