Bloodwork interpretation

[Dunkirk]

I had my bloodwork done recently and I have a few markers that are slightly out of range. Nothing too concerning to me, but wanted to get other opinions here. Please keep in mind I'm not using online advice for medical purpose. My appointment with my PCP is not for another 10 weeks (love the VA, right?), I'm simply asking for some lifestyle advice to keep things in check to when my bloodwork will be retested prior to my appointment.

I'm 5'-6", 152 lbs about (12%BF). I was on a pretty steep calorie deficit consuming 1500 calories per day, dumb but it did get the job done. That's in the past and will not repeat. I did start 125mg weekly of Test E (2x week) then retest in 6 weeks, also taking Reta 3mg/week. Will maintain that for now. Moving forward I'm increasing calories to ~2500 slowly, about 300 every week. Currently I'm at 2100 and plan to maintain that maybe for 8. If I'm still losing weight after 4 I'll bump up again. Goal to gain 0.5-1 lbs per week.

My workout has not changed, 3 on 1 off with cardio 3x per week which consists of 120-130 bpm for 30 minutes. I take rest days if needed or do a light workout when I don't feel fully recovered. I also hit 10k+ steps a day.

Of the 2100 calories, I have 45%carbs, 25%fat, 30%protein. Ultimately the goal is to hit 1-1.2g of protein per pound, then rest either carbs or fat. I've been pretty consistent about that for the last 3 weeks now.

Any opinions/suggestions are highly appreciated while I wait to see my PCP.

Side note: The numbers written in pencil next to the high markers were previous values from 2021.

 

[dionetib]

run the pictures through Grok Ai, should interpret it for you

 

[UncleBuns]

Looks pretty good. Keep an eye on LDL chol. Test can raise it for some. Insoluble fiber like psyllium husk daily is a cheap easy way to lower LDL and has other benefits as well.

 

[Dunkirk]

run the pictures through Grok Ai, should interpret it for you

I tried ChatGPT, not a fan. How does it compare?

Looks pretty good. Keep an eye on LDL chol. Test can raise it for some. Insoluble fiber like psyllium husk daily is a cheap easy way to lower LDL and has other benefits as well.

For some reason I always run LDL around that range, not sure why. Even when my diet was extremely clean. I'll take a look at that supplement anyway. My biggest two were TS4 and Insulin. No concerns there?

 

[UncleBuns]

I tried ChatGPT, not a fan. How does it compare?



For some reason I always run LDL around that range, not sure why. Even when my diet was extremely clean. I'll take a look at that supplement anyway. My biggest two were TS4 and Insulin. No concerns there?

Cholesterol is mostly genetic but can be pushed in a good or bad direction depending on lifestyle, nutrition, supplements etc. I don't think those lipid numbers are concerning but I would just keep an eye on them if you start testosterone. Lipids are only part of the equation for heart health. If you have a strong family history of heart disease then it's good to look into other factors beyond basic lipid panel.

T4 and insulin are only slightly out of range. Do you have labs on these values previous to calorie restriction? That would be useful information.

I know that T3 tends to lower over time during a period of calorie restriction and because most T3 comes from the body converting it from T4. If you were calorie restricting for a decent amount of time, then it's likely your T3 levels came down which means less T4 was being used so the number would go up a bit. It's only barely out of range anyhow.

Calorie restriction can also lead to lower basal insulin levels. Color restriction increases insulin sensitivity so the tissues of your body are more readily. Take up and use insulin which would lower the amount circulating. This value is barely out of range as well.

Since we're on the topic of calorie restriction, longer periods of calorie restriction can also lower testosterone levels. I don't know if your mind is made up on this, but it may be wise go to a calorie neutral or slight calorie surplus for 2 or 3 months and get your testosterone checked again. If the number is quite good you may reconsider. But if you have other reasons for doing this in your mind is made up then that's that.

 

[Dunkirk]

Cholesterol is mostly genetic but can be pushed in a good or bad direction depending on lifestyle, nutrition, supplements etc. I don't think those lipid numbers are concerning but I would just keep an eye on them if you start testosterone. Lipids are only part of the equation for heart health. If you have a strong family history of heart disease then it's good to look into other factors beyond basic lipid panel.

