Getting my life back

[southpaw41]

For the first time in a year or so I can breathe a little easier, I finally found a GOOD doctor willing to help me. He and his colleague are incredibly knowledgeable on the male hormone system and are looking at my problems from all angles. For the longest time I thought TRT may be my only way out of this rut but that may not be the case.

Currently my symptoms are as follows:

1.) Low libido/slight impotence
-spontaneous erections are non-existent
-morning erections are non-existent or weak
2.) Fatigue during the day
3.) Trouble focusing/concentrating at work
4.) Little facial/body hair growth
5.) Slight depression at times
-I think due primarily to my low libido/impotence
6.) Poor fertility

Medical History

1.) Grade II Varicocele left side since I was 14-15 (now 23)
-conventional surgery done on 2/11/10
2.) 2 extremely small micro adenomas on pituitary gland
-so small MRI couldn’t specify if they were in fact micro adenomas or not but I will assume they are

My first appointment with them went very well. We discussed all my medical history and reviewed my previous blood work, sperm tests, and pituitary mri. We also went into the past few years of my life to look at anything that may have triggered some of the symptoms.

We uncovered that my college years put an enormous stress load on my hormones and body in general. Like most college students I didn’t take the best care of my body; eating crap, drinking all the time, smoking occasionally, poor sleep, staying up late, overtraining at the gym, and class work load all put stress on my system. Additionally I lost a very close friend during my time in college which may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Currently they think my problem lies in my adrenals or thyroid. Adrenal fatigue or reverse T3 syndrome make the most sense at this point. They think my hormone system crashed in college and never fully recovered. I have a ton of blood work to get done as well as a saliva cortisol test before we meet again in a month.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

[codered5]

What sort of tests do they run for adrenal fatigue and T3? I have seen people talking about this stuff a lot on these boards...I am in a similar situation, minus the medical problems (although I have had no MRI on my pituitary).

Just curious, bc I am only 24 and I want to try just about everything before going on TRT as a last resort

[aronaronaron]

keep us informed bud i have the exact same symptoms as you and also had a varicocele.

[southpaw41]

What sort of tests do they run for adrenal fatigue and T3? I have seen people talking about this stuff a lot on these boards...I am in a similar situation, minus the medical problems (although I have had no MRI on my pituitary).

Just curious, bc I am only 24 and I want to try just about everything before going on TRT as a last resort

I am getting the following tests done. It’s a mixture of blood, urine, and saliva.

DHEA-S
Progesterone
Thyroxine Free, Direct, Serum
Triiodothyronine Free, Serum
Thyroxin (T4)
Thyroid Peroxidase Ab (TPO)
Antithyroglobulin Ab
TSH 3rd Generation
Reverse T3
Prealbumin
Cortisol, AM Total and Free
ACTH Serum
Ceruloplasmin
CBC with Diff/Platelet
CMP with Liver Panel
Ferritin, Serum
Homocysteine
C-Reactive Protein Quant.
Lipoprotein Subfract (AKA VAP)
Hemoglobin
Iodine Random Spot Urine 10mL (LC not found)
Allergen Profile, Basic Food
Celiac Disease Panel
Antigliadin Abs, IgG
Fractional Catecholamines, Serum
DHEA, Total, 24 hour Urine (LC not found)
Prolactin

There would probably more but I have had previous blood work done not too long ago (I have a whole other thread listing those labs but I cant post links yet…I‘ll do so when I can).

Older labs revealed I am low on vitamin d, cortisol is a bit out of range (on the high side), prolactin levels are near the high end of the scale, and dht is below range.

My doctor and his colleague said masturbation/sex can falsely elevate prolactin levels so I will make sure this time around I’m avoiding ejaculating for at least 2 days.

They recommended 10,000iu/daily of liquid vitamin D drops, replaced my *** Mega Men multi vitamins with better absorbing ones, and recommended I eat more greens until our next meeting.

