JYD
Active member
Hey Guys,
I'm 35, great shape, longtime lifter, 190lbs, 12% BF. I started a cycle of DAA/Triazole on December 1st, 2011. I stopped on December 31st - 4 weeks total. I am an American living in Australia.
On December 28th, 2011 I noticed the following symptoms: SUDDEN loss of erection quality, weaker urine stream, disrupted sleep to urinate, irritability, anxiety, libido loss, fatigue, loss of motivation, lost sense of well-being. This progressed as the weeks went on. I saw a GP and explained things and he suggested I get a blood tests to check for testosterone levels and other things.
Here are (some) of the results from my 8:30am Jan. 18th, 2012 blood test:
-Prolactin - 151 mIU/?L (85 - 500)
-Cholesterol - 4.2 mmol/L (3.9 - 5.5)
-FSH - 2.4 U/L (1.5 - 13.0)
-LH - 4.8 U/L (2.0 - 10.0)
-Testosterone - 14.3 (11.5 - 32.0)
***I was ALARMED that my test, FSH, and LH were all in the low-normal range. How could this be?? For years my libido was ALWAYS very high and I was always very aggressive and positive. The low-normal scores were very surprising. I don't think the supplements had anything to do with my symptoms. I do think the these had a problem with my prostate. ***
The urologist who looked at the above results was very non-chalante and said, "Your in the normal range, so there's no problem. IT IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD. Stop worrying so much and deal with stress and anxiety better." I decided to take another blood test upon the advice of my GP. I read that you can still exhibit these symptoms if you are in the low-normal range.
I asked for my GP to order a test for FREE Testosterone and here are the results from my Feb. 7th blood test (3 weeks later from 1st test):
Reproductive Hormones - Roche Method
Oestradiol - 86 pmol/L ( <160 )
Testosterone - 20.2 (11.5 - 32.0) ****UP from previous blood test***
SHBG - 28 nmol/L (15 - 50)
Free Androgen Index (FAI) - 72.1 % (15 - 100)
PSA - 1.6 ug/L ( 0.20 - 2.1 0 ) ***men 30 - 39, the median range is 0.75 ug/L***
A follow up rectal exam of my prostate revealed that it was VERY inflamed. I subsequently took urine tests to test for infection and all came back negative for infection.
QUESTIONS
How could my total test go up that much in 3 weeks?
Was my stress levels high enough to lower my test and experience these symptoms?
What does my SHBG score mean: am I in a good range?
What does the FAI score mean - it appears to be in a range as a percentage?
Did they FORGET to test my FREE testosterone?
Would my enlarged prostate cause the ED and lowered testosterone?
Overall, I should now tell you that during this time, I am about to move overseas after living in Australia for 3 years, I have very little money, I am in a relationship with a woman I may never see again, and my business that I own was driving me crazy.
My GP also found that my prostate was enlarged and I have been taking doxycycline and that seems to be making a positive impact on things.
As of today, my well-being and erection quality is slowly coming back.
Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!
I'm 35, great shape, longtime lifter, 190lbs, 12% BF. I started a cycle of DAA/Triazole on December 1st, 2011. I stopped on December 31st - 4 weeks total. I am an American living in Australia.
On December 28th, 2011 I noticed the following symptoms: SUDDEN loss of erection quality, weaker urine stream, disrupted sleep to urinate, irritability, anxiety, libido loss, fatigue, loss of motivation, lost sense of well-being. This progressed as the weeks went on. I saw a GP and explained things and he suggested I get a blood tests to check for testosterone levels and other things.
Here are (some) of the results from my 8:30am Jan. 18th, 2012 blood test:
-Prolactin - 151 mIU/?L (85 - 500)
-Cholesterol - 4.2 mmol/L (3.9 - 5.5)
-FSH - 2.4 U/L (1.5 - 13.0)
-LH - 4.8 U/L (2.0 - 10.0)
-Testosterone - 14.3 (11.5 - 32.0)
***I was ALARMED that my test, FSH, and LH were all in the low-normal range. How could this be?? For years my libido was ALWAYS very high and I was always very aggressive and positive. The low-normal scores were very surprising. I don't think the supplements had anything to do with my symptoms. I do think the these had a problem with my prostate. ***
The urologist who looked at the above results was very non-chalante and said, "Your in the normal range, so there's no problem. IT IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD. Stop worrying so much and deal with stress and anxiety better." I decided to take another blood test upon the advice of my GP. I read that you can still exhibit these symptoms if you are in the low-normal range.
I asked for my GP to order a test for FREE Testosterone and here are the results from my Feb. 7th blood test (3 weeks later from 1st test):
Reproductive Hormones - Roche Method
Oestradiol - 86 pmol/L ( <160 )
Testosterone - 20.2 (11.5 - 32.0) ****UP from previous blood test***
SHBG - 28 nmol/L (15 - 50)
Free Androgen Index (FAI) - 72.1 % (15 - 100)
PSA - 1.6 ug/L ( 0.20 - 2.1 0 ) ***men 30 - 39, the median range is 0.75 ug/L***
A follow up rectal exam of my prostate revealed that it was VERY inflamed. I subsequently took urine tests to test for infection and all came back negative for infection.
QUESTIONS
How could my total test go up that much in 3 weeks?
Was my stress levels high enough to lower my test and experience these symptoms?
What does my SHBG score mean: am I in a good range?
What does the FAI score mean - it appears to be in a range as a percentage?
Did they FORGET to test my FREE testosterone?
Would my enlarged prostate cause the ED and lowered testosterone?
Overall, I should now tell you that during this time, I am about to move overseas after living in Australia for 3 years, I have very little money, I am in a relationship with a woman I may never see again, and my business that I own was driving me crazy.
My GP also found that my prostate was enlarged and I have been taking doxycycline and that seems to be making a positive impact on things.
As of today, my well-being and erection quality is slowly coming back.
Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!
