Low testosterone

[virdeeb]

For the past few months my sleep has been really poor so thought I'd get a test done through Optimale.

Albumin 44.9
Free test .250
SHBG 28.5
Test 11.8

The test level is below their normal range and free test is also quite low.

I'm 38 and go to the gym 5 days a week for heavy weight lifting sessions which I've done for the past 20 years. I'm not overweight, most meals are chicken and rice so theres not much I can do to improve my lifestyle.

I guess next steps would be th enhanced blood test?

[Funk]

virdeeb said:

For the past few months my sleep has been really poor so thought I'd get a test done through Optimale.

Albumin 44.9
Free test .250
SHBG 28.5
Test 11.8

The test level is below their normal range and free test is also quite low.

I'm 38 and go to the gym 5 days a week for heavy weight lifting sessions which I've done for the past 20 years. I'm not overweight, most meals are chicken and rice so theres not much I can do to improve my lifestyle.

I guess next steps would be th enhanced blood test?

Have a watch of the video I posted further up the thread ("Is TRT for you?"). Your T is on the low side but unless you have several accompanying symptoms of low T, make sure it's that before committing to a lifetime of injections and cost.

If it's only sleep that's poor (ie. you're not having other issues such as building muscle/losing fat, poor libido/getting it up, cognitive issues, mood swings) then it's possible that you're doing ok on the T level you have and the issue with sleeping lies elsewhere (could even just be an old, unsupportive mattress!).

Be really sure to check all angles before jumping into TRT.

[virdeeb]

Funk said:

Have a watch of the video I posted further up the thread ("Is TRT for you?"). Your T is on the low side but unless you have several accompanying symptoms of low T, make sure it's that before committing to a lifetime of injections and cost.

If it's only sleep that's poor (ie. you're not having other issues such as building muscle/losing fat, poor libido/getting it up, cognitive issues, mood swings) then it's possible that you're doing ok on the T level you have and the issue with sleeping lies elsewhere (could even just be an old, unsupportive mattress!).

Be really sure to check all angles before jumping into TRT.

Thanks, yes I watched the video before posting. The other issue I've noticed recently is that my muscle building seems to have ground to a halt and when I was on a cut I simply couldn't shift the fat which I've done countless times before

[Funk]

virdeeb said:

Thanks, yes I watched the video before posting. The other issue I've noticed recently is that my muscle building seems to have ground to a halt and when I was on a cut I simply couldn't shift the fat which I've done countless times before

I'd still suggest you probably want multiple correlating symptoms but if you're concerned that low T is definitely the cause then have a chat with one of the private clinics. It would also probably be a good idea to get a full sweep of proper blood tests done (ie. venous rather than fingerprick) and check everything else is within spec, your GP should help with that given enough prodding.

[Legacywr]

virdeeb said:

Thanks, yes I watched the video before posting. The other issue I've noticed recently is that my muscle building seems to have ground to a halt and when I was on a cut I simply couldn't shift the fat which I've done countless times before

Welcome to the aging process...

[Mark Lewis]

virdeeb said:

For the past few months my sleep has been really poor so thought I'd get a test done through Optimale.

Albumin 44.9
Free test .250
SHBG 28.5
Test 11.8

The test level is below their normal range and free test is also quite low.

I'm 38 and go to the gym 5 days a week for heavy weight lifting sessions which I've done for the past 20 years. I'm not overweight, most meals are chicken and rice so theres not much I can do to improve my lifestyle.

I guess next steps would be th enhanced blood test?

TRT if your only symptom is poor sleep is a very poor choice - more so at only 38. If all I had was rough sleep and crappy gym results, I'd get off TRT tomorrow!

In fact, it's really disappointing to see the blood test companies starting to push test testing onto anyone that thinks they should have bigger arms. It's a HUGELY inconvenient lifelong regime of blood tests and injections and costs. Tread lightly.

[xx99xx]

Mark Lewis said:

TRT if your only symptom is poor sleep is a very poor choice - more so at only 38. If all I had was rough sleep and crappy gym results, I'd get off TRT tomorrow!

In fact, it's really disappointing to see the blood test companies starting to push test testing onto anyone that thinks they should have bigger arms. It's a HUGELY inconvenient lifelong regime of blood tests and injections and costs. Tread lightly.

I agree.

The private companies are cashing in on the anti aging bandwagon. I wonder what the cost to the NHS is when the men on private TRT develop other issues that they then expect the NHS to sort out.

I.e. infertility, blood clots etc

[Funk]

It's good to see that good, sensible advice is being given here advising caution before rushing to do regular injections for the rest of one's life.

It really isn't a decision to be made lightly.

[Mark Lewis]

xx99xx said:

Mark Lewis said:

TRT if your only symptom is poor sleep is a very poor choice - more so at only 38. If all I had was rough sleep and crappy gym results, I'd get off TRT tomorrow!

In fact, it's really disappointing to see the blood test companies starting to push test testing onto anyone that thinks they should have bigger arms. It's a HUGELY inconvenient lifelong regime of blood tests and injections and costs. Tread lightly.

I agree.

The private companies are cashing in on the anti aging bandwagon. I wonder what the cost to the NHS is when the men on private TRT develop other issues that they then expect the NHS to sort out.

I.e. infertility, blood clots etc

Because I discuss the topic from time to time on YouTube I get daily emails from people asking about TRT - and in the last year the number asking because of “gym performance” or “gains” has gone through the roof……. Just as the clinics and blood test companies have leapt in that as the sales pitch.

