****On TRT have Low CHOL, & Low Ferritin****

[deejay7211]

Been on TRT now for over 4 mo using various protocols to see which felt better, T-cyp 50mg - 200mg (2 X/wk), Anastrozole 0.25mg - 0.5 day of injections, no hCG . Dr. finally gave me a script for hCG last week, however asked that i stop taking the AI due to potential side effects. He now has me taking DIMension 3 from XYMOGEN 2 X/day.

-48
-6.0'
-252lb
-30% BF
-Rx = Benicar HCT 40-25mg (take am 6yrs), Amlodipine Besylate 10mg (take pm 6yrs), Omeprazole 20mg

Current protocol: 50mg T-cyp 2X/wk, DIM 2 X/day, hCG 300iu 2X/wk.

For incase it helps im posting a LabCorp lab I had 8/17/11 (1yr+ before any TRT):

*eGFR = 93 REFERENCE >59
*BUN/Creatinine ratio = 11 REF 9-20
*Sodium serum = 141 REF 135-145
*Potassium, serum = 4.4 REF 3.5-5.2
*Chloride, serum = 101 REF 97-108
*Carbon Dioxide = 27 REF 20-32
*Calcium = 9.6 REF 8.7-10.2
*Protein total = 6.8 REF 6.0-8.5
*Albumin = 4.3 REF 3.5-5.5
*Globulin = 2.5 REF 1.5-4.5
*A/g ratio = 1.7 REF 1.1-2.5
*Bilirubin = 0.4 REF 0.0-1.2
*Alkaline phosphatase = 59 REF 25-150
*AST = 22 REF 0-40
*ALT = 40 REF 0-55
*TTL Cholesterol = 101 REF 100-199
*Triglycerides = 51 REF 0-149
*HDL Cholesterol = 52 REF >39
*VLDL = 10 REF 5-40
*LDL = 39 REF 0-99
*A1c = 5.7 HIGH REF 4.8-5.6
*Testosterone , serum = 348 REF 249-836
*WBC = 8.0 REF 4.0-10.5
*RBC = 5.20 REF 4.10-5.60
*Hemoglobin = 15.9 REF 12.5-17.0
*Hematocrit = 47.8 REF 36.0-50.0
*Monocytes = 1.0 REF 4-13
*Glucose, serum = 97 REF 65-99
*BUN = 12 REF 6-24
*Creatinine = 1.10 REF 0.76-1.27
*TSH = 1.300 REF 0.450-4.500

Can someone tell me more about this DIM? Not sure that i trust it managing my E2. Pretty sure that i've been E2 dominant for yrs.... I will post other labs in separate post so not so long.

I have always had very low CHOL. My TTL has always hovered around 100 or so. I've always been told this is fantastic until new Dr. sit me down and let me know that this might be worse than having High CHOL. Recently, have read more in the forums and discovered that all of the hormones are directly synthesized from CHOL. I did not know this. So now wondering if this is my prob???

I really would appreciate some insight into these matters. Many thanks....

Posting other labs in separate posts.

 

[deejay7211]

1st Lab 11/06/12 Low T ctr (before any TRT):
*FastPack TT = 149
*FastPack PSA = .09
**Dr gave me 200mg inj T-cyp on the spot after explaining HPA Axis, etc., etc.
**Also gave blood for complete work up.

1st comprehensive LabCorp Lab drawn approx 2pm on 11/06/12 (before any TRT):
*Glucose = 87 REF 65-99
*BUN = 13 REF 6-24
*Creatinine = 1.12 REF 0.76-1.27
*eGFR = 77 REF >59
*BUN/creatinine ratio = 12 REF 9-20
*Sodium = 141 REF 134-144
*Potassium = 4.3 REF 3.5-5.2
*Chloride = 100 REF 97-108
*CO2 = 25 REF 20-32
*Calcium = 9.6 REF 8.7-10.2
*Protein = 7.1 REF 5.0-8.5
*Albumin = 4.5 REF 3.5-5.5
*Globulin = 2.6 REF 1.5-4.5
*Bilirubin = .05 REF 0.0-1.2
*AST = 42 HIGH REF 0-40
*ALT = 73 HIGH REF 0-44
*TSH = 1.510 REF 0.450-4.500
*LH = 8.1 REF 1.7-8.6
*FSH = 3.2 REF 1.5-12.4
*Prolactin = 7.2 REF 4.0-15.2
*WBC = 10.7 HIGH (was feeling fine, not sure why that was high) REF 4.0-10.5
*RBC = 5.26 REF 4.14-5.80
*Hemoglobin = 16.1 REF 12.6-17.7
*Hematocrit = 46.9 REF 37.5-51.0
*MCV = 89 REF 79-97
*MCH = 30.6 REF 26.6-33.0
*MCHC = 34.3 REF 31.5-35.7
*RDW = 13.6 REF 12.3-15.4
*Platelets = 258 REF 140-415
*Monocytes absolute = 1.3 HIGH REF 0.1-1.0
*Estradiol = 35.2 REF 7.6-42.6
*Free T (direct) = 8.0 (dr says we need to get it up to around 20.0) REF 6.8-21.5

11/27/12 LabCorp Lab (getting 160mg inj 1 x/wk):
*E2 = 46.4 HIGH
*FT = 15.5
*TT = 485

Note--Found new dr that would work with me and provided me scripts.

