help with interpreting blood test results

[Guest guest]

Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I just wanted to

maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to interpret the

units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone, and free

testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on the low end:

Range

FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd much appreciate

it. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Your test results are fine, with the possible exception of FSH. I'm

surprised your T readings are so high considering your LH is

somewhat low.

Your low FSH doesn't surprise me. If I remember correctly, FSH

facilitates sperm production, and we all know what SSRIs do to the

reproductive system. I have a low sperm count myself. Clomid or

Arimidex may help in this regard, though I would only recommend

Arimidex if your estradiol is high. I would get estradiol checked

next time as well.

Luther

>

> Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I just wanted

to

> maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to interpret the

> units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone, and free

> testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on the low end:

>

> Range

>

> FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

>

> If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd much

appreciate

> it. Thanks.

>

[Guest guest]

I'm going to see an endocrinologist, especially regarding my FSH and LH. I

definitely

feel I have some genital atrophy going on. My doctor said it was possible, said

'the

penis/prostate is like a muscle, without the proper stimulation it will

atrophy'.

Started out with smaller testicles, now my penis feels smaller, I have very

watery,

leaky ejaculation, also have trouble holding in urine. My beard and pubic hair

growth

has also slowed down/thinned out. I feel like I either have the sexual maturity

of a 7

or a 70 year old.

> >

> > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I just wanted

> to

> > maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to interpret the

> > units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone, and free

> > testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on the low end:

> >

> > Range

> >

> > FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> > LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> > prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> > tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> > free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

> >

> > If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd much

> appreciate

> > it. Thanks.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

On the face of it, it doesn't look like anything is wrong with those

values. Your T levels are high. Your LH and FSH are low, but

within range. I dunno what to suggest. Sperm count? It could be

your problems are not endocrinological in origin.

Vornan

> > >

> > > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I just

wanted

> > to

> > > maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to interpret

the

> > > units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone, and

free

> > > testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on the low

end:

> > >

> > > Range

> > >

> > > FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> > > LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> > > prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> > > tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> > > free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

> > >

> > > If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd much

> > appreciate

> > > it. Thanks.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I dont think this only applies to you, What you just said describes

exactly what Ive been noticing. testicles feel like they are about

to die off and certainly my penis is atleast twice smaller before

especially when not erected.

> > >

> > > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I just

wanted

> > to

> > > maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to interpret

the

> > > units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone, and

free

> > > testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on the low

end:

> > >

> > > Range

> > >

> > > FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> > > LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> > > prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> > > tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> > > free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

> > >

> > > If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd much

> > appreciate

> > > it. Thanks.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tim,

Stablon didn't have that effect on me. I can have an almost normal

orgasm consitently now, but it didn't do anything for my libido. It

seems like there is no way to predict how someone will react to

these drugs, unfortunately. In any case it looks as though

tianpetine is not a magic bullet to cure PSSD. I wish I could help

you more, because it seems like you have a particularly severe case,

but without the ability to measure gene expresion in the brain we

can only guess at what is going on.

Vornan

> By the way, Vornan, this may be of interest to you: I stopped my

low dose of

> tianeptine on monday. I guess it is still early, but it almost

feels like I've had a

> rebound in serotonin function. I say this because I feel more

like I did on ssris now

> than I have since I was on them/shortly after quitting. Less

anxiety, less feeling in

> general, orgasms are even worse than before, which I didn't really

think was possible.

> It's very strange and I am upset about it, but there's very little

palpable feeling of

> being upset, just that inoculated feeling. Not good, I'm not sure

what to make of it,

> hopefully it's just a short lived rebound effect.

>

>

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I

just

> > > wanted

> > > > > to

> > > > > > maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to

> > interpret

> > > the

> > > > > > units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone,

and

> > > free

> > > > > > testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on the

low

> > > end:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Range

> > > > > >

> > > > > > FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> > > > > > LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> > > > > > free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

> > > > > >

> > > > > > If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd

much

> > > > > appreciate

> > > > > > it. Thanks.

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

are you still taking tianeptine, vornan? thats great that you can

have oragsm, is it while on tianeptine that you are able to have

orgasm or off? but it is pleasurable orgasm right?

