Low T, LH, FSH, High E2, and High ED. :(

[the_z_train]

First off, hello to you good folks.

Well I have a problem. I tend to write a lot but I'll try to make it short.

I'm 27 years old (6', 150 lbs, 7%body fat)

About a year ago, I fell head over heels for a girl. After six months of dating, we finally start having sex or attempting it, and I discover I have ED issues (On good days that means delayed ejaculation but most times my dick is just fucking dead). Well I see my doctor and he chalks my problems up to performance anxiety and gives me Cialis samples. The problem persists, so I go for a blood test with both my doctor and see a urologist. Even with my lab results, my doctor tells me that it's all in my head and I''m within normal range. As well the urologist initially says it's most likely performance anxiety and gives me Viagra. Still doesn't work, the uro informs me that I am on the low end of the testosterone scale, and had other hormonal imbalances which could be leading to my problem.

1st test
testosterone, serum 307 [249 - 836] ng/dL
testosterone, free 9.9 [9.3 - 26.5] pg/mL
prolactin 3.6 [2.1 - 17.7] ng/mL
follice stimulating hormone 2.0 [1.4 -18.1] mIU/mL
Leuteinizing Hormone 2.4 [1.5 - 9.3] mIU/mL
TSH 0.62 [0.47 - 5.01] uIU/mL

2nd test (with uro)
testosterone, serum 361 [175 - 781] ng/dL
testosterone, free 12.0 [9.3 - 26.5] pg/mL
prolactin 6.6 [2.6 - 13.1] ng/mL
follice stimulating hormone 2.5 [1.3 -19.3] mIU/mL
Leuteinizing Hormone 3.4 [1.3 - 19.3] mIU/mL
estradiol 59 [20 -77] pg/mL
shbg 26.6 [14.5 - 48.4] nmoL/L


I've read and posted on other forums quite a bit, and realize that my low T may be due to excess aromatization which is why I have high E2.

Has anyone with similar results had successful results using just an AI?
I just turned 27 and am not sure I'm ready for TRT.

Or have some people managed to lower E2 and reduce T by eating certain foods, or taking supplements?

If I take an AI while trying to reduce stress and eat a well-balanced diet, will my body's hormonal control system return to normal? (if it ever was normal)?

I intend to stop running and switch to resistance exercise. I currently am skinny and a bit muscular, but if building more muscle helps boost my T, I'm all over that. I've been under high stress due to family situations, and grad school, but I never would think it f'ed me up this badly.

Unfortunately, I have not had a follow up visit with my uro since early October and I want to keep a relationship going. This is really hard since we haven't had good sex in over four months, and it seems things have got progressively worse. This of course has taken a big blow to my confidence. I can't seem to get a timely appointment with the urologist, and due to my luck I missed the last one when someone ran into my car.

I can pretty much say I've had symptoms of low T since finishing undergrad. Brain fog, low energy, and the works. I've never really been depressed, but I seemed to be merely existing , with no zest for life. I can live with all those, I just want a functional dick.

[Madlib]

Ever taken drugs for hair loss or depression/ anxiety?

[the_z_train]

Nope. My first doctor tried to prescribe Zoloft to me to treat performance anxiety (He's an idiot though). Didn't ever use the prescription as it's main side effect is decreased sex drive. I did end up trying some herbal supplements for what I thought was performance anxiety (Seredyn and Kava), which just mostly made me sleepy. This was all after the ED issue. Prior to that, I never used any drugs. Performance anxiety didn't make much sense to me either. I was nervous as hell the first few times I had sex, but I'm pretty sure my boner would have cut through steel then(sorry if that's TMI). And I have all my hair intact (though some slightly greying) so I never used hair loss drugs either.

[imrj]

check cortisol AM serum....check make sure you are getting solid sleep, no sleep apnea....restful and restorative sleep and the most important, no TRT or drug will overcome poor quality sleep, neither being in good shape either....sleep is #1

[whitegato777]

i agree but try a 24 hour saliva cortisol test and try and bring your estrogen down. if cortisol is high look into thyroid issues.

[railrider]

I have Thyroid issues and my endo shoots for .6 -1.0 on TSH.
I would try an AI (Aromasin by choice) and your E2 and SHBG will lower and your T and FT will raise and all should be good accoording to what has been shared.

[the_z_train]

Thanks for the suggestions. I finish grad school in December and will be getting a lot more regular sleep when that's done. I didn't know a little bit of stress would affect me this badly. I do fatigue easily and fall asleep when I shouldn't be sleeping, but I usually don't get the restful in-my-bed sleep. I'll ask my doctor about the cortisol test.

Is there any particular reason for suggesting Aromasin as opposed to Arimidex or Clomid? I know everyone's different, but is it common to see drastic swings in testosterone from using AIs. I'm well below optimal test for a 27 yr old (should be ~ 700ng/dL).
Lowering SHBG? Is that a good thing. That was one of my few numbers that appeared to be within normal range.

[kentek]

Z-Train,

@ 7% body fat You are almost dead!
I would go after your issue with diet first. You need a high fat (SATURATED) diet. Your brain is being starved of what it needs most: FAT. Guess where potency begins?
For you to be down to a 7% level you are probably on a restricted diet, maybe even a vegan. Drugs are not the answer IMO.
Go get a Big Mac!

I used to be a marathon runner. The lowest my body fat got was about 11% and i was 134# at 5'9". i ran about 60m/per week. I don't run anymore and i am up to 155# and much stronger. I still get about 40-50 miles per week speed skating. And I eat everything in sight.

My diet has been about the same all my life: high saturated fat- low carbs. I do a bit of dark chocolate now and then.

[the_z_train]

What the hell are you talking about? First off I am 6 ', 150 lbs, which is absolutely in the normal weight and bmi range. Second, 5 to 8% body fat is typical for competitive male distance runners . I'd like to think I'm competitive since I qualified for the Boston. Athletes in other sports have even lower body fat percentages, and I'm pretty sure the majority don't have similar hormonal problems. And no I will not be eating a Big Mac. I used to eat that crap and I'm not going back. I will continue with a balanced diet and eat 3,000 healthy calories a day.

[the_z_train]

There is nothing abnormal about 7% body fat. The typical bf% for competitive males in distance running is between 5 and 8%, and athletes in other sports, particularly endurance sports have even lower numbers. And yes I'd say I'm a competitive distance runner (I qualified for the Boston). How the hell you derived that I had an issue with diet from any of my posts is comical to me. Not to mention I'm 6' and 150 lbs which puts me in normal weight and bmi category. I exercise a lot (swim, run, soccer), and I enjoy it, hence I have low body fat %. I think I am safe to say that the great majority of endurance athletes do not have low testosterone and other hormonal imbalances, so my concern is legitimate. I actually eat over 3000 calories a day (more on days that I exercise), and eat a balanced diet of proteins, healthy fats, and carbs. No I'm not almost dead (wtf?) and don't appear to be, but you appear to have no idea what you're talking about. And no thanks on the big mac.