Hello,
Just had results from my Dr. I have searched the forums after realizing I have the normal symptoms of low-t. I’m 39, 6’ tall, 182lbs with minimal bf. I workout 2-4 times a week and in decent shape. Just had bloodwork done from my local Dr and he doesn’t want me to take TRT but rather put me on antidepressants and a sleep study. I’ve been on the meds before but can’t stand to be on them. Just need a second opinion from you all. Thanks for the help, lots of info here.
We see docs throwing SSRI’s at male hormone problems all of the time. (
Labs look sort of good, but FT is low.
Seems odd for FT to be low with low SHBG=38
T, cortisol and thyroid all have major effects on how you feel.
Any health issues?
Any meds? Rx or OTC?
Please see the stickies suggested lower down, you need to get on the learning curve to know more than the doctors. You may recognize some factors that apply to you.
New to be aware that FT is released in pulses with a short half-life. So that may be the explanation. Labs caught a low. With low SHBG, we should be confident that TT is reflecting your T status.
If you used to have high T levels, current could feel inadequate.
TSH is better nearer to 1.0
thyroid lab ranges are rather useless
Please eval overall thyroid function via last paragraph in this post. Could be a factor in how you feel. It is important to be using iodized salt to support thyroid.
Please read the stickies found here: About the T Replacement Category - #2 by KSman
- advice for new guys - need more info about you
- things that damage your hormones
- protocol for injections
- finding a TRT doc
Evaluate your overall thyroid function by checking oral body temperatures as per the thyroid basics sticky. Thyroid hormone fT3 is what gets the job done and it regulates mitochondrial activity, the source of ATP which is the universal currency of cellular energy. This is part of the body’s temperature control loop. This can get messed up if you are iodine deficient. In many countries, you need to be using iodized salt. Other countries add iodine to dairy or bread.
Thanks for responding, I’ve read a lot of your threads and appreciate it.
I do not have any health problems other than anxiety, no motivation, low sex drive for the last few years, off and on ED issues. I take liquid cialis from peptide company as needed ( works well). Current meds are RX cloazepam as needed for sleep and anxiety 1mg/ day.
OTC meds would just be supplements: fish oil 3xday,
Bcaa’s every day, ubiquinol 1xday, vit D 10,000 iu at night and multi V. I did not take any meds day before blood work and had blood done 8:00am fasted. This is my first time having labs done for T. Also the Dr wants an apnea sleep test which I did years ago and passed fine, I don’t think that’s the issue. He gave me Trintillex which I don’t want to take and haven’t but he gave me a months worth of samples. I’ve taken SSRI’s before and hate them. Thanks for your feedback and I will check my temps orally for a few days to see if that is an issue.
Check those oral body temps as requested.
Iodized salt?
Also test AM cortisol at 8AM or 1 hour after waking.
Please see the stickies suggested lower down, you need to get on the learning curve to know more than the doctors. You may recognize some factors that apply to you.