CaptnCaveman
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Hello all,
I just had some bloodwork drawn, and my test levels are out of whack. I'm really not sure what is going on that could be causing this, as I've yet to get a full hormonal blood work up (hopefully Mon when I go see my doc), but it's really bothering me and I was hoping someone could shed some light on possible causes in the mean time.
Here's a quick rundown of a background that may be pertinent. I'm 28 years old. 255lbs. The previous five years I was in very bad shape physically, and mentally. I was 350lb, smoked, binge drank, was on prescription narcotics for a back injury, and on depression and anxiety medications. Last Dec. I finally decided I needed to make changes in my life and did so. I lost 95lb, quit smoking, quit drinking, was able to get off all my medications, and starting lifting weights and working out again, which is what led me to this forum. I feel like a new man, except that I've been having some symptoms of low T for years now. I was told my psychiatrist had done tests on my T levels, as I had brought up low T as a possible cause of my depression, but they told me my T levels were normal...
When I decided to get healthy and started losing weight, I tried to detox my body naturally, and only put things that are natural into it. I feel like I had great success with it. I had more energy, my libido went up (slightly), and I just felt healthy. The dietary changes and renewed energy encouraged me to start exercising, and doing research on how to properly eat and train. It also helped me to understand that muscle growth, and fat reduction is enhanced by testosterone. Since I learned that I have been trying different ways to boost my testosterone levels naturally, eg. zinc, boron, healthy fats, tribulus, DAA. I also came across some information on dhea, and it sounded like it could be beneficial, so I bought a bottle and took it for two months. 50mg, once daily. I was aware that it may have negative, or no effect on a younger man, but to my amazement when I took it I felt like superman. My energy went through the roof, my concentration was great, my libido was out of control, and I just felt great all around. Then towards the end of the two months, I just started to feel like complete crap. I had no energy, was rundown and tired all the time, and had no libido. I'm not sure what caused all of that, but I'm guessing possibly conversion into estrogen for my body to try and balance itself out. All the symptoms subsided within a week of stopping it, and I pretty much felt like myself again, but with noticeably lower libido than I have ever had.
After about a month of just taking a multi, zinc, and boron supplement, I bought some tribulus (supposedly compounded with crysin), and noticed a slight increase in my libido while taking it. After taking it for about two weeks I bought some bulk DAA powder to stack it with, and it seemed like my test levels went up semi-noticeably. I noticed increased aggression, and a couple pimples on my shoulders. After taking the DAA for about two weeks however, I started feeling like I was retaining water, and losing muscle, and felt like my body might have been converting alot of test to estrogen. I stopped taking the daa after the two week mark, and the labs I had done were on the last day that I was taking the daa. Since I've been off it for about a week I don't really feel like I'm retaining as much water, but I still feel, weak, moody, and rundown. My strength has also taking a noticeable decrease on my lifts.
My test levels were:
Total: 242ng/dl
Free: 39.2pg/ml
Also, it might be worth noting that my liver enzymes came back elevated. I do take a cheap bulk creatine powder, and have heard that can cause elevated liver functions, but I can't be sure that is what caused them.
ALT: 171
AST: 58
So my question is, can anyone shed some possible scenarios on why my test levels are that of a 90 yr old? I've been doing alot of research, and some possibilities I've come up with are that; 1.) Taking dhea either shutdown my normal test production, or caused adreanal fatigue? 2.)Since my bf was/is so high, that I'm converting most test to estro, lowering test levels?
I'm not really sure what to think, I tried to call and get my medical records of the past blood tests testosterone levels that my psych said they checked, but the clerk said that they had no records of bloods with test levels, so I don't know if they actually checked them as I never asked to see the results for myself... I may have had low test levels for years now, and never known about it until now. As I said, I plan on telling my dr. monday that I want a full hormone panel drawn, and will go from there, but an insight would be appreciated. I also had a vasectomy this spring, which could be a possible cause, so I thought I'd throw that in as well. Thanks in advance for any input.