12/16/12 Quest Lab:
*Cholesterol total = 97 LOW LIMITs 125-200
*HDL = 38 LOW LIMITs >OR=40
*Triglycerides = 112 LIMITs <150
*LDL = 37 LIMITs <130
*DHEA sulfate = 50mcg/dl LIMITs 45-345
*Insulin = 9 ulU/mL LIMITs <17
*B12 = 342pg/mL LIMITs 200-1100
*E2 = 42 HIGH LIMITs <OR=39
*PSA = .03 (actually went down since on T) LIMITs <OR=4.0
*Vit D, 25-OH, total = 37 LIMITs 30-100
*A1c = 5.5 (actually went down since on T) LIMITs <5.7
*TT = 762 LIMITs 250-1100
*FT = 164.7 HIGH LIMITs 35.0-155.0

Now that i know a little more about TRT, I'm now attempting to determine my root cause. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[deejay7211]

Feb 08 Labs:

Quest:

-DHT 16ng/dl 16-79 limits
-Pregnenolone 158 ng/dl 13-208
-CRP 0.42 mg/dl >0.80
-Thyroid Peroxidase <10 IU/ml <35
-Homocysteine 9.8 umol/L <11.4
-Cortisol Total 15.6 mcg/dl (taken approx 8am) no limits provided
-Ferritin 11 ng/mL LOW 20-380
-Progesterone <0.5 ng/ml <1.4
-Prolactin 8.7 ng/mL 2.0-18.0
-T4 Free 1.1 ng/dL 0.8-1.8
-TSH 0.92 0.42-4.50
-T3 Free 3.6 pg/mL 2.3-4.2

Can someone please provide some insight into these labs? Does CHOL have anything to do with low Ferritin? As low as this is, i should be anemic, however, I read the symptoms for anemic and I really do not feel like that is me.

Thank you all for any comments, suggestions or any insight...

 

[deejay7211]

New labs from 2/11:

-DHEA Sulfate 157 45-345
-E2 30 < OR = 39
-TT 1118 High 250-1100
-FT 290.0 High 35-155
-PSA 0.3 < OR=4.0 It was 0.03. No cause for alarm, right?

I've been taking Omeprazole now for at least 6yrs for gut issues. In past have tried to drop to no avail. After 2 days, the acid is so bad that i can't sleep. Is it possible that this could be causing some malabsorption, i.e., not absorbing iron, or actually causing me to not absorb CHOL properly? Do u know of any better alternatives?

 

[Labtec70]

Hi deejay

Quite a lot of info there!

I've not looked all through your labs yet, but a couple of things stood out besides LDL.

Oestriadol, E2, and Prolactin are all within normal ranges but I wouldn't imagine there tolerable ones. This could be a reason why your TT is is pretty good but the active or free T is low normal. However, now you're on therapy this should readjust. The problem is that your doc has removed the AI and this could increase conversion of testosterone to E2.

If you're not already, you should ask your doctor to help increase levels of cholesterol (HDL/VHDL) via intake of Omacor. This is basically purified or concentrated Omega 3 esters. If he won't prescribe this you can purchase similar products from your herbal store: Flaxseed Oil, Fish Oils, Cod Liver Oil, etc. You can also increase your intake of Omega 6 fatty acids too by consuming vegetables, cereal, and legumes.
Just from what I'm looking at here, I can summise that you're dietarily deficient in several nutrients: Vitamin D, E, and B vitamins for a few examples.

You are also on Amlodapine. I take it that this for BP control. How long have you been using the drug for and are you taking the 10mg dose as standard?

Your Haemocrit count looks okay and platelets are fine, I think. However, as is expected with HRT your RBC is high/normal. If you have blood pressure issues it's essential you keep an eye on the blood pressure because Amlodapine alone might not be enough in the long run. Still, we're all different and it might be more than ample for you.

As for the Omaprazole for your stomach acid...

I find its good for keeping stomach acid away, but it's near on useless if you get a bout of indigestion and take an Omaprazole tablet hoping it'll go away. For these instances I have Rinitadine at hand or Zantac (brand name but essentially the same thing). Very effective for me with any form of gut discomfort.

Sorry, I can't comment on Ferratin as I'm not familiar with it.

Best regards,
Craig