Been a while since I last posted so thought I’d give an update with a couple questions you might be able to help with.
To start I don’t have a tumor! MRI came back normal!
So I’ve been on clompihene for around 4 weeks now (25mg EOD) and my experience has been mixed. Didn’t experience the wild ups and downs other have but certainly noticed a difference. Felt pretty good good after the first week, morning wood was back, I was sleeping better, lowered anxiety etc etc
Now I seem to have gone back to square one.
I will occasionally feel better but having real problems with insomnia, low moods and anxiety.
After some research I discovered that many of my symptoms also corresponded with high cortisol levels, including reduced test production so I got this checked. Results were:
543 nmol/L (Range 140 - 690 nmol/L)
Doc thought there was no need to do anything about this. Work has been pretty stressful lately which could account for the higher side.
It’s frustrating as anytime I experience stress at work or go to the gym I have symptoms of IBS and insomnia.
So I’m back to square one. I go to the docs in 6 weeks for bloods. I suspect my overall test will have increased along with my E2 which was already well above “normal” range at 168 pmol/L (0 - 145 range).
I think the increased E2 is the most likely explanation for these symptoms but what do you guys think? Has anyone else had experiences like this with high E2 levels?
Nope, I spoke to the consultant about this on my last appointment but he wanted to see how I got on with solo clomid treatment.
I’ve got another 6 weeks before my bloods are taken and then ages before they’re seen by the consultant etc.
I want to get it sorted soon as the insomnia is driving me nuts, I get about 2 hours sleep a night, wake up feeling exhausted, spend the whole day in a dream then I’m wide awake when I get into bed!
Bloods taken and currently sitting with the doc waiting to be reviewed. Insomnia has continued and now suffering other symptoms such as depression, anxety etc.
I’m getting desperate. Would it be wise to buy some Arimidex online while I wait to hear back from the doc?
Is there anything I can do to get my E2 levels down?
Don’t have full results yet but will be requesting them.
As suspected a massive rise in E2 which would explain the symptoms, but also a raise in test which at least shows I’m a good responder to clomid. She went on to explain that the doc was prepared to write me a prescription for anastrozole which I should have by the end of the week. I’m hoping this will both raise my test levels and drop the E2.
Quick question - I know a lot of docs are known to prescribe far higher dosages of anastrozole than is needed. What is a good starting dose?
Your SHBG may be high and then TT overstates T status and FT is lower with more SHBG+T. FT not tested there, get SHBG tested and FT calculated.
Liver still a question … waiting on those labs.
Try 0.25mg anastrozole twice a week then ask for E2 labs in 3 weeks for a course correction. You need to get your doc on-board with a target of E2=80pmol/L which may allow T to increase.
Serum Test 21.2nmol/L (11-42 range)
Serum Oestradiol 192pmol/L (0-145 range)
Zinc 9.52 umol/L (11-24 range)
Plasma C Reactive Protein <4 mg/L (0-10 range)
This is on a protocol of 25mg Clomid EOD. I have been reluctant to take my AI for fear of crashing my levels but I’ve been taking 1/3 of a 1mg pill Mon, Weds and Fri for the last week and have started to notice an improvement in my mood but no change to physical symptoms (libido etc)
What do you guys make of my zinc levels? They’ve been flagged on my results as needing to make an appointment. Could this be why I’m aromatizing so much of my test?
Have a doc appointment tomorrow and I’m thinking about suggesting a switch to sustanon 250.
Hi mate. Where in the UK are you located? I am in the UK and my testosterone serum came back at 8.4nmol/L and the range for the NHS is 8-27nmol/L.
I’m struggling now to even get to see an endocrinologist or urologist at that matter as now they’re trying to revert me to the sleep clinic for sleep apnoea as my GP does not think my problem is Hormone related. Was it just TT(Total testosterone) that they accessed before referring you or were there other problems before this? As you said, for someone of our age range would be around 20-23nmol/L for sure!
My health tracking is similar to yours also, considerably dropped alcohol consumption over a year ago, hardly drink at all. NEVER smoked in my life, train 5 times a week, I take track of macros using my fitness pal, I take vitamins and mineral tablets, drink 3-5L of water a day and have between 7-8 hours of sleep in the day.
I’ve had all the similar tests to you also, just not been given the get go to the endo or urologist like you have, and mine is 2nmol lower than yours.
I am also 12% body fat, 168lbs and 5ft9.
Please keep your case open as i’m interested to see where it’ll lead.