[southpaw41]

Got my labs today and there are a lot of them. I got the bloodwork done on Thursday July 29th at 7:30am. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

**VAP Cholesterol Profile**
LDL Cholesterol 70 (<130)
HDL Cholesterol 46 (>=40)
VLDL Cholesterol 22 (<30)
Cholesterol, Total 138 (<200)
Triglycerides 154 (<150) *HIGH*
Non HDL Chol. (LDL+VLDL) 92 (<160)
apoB100-calc 72 (<109)
LDL-R (Real)-C 52 (<100)
Lp (a) Cholesterol 10 (<10) *HIGH*
IDL Cholesterol 7 (<20)
Remnant Lipo. (IDL+VLDL3) 19 (<30)
*Clinical Consideration* Probable Metabolic Syndrome (Flag=Abnormal)

*Sub-Class Information*
HDL-2 (Most Protective) 10 (>10) *LOW*
HDL-3 (Less Protective) 36 (>30)
VLDL-3 (Small Remnant) 12 (<10) *HIGH*
LDL1 Pattern A 5.2 (no range)
LDL2 Pattern A 2.0 (no range)
LDL3 Pattern B 26.4 (no range)
LDL4 Pattern B 18.8 (no range)
*LDL Density Pattern* Abnormal

**Celiac Disease Complete Panel**
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 242 (70-400)
Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA 3.1 (0.0-10)
Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG 1.0 (0.0-10)
t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA 1 (0-3)
t-Transglutaminase (tTG IgG 1 (0-5)

**CBC w/ Differential/Platelet**
WBC 5.5 (4.0-10.5)
RBC 5.08 (4.10-5.60)
Hemoglobin 14.1 (12.5-17)
Hematocrit 42.6 (36-50)
MCV 84 (80-98)
MCH 27.8 (27-34)
MCHC 33.1 (32-36)
RDW 13.6 (11.7-15)
Platelets 192 (140-415)
Neutrophils 54 (40-74)
Lymphs 34 (14-46)
Monocytes 10 (4-13)
Eos 2 (0-7)
Basos 0 (0-3)
Neutrophils (Absolute) 2.9 (1.8-7.8)
Lymphs (Absolute) 1.9 (0.7-4.5)
Monocytes (Absolute) 0.6 (0.1-1)
Eos (Absolute) 0.1 (0.0-0.4)
Baso (Absolute) 0.0 (0.0-0.2)
Immature Granulocytes 0 (0-1)
Immature Grans (Abs) 0 (0.0-0.1)

**Comp. Metabolic Panel (14)**
Glucose, Serum 91 (65-99)
BUN 18 (5-26)
Creatinine, Serum 1.05 (0.76-1.27)
eGFR >59 (>59)
eGFR African American >59 (>59)
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 17 (8-27)
Sodium, Serum 141 (135-145)
Potassium, Serum 4.3 (3.5-5.2)
Chloride, Serum 102 (97-108)
Carbon Dioxide, Total 27 (20-32)
Calcium, Serum 9.6 (8.7-10.2)
Protein, Total, Serum 7.2 (60.-8.5)
Albumin, Serum 4.6 (3.5-5.5)
Globulin, Total 2.6 (1.5-4.5)
A/G Ratio 1.8 (1.1-2.5)
Bilirubin, Total 0.6 (0.0-1.2)
Alkaline Phosphatase, S 76 (25-150)
AST (SGOT) 19 (0-40)
ALT (SGPT) 14 (0-55)

**Allergen Profile, Basic Food**
Levels
Class 0: <0.05 (Negative)
Class 0/I: 0.05-0.07 (Equivocal)
Class I: 0.08-0.15 (Increasing)
Class II: 0.16-0.50
Not going to list the rest of the classes I don’t fall into those categories

Milk (Cow) <0.05 Class 0
Wheat <0.05 Class 0
Corn 0.08 Class I *Abnormal*
Peanut <0.05 Class 0
Soybean <0.05 Class 0
Pork <0.05 Class 0
Beef <0.05 Class 0
Fish/Shell Mix <0.05 Class 0
Egg, Whole <0.05 Class0
Chocolate, Cocoa <0.05 Class 0

**Catecholamines, Plasma**
*Catecholamine Frac, P*
Norepinephrine, P1 266 (0-874)
Epinephrine, P1 28 (0-62)
Dopamine, P1 18 (0-48)

**Iodine, Urine**
Iodine, Urine 420 (no reference given)

**Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate**
DHEA-Sulfate 299.3 (211-492)

**Thyroxin (T4) Free, Direct, S**
T4, Free (Direct) 1.29 (0.82-1.77)
TSH 3.600 (0.450-4.500)

**ACTH, Plasma**
ACTH, Plasma 35.1 (7.2-63.3)

**Hemoglobin Alc**
Hemoglobin Alc 5.6 (4.8-5.6) *Some warnings about diabetes here*
It says “Increased risk for diabetes: 5.7-6.4”

**Homocyst(e)ine, Plasma**
Homocyst(e)ine, Plasma 6.6 (0.0-15)

**Prolactin**
Prolactin 13.6 (4.0-15.2)
This blood draw was on a Thursday morning and I did not engage in sexual activity since the Saturday before (6 days)

