First Blood Profile done...Weird results.

[Theipodpeople]

So three days ago I had my first blood work done, ever. Today they were faxed to me from the doctor, with the recommendation I eat more protein and healthy foods such as fish and meats.... That's kind of odd as I have AT LEAST 160grams a day no matter what, usually a lot more. I eat ONLY healthy foods, no butter loaded or fat exploding dishes, and almost no simple sugars other than fruits(eating around 2200 cals a day right now).
Doctor also said that I may be taking too much tylenol and maybe drinking way too much. Weird, haven't had a sip of alcohol in 2 months, and no tylenol in I can't remember how long.

I'm turning 20 in 3 days, I'm 6' 1", and now around 177lbs.

Here's what is out of range:

Absolute LYMPHOCYTES: 1197, Normal is 1200-5200cells/uL
BILIRUBIN: 1.4, Normal is 0.2-1.1 mg/dL (doctor said this means liver toxicity)
White Blood Cell Count: 3.2, Normal is 4.5-13 thousand/uL
Platelet Count: 110, Normal is 140-400 thousand/uL
Absolute NEUTROPHILS: 1610, Normal is 1800-8000 cells/uL

TRIGLYCERIDES: 34, Normal is 38-152 mg/dL
HDL CHOLESTEROL: 73, Normal is 31-65 mg/dL
^^^My total cholesterol is 166, and LDL is 86(those two are normal)

::::

Now, luckily I convinced the doctor to take my free testosterone as well, as she was reluctant saying that normally they don't do that unless there is a reason. I told her I just really wanted to know, and she was able to get it done.(without other hormones like estrogen though)

Although this didn't show as out of range, so I don't think she took notice, my levels were 271 ng/dL, while the reference range for adult males was 241-827 ng/dL. Now this kind of gets me thinking, because I'm 19 years old, and I haven't had a high libido since I was 16.(for about 8 months with this crazy girlfriend, all I wanted to do was ram her everyday). After that though, I hadn't had steady sex in a while, and maybe just some on and off flings. Now I could care less about sex, and literally sometimes don't masterbate because I'm too lazy. Maybe once every two weeks...

For a month and a half my daily supplements have looked like this:

1 MegaMen's sport Multivitamin
1 Green Tea Capsule(365mg)
2 Fish Oil Capsules
2-3 grams pure L-arginine (1g morning, 1g at night, 1g pre-workout)
5 grams pure Creatine Mono (Either morning or Post workout)
1 Slim Xtreme capsule in the morning
1 serving of ZMA before bed every night
(last week also have been using some leftover DCP)

Other than that I also take whey isolate post workout, and protein blends before bed or as meal replacements.

My diet is solid. Healthy foods, lean meats, complex carbs, barely any HFCS, fruits, a lot of veggies, and healthy fats.


::::

Does anyone have any insight into why I'm off in my blood work? And maybe the low testosterone is keeping me from the gains I should be making. I fear also having a higher estrogen level, but I can't be sure as I don't know.

I want to do something about this, what type of doctor should I see? And has anyone else had similar problems?

[JKBB44]

i had blood work done i eat healthy as well. I'm pretty sure if you excercise 12-24 hours before a blood test it can mess with the results.

[Cinn]

Your testosterone is not low. Being at the lower end of the reference range is still within the reference range. I may be able to give you a little more insight into your results if you post the rest of them; not just what was out of range.

[UKStrength]

High Bilirubin could mean a blockage of bile duct or in rare cases Gilbert's Syndrome (hereditary condition, patients have naturally elevated bilirubin).

Mine was elevated 3 months after a long injectible cycle with an oral DS on the end. After an abdominal ultrasound there was no damage at all, so it could have just been transient.

All I know is after 6 weeks of NAC, Milk thistle, ALA and fish oil supplementation my levels are normal again.

Have you run an PH/DS?

[Theipodpeople]

i had blood work done i eat healthy as well. I'm pretty sure if you excercise 12-24 hours before a blood test it can mess with the results.

Well the test was on Monday morning and Sundays are my rest days..

Your testosterone is not low. Being at the lower end of the reference range is still within the reference range. I may be able to give you a little more insight into your results if you post the rest of them; not just what was out of range.

Alright do you want everything? Because naturally there is a LOT. And you don't think my testosterone is low, especially for my age? I'm pretty sure my dad has much higher test than me and he's 62.

High Bilirubin could mean a blockage of bile duct or in rare cases Gilbert's Syndrome (hereditary condition, patients have naturally elevated bilirubin).

