Hi all, i got my test levels tested last week, just got the results today. just wanted to get some feedback on whether these results are normal, above/below average as well as which ones are really important for muscle building.
Testosterone 17.4 nmol/L (9.9-27.8)
SHBG 45 nmol/L (15-45)
Free Androgen Index 39 (34-106)
Free Testosterone 299.7 pmol/L (260-740)
i am 23 years old
cheers,
beefy
You really need to include the lab range, but assuming you're relatively young, then I would say your test is low and you SHBG is high. Not a good combination.Originally Posted by thebeefmachine
Did you have estrogen done? If not, why not?
i've amended my original post to include the ranges. i didn't actually think they meant anything, so didn't include them
i didn't know i could test for estrogen at the same time. bugger.
i seem to be at the low range for everything except the SHBG (what is this btw?)
anything i can do about this (or should do about this?)?
i might add that my energy levels can be VERY low during the day, particularly lately. libido is not as high as it should be, and i can get quite depressed at times (history of depression in the family too)
The ranges, which vary from lab to lab, but are important reference points.
SHBG = Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, which essentially binds to testosterone and limits the actual amount of test that is free. The higher the number, the more bound your testosterone is.
For someone 23 I would have thought that 17 was on the low side for someone that age. Certainly there is something that is causing your SHBG to be high which is definitely not helping.
Testing for estrogen, with your other major hormones, not only can be done at the same time, it should be. Your testosterone numbers need to also be seen in the context of your estrogen numbers, as your test/estro ratio also will impact on you.
if your libido is low, and you are depressed (at times) then they tend to follow low androgen levels. I assume there's some stress in your life?
It would be my advice to get a more comprehensive set of tests done to rule out other deficiencies, illnesses, etc.
When was the last time you had a complete workup? I'm thinking maybe never?
Are you on any meds?
Have you sought treatment for the depression?
What made you get the test blood test done in the first place?
shit. i thought, oh well at least i am at the upper end of the range on that one! and now i find out that is bad :S
i don't really rate this doctor, so i'm not surprised he didn't do it. when i told him about my problem with my forearm/wrist, he not so bluntly told me that he didn't have a clue. i had to prompt him on what to do next/where to go. bloody useless
just a bit lol. quite a few major issues been going on for the last 8 months or so, been particularly bad the last few months.
never had a complete workup, i wasn't even aware you could get such things done? how/where do you do this? do you have to pay, or is it bulk billed etc? any particular time of day that is ideal to do this?
nah, not on any meds. i haven't sought any treatment as i don't consider myself to be 'depressed'. if anything i would be closer to bipolar than depressed. but in any case, it's not that serious. but it has been affecting my work ethic lately. (been having a major 'cbf' attitude towards work)
i got the blood test just out of interest. i went to the doctor to get my wrist/forearm problem checked for the millionth time, and after that proved to be totally fruitless, i thought i may as well get my testosterone checked while i'm at it
There's a good chance that estrogen is causing your SHBG issue, so getting that checked is important.
As for the complete work-up? Your GP can arrange it, but not so sure about yours. This is what I recommend people get done and why (some are fasting tests, usually early AM is best):
Tests for:
Testosterone
SHBG (Sex hormone binding globulin)
Estrogen
Progesterone
Cortisol (preferably 24hr saliva test, but if not, AM blood test)
Prolactin
DHEA
Homocysteine (inflammation marker)
Zinc (can be done as a taste test, and can be bought here Ethical Nutrients Zinc Test 100ml*::*Ethical Nutrients Natural Medicines*::*Brands*::*Natural Health Organics
Thyroid Function, including RT3 (Reverse T3)
Liver Function
Kidney Function
Full blood count
Lipid profile
Iron studies
Glucose tolerance test
Vitamin D
Depending on your ethnic background, genetic test for Haemocromotosis. If you have European ancestry, worth getting done.
Most them can be requested by any GP and the majority are covered by Medicare.
The more exotic ones like RT3, Saliva cortisol, Homocysteine, from memory, are not covered, but not massively expensive.