Yeah it’s so frustrating that they don’t work on a per-patient basis rather than a general range, as far as the NHS are concerned if you’re a young active man with the test levels of am 80 year old man that’s fine. Fortunately my GP was co-operative with me in the end.
I’ve always had a range of symptoms since I was around 19 and had a whole bunch of tests until the only one left was test. I had the basic test first and TT came back “within range” and my doc sent me home.
I came back again after doing some research online and my GP agreed to send a letter to a local urologist for advice. The uro came back and said although my levels were within range they were low for someone of my age and requested to see me - I then had a full test including FSH ect and was then sent for an MRI to check pituitary function, that came back normal and I was put on clomids.
I’m based near Guildford and was referred to Dr Harry Nearger at Frimley park hospital. He’s good and seems to have a better understanding then most but it’s a nightmare trying to get an appointment with him.
My advice would be to get a second opinion with a different doc or at the very least ask if they can send a letter to a local uro/endo for another opinion, they tend to be more knowledgable than GPs. Also get your E2 checked - if you’re anything like me you probably produce enough test but you convert a lot of it to E2. Check your zinc levels too.
Another option is to pay for a private appointment with a specialist - there’s quite a few highly recommended on Harley Street. It’s an expensive option but you’ll probably find most GPs are more likely to listen if you’ve been diagnosed with low T by another doc.
In the meantime keep up what you’re doing and maybe dial the exercise back slightly - over-training can push your cortisol levels up and play with your hormones.
It’s frustrating there’s such a lack of understanding of an issue that seems to affect so many men not just in the UK but worldwide. Keep pushing and you’ll get the treatment you need eventually.
You are still estrogen dominant and SHBG and FT not tested. So T status is unknown.
How are you feeling? - some mixed results.
Labs were pre ??AI?? ?
Get a multi-vit that has 25mg zinc, 150mcg iodine and 150-200mcg selenium.
T is better, FT unknown. E2 is disproportionately high and this may be because clomid dose is too high with LH too high creating a lot of T–>E2 inside the testes and that production cannot be managed with anastrozole. Your target is E2=80 pmol/L.
I’ve had these symptoms in my head since I was around 19-20 also. It’s frustrating that they’re using such rediculius ranges, the practice nurse said my testosterone is very low for my age and she can see my concern, a shame she wasn’t the doctor.
My second opinion was which got me the testosterone test done I’m the first place but he has now retired and been passe back to the original doctor which has now referred me to the endo in which will take upto 16 weeks. There are two well known endos here but their expertise is diabetes and thyroid issues.
Slowly started to train again as I had two fractured in my wrist and hand which also draws me to low tesosterone for such a minor accident.
I was a few oomph back taking zinc and magnesium tablets to make sure I was gaining what I needed, as I don’t eat too much food with either of those in and I felt like my elections were a little longer lasting and slightly more semen ans blood flow.
I can not get a single pump in the gym even if I do 100 reps of a slightly lower weight and I’m only 12/13% body fat it’s very frustrating, my friends are making comments about how ‘sucked’ my face looks and how skinny my arms are but around my abdomen I am still very fat which is so annoying when losing so much weight.
Low T can weaken bones and connective tissue. So can using heart burn medications that lower stomach acid, reducing absorption of B-12 and minerals. Corticosteroids are highly catabolic can can weaken connective tissue as well.
Post oral body temperatures.
Post oral body temperatures.
Post oral body temperatures.
Post oral body temperatures.
Post oral body temperatures.
Yeah I’m aware of the bone weakness and connective tissue which is why I feel I always pull muscles and get some joints. I habe posted oral on my post and also new results. Hope you get what yiu need @jwal90
@KSman My doctor ran thyroid tests before my low-t diagnosis which is why I hadn’t posted temperatures. Got a thermometer last night and my reading this morning was 96.6, yesterday afternoon was 98.2
@shaunuk26 Thanks mate, keep us posted on how you’re getting on, you just need to find the right doc
I will do buddy. The treatment center at Queens Medical Center had contacted me for referal and have a promising of upto 18 weeks to have started treatment, I guess 4 months isn’t anything more than the past… My whole life haha. Looking upwards. What is it they go through when you see the endocrinologist? Thanks a lot buddy, I’ve only not long signes up on here but been following this website for nearlyra year.
They’ll start by asking about your symptoms and history then probably order full bloods before they choose what they think is the right treatment for you, a lot will depend if your primary/secondary etc
@KSman You asked me to post temperatures which I’ve done. Seem to be lower than you would expect someone to be?