Messages

1

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: The importance of TNF alpha in lowering SHBG

« on: April 19, 2019, 06:51:05 pm »

I am a retired RN, but worked more in research with a Micro degree, but hormones, (and how they  interrelate)  still confuse me. The quote:". Our results suggest that TNF-α plays an important role down regulating SHBG in chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.",  does this mean DM and Obesity are two medical issues that raise SHBG and TNF-A lowers it? This becomes more confusing, if my meds for RA lower TNF-A, why is my own level so low? I am assuming RA is not much different than DM in that inflammation is an issue. I do have my inflammation level low at this time, my CRP (HS) has been as high as 70, but with Enbrel, LDN (an immune booster) and medical CBD/Marijuana I have kept my CRP  at 0.5 the past 2 years.
I am not complaining about low SHBG, it has allowed my Free T to remain at the top or above normal levels.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: The importance of TNF alpha in lowering SHBG

« on: April 19, 2019, 05:25:37 pm »

I know this is an old posting, but this is the only case where it has been discussed. I have been on TRT for about 6 years , related to RA (rheumatoid arthritis) the percent is 65% of males with RA have low T. I also was just looking at recent results, and my SHBG is about as high as it ever gets, 15.6 (19-76). I have wondered why it was low, and my urologist actually called me one time to ask me if I was taking anything to lower it. I was reading this article about SHBG and the effect TNF-Alpha has on lowering rates. Now I assume the low SHBG is because I am on Enbrel, which is called a  TNF-blocking agent.
I am also  trying to figure out where my E2 (last 20.6 (8-35) should be related to the low SHBG, I don't use an AI, and do get a fair amount of night time & morning erections, but low libido is mixed into this formula. I do 20mg of T Cyp 3 x week, and use a very small (rice grain size) amount of a T Cream on the scrotum daily, last DHT was 106 (30-85) and TT was 850 (both these results are peak, post administration of both methods of T aprox 2 hours prior to labs). Should the DHT be higher? or lower? I don't really note a difference either way with DHT levels, prior was about 35.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: MILK good or bad ?

« on: August 22, 2016, 11:22:47 am »

There is another option within the dairy group that may be better than healthy. I live in a state that "allows"  buying raw milk (won't get into over reaching Gov regs) and the farmers wife also saves and freezes raw colostrum. I am the only customer for this at this time. I believe that until quite recently California allowed the sale of raw colostrum. It is banned by pro athletic groups. I defrost a gallon when I buy them from her, and refreeze in ice cube trays. Then place a few cubes in a smoothie.
Here are 3 web sites with opinions:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-785-bovine%20colostrum?activeingredientid=785
http://www.raw-milk-facts.com/raw-medicine.html
http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/colostrum-benefits.html

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: Is blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy part of your TRT?

« on: August 22, 2016, 11:14:39 am »

Last year I experimented with LDN for my RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) in place of enbrel and methotrexate. I gave it 13 months, but failed as an alternative RA drug option. During that period I gave blood 3 times when my Hct went over 52. In the early spring, I went back on Enbrel and Methotrexate, now I should not have to worry any more. TRT raises H&H, and the 2 drugs I am using for my RA are lowering my H&H. Last week my Hgb was 14.8 g/dl  and Hct was 45.2 %. In a way TRT is a good adjunct to my RA therapy, in the past my H&H was quite low, currently they are, close to optimal.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: Clean the skin before injection?

« on: November 12, 2015, 10:46:37 pm »

I just use soap and water for myself, but as an RN with 40 years experience, my suggestion is, if you wipe with an alcohol wipe, use a sterile gauze to dry the skin, prior to injection. If you don't, it can sting.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Definitions of 12 Bio Markers, Leptin, IL6, TNF, Restitin, CRP, etc

« on: October 21, 2015, 06:18:32 pm »

[MODERATOR SPLIT FROM HERE: http://www.peaktestosterone.com/forum/index.php?topic=8352.0]

I mentioned there was 12 tests that combined for the single RA score. Here is the info on the 12 Bio Markers that they use and a good definition of each. Inflammation, although central to the disease,
is not the common thread with these 12 biomarkers.
http://vectrada.com/health-care-professionals/biomarkers/

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: Leptin Blood Test?

« on: October 21, 2015, 01:31:11 pm »

I have had RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) for more than 10 years, and my Rheumatologist a few years ago did a test called Vectra DA. It is 12 different tests, that are scored and a single number is arrived at that gives an idea of how active your RA is. Leptin is one of the tests included, I was tested in 2013 and 2014. My Leptin was 8.4ng/ml (2013) and then was 5.0ng/ml (1.0 - 45)
I have lost 30 lbs and went from 25% BF to 15% BF since the tests started.I do have an issue still with those bastards Ben & Jerry, but have cut back in past few months. Also increased Intermittent Fasting on non gym days. Hope this info helps a little, I don't imagine there are many doctors that test for Leptin as a stand alone test.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: Extremely high B12 level. Is this bad?

