rkd80
New member
Hi folks,
I realize this is my first post here, but I have been doing lots of research on my newly discovered blood work and end up on this forum all the time by accident - might as well ask and see what happens.
My story is somewhat straight forward, but it has taken a complicated twist.
- For half my life I had a peculiar problem, I could not heal. I have chronic joint/muscle aches in my neck, shoulder, right bicep, right achilles. All were related to some kind of sports trauma. I have 2 surgeries on my shoulder to no avail. I have tried every damn treatment possible: chrio, accupuncture, cortizone, surgery, non-stop PT, creams, supps, etc.
- Despite my constant trips to the gym, I could never pack muscle. I am 6'1, have been around 170lb for the past 10 years. Does not matter what I ate or did not eat.
- Could never grow a bushy beard, patches on face, weird.
- Started developing annoying ED problems. As I grew older they became more obvious and more frustrating. I just met a wonderful new girl and my stuff aint working at all. Libido is there (for now), but does not work.
- I have been having very painful and annoying testicular pain for the past 2.5 years. At first Urology recognized Prostatitis and put me on anti-biotics, but the pain never went away.
- Around 14 months ago I was getting tired of all the pain and lousy life and switched to Paleo.
I have been strict Paleo for the most part. Results:
- Leaned out a bit
- All inflammation and pain got better (but definitely still exists)
- More energy, I drink no caffeine.
- No stomach issues, no digestion problems, everything is great in that department.
However the ED and testicular pain continued to bother me. The muscle/joint aches are still bothersome and prevent me from enjoying my life. Now there are two additional issues.
- Sleep is HORRIBLE. I wake up at 2am and 5am every night After 5am I cannot fall back asleep. It is horrible and been happening for years.
- No morning erections. Just gone completely. Maybe related to sleep, I don't know.
- Not an issue per se, but very dry scalp. I no longer use chemicals (shampoo, body washes) and just do natural baking soda once in a while. Yet the hair continues to recede and dandruff does not go away.
So I went to my PCP to get a basic blood work panel done.
- Free Test: 361 Range: 350-1200
SHBG: 51 Range: 13-90 (really??)
Albumin: 3.9 Range: 3.5-5
Calc Free T: 196 Range: > 225
Viamin D: 29
I have been taking fish oil and D3, zinc (30mg) and magnesium (400mg) for a while. I lift heavy at the gym. I do hiit/sprints. Since I am paleo I eat tons of cholesterol, fat and protein. I am not really low carb, according to food journal roughly 70-100grams a day.
My PCP was a bit stunned by the numbers and I am off to Urology.
There is one tiny caveat worth mentioning. The test she had me do was at 3pm, not in the morning.
So few questions for u awesome people.
1) Because the test was taken at 3pm, will my numbers be wildly off when I take them again?
2) Is it fair to assume that I have been living a naturally T raising life style for the past year and if my numbers are this low, they would have been lower still or can Paleo cause this?
3) When I do see the urologist, what should I ask for? I assume everything u guys always mention? Dhea-S, e2, fsh, etc. What about cortisol? PSA?
4) I won't be seeing him for another month, but the ED and the testicular pain are killing me. Anything I can try in the meantime to alleviate the symptoms? (Naturally speaking)
Any advice would be appreciated!!!
EDIT: I forgot to mention that a year ago TSH was VERY VERY low, with elevated T3. 6 months later I had it tested again and it was normalized.
I realize this is my first post here, but I have been doing lots of research on my newly discovered blood work and end up on this forum all the time by accident - might as well ask and see what happens.
My story is somewhat straight forward, but it has taken a complicated twist.
- For half my life I had a peculiar problem, I could not heal. I have chronic joint/muscle aches in my neck, shoulder, right bicep, right achilles. All were related to some kind of sports trauma. I have 2 surgeries on my shoulder to no avail. I have tried every damn treatment possible: chrio, accupuncture, cortizone, surgery, non-stop PT, creams, supps, etc.
- Despite my constant trips to the gym, I could never pack muscle. I am 6'1, have been around 170lb for the past 10 years. Does not matter what I ate or did not eat.
- Could never grow a bushy beard, patches on face, weird.
- Started developing annoying ED problems. As I grew older they became more obvious and more frustrating. I just met a wonderful new girl and my stuff aint working at all. Libido is there (for now), but does not work.
- I have been having very painful and annoying testicular pain for the past 2.5 years. At first Urology recognized Prostatitis and put me on anti-biotics, but the pain never went away.
- Around 14 months ago I was getting tired of all the pain and lousy life and switched to Paleo.
I have been strict Paleo for the most part. Results:
- Leaned out a bit
- All inflammation and pain got better (but definitely still exists)
- More energy, I drink no caffeine.
- No stomach issues, no digestion problems, everything is great in that department.
However the ED and testicular pain continued to bother me. The muscle/joint aches are still bothersome and prevent me from enjoying my life. Now there are two additional issues.
- Sleep is HORRIBLE. I wake up at 2am and 5am every night After 5am I cannot fall back asleep. It is horrible and been happening for years.
- No morning erections. Just gone completely. Maybe related to sleep, I don't know.
- Not an issue per se, but very dry scalp. I no longer use chemicals (shampoo, body washes) and just do natural baking soda once in a while. Yet the hair continues to recede and dandruff does not go away.
So I went to my PCP to get a basic blood work panel done.
- Free Test: 361 Range: 350-1200
SHBG: 51 Range: 13-90 (really??)
Albumin: 3.9 Range: 3.5-5
Calc Free T: 196 Range: > 225
Viamin D: 29
I have been taking fish oil and D3, zinc (30mg) and magnesium (400mg) for a while. I lift heavy at the gym. I do hiit/sprints. Since I am paleo I eat tons of cholesterol, fat and protein. I am not really low carb, according to food journal roughly 70-100grams a day.
My PCP was a bit stunned by the numbers and I am off to Urology.
There is one tiny caveat worth mentioning. The test she had me do was at 3pm, not in the morning.
So few questions for u awesome people.
1) Because the test was taken at 3pm, will my numbers be wildly off when I take them again?
2) Is it fair to assume that I have been living a naturally T raising life style for the past year and if my numbers are this low, they would have been lower still or can Paleo cause this?
3) When I do see the urologist, what should I ask for? I assume everything u guys always mention? Dhea-S, e2, fsh, etc. What about cortisol? PSA?
4) I won't be seeing him for another month, but the ED and the testicular pain are killing me. Anything I can try in the meantime to alleviate the symptoms? (Naturally speaking)
Any advice would be appreciated!!!
EDIT: I forgot to mention that a year ago TSH was VERY VERY low, with elevated T3. 6 months later I had it tested again and it was normalized.