Mine was elevated 3 months after a long injectible cycle with an oral DS on the end. After an abdominal ultrasound there was no damage at all, so it could have just been transient.

All I know is after 6 weeks of NAC, Milk thistle, ALA and fish oil supplementation my levels are normal again.

Have you run an PH/DS?

I spoke to my dad yesterday about it, and he said his Bilirubin has been high his entire life, and that his doctors told him not to worry about it. So maybe its a good possibility its hereditary. I did buy milk thistle though and started using it yesterday.
And how high was yours elevated? What levels can cause liver damage?

And nope never run a PH/DS. I did however use a bottle of Alpha Drive XL Nutraplanet sent me with one of my orders a few months ago. I don't think that would cause these problems though..?

[UKStrength]

I spoke to my dad yesterday about it, and he said his Bilirubin has been high his entire life, and that his doctors told him not to worry about it. So maybe its a good possibility its hereditary. I did buy milk thistle though and started using it yesterday.

Sounds like Gilbert's Syndrome to me, tell your doc about your dad and don't worry about bilirubin then for subsequent blood panel results.

And how high was yours elevated? What levels can cause liver damage?

It's not just the levels but also the specific enzymes they test for. My AST was through the roof (65, normal range is 5-40 U/L) which shows general liver 'activity and stress' but is also raised with skeletal muscle damage (so is often high in active people).

ALT was fine (35, normal range 7-50), this enzyme more closely indicates liver cell integrity and is raised during acute liver damage.

ALP wasn't raised so there was no biliary obstruction.

GGT was also not raised (very sensitive marker of liver damage).

Blirubin was raised (15, normal range was 1-10 mg/L) which can indicate a blockage, cirrhosis, hepatitis or in your case most likely Gilbert's Syndrome, but since ALP was not increased it had to be hepatic damage/stress.

So I was pretty confused but I told my doctor about my steroid cycle and he suggested to stay off anything for a while until my liver recovered (which it has). It taught me a good lesson to respect your liver and don't listen to any idiot who tells you otherwise about 'toxicity'.

Alpha Drive XL is unlikely to have done anything, but it does have to be broken down by the liver so it can cause it some stress.

I don't think you should worry yourself too much mate. Eat healthily, train hard and stay away from alcohol if you're very concerned and re-test in 6 weeks.

[Cinn]

Alright do you want everything?

Yes.

[Cinn]

Sounds like Gilbert's Syndrome to me, tell your doc about your dad and don't worry about bilirubin then for subsequent blood panel results.

It's way premature to suggest GS with a slightly elevated bilirubin and no physical symptoms. Tons of other things can cause this. He would need a few other things first, including a liver panel and more than one bili result with total, direct and indirect.

It's not just the levels but also the specific enzymes they test for. My AST was through the roof (65, normal range is 5-40 U/L) which shows general liver 'activity and stress' but is also raised with skeletal muscle damage (so is often high in active people).

ALT was fine (35, normal range 7-50), this enzyme more closely indicates liver cell integrity and is raised during acute liver damage.

ALP wasn't raised so there was no biliary obstruction.

GGT was also not raised (very sensitive marker of liver damage).

Blirubin was raised (15, normal range was 1-10 mg/L) which can indicate a blockage, cirrhosis, hepatitis or in your case most likely Gilbert's Syndrome, but since ALP was not increased it had to be hepatic damage/stress.

Your elevated AST in the presence of a normal ALT actually points away from the liver as a source of your problems.

[Theipodpeople]

Yes.

Alright, test name on the left, results in the middle, and reference ranges to the right. Anything in bold indicates 'out-of-range' results.

--Lipid Panel--

triglycerides: 34 LOW: 38-152mg/dL
total cholesterol: 166: 125-170mg/dL
HDL cholesterol: 73 HIGH: 31-65mg/dL
LDL cholesterol: 86: <110mg/dL

chol/hdlc ratio: 2.3: <5.0


--Hepatitis Panel--
All tests say NON-REACTIVE
Hepatitis C antibody- Signal to cut off: 0.04: <1.00


--Comprehensive Metabolic Panel w/EGFR--

Glucose: 78: 65-99mg/dL
Urea Nitrogen: 19: 7-20mg/dL
Creatinine: 1.06: 0.67-1.26mg/dL
Sodium: 141: 135-146mmol/L
Potassium: 4.1: 3.8-5.1mmol/L
Chloride: 104: 98-110mmol/L
Carbon Dioxide: 31: 21-33mmol/L
Calcium: 9.6: 8.9-10.4mg/dL
Total Protein: 7.9: 6.3-8.2g/dL
Albumin: 4.8: 3.6-5.1g/dL
Globulin: 3.1: 2.1-3.5g/dL

