Thread: Got all my bloodwork back ;(

First off, a low carb diet would lower your blood glucose. I don't think a day would make a huge difference, but going on a limited to no grain diet would be a good idea. What is your typical diet prior to the low carb? Your moodiness and lack of motivation could be from low test, but you are in the reference range. One of the initial set of symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which you could very well be on your way to, is depression, lack of motivation, etc. This is because your ability to properly use insulin is negatively affected at the cellular level. Unhappy cells make for an unhappy person.

As for test therapy...in the instances it is warranted it can provide tremendous benefit to a user. My first plan of attack would be to fix the blood sugar problem va diet/lifestyle before taking any exogenous hormones. I wouldn't really say focusing on carbs is the way you should go. Instead, eliminate grains and starches as a daily thing, eat 2-3 servings of veggies with protein every time you eat (3x a day), do some form of physical activity every day (walking counts, but also try to get 2-3 days of strength training in per week), and avoid sugar. Eat berries to calm your sweet tooth and replace all of those grains with fats from nuts and animal fats that come from healthy animals (free range and organic if possible, free range at the very least). If after that you still have the symptoms, then seek HRT.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

First off, a low carb diet would lower your blood glucose. I don't think a day would make a huge difference, but going on a limited to no grain diet would be a good idea. What is your typical diet prior to the low carb? Your moodiness and lack of motivation could be from low test, but you are in the reference range. One of the initial set of symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which you could very well be on your way to, is depression, lack of motivation, etc. This is because your ability to properly use insulin is negatively affected at the cellular level. Unhappy cells make for an unhappy person.

As for test therapy...in the instances it is warranted it can provide tremendous benefit to a user. My first plan of attack would be to fix the blood sugar problem va diet/lifestyle before taking any exogenous hormones. I wouldn't really say focusing on carbs is the way you should go. Instead, eliminate grains and starches as a daily thing, eat 2-3 servings of veggies with protein every time you eat (3x a day), do some form of physical activity every day (walking counts, but also try to get 2-3 days of strength training in per week), and avoid sugar. Eat berries to calm your sweet tooth and replace all of those grains with fats from nuts and animal fats that come from healthy animals (free range and organic if possible, free range at the very least). If after that you still have the symptoms, then seek HRT.

I dont think I have a diet issue. I usually eat very well and walk my dogs at least an hour ED. Sometimes we go to the ball parks and let them run around with us for HIIT in a way. They are Blue Heelers so they are very fast and hard to sprint away from. I always watch what I eat and feel awful when I cheat. I've been doing the slow carb diet for about the last month but tired of all the beans and Im now switching over to the UD2.0. I think Im depressed and moody because I just lost my job 2 months ago and cant seem to find a good replacement job. People say Im in good shape but it would be nice if I got big and ripped again like I used to be. Working on that.... Most people cant believe Im about to be 31. Most everyone says I look around 25. Diabetes? I dont think there's any way I could ever have diabetes. Even when I dont workout, my diet is high protein, veggies, healthy fats and low GI carbs. Thanks for the advice.

Did you get a thyroid panel? Before you go on HRT at your age you should exhaust all your options. Could you post all your labs? I'd be focused on Free Test, Free T3, LH, SHBG, and your adrenals. Also check Vit D levels, this could provide some minor benefit if your levels are REALLY low, like less than 20 ng/ml.

HIIT and resistance training should improve your blood sugar and insulin resistance (I assume he checked this).

If you do go the HRT route don't use androgel, and I wouldn't trust a doctor that made recommendations for anything other than Test Cypionate or Enanthate injections. He could be setting you up for some major problems. IMHO, at 31, I'd be trying to come up with a better plan.

The diet advice should be taken wholeheartedly, there's lot of benefit in that, but it takes a long time of proper balance to make a difference in your hormones.

Best of luck bro!

For your blood sugar count, was that fasting or non-fasting? Non-fasting that 108 falls into the normal range. If you had been fasting then it should be below 99, and that is something different.

Originally Posted by Zaphod

For your blood sugar count, was that fasting or non-fasting? Non-fasting that 108 falls into the normal range. If you had been fasting then it should be below 99, and that is something different.