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I

> just

> > > > wanted

> > > > > > to

> > > > > > > maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to

> > > interpret

> > > > the

> > > > > > > units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone,

> and

> > > > free

> > > > > > > testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on

the

> low

> > > > end:

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Range

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> > > > > > > LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > > prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > > tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> > > > > > > free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd

> much

> > > > > > appreciate

> > > > > > > it. Thanks.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, it's always pleasurable now. Almost, but not quite, the same

as before I took celexa. I'm tapering off stablon now since it

didn't bring back my libido. I think I will try aurorix next.

V

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me,

I

> > just

> > > > > wanted

> > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to

> > > > interpret

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > > units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total

testosterone,

> > and

> > > > > free

> > > > > > > > testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on

> the

> > low

> > > > > end:

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Range

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> > > > > > > > LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > > > prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > > > tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> > > > > > > > free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > If anyone could help me out in interpreting these,

I'd

> > much

> > > > > > > appreciate

> > > > > > > > it. Thanks.

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately, when it comes to psych meds, in a lot of cases things

get worse before they get better. It can sometimes be a matter of

toughing out the rough period in order to get a theraputic benefit.

I stopped Tianeptine after about a week due to agitation. Maybe if I

had given it a few more days things would have leveled off. With

Emsam, I got worse for 2 days, now things seem to be gradually

getting better in every aspect except libido.

I know of someone who's taking Parnate, which is a similar MAOI to

Emsam. His libido actually got worse over the first 3 weeks, then

came back out of nowhere stronger than ever.

The brain needs weeks, if not months to adjust to a new med. I've

been on many quick med trials that unfortunately didn't tell me

anything because I didn't stay on long enough. Initial side effects

suck.

Luther

> By the way, Vornan, this may be of interest to you: I stopped my

low dose of

> tianeptine on monday. I guess it is still early, but it almost

feels like I've had a

> rebound in serotonin function. I say this because I feel more

like I did on ssris now

> than I have since I was on them/shortly after quitting. Less

anxiety, less feeling in

> general, orgasms are even worse than before, which I didn't really

think was possible.

> It's very strange and I am upset about it, but there's very little

palpable feeling of

> being upset, just that inoculated feeling. Not good, I'm not sure

what to make of it,

> hopefully it's just a short lived rebound effect.

[Guest guest]

High levels of catecholamines can make your penis shrink like you

went swimmimg in lake Baikal, but I don't know if this is the

problem in your case. You can get that effect from drugs like

ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (used in cough medicines and sometimes

abused as diet aids). They raise levels of adrenaline which causes

reduced peripheral circulation. I've heard the same about some ADD

drugs. They don't actually physically shrink the penis, but because

they reduce bloood flow they produce a temprary shrinkage. They are

also used to counteract priapism.

Vornan

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in front of me, I

just

> > > wanted

> > > > > to

> > > > > > maybe compare with others but I'm not sure of how to

> > interpret

> > > the

> > > > > > units. I have FSH, LH, Prolactin, total testosterone,

and

> > > free

> > > > > > testosterone, all in the normal range, but FSH is on the

low

> > > end:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Range

> > > > > >

> > > > > > FSH = 1.8 mIU/mL 1.6-8.0 mIU/mL

> > > > > > LH = 3.4 mIU/mL 1.5-9.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > prolactin = 7.3 mIU/mL 2.0-18.3 mIU/mL

> > > > > > tot T = 700 ng/dL 260-1000 ng/dL

> > > > > > free T = 172.1 pg/mL 50.0-210.0 pg/mL

> > > > > >

> > > > > > If anyone could help me out in interpreting these, I'd

much

> > > > > appreciate

> > > > > > it. Thanks.

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I just started emsam today. Seems I'm already feeling the anxiety side effect.

Hope

this gets better soon.

>

>

> Unfortunately, when it comes to psych meds, in a lot of cases things

> get worse before they get better. It can sometimes be a matter of

> toughing out the rough period in order to get a theraputic benefit.

>

> I stopped Tianeptine after about a week due to agitation. Maybe if I

> had given it a few more days things would have leveled off. With

> Emsam, I got worse for 2 days, now things seem to be gradually

> getting better in every aspect except libido.

>

> I know of someone who's taking Parnate, which is a similar MAOI to

> Emsam. His libido actually got worse over the first 3 weeks, then

> came back out of nowhere stronger than ever.

>

> The brain needs weeks, if not months to adjust to a new med. I've

> been on many quick med trials that unfortunately didn't tell me

> anything because I didn't stay on long enough. Initial side effects

> suck.