Albumin/Globulin Ration: 1.5: 1.0-2.1
Total Bilirubin: 1.4 HIGH: 0.2-1.1mg/dL
Alkaline Phosphatase: 93: 48-230U/L

AST: 27: 12-32U/L
ALT: 21: 8-46U/L

--Urinalysis, Complete w/ Reflex to Culture--
Color: Yellow
Appearance: Clear
Specific Gravity: 1.005: 1.001-1.035
PH: 7.0: 5.0-8.0

Everything else in the Urinalysis part says either NEGATIVE or NONE SEEN

--CBC(includes diff/plt)--

White Blood Cell Count: 3.2 LOW: 4.5-13.0 Thousand/uL
Red Blood Cell Count: 4.25: 4.10-5.70 Million/uL
Hemoglobin: 13.4: 12.0-16.9g/dL
Hematocrit: 37.5: 36-49%
MCV: 88.1: 78-98fL
MCH: 31.6: 25.0-35.0pg
MCHC: 35.9: 31-36g/dL
RDW: 13.8: 11.0-15.0%
Platelet Count: 110 LOW: 140-400 Thousand/uL
Absolute Neutrophils: 1610 LOW: 1800-8000 cells/uL
Absolute Lymphocytes: 1197 LOW: 1200-5200 cells/uL
Absolute Monocytes: 262: 200-900cells/uL
Absolute Eosinophils: 112: 15-500cells/uL
Absolute Basophils: 19: 0-200cells/uL
::The next few reference ranges just say "%"::
Neutrophils: 50.3
Lymphocytes: 37.4
Monocytes: 8.2
Eosinophils: 3.5
Basophils: 0.6

--HIV AB, HIV 1/2, EIA with reflexes--
Non Reactive

--Reflexive Urine Culture--
No Culture Indicated

Total Testosterone: 271ng/dL: Adult Male Ref Range: 241-827ng/dL

TSH, 3rd Generation: 2.73: 0.50-4.30mIU/L
Vitamin B12: 858: 200-1100pg/mL
Hemoglobin A1c: 5.4: % of total Hgb, NON-DIABETIC: <6.0%

[Cinn]

Your results look fine dude. The high/low results aren't far outside of their ranges and the whole picture doesn't present any obvious concerns. Follow up with repeat blood work in a few weeks(you can skip the STD testing) if you want to establish a better baseline for yourself.

Your doc wasn't totally correct if he stated elevated bilirubin means liver toxicity. While it can point to that, it can mean several other things too. Your liver panel does not point to that and most likely it's nothing to worry about as it's not very high and isn't tying into anything else there.

As far as your testos...you're within range. Your normal level may not be the normal level of the next guy or the next but that's not really relevant. You can consult an endocrinologist if you are concerned(but it may not be worth the money if you didn't have any issues before you saw the number).

[Theipodpeople]

As far as your testos...you're within range. Your normal level may not be the normal level of the next guy or the next but that's not really relevant. You can consult an endocrinologist if you are concerned(but it may not be worth the money if you didn't have any issues before you saw the number).

I greatly appreciate the help man you seem to really know your stuff.

On the testosterone, I asked because I did really want to know. For a long time I just haven't felt like I should. It's hard to explain, but things that used to get me hyped now just kind of leave me wanting to do other things. For example, say some friends hit me up to go to some party and mac, I literally have to go through every reason why it will be fun just to go, and I won't even feel like showing up. When I get there I'll enjoy it, but I never want to go. When it comes to girls, yeah I definitely am attracted and want sex, but not nearly like I used to and it doesn't bother me that I don't have sex often. No doubt my libido isn't normal.

My emotions are mixed, sometimes I'm complacent and then some of the stupidest little things can bother me so much. I literally feel like a girl when I bitch about **** that I know doesn't matter.

ANYWAY, I'm going to have a full physical next week, and I'll see how we go with the endocrinologist. I appreciate the help bro!

[Steveoph]

All good points by Cinn. Low TGs and high HDL are probably better rather than worse. The only thing I'm curious about is the RBC and Platelet. Get FSH/LH and E2 done next time to help learn more about your hormonal flux.