T4 and insulin are only slightly out of range. Do you have labs on these values previous to calorie restriction? That would be useful information.

I know that T3 tends to lower over time during a period of calorie restriction and because most T3 comes from the body converting it from T4. If you were calorie restricting for a decent amount of time, then it's likely your T3 levels came down which means less T4 was being used so the number would go up a bit. It's only barely out of range anyhow.

Calorie restriction can also lead to lower basal insulin levels. Color restriction increases insulin sensitivity so the tissues of your body are more readily. Take up and use insulin which would lower the amount circulating. This value is barely out of range as well.

Since we're on the topic of calorie restriction, longer periods of calorie restriction can also lower testosterone levels. I don't know if your mind is made up on this, but it may be wise go to a calorie neutral or slight calorie surplus for 2 or 3 months and get your testosterone checked again. If the number is quite good you may reconsider. But if you have other reasons for doing this in your mind is made up then that's that.

I appreciate the detailed response, it definitely helped out and put my mind at ease. I had a feeling it wasn't an issue just wanted to make sure I'm not being biased with my self diagnosis.

As for T4, my previous labs were always within range, the latest one from 2021 had me at 1.08. I know my PCP is having me run labs before seeing him and I'll see how these change. As for insulin, I never had that check, I went back to look and found nothing. I doubt it'll be added into the panel, so I'll check it when I retest for my T levels.

I did think about exactly what your said, waiting until I have a good calorie intake, the reason I decided against it was because I'm 37. While my levels will drop with the low calorie, I doubt I'm running 700ng/dl on a normal diet at my age. Not impossible, but not probable. I did contemplate between 100mg or 125mg, I went with the latter split into two doses, first one being this past Thursday. Hopefully that's conservative enough, and will retest in 6 weeks to see what my levels are at.

 

[oldgrey]

do you take t4? any old labs of cholesterol to compare?

Your labs look "fine" over all, but those two markers are interesting

 

[Dunkirk]

No, I don't take t4. Didn't know you could take it as a supplement. From previous labs, that one one jumped a good bit. I'll see how my diet changes it.

LDL is typical to previous results, it did go down when I started losing weight, but even when I was eating really healthy it never falls within range. Maybe I should bring it up for my next appointment.

 

[oldgrey]

No, I don't take t4. Didn't know you could take it as a supplement. From previous labs, that one one jumped a good bit. I'll see how my diet changes it.

LDL is typical to previous results, it did go down when I started losing weight, but even when I was eating really healthy it never falls within range. Maybe I should bring it up for my next appointment.

So that is your normal LDL levels? if so, then it's likely genetic and lifestyle related. get some ezetimibe, or at minimum start doing daily fasted cardio, increase fish oil, high fibre diet, and although not 100% correlated or science, I personally find lowering fat, /saturated fat and dietary cholesterol lowers my cholesterol. going from about 6-10 eggs/day to 2-5 had a significant impact

The high t4 is really weird in my opinion though, as tsh looks normal. test your reverse t3 unless you did and i missed it

and do you supplement selenium? do you consume a lot of iodine?

 

[Dunkirk]

My previous LDL numbers I know I didn't have a good diet, so it shouldn't be my normal. Reading your first paragraph, while I know there's genetics issues (dad), it's also lifestyle. When this most recent test was taken, I had just gotten off a carnivore diet (1/13), 6+ eggs a day (down to 2) and consuming a lot of iodized salt. That's all been reduced since.

I do fasted 20 minutes fasted, at a minimum 3 times a week. That was the case even before this test. It's been increased to 30 lately.

No selenium, nor a reverse t3 was done. I'll push my PCP more on this once I get my new bloodwork and appointment.

I appreciate all the help and feedback.

 

[oldgrey]

I ask about iodine as it is good for thyroid function, inadequate amounts = poorly operating thyroid.

Selenium and iodine are good for thyroid.

If genetic - Then you should def be careful with your cholesterol and look into meds if lifestyle doesn't fix. perhaps regardless.

do cardio everyday, add fishoil, and greatly increase fibre intake.

 

[Anonymous35]

Not too bad to be honest
If your natty it’s not great but if your on gear its ok
Nothing far out of ranges