My Labs: Advice Before Seeing Doc

Andyhamp · Nov 2, 2015

Hello Everyone, I will be seeing my doctor soon and just got labs. They are:

Test - 628 (range 348-1197)
Free test - 14.8 (6.6-18.1)
DHEA - 179.2 (30.9-295.6)
Estradiol - 13.9 (7.6-42.6)
Estradiol Sensitive - 20.5 (8.0-35.0)
FSH 0.2 (1.5-12.4)
LH <0.2 (1.7-8.6)
PSA 2.8
Hematocrit 46.9 (37.5-50.1)

I take: Test Cypionate 20mg Sun and Wed (weekly total of 40mg), Anastrazole .25mg Sun and Wed. I do not take HCG. My doc is open minded but has never prescribed HCG. The reason I am on an AI is because of blood work in May where my E2 was 49.8 and Sensitve E2 was 47.0. He retested in July to see if the AI helped and my E2 was 23.7 (sen E2 was not tested then.)

Am I OK with the LH and FSH being low? Should I ask him to put me on HCG and at what dose? Should I continue with the AI?

Thanks in advance!

Vettester Chris · Nov 2, 2015

Wow, I'm actually kind of surprised your serum level is at 628ng/dl with only 40mg/week! Hey, all good though if you can get the most out of a low dosage!

HCG can work differently in each patient, just depending on if you were diagnosed with Secondary Hypo, and how receptive the Leydigs are with your testes. 250iu can be a decent dosage amount, injected SubQ 2 to 3 times per week. Work that out with your physician, run labs around 1 month, adjust your protocol accordingly to meet your needs.

ERO · Nov 2, 2015

How do you feel on this protocol by chance? your total T of 628 is great for your low dose of T, but also barely at the level at which most guys start to actually "feel" TRT.

Vince Carter · Nov 2, 2015

I think your PSA should be a point of discussion. You're LH/FSH are, rightly, statistically zero as you're on T. This is normal. I would say in that regard, that's a KNOWN factor and if you're paying for tests in anyway, it's a waste of money to pull those two values.
Funny how your Sens E2 is HIGHER than the the standard test...any chance you typo'd those?

Andyhamp · Nov 2, 2015

Thanks for replying guys. Yes, I did type my wrong dose, so sorry. I am on 80 mg a week divided by 2 doses on Sun and Wed. i did not type the wrong E2 figures though. i was also surprised that the Sen E2 was that much higher than the regular E2. Vince, why the concern over the PSA? My PSA has increased this past year though. In Jan 2014 it was 1.72; July 2014, 2.0; May 2015, 2.3; and now, 2.8. What is this pattern indicating?

Vince Carter · Nov 3, 2015

Do you not know what a PSA is, your Dr hasn't talked to you about that, the rising numbers? This is the number one test run for prostate cancer screening. An increasing number is...not good. Most typical "normal" would be, .5 or .6...and you're approaching a 3. This isn't good.

IF THIS DR ISN'T DISCUSSING YOUR PSA WITH YOU, YOU NEED TO FIND A NEW DR!

Andyhamp · Nov 4, 2015

Vince. I appreciate your concern. I am also concerned. My old dr is on medical leave, so this will be the first time I am seeing this doc and I plan on talking with him about my increases. I have recently learned that sex/masturbation will raise a PSA level, so it is good not to do either before the test. i did not know this. I'm sure there are other reasons for PSA increases besides cancer, so I plan on being well informed when I see him.

Vince Carter · Nov 4, 2015

hmmm...masturbation/sex linked to PSA...never in my case.

CoastWatcher · Nov 4, 2015

I've heard that ejaculation can elevated a psa reading, but not personally experienced that.

ERO · Nov 5, 2015

Also be advised that PSA levels are not a reliable indicator of cancer risk as was typically assumed in the past.https://www.mskcc.org/press-releases/change-psa-level-does-not-predict-prostate and http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/02/25/study-psa-levels-best-prostate-cancer-indicator.html

I am not suggesting that you do not follow-up on it - you should - just that your level is likely not a 3-alarm fire either based upon more recent data.