A 108 fasting blood glucose would be in the pre-diabetes range.

Info

Insulin Resistance and Pre-diabetes - National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

I don't know your diet or what you eat, but feel free to post it if you want a critique. If you were low carbing it for 24 or more hours prior to the test my guess is that number would have been higher had you not been low carbing.

are you also oh GH? that can give u high glucose levels

Ok sorry for the delayed response, it was my birthday. Big 31 blah!

So it looks like they did a CBC (includes DIFF/PLT) Lipid Panel, Testosterone and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel w/ EGFR. Is that all the tests I needed? I dont see anything about my thyroid. Excuse my ignorance, this is the 1st time I've ever had bloodwork done and actually had the result paperwork in my hands. A little confusing.

I started with no-low carbs Monday and then got up the next morning fasted and got this bloodwork done. I took my Adderal but the Dr. said it was ok to.

My Diet and lifestyle are pretty healthy. I used to be on other forums in my early 20s and did 7-8 cycles over 3-4 years. Ever since I have been a pretty big guy and have watched what I ate. Then about 2 years ago, I destroyed my shoulder (Dr's words exactly) and was in a sling for almost 8 months. Im still a bigger guy just not like I used to be. Since then I still eat healthy but not in the gym as much. I always have it stuck in my head to eat healthy and not cheat but I do have a sweet tooth. I rarely eat just straight junk food, my diet is mostly lean proteins, good carbs and good fats. I do love Crystal lite or sugar free jello though and consume both regularly to keep myself sain.

Originally Posted by crombie09

Ok sorry for the delayed response, it was my birthday. Big 31 blah!

So it looks like they did a CBC (includes DIFF/PLT) Lipid Panel, Testosterone and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel w/ EGFR. Is that all the tests I needed? I dont see anything about my thyroid. Excuse my ignorance, this is the 1st time I've ever had bloodwork done and actually had the result paperwork in my hands. A little confusing.

I started with no-low carbs Monday and then got up the next morning fasted and got this bloodwork done. I took my Adderal but the Dr. said it was ok to.

My Diet and lifestyle are pretty healthy. I used to be on other forums in my early 20s and did 7-8 cycles over 3-4 years. Ever since I have been a pretty big guy and have watched what I ate. Then about 2 years ago, I destroyed my shoulder (Dr's words exactly) and was in a sling for almost 8 months. Im still a bigger guy just not like I used to be. Since then I still eat healthy but not in the gym as much. I always have it stuck in my head to eat healthy and not cheat but I do have a sweet tooth. I rarely eat just straight junk food, my diet is mostly lean proteins, good carbs and good fats. I do love Crystal lite or sugar free jello though and consume both regularly to keep myself sain.

There are no good carbs and bad carbs. Carbs are broken down and absorbed through the small intestine, by the time they hit your cells they are just glucose. Not quinoa glucose or whole wheat pasta glucose, just glucose. If someone were to ask me what a good carb was, I would say a non-starchy vegetable. That's it, any other carb source consumed in quantities similar to what an American would eat are probably going to negatively impact your ability to regulte blood glucose over time. Food for thought, 2 slices of whole grain or wheat bread will cause a much larger rise in blood glucose than a similar serving of sucrose (Table sugar).

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

There are no good carbs and bad carbs. Carbs are broken down and absorbed through the small intestine, by the time they hit your cells they are just glucose. Not quinoa glucose or whole wheat pasta glucose, just glucose. If someone were to ask me what a good carb was, I would say a non-starchy vegetable. That's it, any other carb source consumed in quantities similar to what an American would eat are probably going to negatively impact your ability to regulte blood glucose over time. Food for thought, 2 slices of whole grain or wheat bread will cause a much larger rise in blood glucose than a similar serving of sucrose (Table sugar).

Wow good info thanks. Yes, I've been contimplating lowering my carbs for a while now alltogether. When I go no or low carb, I usually feel fine and very clear headed. Think I might just do low carb all the time with a carb load here and there.

Any ideas of the blood work panels I listed?

