My introduction.....

[LW64]

Of course one paper proves nothing.

But did you hear anyone even suggest the possibility that carb restriction is the reason why lipids normalize instead of it only being associated with weight loss, no matter what diet approach is taken?

I didnt. At least not before I started looking into LCHF.

 

[idmd]

Of course one paper proves nothing.

But did you hear anyone even suggest the possibility that carb restriction is the reason why lipids normalize instead of it only being associated with weight loss, no matter what diet approach is taken?

I didnt. At least not before I started looking into LCHF.

Nope.....but this is not my area of expertise so why would I have?

 

[LW64]

It isnt my area of expertise as well. What I've found surprising - shocking, actually - is the degree to which so much about human nutrition still remains undetermined.

 

[idmd]

So I thought it was time for an update. Briefly I started here:

4/11/2012 (non-fasting)
TSH Ultrasensitive: 5.07 uIU/mL [0.49-4.67]
AST: 42 U/L [6-60]
ALT: 88 U/L [9-67]
Antithyroglobulin Ab: 54.7 IU/mL [<116]
Thyroperoxidase Ab: 6.8 IU/mL [<34]
Free T4: 1.32 ng/dL [0.71-1.85]
T3 Total: 119.9 ng/dL [84.6-201.8]
Testosterone: 196 ng/dL [240-950]
Free Testosterone: 7.1 ng/dL [9-30]
Total Cholesterol: 194 mg/dL [125-200]
HDL: 47 mg/dL [>40]
Triglycerides: 119 mg/dL [<150]
LDL: 123 mg/dL [<130]
CHOL/HDLC Ratio: 4.1 [<5.0]
Non-HDL CHOL: 147 mg/dL

Lost 30 lbs, cleaned up my diet, exercise 3-4x per week including lifting and cardio and started on 100mcg Synthroid and got to here:

8/2/12
Total Test: 500 (240-950)
Free Test: 14 (9-30)
LH: 5.1 (1.5-9.3)
FSH: 5.5 (1.6-8.0)
E2: 22 (<39)
SHBG: 19 (10-50)

Free T4: 1.30 (0.71-1.85)
Total T3: 93 (84.6-201.8)
TSH: 1.87 (0.50-4.65)

Decided to try TRT and see if I feel better and/or could get more physical changes. Took 50mg test cyp twice per week and Adex E3D for 2 months. This was taken three days after last injection (I was due for an injection that day so presumably these are trough levels).

10/2/12
tT: 500 (348-1197)
fT: 18.1 (8.7-25.1)
E2: 13 (7.6-42.6)– still taking 1.0mg Adex E3D
SHBG: 15 (16.5-55.9)

ALT, C-peptide, insulin are all right down the middle of the range now. Fasting glucose is 86.

Total Cholesterol: 175 mg/dL [125-200]
HDL: 55 mg/dL [>40]
Triglycerides: 98 mg/dL [<150]
LDL: 100 mg/dL [<130]

Also bumped my Vit-B12 and D3 up:

Vit B12: 1000 (211-946) up from 522
Vit D3: 53.1 (30-100) up from 31

Still down 40lbs but have been lifting a lot more and adding lean mass. I’m about to do another push to lose another 30 lbs. Overall I feel the same mentally as I did before TRT (but after weight loss) with my tT at 500. Physically I do notice the gym is easier, my recovery is faster and I’m not at all fatigued like I used to be at work. People have mentioned I look "healthier" and "younger". Apparently I was looking a little gray before.

It’s my birthday and have to say I feel 1000X better this year than I did last year. Last year I thought I was dying and this year I’m really enjoying myself and my life.

 

[LW64]

Good results!

Happy Birthday!

