please interpret these test results (low T, high DHT, low LH, hi-normal SHBG)

[CowboyBob]

Would you please interpret the test results below and make suggestions. I am going to an endocrinologist later this week. I have never used AS and was not on any drugs or hormones for years before these tests. I am 38 yr old male. Symptoms are low testosterone, low libido, urinary issues like an enlarged prostate. Symptoms became worse each of 3 times I have had acute prostatitis, beginning about 15 years ago. I think I have chronic prostatitis now. I tried DHEA once and felt great for 2 weeks when my hair started to shed a Lot. I tried tribulus once and felt fantastic for 2 weeks, then it stopped. (Doesn't tribulis work by increasing LH?). My hair is pretty thick, despite the high DHT.

All results are from Quest Diagnostics:
Pregnenolone: 16 (13-208) very low
Progesterone: <0.1 (0.0-0.2)
DHEA-S: 192 (110-370)
Androstenedione: 41 (40-190) very low

Estrone: 81 (0-68)
Estradiol, total: 12 (0-29)
Estradiol, free: 0.22 (0-0.45)
Estradiol, % free: 1.83 (1.25-1.85) very high

Test, total: 378 (250-1100)
Test, free: 47.6 (35-155)
Test, % free: 1.26 (1.5-2.2) very low

DHT, total: 47 (25-75)
DHT, free: 5.19 (1.0-6.2)
DHT, % free: 1.1 (0.62-1.1) very high

SHBG: 35 (8-48) high-normal
LH: 3.7 (1.5-9.3) low

IGF-1: 169 (106-255)
Cortisol, total: 8 (1.8-13.6)
Pregnanetriol: 562 (71-1000)
Aldosterone: 4.3 (2.3-21)
Etiocholanolone: 1060 (430-3300)
Androsterone: 1330 (320-5400)
3a-Androstanediol-Glucuronide (ADG): 91 (260-1500)
Zinc (blood): 67 (60-130)

Not sure if the %Free values are important, but they are all kind of extreme.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you have!!!

 

[kaz]

With respect to your very low Adiol-G (androstanediol glucuronide) have you ever taken supplements such as saw palmetto, nettle root, zinc, or DIM?

Have you ever taken (even for a breif period) finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)) or dutasteride?

kaz

 

[CowboyBob]

Thanks for the response.

I took finasteride for about a month, years ago. I have taken a ton of saw palmetto, but nothing for a few years.

 

[hardasnails1973]

Would you please interpret the test results below and make suggestions. I am going to an endocrinologist later this week. I have never used AS and was not on any drugs or hormones for years before these tests. I am 38 yr old male. Symptoms are low testosterone, low libido, urinary issues like an enlarged prostate. Symptoms became worse each of 3 times I have had acute prostatitis, beginning about 15 years ago. I think I have chronic prostatitis now. I tried DHEA once and felt great for 2 weeks when my hair started to shed a Lot. I tried tribulus once and felt fantastic for 2 weeks, then it stopped. (Doesn't tribulis work by increasing LH?). My hair is pretty thick, despite the high DHT.

All results are from Quest Diagnostics:
Pregnenolone: 16 (13-208) very low
Progesterone: <0.1 (0.0-0.2)
DHEA-S: 192 (110-370)
Androstenedione: 41 (40-190) very low

Estrone: 81 (0-68)
Estradiol, total: 12 (0-29)
Estradiol, free: 0.22 (0-0.45)
Estradiol, % free: 1.83 (1.25-1.85) very high

Test, total: 378 (250-1100)
Test, free: 47.6 (35-155)
Test, % free: 1.26 (1.5-2.2) very low

DHT, total: 47 (25-75)
DHT, free: 5.19 (1.0-6.2)
DHT, % free: 1.1 (0.62-1.1) very high

SHBG: 35 (8-48) high-normal
LH: 3.7 (1.5-9.3) low

IGF-1: 169 (106-255)
Cortisol, total: 8 (1.8-13.6)
Pregnanetriol: 562 (71-1000)
Aldosterone: 4.3 (2.3-21)
Etiocholanolone: 1060 (430-3300)
Androsterone: 1330 (320-5400)
3a-Androstanediol-Glucuronide (ADG): 91 (260-1500)
Zinc (blood): 67 (60-130)

Not sure if the %Free values are important, but they are all kind of extreme.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you have!!!

YOur zinc is low which is needed for progesterone production, lower dht and increasing testosterone by increasing the LH. Do you take alot of fish oils? Also zinc that low in serum is severely deficeint in the tissues.
You probably havs thyroid disorder which is imparing zinc metabolism up to the tissue in both the thyroid and also the prostate.

What is your diet like
most likely your 2,16 hydrox are altered because of high estrone levels.

You have muliple factors going on and need proper hormone evalution
Please PM me. I specialize in this type of metabolic mess which IMO you will not need TRT at all. I also work with DR Overbeck who has helped alot of people in this case.

 

[kaz]

CowboyBob,

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you appear to have a hallmark case of post finasteride syndrome. There are only two groups of men on this earth that have adiol-G levels that low - male hermaphrodites, and post finasteride sufferers. All of your symptoms match up. This assumes that you were not born with ambiguous genitals I assume that is not the case.

Adiol-G is widely believed to be a marker of 5 alpha reductase Type 2 activity, which regulates T-> DHT conversion in peripheral tissues. such as the testis, prostrate, and in the brain (pituitary). In the original studies on the drug for hairloss, average adiol-G levels dropped from around 1600 to around 1000 ng/dL. However, some men drop even lower, and, after cessation of the drug, do not return to anything approaching a normal level of this marker. Levels of 65 to 600 or so are reported. This can happen in some men through taking the drug for only a week, and persist indefinitely Sufferers often present with secondary hypogonadism and/or low free testosterone. Your total T would be considered very borderline by the American Society of Endocrinology.

DHT is also converted from T through 5a-reducatse type 1, thus your near mid range DHT level.

You will need to learn about post finasteride syndrome. Do not expect any endocrinologist to understand what you are talking about, although it would be helpful to explain to them that your low Adiol-G level warrants further investigation. Explain that Quest's "normal range" for Adiol-G is actually skewed downward due to the primary use of the test in males, which is in diagnosing hermaphrodites. In the mean time, if I were you I would steadfastly avoid supplements such as saw palmetto, zinc, and any other substance that strongly inhibits 5 alpha reductase Type 2. Examine any prostatits treatment very carefully, as it may contain substances designed (or taken from nature) to inhibit 5AR2. Abnormally low 5AR2 may in fact be causing prostrate hypoplasia, and not benign prostrate hyperplasia or prostatis.

Have you had serum FSH levels evaluated? This is commonly done when LH is checked. Are you having any difficulty concentrating?
.

 

[anonnn0]

I also took propecia for 8 weeks, and have a similiar hormonal profile along with horrible sexual side effects...Can a competent doctor help me out and stop telling me it's in my head.

Thanks