[Mars1107]

After that though, I hadn't had steady sex in a while, and maybe just some on and off flings. Now I could care less about sex, and literally sometimes don't masterbate because I'm too lazy. Maybe once every two weeks...

I feel pretty similar but not as bad,

used to have a HUGE libido from 12-16

Now not so much, maybe 2-3 a week.

After you have sex do you feel kind weak? or something, like during it was awesome and afterward you kind of feel worse than when you had sex.

Im also similar age to you.

Ive only done like 1 DS.

But I read an article that said that long term weightlifting can actually lower your testoster. Counter that in, with were not in puberty anymore

[Mars1107]

The article,

By Dharkam

i posted the whole thing and did not link, because of board rules.

"Hypogonadism and natural bodybuilding

If bodybuilding is such a good testosterone booster, why do so many seasoned lifters suffer from a very low testosterone level? And I am not talking about former steroid users only. Are they all overtrained? The answer is no. The fact is, long term bodybuilding may not be that good for your endogenous testosterone production.

If you look at the scientific research measuring testosterone output after an intense workout, you will find that some studies show an increase. Others fail to demonstrate any effect on testosterone output. Also, some studies report a reduction in testosterone. So, the testosterone response to a workout is very hard to predict. But I can clearly see a trend: the more advanced you are, the less likely your are to respond positively.

Lactate as a powerful endocrine stimulator

There is a very interesting study that sums up those various trends. Sprinters ran 400 meters as fast as possible. The run lasted around 45 to 50 seconds. This is very interesting because this is how long a normal bodybuilding set lasts. Among these sprinters, some were of Olympic caliber with around 8 years of training. Others were not so advanced with only 4 years of practice under their belt. The elite sprinters produced the most effort in the least amount of time (45 s). Their blood lactic acid concentration increased 1100%. The less advanced sprinters cover the 400 m in 48 s. As their efforts were less intense, their blood lactic acid level increased only 800%. Because of those strong lactic acid elevations, one would expect testosterone level to increase. During an intense effort, the lactate from the lactic acid is supposed to be a very powerful endocrine stimulator.

As a result of this intense run, the luteneizing hormone (LH) level (the hormone triggering the testosterone release):

* almost doubled (+ 100%) in ALL the elite sprinters;
* in the less advanced runners, LH concentration raised only 25%. It increased in most runners of this group but decreased in a minority of them.

Normally, a LH elevation is associated with an increase in testosterone production. This is what we see in the less advanced runners with a 27% increase in total testosterone and a 60% increase in free testosterone. No matter how their LH responded, ALL of them experienced an elevation in blood testosterone.

45 seconds are enough to reduce your testosterone concentration!

The testosterone response in the elite athletes is far more interesting. Despite the very robust LH elevation, ALL of them experienced a decrease in testosterone output. Total and free testosterone decreased 11% and 26%, respectively. So much for the 45 min limit beyond which testosterone might start to decrease. We see in this study that in advanced athletes, an all out effort of 45 seconds is enough to decrease testosterone. This acute effort produced a long lasting negative effect. It took the sprinters 24 h to have their testosterone level back to normal.

Would steroid usage explain this strange phenomenon? I do not think so as their baseline testosterone, LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) [another testosterone stimulating hormone] levels were normal before the 400 meter run.

Testicular Exhaustion - Explanation for this Unexpected Response?

The answer to the paradox of having a strong LH elevation and negative testosterone response is simple. The testes of these advanced athletes are "exhausted". Their constant stimulation ends up having a very negative impact on their capacity to manufacture androgens.

In this study, this exhaustion occurred after only 8 years of training. Basal testosterone is not affected, yet. Subjects were still pretty young (25 year old), too. With more training years and as you get older, basal testosterone production is likely to suffer, too. I think this exhaustion explains why so many advanced (natural) bodybuilders end up having low levels of androgens or end up producing no testosterone at all.

An accelerated form of aging?

Note that the free (bio-available) testosterone is the most affected in both groups. It increased the most in the least experienced athletes compared to total testosterone. It decreased the most in the elite group. In that, it resembles to an accelerated form of aging. As we age, the production of the proteins that bind testosterone increases 1% every year. If our testosterone output decline yearly, our free portion is the most negatively affected.

What are the consequences bodybuilding training and testicular exhaustion?

The ‘testicular exhaustion’ is a factor one should take into account when planning his bodybuilding career. When you thing about it, the future does not look very bright. Up to the age of 25, I could tell that a workout, especially a leg workout, was increasing my testosterone level. More than 10 years later, such a feelable kick is very, very rare.