 

[cvictorg]

So I thought it was time for an update. Briefly I started here:

4/11/2012 (non-fasting)
TSH Ultrasensitive: 5.07 uIU/mL [0.49-4.67]
AST: 42 U/L [6-60]
ALT: 88 U/L [9-67]
Antithyroglobulin Ab: 54.7 IU/mL [<116]
Thyroperoxidase Ab: 6.8 IU/mL [<34]
Free T4: 1.32 ng/dL [0.71-1.85]
T3 Total: 119.9 ng/dL [84.6-201.8]
Testosterone: 196 ng/dL [240-950]
Free Testosterone: 7.1 ng/dL [9-30]
Total Cholesterol: 194 mg/dL [125-200]
HDL: 47 mg/dL [>40]
Triglycerides: 119 mg/dL [<150]
LDL: 123 mg/dL [<130]
CHOL/HDLC Ratio: 4.1 [<5.0]
Non-HDL CHOL: 147 mg/dL

Lost 30 lbs, cleaned up my diet, exercise 3-4x per week including lifting and cardio and started on 100mcg Synthroid and got to here:

8/2/12
Total Test: 500 (240-950)
Free Test: 14 (9-30)
LH: 5.1 (1.5-9.3)
FSH: 5.5 (1.6-8.0)
E2: 22 (<39)
SHBG: 19 (10-50)

Free T4: 1.30 (0.71-1.85)
Total T3: 93 (84.6-201.8)
TSH: 1.87 (0.50-4.65)

Decided to try TRT and see if I feel better and/or could get more physical changes. Took 50mg test cyp twice per week and Adex E3D for 2 months. This was taken three days after last injection (I was due for an injection that day so presumably these are trough levels).

10/2/12
tT: 500 (348-1197)
fT: 18.1 (8.7-25.1)
E2: 13 (7.6-42.6)– still taking 1.0mg Adex E3D
SHBG: 15 (16.5-55.9)

ALT, C-peptide, insulin are all right down the middle of the range now. Fasting glucose is 86.

Total Cholesterol: 175 mg/dL [125-200]
HDL: 55 mg/dL [>40]
Triglycerides: 98 mg/dL [<150]
LDL: 100 mg/dL [<130]

Also bumped my Vit-B12 and D3 up:

Vit B12: 1000 (211-946) up from 522
Vit D3: 53.1 (30-100) up from 31

Still down 40lbs but have been lifting a lot more and adding lean mass. I’m about to do another push to lose another 30 lbs. Overall I feel the same mentally as I did before TRT (but after weight loss) with my tT at 500. Physically I do notice the gym is easier, my recovery is faster and I’m not at all fatigued like I used to be at work. People have mentioned I look "healthier" and "younger". Apparently I was looking a little gray before.

It’s my birthday and have to say I feel 1000X better this year than I did last year. Last year I thought I was dying and this year I’m really enjoying myself and my life.

The happiest of birthdays to you

 

[keriheat]

The happiest of birthdays to you

Ditto, Ditto, Now you can at least blow the candles out without getting dizzy!

 

[toolman]

So I thought it was time for an update. Briefly I started here:

4/11/2012 (non-fasting)
TSH Ultrasensitive: 5.07 uIU/mL [0.49-4.67]
AST: 42 U/L [6-60]
ALT: 88 U/L [9-67]
Antithyroglobulin Ab: 54.7 IU/mL [<116]
Thyroperoxidase Ab: 6.8 IU/mL [<34]
Free T4: 1.32 ng/dL [0.71-1.85]
T3 Total: 119.9 ng/dL [84.6-201.8]
Testosterone: 196 ng/dL [240-950]
Free Testosterone: 7.1 ng/dL [9-30]
Total Cholesterol: 194 mg/dL [125-200]
HDL: 47 mg/dL [>40]
Triglycerides: 119 mg/dL [<150]
LDL: 123 mg/dL [<130]
CHOL/HDLC Ratio: 4.1 [<5.0]
Non-HDL CHOL: 147 mg/dL

Lost 30 lbs, cleaned up my diet, exercise 3-4x per week including lifting and cardio and started on 100mcg Synthroid and got to here:

8/2/12
Total Test: 500 (240-950)
Free Test: 14 (9-30)
LH: 5.1 (1.5-9.3)
FSH: 5.5 (1.6-8.0)
E2: 22 (<39)
SHBG: 19 (10-50)

Free T4: 1.30 (0.71-1.85)
Total T3: 93 (84.6-201.8)
TSH: 1.87 (0.50-4.65)

Decided to try TRT and see if I feel better and/or could get more physical changes. Took 50mg test cyp twice per week and Adex E3D for 2 months. This was taken three days after last injection (I was due for an injection that day so presumably these are trough levels).