I just had some bloodwork drawn, and my test levels are out of whack. I'm really not sure what is going on that could be causing this, as I've yet to get a full hormonal blood work up (hopefully Mon when I go see my doc), but it's really bothering me and I was hoping someone could shed some light on possible causes in the mean time.
Here's a quick rundown of a background that may be pertinent. I'm 28 years old. 255lbs. The previous five years I was in very bad shape physically, and mentally. I was 350lb, smoked, binge drank, was on prescription narcotics for a back injury, and on depression and anxiety medications. Last Dec. I finally decided I needed to make changes in my life and did so. I lost 95lb, quit smoking, quit drinking, was able to get off all my medications, and starting lifting weights and working out again, which is what led me to this forum. I feel like a new man, except that I've been having some symptoms of low T for years now. I was told my psychiatrist had done tests on my T levels, as I had brought up low T as a possible cause of my depression, but they told me my T levels were normal...
When I decided to get healthy and started losing weight, I tried to detox my body naturally, and only put things that are natural into it. I feel like I had great success with it. I had more energy, my libido went up (slightly), and I just felt healthy. The dietary changes and renewed energy encouraged me to start exercising, and doing research on how to properly eat and train. It also helped me to understand that muscle growth, and fat reduction is enhanced by testosterone. Since I learned that I have been trying different ways to boost my testosterone levels naturally, eg. zinc, boron, healthy fats, tribulus, DAA. I also came across some information on dhea, and it sounded like it could be beneficial, so I bought a bottle and took it for two months. 50mg, once daily. I was aware that it may have negative, or no effect on a younger man, but to my amazement when I took it I felt like superman. My energy went through the roof, my concentration was great, my libido was out of control, and I just felt great all around. Then towards the end of the two months, I just started to feel like complete crap. I had no energy, was rundown and tired all the time, and had no libido. I'm not sure what caused all of that, but I'm guessing possibly conversion into estrogen for my body to try and balance itself out. All the symptoms subsided within a week of stopping it, and I pretty much felt like myself again, but with noticeably lower libido than I have ever had.
After about a month of just taking a multi, zinc, and boron supplement, I bought some tribulus (supposedly compounded with crysin), and noticed a slight increase in my libido while taking it. After taking it for about two weeks I bought some bulk DAA powder to stack it with, and it seemed like my test levels went up semi-noticeably. I noticed increased aggression, and a couple pimples on my shoulders. After taking the DAA for about two weeks however, I started feeling like I was retaining water, and losing muscle, and felt like my body might have been converting alot of test to estrogen. I stopped taking the daa after the two week mark, and the labs I had done were on the last day that I was taking the daa. Since I've been off it for about a week I don't really feel like I'm retaining as much water, but I still feel, weak, moody, and rundown. My strength has also taking a noticeable decrease on my lifts.
My test levels were:
Total: 242ng/dl
Free: 39.2pg/ml
Also, it might be worth noting that my liver enzymes came back elevated. I do take a cheap bulk creatine powder, and have heard that can cause elevated liver functions, but I can't be sure that is what caused them.
ALT: 171
AST: 58
So my question is, can anyone shed some possible scenarios on why my test levels are that of a 90 yr old? I've been doing alot of research, and some possibilities I've come up with are that; 1.) Taking dhea either shutdown my normal test production, or caused adreanal fatigue? 2.)Since my bf was/is so high, that I'm converting most test to estro, lowering test levels?
I'm not really sure what to think, I tried to call and get my medical records of the past blood tests testosterone levels that my psych said they checked, but the clerk said that they had no records of bloods with test levels, so I don't know if they actually checked them as I never asked to see the results for myself... I may have had low test levels for years now, and never known about it until now. As I said, I plan on telling my dr. monday that I want a full hormone panel drawn, and will go from there, but an insight would be appreciated. I also had a vasectomy this spring, which could be a possible cause, so I thought I'd throw that in as well. Thanks in advance for any input.