[MDUBZ]

Ah… The Mark Lewis - I enjoy your content, it’s nice watching others suffer and not taking themselves seriously from the safety of my couch. I have to say that having visited gyms on and off for the past 30 odd years, substance use has peaked massively in the last few years. There were always chemists operating out of gyms but it seemed to be the reserve of body builders, athletes or bouncers: it’s definitely much more main stream, I know yours is therapeutic rather than intended as performance enhancing, but with social media and a even higher focus on body image I suspect it will be a widespread future health issue.

[Mark Lewis]

It’s a massive issue. Social media has completely screwed young men’s ideas of what is a regular body and everyone jumping on the bandwagon wagon to flog them a solution to not having it.

[g3org3y]

Mark Lewis said:

TRT if your only symptom is poor sleep is a very poor choice - more so at only 38. If all I had was rough sleep and crappy gym results, I'd get off TRT tomorrow!

In fact, it's really disappointing to see the blood test companies starting to push test testing onto anyone that thinks they should have bigger arms. It's a HUGELY inconvenient lifelong regime of blood tests and injections and costs. Tread lightly.

Mark Lewis said:

Because I discuss the topic from time to time on YouTube I get daily emails from people asking about TRT - and in the last year the number asking because of “gym performance” or “gains” has gone through the roof……. Just as the clinics and blood test companies have leapt in that as the sales pitch.

Assuming this is you? https://www.youtube.com/@MarkLewisfitness

Appreciate your channel. Lots of good content. Keep it up.

[Mark Lewis]

g3org3y said:

Assuming this is you? https://www.youtube.com/@MarkLewisfitness

Appreciate your channel. Lots of good content. Keep it up.

Thank you. Was on here back in the late 90's with my Subaru......nice to be back!

[CaiosH]

272BHP said:

CaiosH said:

I’ve had my 6 week blood test.

Free test 0.725 nmol/l
Test 29.6 nmol/l

I on testosterone cream (twice a day) and HCG (twice a week)


My oestradiol has shot up to 162 pmol/1, which they say I should keep an eye on for symptoms (next blood test due in another 6 weeks I think). Not sure if it likely to stabilise at that level or should I be asking for something to bring it down?

My haematocrit is also high at 51%, it was high pre treatment probably due to sleep apnoea. Red blood cells also high 5.48 % mean cell 99. I tried to give blood a couple of weeks ago, but was turned away as they couldn’t find guidance on if I could give blood while taking HCG.

I suspect your prescribing doctor will titrate your testosterone level down. You are right at the top end currently and your body is telling you that it is too much. You would probably feel better with your test level nearer the 20 nmol/L range and this should bring other markers back into range.

Actually I just noticed that this is could be your 6 week test after starting treatment. If this is the case then it is likely that your body has not shut down yet and the exogenous test is still being added to your own - I would trust the process and wait till the next blood draw.

Edited by 272BHP on Thursday 5th September 21:37

Thanks, you were spot on, 6 month blood test and oestradiol has come down to 147. Test levels are slightly reduced, free 0.622 and test 27.1

I also gave blood, which resulted in haematocrit down to 46, red blood cells down to 5.22, mean cell down to 94. All my bloods are improved actually, things that were in normal range have improved.

Giving blood has not only improved my blood test result, I feel a lot better for it.

[272BHP]

CaiosH said:

Thanks, you were spot on, 6 month blood test and oestradiol has come down to 147. Test levels are slightly reduced, free 0.622 and test 27.1

I also gave blood, which resulted in haematocrit down to 46, red blood cells down to 5.22, mean cell down to 94. All my bloods are improved actually, things that were in normal range have improved.

Giving blood has not only improved my blood test result, I feel a lot better for it.

Good to hear!

Your numbers look great, more importantly you feel better which is what it is all about.

[milesgiles]

MDUBZ said:

Ah… The Mark Lewis - I enjoy your content, it’s nice watching others suffer and not taking themselves seriously from the safety of my couch. I have to say that having visited gyms on and off for the past 30 odd years, substance use has peaked massively in the last few years. There were always chemists operating out of gyms but it seemed to be the reserve of body builders, athletes or bouncers: it’s definitely much more main stream, I know yours is therapeutic rather than intended as performance enhancing, but with social media and a even higher focus on body image I suspect it will be a widespread future health issue.

Not to be a contrarian, but I’m not convinced that there are any more serious bodybuilders now than there was years ago if my local gyms are anything to go by. The number of young men doing a cycle or two without really having a clue for sure I think that number has risen a lot.

I just don’t think the 260 pound striated look is that in at the minute

[milesgiles]

Mark Lewis said:

Thank you. Was on here back in the late 90's with my Subaru......nice to be back!

Will look Cheers.

[Mark Lewis]

milesgiles said:

Not to be a contrarian, but I’m not convinced that there are any more serious bodybuilders now than there was years ago if my local gyms are anything to go by. The number of young men doing a cycle or two without really having a clue for sure I think that number has risen a lot.

I just don’t think the 260 pound striated look is that in at the minute

You’re right-they’re probably aren’t any more serious bodybuilders. But there is an explosion of people bodybuilding to achieve Instagram style physiques. In the 80s Rambo would have been considered a massive jack body-today there are 16-year-olds on TikTok that make him look small. And the steroid use that used to be limited to serious bodybuilders is now commonplace among anyone picking up a dumbbell and keen on getting a few likes.

[Funk]

My oestradiol is finally coming under control which is good news:



Just waiting to see what the T, free T, Prolactin and SHBG are when they eventually make it through the NHS' systems...

[272BHP]

Funk said:

My oestradiol is finally coming under control which is good news:

Just waiting to see what the T, free T, Prolactin and SHBG are when they eventually make it through the NHS' systems...

Did your clinic change your protocol?

That is still crazy high for TRT but I am sure you know the ins and outs by now.

I am surprised you use the NHS for bloods, the inefficiency of the service would drive me nuts