Originally Posted by crombie09

Wow good info thanks. Yes, I've been contimplating lowering my carbs for a while now alltogether. When I go no or low carb, I usually feel fine and very clear headed. Think I might just do low carb all the time with a carb load here and there.

Any ideas of the blood work panels I listed?

Like I said, I would go low carb, eat tons of veggies and meat from healthy animals, and get bloodwork again in 3 months. I wouldn't expect anything earth shattering, but if there is significant improvement I would hold off on HRT until you see how well you can improve via diet. If you are looking to Mai ain strength, I would definitely take creatine, just make sure you drink lots of water.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Like I said, I would go low carb, eat tons of veggies and meat from healthy animals, and get bloodwork again in 3 months. I wouldn't expect anything earth shattering, but if there is significant improvement I would hold off on HRT until you see how well you can improve via diet. If you are looking to Mai ain strength, I would definitely take creatine, just make sure you drink lots of water.

Ok thanks and yes Im on creatine right now. 10g/ day. So low carb completely? No carb loading days or cheats?

No, not right away. If you get withdrawal symptoms Rhodiola Rosea is a great option. Take this 2x per day.

Gaia Herbs Rhodiola Rosea, Vegetarian Liquid-Filled Capsules, 60 Ea

It increases hormone sensitive lipase activity so your body releases fat for energy more easily.

Btw, don't focus on carbs, just eat tons of veggies with meat. Do not skimp on the veggies to keep carbs low.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Btw, don't focus on carbs, just eat tons of veggies with meat. Do not skimp on the veggies to keep carbs low.

Alright I'll try that. Best veggies in your opinion? Can I buy the frozen in bulk? Is the crystal lite and sugar free jello ok? Also I take Green Vibrance from Vibrant Health, nutritional yeast flakes and fish oil daily.

The supps sound ok, not a big fan of artificial sweeteners, but they shouldn't affect blood sugar. As for veggies, green leafy veggies, onions, peppers, broccoli, and all of the cruciferous veggies are great choices.

Oh, and frozen veggies are fine.

Hey Crombie, I've been watching this thread for a few days and haven't chimed in cause Dale is giving you some really good advice. I would like to add something on artificial sweeteners; they are bad, really really bad. Stay away from them! Aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) in particular.

Aspartame is processed by your liver, and you need your liver focussed on metabolizing estrogen and generating IGF-1. Ace-k has been shown to stimulate dose-dependent insulin secretion in rats.

The effect of artificial sweetener on insulin... [Horm Metab Res. 1987] - PubMed - NCBI

Effect of long term intake of aspartame on... [Food Chem Toxicol. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI

ASPARTAME MAKES YOU FATTER!

Best of luck with your progress and keep us posted.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Oh, and frozen veggies are fine.

OK healthiest way to cook/reheat them? Heard they are not as healthy as fresh. How do you feel about using a juicer? I watched this documentry on a guy that did it with success but I want a lean, muscular body, dont want to be just super skinny. Can I gain muscle eating this way? I heard you can with carb reloads but not sure about this way.

Also I forgot are 6 eggs and 3 strips of turkey bacon ok for breakfast? Or just add veggies to that too?

I used to eat FF cottage cheese before bed with some protein powder and natty pb mixed in. Would that be ok? I could drop the sugar free Jello that way.

I ordered the Rhodiola Rosea you recommended also.

Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by crombie09

OK healthiest way to cook/reheat them? Heard they are not as healthy as fresh. How do you feel about using a juicer? I watched this documentry on a guy that did it with success but I want a lean, muscular body, dont want to be just super skinny. Can I gain muscle eating this way? I heard you can with carb reloads but not sure about this way.

Also I forgot are 6 eggs and 3 strips of turkey bacon ok for breakfast? Or just add veggies to that too?

I used to eat FF cottage cheese before bed with some protein powder and natty pb mixed in. Would that be ok? I could drop the sugar free Jello that way.

I ordered the Rhodiola Rosea you recommended also.

Thanks for the help.

Honestly, it seems that eating a combo of uncooked and cooked veggies is best. Ironically, the microwave seems to be the vest way to heat them, but the stove is fine too.