Thyroxin (T4) 6.8 (4.5-12)
Ceruloplasmin 17.7 (16.2-35.6)
Thyroid Peroxides (TPO) Ab 6 (0-34)
Reverse T3 261 (90-350)
Triiodothyronine, Free, Serum 2.9 (2.0-4.4)
Progesterone 1 (0.2-1.4)
Ferritin, Serum 132 (30-400)
Prealbumin 34 (20-40)
C-Reactive Protein, Quant 0.4 (0.0-4.9)
Antithyroglobulin Ab <20 (0-40)
Cortisol-AM 27.7 (6.2-19.4) *HIGH*

[The Matrix]

Got my labs today and there are a lot of them. I got the bloodwork done on Thursday July 29th at 7:30am. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

**VAP Cholesterol Profile**
LDL Cholesterol 70 (<130)
HDL Cholesterol 46 (>=40)
VLDL Cholesterol 22 (<30)
Cholesterol, Total 138 (<200)
Triglycerides 154 (<150) *HIGH*
Non HDL Chol. (LDL+VLDL) 92 (<160)
apoB100-calc 72 (<109)
LDL-R (Real)-C 52 (<100)
Lp (a) Cholesterol 10 (<10) *HIGH*
IDL Cholesterol 7 (<20)
Remnant Lipo. (IDL+VLDL3) 19 (<30)
*Clinical Consideration* Probable Metabolic Syndrome (Flag=Abnormal)

*Sub-Class Information*
HDL-2 (Most Protective) 10 (>10) *LOW*
HDL-3 (Less Protective) 36 (>30)
VLDL-3 (Small Remnant) 12 (<10) *HIGH*
LDL1 Pattern A 5.2 (no range)
LDL2 Pattern A 2.0 (no range)
LDL3 Pattern B 26.4 (no range)
LDL4 Pattern B 18.8 (no range)
*LDL Density Pattern* Abnormal

**Celiac Disease Complete Panel**
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 242 (70-400)
Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgA 3.1 (0.0-10)
Deamidated Gliadin Abs, IgG 1.0 (0.0-10)
t-Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA 1 (0-3)
t-Transglutaminase (tTG IgG 1 (0-5)

**CBC w/ Differential/Platelet**
WBC 5.5 (4.0-10.5)
RBC 5.08 (4.10-5.60)
Hemoglobin 14.1 (12.5-17)
Hematocrit 42.6 (36-50)
MCV 84 (80-98)
MCH 27.8 (27-34)
MCHC 33.1 (32-36)
RDW 13.6 (11.7-15)
Platelets 192 (140-415)
Neutrophils 54 (40-74)
Lymphs 34 (14-46)
Monocytes 10 (4-13)
Eos 2 (0-7)
Basos 0 (0-3)
Neutrophils (Absolute) 2.9 (1.8-7.8)
Lymphs (Absolute) 1.9 (0.7-4.5)
Monocytes (Absolute) 0.6 (0.1-1)
Eos (Absolute) 0.1 (0.0-0.4)
Baso (Absolute) 0.0 (0.0-0.2)
Immature Granulocytes 0 (0-1)
Immature Grans (Abs) 0 (0.0-0.1)

**Comp. Metabolic Panel (14)**
Glucose, Serum 91 (65-99)
BUN 18 (5-26)
Creatinine, Serum 1.05 (0.76-1.27)
eGFR >59 (>59)
eGFR African American >59 (>59)
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 17 (8-27)
Sodium, Serum 141 (135-145)
Potassium, Serum 4.3 (3.5-5.2)
Chloride, Serum 102 (97-108)
Carbon Dioxide, Total 27 (20-32)
Calcium, Serum 9.6 (8.7-10.2)
Protein, Total, Serum 7.2 (60.-8.5)
Albumin, Serum 4.6 (3.5-5.5)
Globulin, Total 2.6 (1.5-4.5)
A/G Ratio 1.8 (1.1-2.5)
Bilirubin, Total 0.6 (0.0-1.2)
Alkaline Phosphatase, S 76 (25-150)
AST (SGOT) 19 (0-40)
ALT (SGPT) 14 (0-55)

**Allergen Profile, Basic Food**
Levels
Class 0: <0.05 (Negative)
Class 0/I: 0.05-0.07 (Equivocal)
Class I: 0.08-0.15 (Increasing)
Class II: 0.16-0.50
Not going to list the rest of the classes I don’t fall into those categories