« on: September 04, 2015, 05:44:07 pm »

I am hetero 1298ac, my wife has the other defect, and my older son was tested and has a compound hetero, one of each.
[/quote]

So can I ask what symptoms you had from the hetero?  Supposedly that lowers enzyme activity but not too bad?  Do you feel it impacted you pretty strongly?
[/quote]

According to Doctor Ben Lynch, I have the defect, that has the least effect on health. I unfortunately have RA and don't know if this is a contributing factor. My mother has Chron's disease, so she passed down another autoimmune disease to me, in addition to low T, I also have hypothyroidism. By luck, I read about SAM-e years ago, and have taken this, with the wrong folic acid form. I can't say that the MTHFR has had any effect that I can "feel" but assume it has contributed to my whole medical issue..
Sorry to get into this here, and steal the high B12 issue from the OP.
The reason I responded was, that I too had that high "serum" B12, and when I got my NutraEval test back, my B12 levels were very low,  but the MTHFR put it all in perspective.
So, I take the SAM-e, a methyl b12 SL, and a methyl folate, also P5P, all help with the methyl pathway.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: Extremely high B12 level. Is this bad?

« on: September 04, 2015, 11:46:21 am »

I too had a higher (serum) B12 level, then my Functional MD tested and discovered I had a genetic B vitamin anomaly. I have an MTHFR defect, mine is 1298AC, what it means is that I don't process B vitamins the same way as others. I shifted over to Methyl versions of folic acid and methyl B12, helped quite a bit. My issue was precipitated by needing to take Methotrexate, which depletes Folic acid, so I took folic acid 3mg for a decade, problem was, i was never actually absorbing most of it.
MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
an easy to understand site is: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR
The go to guy at this time is Dr Ben Lynch, this may not be the reason for your high levels, it was for me, but it is a possible explanation, speak to your MD about testing.

Did you have one copy (C/T) or two (T/T) out of curiosity?

I am hetero 1298ac, my wife has the other defect, and my older son was tested and has a compound hetero, one of each.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: Extremely high B12 level. Is this bad?

« on: September 03, 2015, 11:38:22 am »

I too had a higher (serum) B12 level, then my Functional MD tested and discovered I had a genetic B vitamin anomaly. I have an MTHFR defect, mine is 1298AC, what it means is that I don't process B vitamins the same way as others. I shifted over to Methyl versions of folic acid and methyl B12, helped quite a bit. My issue was precipitated by needing to take Methotrexate, which depletes Folic acid, so I took folic acid 3mg for a decade, problem was, i was never actually absorbing most of it.
MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
an easy to understand site is: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR
The go to guy at this time is Dr Ben Lynch, this may not be the reason for your high levels, it was for me, but it is a possible explanation, speak to your MD about testing.

11

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: Looking for suggestions for supplement regimen to improve libido & erections

« on: August 24, 2015, 02:10:47 am »

Getting the healthiest you can should be your first goal. Review each health issue separately, and then as a whole, and make a plan to attempt to get them under control. What can you do without any risk, eat clean, exercise more, get more involved with social support groups in your area (church, clubs, fraternal groups,volunteer with scouts, etc).
Set small goals, walk a mile without getting short of breath, then make it 2 miles. Don't look at your weight, just attempt to get rid of your beer belly(if you got one), and many health issues will improve.  Celebrate  your successes with buddies.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: DHEA Convert into DHT or Testosterone Convert into DHT?

« on: August 16, 2015, 01:17:13 am »

Thanks for the comments on this older posting. I asked this question because of my personal interest in raising my very low DHT. My DHEA level is aprox at the top of the normal lab range, I am using 50mg daily in tablet form, but also have DHEA cream, and wondered if 5A reductase would work on testicles, (Like it does with T Ointment) with DHEA to this area in the same manner.
I am also working on my Pregnenolone level, it was at the bottom of range, 15 ng/dl (13-208). Was taking 50mg daily, now taking a 50mg twice a day.

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Re: DHEA Convert into DHT or Testosterone Convert into DHT?

« on: August 15, 2015, 05:15:11 pm »

I have read more than a few mentions of applying [edited my moderator] (Iodine) to the testicles, for several reasons. I also understand, applying Androgel to the testicles will increase DHT thru 5 alpha reductase . My question, would there be the same absorption benefits of using DHEA to the testicles?