10/2/12
tT: 500 (348-1197)
fT: 18.1 (8.7-25.1)
E2: 13 (7.6-42.6)– still taking 1.0mg Adex E3D
SHBG: 15 (16.5-55.9)

ALT, C-peptide, insulin are all right down the middle of the range now. Fasting glucose is 86.

Total Cholesterol: 175 mg/dL [125-200]
HDL: 55 mg/dL [>40]
Triglycerides: 98 mg/dL [<150]
LDL: 100 mg/dL [<130]

Also bumped my Vit-B12 and D3 up:

Vit B12: 1000 (211-946) up from 522
Vit D3: 53.1 (30-100) up from 31

Still down 40lbs but have been lifting a lot more and adding lean mass. I’m about to do another push to lose another 30 lbs. Overall I feel the same mentally as I did before TRT (but after weight loss) with my tT at 500. Physically I do notice the gym is easier, my recovery is faster and I’m not at all fatigued like I used to be at work. People have mentioned I look "healthier" and "younger". Apparently I was looking a little gray before.

It’s my birthday and have to say I feel 1000X better this year than I did last year. Last year I thought I was dying and this year I’m really enjoying myself and my life.

I'm curious IDMD why did you start TRT if your test numbers were already in the 500 range?

 

[idmd]

Good question toolman...

Honestly, PRE-TRT tT was 500 and this represented my peak test level and I felt good. I should add I was taking 1mg of Adex E3D so this number may have been a little inflated. I just wondered if 500 felt good how would 750 feel? Would it really make a difference?

On TRT my trough is at 500 now and overall I feel the same mentally but even better physically.

Could I live at at a tT of 500 off TRT? Sure. But I felt so bad for so long I'm more interested in feeling as good as I can now. Also, my baby making days are over so that's not an issue.

 

[idmd]

I'll add too that for two shots and two pills per week my TRT is super easy and even though insurance won't cover the test cyp it's $110 every 3 months. Not a big deal. At this point I just feel better knowing my test levels are going to be consistently where I want them.

I really don't see an advantage to trying a restart at this point while everything is going well.

 

[Sworder]

Happy Birthday! Glad you are feeling better!

 

[idmd]

Doctor added 25mcg of cytomel on top of my 100mcg of Synthroid for a few weeks. Really good energy and even sleeping better. Had palpitations on/off so backed down to 12.5mcg Cytomel per day and stayed with 100mcg Synthroid and now no palpitations but I've kept the increase in energy.

Honestly I felt like I was at 95% before and the Cytomel has pushed me the other 5%. Feel really really good at the moment!

 

[idmd]

So I'm at 75mg test cyp 2x per week and stopped the AI all together a few weeks ago. Zero estrogen sides...I don't think I ever had an estrogen problem.

I think the whole idea of obesity-induced low T via increased aromatized E2 is flawed. I'll get blood work next week but....

 

[LW64]

I'll get blood work next week but....

Should be interesting.

 

[idmd]

Lab results are in and mixed. I will preface this with I have not gained any weight from last labs BUT I have not lost any weight either. Also, I have started to let relatively small amounts of simple carbs into my diet. Since my last labs I've increased my test cyp from 100mg/week to 150mg/week. I reduced my D3 intake from 15000UI/d to 5000UI/d and I added 12.5mcg of T3. Lastly I reduced my aromasin from 25 mg EOD to 12.5mg EOD to zero over this time.

The most interesting results - previous results from 10/2/12:

ALT: 51 UI/L (0-44) previous result 38
Total Cholesterol: 206 mg/dL (100-199) previous result 175
LDL: 134 mg/dL (0-99) previous result 100
HDL: 58 mg/dL (>39) previous result 55

tT: 778 ng/dL (348-1197) previous result 500
fT: 25.1 pg/mL (8.7-25.1) previous result 18.1
E2: 21.4 pg/mL (7.6-42.6) previous result 13

TSH: 1.290 uIU/mL (0.450-4.50) previous result 1.87
Free T4: 1.31 ng/dL (0.82-1.77) previous result 1.29
Free T3: 4.8 pg/mL (2.0-4.4) not previously tested
Reverse T3: 18.3 ng/dL (9.2-24.1) not previously tested

Vit D3: 38.9 ng/mL (30-100) previous result 53.1

Conclusions:

1. Carbs are evil and my nonalcoholic fatty liver is back. I need to go low carb again and start losing additional weight ASAP!