>

> Luther

>

>

>

>

> > By the way, Vornan, this may be of interest to you: I stopped my

> low dose of

> > tianeptine on monday. I guess it is still early, but it almost

> feels like I've had a

> > rebound in serotonin function. I say this because I feel more

> like I did on ssris now

> > than I have since I was on them/shortly after quitting. Less

> anxiety, less feeling in

> > general, orgasms are even worse than before, which I didn't really

> think was possible.

> > It's very strange and I am upset about it, but there's very little

> palpable feeling of

> > being upset, just that inoculated feeling. Not good, I'm not sure

> what to make of it,

> > hopefully it's just a short lived rebound effect.

>

[Guest guest]

Tim, Did you find a good (well, relatively speaking) psychiatrist to

work with?

Vornan

> >

> >

> > Unfortunately, when it comes to psych meds, in a lot of cases

things

> > get worse before they get better. It can sometimes be a matter

of

> > toughing out the rough period in order to get a theraputic

benefit.

> >

> > I stopped Tianeptine after about a week due to agitation. Maybe

if I

> > had given it a few more days things would have leveled off. With

> > Emsam, I got worse for 2 days, now things seem to be gradually

> > getting better in every aspect except libido.

> >

> > I know of someone who's taking Parnate, which is a similar MAOI

to

> > Emsam. His libido actually got worse over the first 3 weeks,

then

> > came back out of nowhere stronger than ever.

> >

> > The brain needs weeks, if not months to adjust to a new med.

I've

> > been on many quick med trials that unfortunately didn't tell me

> > anything because I didn't stay on long enough. Initial side

effects

> > suck.

> >

> > Luther

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > > By the way, Vornan, this may be of interest to you: I stopped

my

> > low dose of

> > > tianeptine on monday. I guess it is still early, but it

almost

> > feels like I've had a

> > > rebound in serotonin function. I say this because I feel more

> > like I did on ssris now

> > > than I have since I was on them/shortly after quitting. Less

> > anxiety, less feeling in

> > > general, orgasms are even worse than before, which I didn't

really

> > think was possible.

> > > It's very strange and I am upset about it, but there's very

little

> > palpable feeling of

> > > being upset, just that inoculated feeling. Not good, I'm not

sure

> > what to make of it,

> > > hopefully it's just a short lived rebound effect.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Keep us posted. I'm on Day 8. I'm having a bit of an " off " day

today, but nothing major.

Luther

> >

> >

> > Unfortunately, when it comes to psych meds, in a lot of cases

things

> > get worse before they get better. It can sometimes be a matter

of

> > toughing out the rough period in order to get a theraputic

benefit.

> >

> > I stopped Tianeptine after about a week due to agitation. Maybe

if I

> > had given it a few more days things would have leveled off. With

> > Emsam, I got worse for 2 days, now things seem to be gradually

> > getting better in every aspect except libido.

> >

> > I know of someone who's taking Parnate, which is a similar MAOI

to

> > Emsam. His libido actually got worse over the first 3 weeks,

then

> > came back out of nowhere stronger than ever.

> >

> > The brain needs weeks, if not months to adjust to a new med.

I've

> > been on many quick med trials that unfortunately didn't tell me

> > anything because I didn't stay on long enough. Initial side

effects

> > suck.

> >

> > Luther

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > > By the way, Vornan, this may be of interest to you: I stopped

my

> > low dose of

> > > tianeptine on monday. I guess it is still early, but it

almost

> > feels like I've had a

> > > rebound in serotonin function. I say this because I feel more

> > like I did on ssris now

> > > than I have since I was on them/shortly after quitting. Less

> > anxiety, less feeling in

> > > general, orgasms are even worse than before, which I didn't

really

> > think was possible.

> > > It's very strange and I am upset about it, but there's very

little

> > palpable feeling of

> > > being upset, just that inoculated feeling. Not good, I'm not

sure

> > what to make of it,

> > > hopefully it's just a short lived rebound effect.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

back in 1973 i was taught that testosteron made the

skin of the glans of rats thinner and more sensitive,

so perhaps there could be a morphological effect?

also testes of wild macaques i observed really seemed

to shrink outside the breeding season ... but then

that may be subjective observation, i did measure them

with those beads (feeling them when knocked out)

repeatedly, but never plotted the results ...

