Going in for bloodwork next week.. need advice

[legbuh]

Curious, in all the threads I've read, this is the first one I've seen people mention also checking thydroid as well.

Anyhow, I'm sticking to my normal routine. Workouts and all. Today was funny since I was trying to think about how to describe the feeling of "cloudiness" in my head. Once I started working out it was like my head went "above the clouds" and I felt better (but not as good as I did a year or two ago when I started working out again). But slowly it sank back down into the clouds. Hard to explain.

so then today I watched some porn on the net.. lol.. same feeling, only stronger *almost too much) and lasted longer. I'm not big into porn, but I was curious about triggering more T to be made on my own and how I would feel. Just trying things out.

So, I would be curious to hear from others with that had "low libido" and got on TRT/HRT if watching porn gave you a temp fix or not. May sound weird, but just looking for ideas.

 

[legbuh]

Well, finally got to go in today. My doctor asked what I wanted, I explained. He asked me pretty much every question that I was going to mention (sleeping, tired, motivation, sexual function, etc). He said on top of Test he wanted to check thydroid, liver, etc.. etc.. but he said test sounds like a big possibility.

He also was concerned about my sleeping, and happy to hear I had already done a sleep study and ruled out sleep apnea. He said falling asleep on a whim was odd (I did mention it was mainly after meals) and just in case everything from blood came back good scheduled an appt with nuerology. He explained it would be 4 months before I'd be able to get in anyhow, so if bloodwork came back with something then we could just cancel that.

He seemed really open to the idea of the possibility of low test. They drew 4 vials of blood and I went home. Not a bad experience at all.

 

[Tatyana]

Cloudy head is also a symptom of hypothryoidism.

Your doctor may be open to low testosterone, but he will work with the lab results.

 

[legbuh]

I understand that and stated he's also checking thyroid. What I was trying to express was he didn't shoot down the idea like I've heard a lot do. He seemed very willing to help no matter what the problem is.

 

[goin on 4T]

Yeah it is amazing when you see the right dr. how easy it can all be.

 

[legbuh]

I haven't decided if it's easy yet. He just seemed willing to listen and help. He's always been a good GP. I could tell not a lot of people see him for this though.

I joked that "I thought this was only for women. you know.. menopause" and he laughed and said "nope, happens to men too, and even some women need more testosterone." I said "ya.. what is it.. andropause or something?" and he lauged and said "heck, you don't need me! you know what's going on.."

He also played with my boys. said they were little "soft". Not sure what that means. At least he didn't check my prostate.. lol.. that's always a joy.

 

[goin on 4T]

Well if you haven't read some of the crazy things dr. have said to EF'ers you would be amazed at their perspective! If your blood tests come back showing you are low your dr. will do the right thing that is all. Some won't even go to the trouble of taking blood tests!

 

[legbuh]

Well, Doc called today. Said my blood tests looked fine. Said the only thing that showed up was my liver was goofy (something like it was destroying cells twice as fast as it should? a fatty liver or something). He said it would be best to lose 20-25lbs. I told him "That's what I've been trying to do for the last 3 years... " He explained this maybe would be "more incentive".

So I haven't got the lab results in front, so I just ask for numbers and he said free test was 12.3. I say, what's the range? He says 9-30. I expressed that that seemed low for a 38/year old and he said "maybe if you were 30 it would be low". sucks. Who knows. Have to go in for an ultrasound on my liver. I need to see if the lab is gonna mail the results for everything too like they said they were so I can see all the numbers.

 

[Tatyana]

It is going to be difficult to comment without the actual numbers and exactly what the condition is.

I know the lads her go on about free test, but unless it is done by HPLC or mass spec, which I really doubt any clinical lab does, it is derived from a calculation from total test and SHBG, free test isn't measured.

There are some issues with measuring testosterone and SHBG, so basing a calculation off two somewhat inaccurate tests does not make for a very accurate result.



Sorry to hear you have issues with your liver.

 

[legbuh]

I'm stopping by the clinic this morning to get a copy of the labs. The liver thing is odd. I have a couple drinks now and then, and we have our weekly Wii Bowling League where the guys get together, but that's about it. Wonder if my soy protein could be messin with my liver.