Also; many doctors won't know about RT3 and possibly Homocysteine. Many will argue that you don't need them all the tests anyway. My doctor is a wholistic GP and he tests this way and it was only through this testing that I was diagnosed properly.
Get Vitamin D tested: 25OH vitamin D and 1,25OH vitamin D are the two tests. These are not covered. Low Vitamin D is linked to various depressive illnesses, cancer, high incidence of colds and flu. A critical hormone and a significant section of the population is deficient.
It's hard yards to get a GP to do all this, but it is critical, in my and my doctor's opinion, that you see exactly what your body is doing before moving on.
What the tests will do is two things: 1. a benchmark for your future health; 2. an accurate picture of how your body chemistry is working overall. I get all those tests done at least twice a year, but then I'm much older, and I have some underlying medical issues. By regularly testing for all those things, you can head off many illnesses before they take off. If you have them all done annually (assuming you’re relatively young) you will have a reference point to see if anything is trending the wrong way.
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). Basically a fasting blood test is done; then you're given 75g of glucose in water; an hour later another blood test; and hour after that, another test. These tests will show what your fasting glucose levels are, but more importantly, how your body utilises glucose and insulin. A very important test.
Having all the tests will let you see if you have imbalances. Initially, I had problems with low DHEA, very high estrogen, high cortisol, high RT3, all of which impact on weight training.
SHBG will show you how much of your testosterone is actually available to use. If your liver or kidney function is not optimal, then you won't function at 100%, even if you feel ok.
Hormonal imbalances with prolactin, progesterone, will work against you.
Thyroid function, especially when compared to RT3 function, if not optimal, will work against you. RT3 is linked to cortisol. High cortisol levels usually equals high RT3, which will negate the effects of normal T3, so even if your T3/4 is “normal” high RT3 will stop them working properly.
Full blood count, lipid studies will show if there are any underlying issues like mild infections, cholesterol probs, red cell count (important for weight trainers) and other issues that are evident in these blood tests.
Homocysteine will give you an indication of the level of inflammation in the body.
The Haemocromotosis test will see if you have the disease (very, very common genetic blood disorder) which if left untreated will eventually kill you. I have it :).
In short: these tests will give you the best picture of what's happening now, allow you to correct anything that is working against you, so you can operate at as near to 100% as you can.
Now, to the possible bipolar matter: Mine started becoming evident about your age. Bipolar runs in my family; father and uncle had it, me, my sister, nephew, my son, all have it, and in its early stages is generally manageable and not a major drama. But it can get much worse, especially if there are other stressors around, or other medical conditions present. It would be my advice, fwiw, to seek professional help on that issue as a matter of some importance; get the full work-up done, and make sure your body chemistry is working properly.
Be prepared for a fight with your doctor, but it's your life. If you want the best for yourself, be ready to fight for what you want. If I had not had all these tests done I would be dead now. Simple fact.
Good luck.
thanks for the detailed reply mate, i'll see if i can book in a doctors appointment in the next couple of weeks and see what i can get him to do.
once i get the results, i'll post in here and see what we can find!
cheers
take 2 is right that your results are not ideal, but very few doctors would think they warrant further further analysis.
I'm not sure what treatment options u are looking for but u won't get HRT.
i'm not sure if HRT is something I would want (that's for the rest of your life isn't it?). however, i do want to do something about my levels, just get them to normal.
i'll have a chat to the doctor (different one) tomorrow and see what he thinks.
Not about HRT, but about identifying why the numbers are less than ideal. There are lots of reasons/conditions that may be at play here, so deal with them and the see how the numbers change.
And yes, few doctors will investigate further because they are obsessed with lab ranges. Some will. Find one who will.
T2 Mate, your an awesome person to have on this forum.
~B
That's very kind of you to say, if only a little overstated :)
Cheers
I second that. Take2 your posts on these topics are insightful and spot on. Moreover, the voice of experience is very evident.
Thanks again for your input.
Doc
Winners make it happen...losers let it happen.
Qui audet adipiscitur.
Thanks Doc, appreciate the kind words.I second that. Take2 your posts on these topics are insightful and spot on. Moreover, the voice of experience is very evident.
Thanks again for your input.
Doc
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