2. My test levels are more ideal now. I feel stronger and I feel better. E2 is dialed in pretty well. My peepee works great. Libido is present but not high.

3. My small addition of T3 has put my free T3 just over the high end. I have no anxiety, jitters, palpitations, hot flashed, etc and energy level is really good.

4. Vit D3 crashed on me....back to 15000UI/d. Of noted and probably coincidental is I haven't been sick a single time since getting my D3 up and today I have a cold.

As always comments welcome!

 

[idmd]

BTW....this blood was given 24 hours after test injection.

 

[toolman]

Lab results are in and mixed. I will preface this with I have not gained any weight from last labs BUT I have not lost any weight either. Also, I have started to let relatively small amounts of simple carbs into my diet. Since my last labs I've increased my test cyp from 100mg/week to 150mg/week. I reduced my D3 intake from 15000UI/d to 5000UI/d and I added 12.5mcg of T3. Lastly I reduced my aromasin from 25 mg EOD to 12.5mg EOD to zero over this time.

The most interesting results - previous results from 10/2/12:

ALT: 51 UI/L (0-44) previous result 38
Total Cholesterol: 206 mg/dL (100-199) previous result 175
LDL: 134 mg/dL (0-99) previous result 100
HDL: 58 mg/dL (>39) previous result 55

tT: 778 ng/dL (348-1197) previous result 500
fT: 25.1 pg/mL (8.7-25.1) previous result 18.1
E2: 21.4 pg/mL (7.6-42.6) previous result 13

TSH: 1.290 uIU/mL (0.450-4.50) previous result 1.87
Free T4: 1.31 ng/dL (0.82-1.77) previous result 1.29
Free T3: 4.8 pg/mL (2.0-4.4) not previously tested
Reverse T3: 18.3 ng/dL (9.2-24.1) not previously tested

Vit D3: 38.9 ng/mL (30-100) previous result 53.1

Conclusions:

1. Carbs are evil and my nonalcoholic fatty liver is back. I need to go low carb again and start losing additional weight ASAP!

2. My test levels are more ideal now. I feel stronger and I feel better. E2 is dialed in pretty well. My peepee works great. Libido is present but not high.

3. My small addition of T3 has put my free T3 just over the high end. I have no anxiety, jitters, palpitations, hot flashed, etc and energy level is really good.

4. Vit D3 crashed on me....back to 15000UI/d. Of noted and probably coincidental is I haven't been sick a single time since getting my D3 up and today I have a cold.

As always comments welcome!

Did you run a CBC?

 

[idmd]

Sure did....those were just the interesting results....CBCs was all normal except RBCs were slightly elevated 5.84 x10^6/mL (4.14-5.80). The only things close to being elevated were hematocrit at 49.2 (37.5-51) as was hemoglobin 17.0 g/dL (12.6-17.7). Everything else was down the middle.

 

[toolman]

Sure did....those were just the interesting results....CBCs was all normal except RBCs were slightly elevated 5.84 x10^6/mL (4.14-5.80). The only things close to being elevated were hematocrit at 49.2 (37.5-51) as was hemoglobin 17.0 g/dL (12.6-17.7). Everything else was down the middle.

Other than carbs did your diet change to account for the increase in ldl. I recall reading that AI's can also increase your ldl as well.

 

[toolman]

Other than carbs did your diet change to account for the increase in ldl. I recall reading that AI's can also increase your ldl as well.

carbs aren't evil, but grain based carbs are. I have been grain free for a couple months and my labs are great. Also the most cut and vascular I have ever been. I miss the bread and pasta at first but you get used to it. You get all the carbs and fiber you'll need from eating veggies. Fish and chicken for the protien. I know everyone has different diet theories but this has really worked for me.