Milk (Cow) <0.05 Class 0
Wheat <0.05 Class 0
Corn 0.08 Class I *Abnormal*
Peanut <0.05 Class 0
Soybean <0.05 Class 0
Pork <0.05 Class 0
Beef <0.05 Class 0
Fish/Shell Mix <0.05 Class 0
Egg, Whole <0.05 Class0
Chocolate, Cocoa <0.05 Class 0

**Catecholamines, Plasma**
*Catecholamine Frac, P*
Norepinephrine, P1 266 (0-874)
Epinephrine, P1 28 (0-62)
Dopamine, P1 18 (0-48)

**Iodine, Urine**
Iodine, Urine 420 (no reference given)

**Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate**
DHEA-Sulfate 299.3 (211-492)

**Thyroxin (T4) Free, Direct, S**
T4, Free (Direct) 1.29 (0.82-1.77)
TSH 3.600 (0.450-4.500)

**ACTH, Plasma**
ACTH, Plasma 35.1 (7.2-63.3)

**Hemoglobin Alc**
Hemoglobin Alc 5.6 (4.8-5.6) *Some warnings about diabetes here*
It says “Increased risk for diabetes: 5.7-6.4”

**Homocyst(e)ine, Plasma**
Homocyst(e)ine, Plasma 6.6 (0.0-15)

**Prolactin**
Prolactin 13.6 (4.0-15.2)
This blood draw was on a Thursday morning and I did not engage in sexual activity since the Saturday before (6 days)

Thyroxin (T4) 6.8 (4.5-12)
Ceruloplasmin 17.7 (16.2-35.6)
Thyroid Peroxides (TPO) Ab 6 (0-34)
Reverse T3 261 (90-350)
Triiodothyronine, Free, Serum 2.9 (2.0-4.4)
Progesterone 1 (0.2-1.4)
Ferritin, Serum 132 (30-400)
Prealbumin 34 (20-40)
C-Reactive Protein, Quant 0.4 (0.0-4.9)
Antithyroglobulin Ab <20 (0-40)
Cortisol-AM 27.7 (6.2-19.4) *HIGH*

defintely have cortisol issues and low thyroid which needs to be addressed.
Adrenal saliva needs to be completed so we can get an over all picture of what is going on.

[southpaw41]

defintely have cortisol issues and low thyroid which needs to be addressed.
Adrenal saliva needs to be completed so we can get an over all picture of what is going on.

My adrenal saliva test was completed last sunday but I think it may have to be re-done. I started a 102 fever that day and I'm still sick. Symptoms point to mono.. I'll know today.

Any idea what might be provoking high cortisol and low thyroid? How can this be corrected?

[The Matrix]

My adrenal saliva test was completed last sunday but I think it may have to be re-done. I started a 102 fever that day and I'm still sick. Symptoms point to mono.. I'll know today.

Any idea what might be provoking high cortisol and low thyroid? How can this be corrected?

Need to identify the cause..
Every thing you are taking is hypoallergic so I would not label it as that
You and your primary dr need to rule that out..

[southpaw41]

got my 24 hour DHEA urine test results today..

-1.5 (0.5-7.2)

the blood dhea is as follows

**Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate**
DHEA-Sulfate 299.3 (211-492)

Pretty bad i assume..

[southpaw41]

Met with the doctor last friday and discussed the labs listed above. He thinks the problem lies in my adrenals or thyroid but cannot be tested further until i get better (have mono right now). I have an intolerence to corn so he reccomended i cut it out of my diet completely. This is easier said than done because corn is in a lot of stuff but im doing my best. Since my dhea is low he recommended 15/mg day of transdermal dhea cream which I just got today. Additionally he recomenmended some fish oil tablets. He is confident I will feel a lot better if I cut corn (and its products) out of my diet and use the cream. So below is what I am taking everyday.

15/mg day of Life-Flo DHEA cream
10000iu vitamin d drops
3 Carlson Fish Oil soft gels with food
2 Uni-Liver/Beverly Hills Ultra 40 liver tablets with each meal
1 serving of Green Vibrance powder
Sulis Ultra multi-vitamins with food

[may19th2001]

I hope it all works out well for you..

[mich29]

looks like your making great progress

[southpaw41]

I hope it all works out well for you..

thanks man I appreciate it.

wanted to stop in and give an update. I've been sticking the the regimen i posted above and been seeing some improvement which is nice.