1. Unless you want to become a pro bodybuilders, I would not recommend starting using steroids before reaching this exhaustion stage.
2. Low calorie diets are obviously not a good thing for your testosterone output. This is why I am against the bulking up phase, especially for natural bodybuilders. Overfeeding is not a very strong stimulator for your testosterone production. On the other hand, underfeeding is a potent inhibitor of testosterone output. After several years of bulking up, a severe diet might precipitate this testes exhaustion.

The new logic of the aging bodybuilder

Statistical studies suggest that muscles can still grow despite a low testosterone output. In fact, muscles growth is more closely related to testosterone receptor density than testosterone level. This indirect finding suggests that testosterone receptors can self activate in the absence of testosterone if muscular contractions are intense enough. But in extreme case of exhaustion, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) might be the only solution."

[Mars1107]

most people say 18-21 is the PEAK.

I definately peaked my testosterone when i hit puberty 12-16.

I havent taken my test, bc of the same reason you said, doctors dont like to do it, but next time ill pressure him.

I always wanted to know. But for shure my test has been higher before.

Off bat i think id be higher than yours though,maybe 350-450, but im just guessing, im hoping thats where im at.

Id like to be at 1000,thatd probally be nice.

[UKStrength]

Great article mate, so perhaps trainees should be focusing more on the periodisation of their training/type of exercises (more low rep, low lactate accumulation exercises) to prevent this decline in testosterone?

[Theipodpeople]

most people say 18-21 is the PEAK.

I definately peaked my testosterone when i hit puberty 12-16.

I havent taken my test, bc of the same reason you said, doctors dont like to do it, but next time ill pressure him.

I always wanted to know. But for shure my test has been higher before.

Off bat i think id be higher than yours though,maybe 350-450, but im just guessing, im hoping thats where im at.

Id like to be at 1000,thatd probally be nice.

Haha yeah, me too. And that was some pretty interesting stuff... And I feel the same about the low libido situation. Although, I definitely went through puberty, I'm tall and so on, but it's not all done, because I still don't have enough facial hair.:[

But I'm wondering now about the low calorie diet part of the article, I've been cutting calories for exactly two months now.. coming straight off of a high calorie bulk. Maybe that could explain a lot..? I was probably eating around 3500-4000 calories a day, and now I'm around 2000-2200. Either way I'm going to get some things checked out.

I'll update this for sure.

[UKStrength]

But I'm wondering now about the low calorie diet part of the article, I've been cutting calories for exactly two months now.. coming straight off of a high calorie bulk. Maybe that could explain a lot..? I was probably eating around 3500-4000 calories a day, and now I'm around 2000-2200. Either way I'm going to get some things checked out.

I'll update this for sure.

This does play a massive role mate. I'm in the same situation (been cutting for months now). I slowly came down from 3500-4000kcal/day to currently 2400-2600kcal/day.

I'm very lean now, but I've felt my libido and aggressiveness decline as I droppped the cals, I've tried to compensate by doing extra cardio instead of dropping calories and it's made a bit of a difference but not much.

I think the key to it is very much to stay reasonably lean year-round (around 8-9% bf) and not 'bulk' and 'cut' constantly, adding mass slowly and 'trimming' the fat if it gets a little too high.

[Mars1107]

Great article mate, so perhaps trainees should be focusing more on the periodisation of their training/type of exercises (more low rep, low lactate accumulation exercises) to prevent this decline in testosterone?

Thanks

perhaps,

it also say at the end long trained athletes may have lower test levels, but there test receptors are upregulated. So you can still gain muscle.

As for training type, that sounds good, but i dont know.

I think beta alanine reduces lactate.

Thats a very good supp.

[Mars1107]

Haha yeah, me too. And that was some pretty interesting stuff... And I feel the same about the low libido situation. Although, I definitely went through puberty, I'm tall and so on, but it's not all done, because I still don't have enough facial hair.:[

But I'm wondering now about the low calorie diet part of the article, I've been cutting calories for exactly two months now.. coming straight off of a high calorie bulk. Maybe that could explain a lot..? I was probably eating around 3500-4000 calories a day, and now I'm around 2000-2200. Either way I'm going to get some things checked out.

I'll update this for sure.

i think facial hair is genetic, theres lots of guy who never get facial hair ever. Unless maybe if you took some DHT,haha.

I starting growing facial hair at 12,almost full beard by 16.

I think its very genetic.

Test and hair dont go hand in hand.