JR

--- " Vornan-19 (moderator) "

wrote:

> High levels of catecholamines can make your penis

> shrink like you

> went swimmimg in lake Baikal, but I don't know if

> this is the

> problem in your case. You can get that effect from

> drugs like

> ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (used in cough

> medicines and sometimes

> abused as diet aids). They raise levels of

> adrenaline which causes

> reduced peripheral circulation. I've heard the same

> about some ADD

> drugs. They don't actually physically shrink the

> penis, but because

> they reduce bloood flow they produce a temprary

> shrinkage. They are

> also used to counteract priapism.

>

> Vornan

>

>

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Hi, I've got a copy of my bloodwork in

> front of me, I

> just

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Right now I'm just working with my gp, who is a good guy and pretty sympathetic,

although I am more knowledgable than he is on the matter. Depending on how I do

in the next couple of weeks, I might look around for a psychiatrist. I had one

several

months ago but I got pretty frustrated with it.

> > >

> > >

> > > Unfortunately, when it comes to psych meds, in a lot of cases

> things

> > > get worse before they get better. It can sometimes be a matter

> of

> > > toughing out the rough period in order to get a theraputic

> benefit.

> > >

> > > I stopped Tianeptine after about a week due to agitation. Maybe

> if I

> > > had given it a few more days things would have leveled off. With

> > > Emsam, I got worse for 2 days, now things seem to be gradually

> > > getting better in every aspect except libido.

> > >

> > > I know of someone who's taking Parnate, which is a similar MAOI

> to

> > > Emsam. His libido actually got worse over the first 3 weeks,

> then

> > > came back out of nowhere stronger than ever.

> > >

> > > The brain needs weeks, if not months to adjust to a new med.

> I've

> > > been on many quick med trials that unfortunately didn't tell me

> > > anything because I didn't stay on long enough. Initial side

> effects

> > > suck.

> > >

> > > Luther

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > By the way, Vornan, this may be of interest to you: I stopped

> my

> > > low dose of

> > > > tianeptine on monday. I guess it is still early, but it

> almost

> > > feels like I've had a

> > > > rebound in serotonin function. I say this because I feel more

> > > like I did on ssris now

> > > > than I have since I was on them/shortly after quitting. Less

> > > anxiety, less feeling in

> > > > general, orgasms are even worse than before, which I didn't

> really

> > > think was possible.

> > > > It's very strange and I am upset about it, but there's very

> little

> > > palpable feeling of

> > > > being upset, just that inoculated feeling. Not good, I'm not

> sure

> > > what to make of it,

> > > > hopefully it's just a short lived rebound effect.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Will do. Hope things get better for you.

> > >

> > >

> > > Unfortunately, when it comes to psych meds, in a lot of cases

> things

> > > get worse before they get better. It can sometimes be a matter

> of

> > > toughing out the rough period in order to get a theraputic

> benefit.

> > >

> > > I stopped Tianeptine after about a week due to agitation. Maybe

> if I

> > > had given it a few more days things would have leveled off. With

> > > Emsam, I got worse for 2 days, now things seem to be gradually

> > > getting better in every aspect except libido.

> > >

> > > I know of someone who's taking Parnate, which is a similar MAOI

> to

> > > Emsam. His libido actually got worse over the first 3 weeks,

> then

> > > came back out of nowhere stronger than ever.

> > >

> > > The brain needs weeks, if not months to adjust to a new med.

> I've

> > > been on many quick med trials that unfortunately didn't tell me

> > > anything because I didn't stay on long enough. Initial side

> effects

> > > suck.

> > >

> > > Luther

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > By the way, Vornan, this may be of interest to you: I stopped

> my

> > > low dose of

> > > > tianeptine on monday. I guess it is still early, but it

> almost

> > > feels like I've had a

> > > > rebound in serotonin function. I say this because I feel more

> > > like I did on ssris now

> > > > than I have since I was on them/shortly after quitting. Less

> > > anxiety, less feeling in

> > > > general, orgasms are even worse than before, which I didn't

> really

> > > think was possible.

> > > > It's very strange and I am upset about it, but there's very

> little

> > > palpable feeling of

> > > > being upset, just that inoculated feeling. Not good, I'm not

> sure

> > > what to make of it,

> > > > hopefully it's just a short lived rebound effect.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> back in 1973 i was taught that testosteron made the

skin of the glans of rats thinner and more sensitive,

so perhaps there could be a morphological effect?

This seems to be the opposite of what's happened to me. Since coming off the meds I feel as if the skin of my penis has thinned and that there is increased sensitivity to the point of pain. This has happened as my testosterone levels have plummeted. When my testosterone level was high my penis was full and healthy. As was the rest of me...