I am now getting some nocturnal erections and have been dreaming which is really nice. I didnt list this as a symptom but i havent had a dream during sleep for a long time (or at least I didnt remember them after waking up). For the past couple weeks i've been dreaming and remembering them. Has anyone else here lost their dreams from these kind of problems?

Everything else is pretty much the same. Morning erections are either non-existent or week, tired during the day, etc.

I would have to say that the vitamin d and avoiding corn is helping the most. Avoiding corn is by far the most difficult task because corn and its products are in everything. I literally had to cut out 75% of what I normally eat. Also i can no longer go out to eat unless i get a salad with no dressing. also most alcholic drinks out of the questions which sucks because im only 23..

Ill keep you posted on my progress.

[aronaronaron]

Ive been reading this thread with interest as i am having the same problems as you southpaw. (varicocele related i think)

I recently have tried DIY TRT which made me have anxiety attacks so thats out of the window for the time being.

But i have just recently ordered some cortisol, thyroid and vit d products from Now Foods and will let you know how i get on with them bro.

Please keep this thread updated dude or even PM me with any updates if you can it will be very helpful bro

[southpaw41]

Ive been reading this thread with interest as i am having the same problems as you southpaw. (varicocele related i think)

I recently have tried DIY TRT which made me have anxiety attacks so thats out of the window for the time being.

But i have just recently ordered some cortisol, thyroid and vit d products from Now Foods and will let you know how i get on with them bro.

Please keep this thread updated dude or even PM me with any updates if you can it will be very helpful bro

hey man sorry to hear that your in a similar situation. I am doing everything I can to correct this problem naturally. If you are young and want to start a family at some point in your life I advise you do the same.

Not familiar with "DIY" TRT what exactly is that? Are these protocols being overseen by your doctor (DIY TRT, cortisol, thyroid, vit d)? I won't do/take anything unless my doctor tells me to. I beleive that finding a good doctor in this area is absolutely crucial for recovery from these symptoms. Please be careful with what your taking if it's not coming from a doctor and you haven't researched it. I have read absolute horror stories about people crippling their bodies with drugs they aren't familiar with. Drugs like finasteride for example (not that anyone would be taking this for these symptoms, but just trying to make a point).

I dont see a quick fix to these symptoms without being willing to stick yourself in the arm twice a week which I am not. I want to run out of every option before going on trt and that's where I'm at right now..

As far as varicocele causing these symptoms I have mixed feelings. I'm probably sure it has some affect on hormones but not enough to make ones system completely crash like mine. I've had a varicocele for as long as I can remember and always have been horny until about a year and a half ago. I no longer use my varicocele as a scapegoat to blame these problems on, I've done it too long and there is not enough evidence to support it. All my doctors say this isnt the primary reason, two ultra-sounds confirmed no atrophy, it has never hurt, and I had the surgery done. Therefore I am looking elsewhere..

My current doctor beleives weakened adrenals or thyroid are the culprit in my case.

I will be trying a few new things in the future that I forgot to mention in my last post. First I'm done looking at porn. I've read about porn induced ED from desensitation. Two I am no longer going to overtrain myself at the gym. This is something I've done in the past and plan on correcting once I get back in the gym. Finally I plan on seeing an allergist for my corn allergy to find out what I should be avoiding and what I should be eating.

[southpaw41]

Wanted to stop in and give an update. For the second time this year I had a wet dream (last night) which surprised the **** out of me. I also had one 2-3 weeks after my varicocele surgery back in February. This must mean I am moving in the right direction.

I went to a well known allergist in my area today to look further into my corn allergy. It turns out I am not allergic to corn at all! The reason this showed up on my blood work is because corn is a relative of grass which I am allergic to. He ran all the corn tests he had and they all came back clearly negative. Hazelnuts and walnuts are the only foods I am allergic to so I will be avoiding them going forward. I have a very strong allergy to ragweed and varying allergies to grasses, trees, weeds, molds, dust, dust mites, cats, and mouse urine (yea idk)… The entire appointment was 3 hours and was very extensive.

The allergist doctor wants be to buy allergy safe micro fiber casings for my beds mattress, pillow, and box spring. Its a new bed and probably the best investment I ever made I am sleeping so much better now. Also he said air cleaners are worth their weight in gold for people with allergies like mine so I will be picking one of them up for my bedroom.

I will be sticking to the regimen listed above (minus the elimination of corn and its products) and hopefully be back in the gym next month (liver panel is still inflamed from mono I had back in August so I want to wait).

[aronaronaron]

any updates ??