I'm not a big fan of juicing, I think the fiber is an important part of the plant and keeps the body from absorbing everything so quickly. If you juice you are also getting a concentrated dose of sugar with the micronutrients. Now, if you want to put it all in a blender I am cool with that because you eat the fiber too, just in blended form. Just taking the juice essentially means eating the sugar and vitamins without the fiber.

With the breakfast, eat 3 whole eggs, 2 slices of bacon, and lots of veggies, don't skip the veggies. That cottage cheese concoction sounds ok to me, cashew butter would be better.

I 100% agree with Tony Mack, however, most people will not follow good health practices to that level. Aspartame and most artificial sweeteners are terrible for you, but most people just want to be lean and don't really care about the deeper health impact of eating certain things.

My bloodwork came back with cholesterol problems so the doc put me on a cholesterol med. I hate having to take the medication - I am hoping that when I am in better shape and monitoring my diet - it will not be a problem.

Michael
5X5 Workout

Fish oil in excess will raise glucose levels! I never had high glucose levels till I started taking fish oil, I was taking 6000mg a day and my glucose levels went to 101, I dropped the fish oil to 4000mg a day and it dropped to 97!

Originally Posted by TonyMack

Hey Crombie, I've been watching this thread for a few days and haven't chimed in cause Dale is giving you some really good advice. I would like to add something on artificial sweeteners; they are bad, really really bad. Stay away from them! Aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) in particular.

Aspartame is processed by your liver, and you need your liver focussed on metabolizing estrogen and generating IGF-1. Ace-k has been shown to stimulate dose-dependent insulin secretion in rats.

The effect of artificial sweetener on insulin... [Horm Metab Res. 1987] - PubMed - NCBI

Effect of long term intake of aspartame on... [Food Chem Toxicol. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI

ASPARTAME MAKES YOU FATTER!

Best of luck with your progress and keep us posted.

Just bought some of these new, all natural powder packets, I think it's called Hansons? Anyhow it's sweetened with Stevia or Truvia. Are those ok?
Also got some natural lemon stuff but it's just powder that makes the water taste like I squeezed lemon in it.

Originally Posted by Mr.BIG

Fish oil in excess will raise glucose levels! I never had high glucose levels till I started taking fish oil, I was taking 6000mg a day and my glucose levels went to 101, I dropped the fish oil to 4000mg a day and it dropped to 97!

Yes, that's how much I was taking daily. I've read so many threads on taking mass amounts of fish oil too! I just wish there was an article based on pure facts on how much fish oil to take daily and what is safe.

Originally Posted by mljoshua

My bloodwork came back with cholesterol problems so the doc put me on a cholesterol med. I hate having to take the medication - I am hoping that when I am in better shape and monitoring my diet - it will not be a problem.

Michael
5X5 Workout

Cut carbs and increase fat. In 3-6 months your LDL will drop. your HDL will go up, and your triglycerides will drop.

My fasting glucose bounces around so I would retest.

Originally Posted by heavyiron

My fasting glucose bounces around so I would retest.

Yeah thats what Im thinking. It was low carb but also very low calories.

Originally Posted by crombie09

Just got off the phone with the Dr. He said everything was fine except my sugars were at 108 (normal is 99) I think this might be the low carb diet I started the day before I got bloodwork done? Also my test levels are low, he said I was @ 261 and normal is 241-827. Yikes! Im about to be 31 in a few days and have noticed Im not very motivated as I used to be and moody as hell. Thats why I got these tests done.

He wants to start me on test therapy asap. My only issue with this is that it's expensive right? I have insurance now but just got laid off so I wont have it much longer and Im worried about affording it in the future.

Is there a good test therapy that is lower cost? He said it was some stuff you rub on like a lotion. Im not really happy about this and dont know what to do. Help!

BTW I'm 31, 6'4" and 207 lbs with around 14% bodyfat if that matters. I used to workout a lot and did cycles when I was in my 20s, I was 245 and lean. I had an accident that destroyed my shoulder about 2 years ago and I've averaged around 200 lbs since then.

Go back for another blood test and get all your other hormones and such checked before you do anything like HRT. What was your last blood test result for test? What changed in your life since then?