Posts by James Booth9

Samuel Morales said:Can I shoot you a DM if I have some questions? 😛

Sure. I'll try to help if my limited knowledge allows it.

restlessdriver said:Check your thyroid and a few other things. It's highly unlikely the issue lies with your sex hormones.

I agree. Almost zero chance.

If everything is as you say, there's definitely an issue somewhere, but it's clearly not those hormones you tested. What the actual cause is? That's what a doctor is for.
With those levels, you should have the libido of a bull and be building muscle effortlessly, given how testosterone and muscle mass are directly linked.

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) ?!

Can I get an expert opinion? My libido is shot and I've dropped about 20 pounds of muscle over the last 6 months...

Hey. Look, I'm no specialist—I'm actually younger than you—but I've dealt with enough of this to weigh in.
Your testosterone is fine. Seriously, people would kill for those numbers. You're lucky. Don't sweat the LH; low is better than high. High LH means your body is screaming at itself to produce more because it isn't getting what it needs.
The only red flag is the FSH. How much fat are you eating? Start hitting the eggs, cholesterol, red meat... you need it. Also, grab some Omega-3 supplements; they're practically dirt cheap at any CVS or Walgreens. I take four pills a day.
I dealt with critically low testosterone myself. I figured it out through reading and digging through forums, mostly using supplements like zinc, omega-3, flaxseed oil, and Vitamin D3.
Don't expect much from a doctor. Most of them around here don't know anything. They'll just tell you everything is "normal" to get you out the door. It’s the same thing that happened to me when my levels were at 300 back when I was 20.
I've learned my lesson. Try upping your healthy fats and taking Omega-3 for two weeks. That's my advice.

Latest hormone panel results.
Could someone who actually knows what they're doing weigh in? Given my age (19), do I need hormone replacement based on these numbers?
My endocrinologist claims my zero libido is just a symptom of depression, but I’m convinced the depression is the result, not the cause.
Hormones:
LH 6.35 (1.3-9.8)
FSH 3.37 (1.5 - 12.9)
Prolactin 305
SHBG 31 (15-48.3)
TOTAL TESTOSTERONE 14.400nmol/L (one previous reading was as low as 8.70 nmol/L)
Free testosterone 0.300 (0.204-0.637)
DHEA-S 7.21 (1.91-13.30)
ACTH 15.71(H) (1.6-13.9)
Everything looks like it's within the "normal" range, but is "normal" actually optimal? Especially at my age.

I’d appreciate some help here since I’m pretty much clueless about this stuff...
I just had an abdominal ultrasound.
Results:
LIVER: homogeneous, gallbladder with thin walls
Pancreas and spleen look normal (at least that's my guess)
Both kidneys show preserved cortex without hydronephrosis
Prostate is sharply demarcated (26mm)
EDIT: Got these done because I’ve been dealing with some hormone issues.

Looks like I'm dealing with some major testosterone issues, and I haven't even hit 20 yet.
Could someone recommend a solid endocrinologist in Miami? I'd be incredibly grateful for the help...

restlessdriver said:Are you physically active? More importantly, how much do diet, smoking, and alcohol play a role?
Here’s a link with a solid breakdown of the condition, the side effects, and potential treatments.

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

I've been hitting the gym at least 4 or 5 times a week for the last two years, no exceptions.
Diet isn't perfect, but it's decent enough—I try to avoid processed junk and stick to whole foods whenever I can. I take multivitamins and Omega-3s too.
Quit smoking, never touched drugs, maybe a couple of beers a week at most.
Thanks for the link. We can pick this back up in a separate thread once there's an update.

It hasn't always been this way. It only started a few months ago.
Since I was thirteen, my libido has been above average, but lately, I've been dealing with both that and depression.
I’m feeling slightly better now, though. Do you think it matters if my results come back different because I'm calmer? The night before my last test, something incredibly stressful happened, so I'm certain I was in the worst possible state when they drew my blood.
I have an appointment with an endocrinologist, but not until December, and the wait is driving me insane... plus, I'm struggling to gain or even keep any muscle mass.
Worst of all, my testosterone levels are pathetic for my age, even though my doctor insists everything is fine. Based on a level of 400ng/dl, I’ll never qualify for TRT, but realistically, I need therapy if these numbers reflect my true baseline.
Thanks for the reply.

James Booth9 said:Help. I'm an 18-year-old guy dealing with low libido, depression, and unexplained weight gain despite being at a normal weight.
LAB RESULTS
Testosterone 14.2 nmol/l (404ng/dl) - within range, but feels pathetic for my age.
Free T - 0.291
Free T % 2.04
Total Cortisol (morning) 804 (ref: 171-536)
I was feeling pretty depressed the day I got blood drawn, which explains the cortisol—maybe not entirely, but still... does that actually impact testosterone?

Forgot to include this part...
prolactin 292
SHBG 30.3

Help. 18-year-old guy here. Symptoms: low libido, depression, and constant fatigue despite being at a healthy weight.
LAB RESULTS
Testosterone 14.2 nmol/l (404 ng/dL) — within range, but feels pathetic for someone my age.
Free T - 0.291
Free T % 2.04
Total Cortisol (morning) 804 (Reference: 171-536)
I was spiraling pretty hard the day I had my blood drawn, which explains the cortisol—maybe not entirely, but still. Does this have anything to do with my testosterone?