TESTIM: HALF LIFE, FREE & BIOAVAILABLE TEST, SHBG, ETC.

[Lucca Brassi]

Dear Members

My Doc prescribed Testim and sent me for blood tests for total testosterone (TT), Leutinizing hormone, prolactin, t4, tsh 3rd gen and cbc. I am 41 and for 3 years I have had no libido, weak orgasm, fatigue, weakness, loss of muscle, etc. I started the testim before the blood work came back. I took the Tesim for 5 days, 1 tube for the first 3 days and 2 tubes for the last 2 days. By the 5th day all of my symptoms were gone! It was a miricle!

On the 6th day my blood work came back, It was normal with a total testosterone (TT) of 600, in the normal range, so I stopped taking the Testim and my symptoms returned. After extensive research I learned that it is not TT that matters, but bioavailable testosterone (BAT) and free testosterone (FT) that matter. BAT and FT can be effected by sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Test bound to SHBG is ineffective but test bound to albumin (AT) is effective. The remaining test is considered FT and effective also. Therefore TT-SHBG = BAT(FT+AT). I felt that this is what we needed to analyze. I called my doc and suggested an SHBG, albumin and FT blood test. I also made an appointment with a urologist, 3weeks from now.

I have been off the testim for 4 days now. I was on it for only 5 days.
I want to wait until my levels return to normal (pre-testim levels) before taking the aforementioned blood test.

1.When will my TT, FT, BAT, SHBG return to pre-testim levels so that my aforementioned blood test will be accurate.

2. I read that SHBG is lowered by testosterone replacement therapy. Can I assume that my SHBG is lower now that I have taken testim for 5 days? When will it return to pre-testim levels?

3.At what time of the day are TT, FT, BAT at their lowest and SHBG at its highest?

4. If my FT, albumin and SHBG test come back normal, but I still have symptoms, is it customary that the urologist will continue me on testim, as it cured my symptoms before? This question is important to me!

5.SHBG can be elevated in people who drink. I drank for 9 years, 3-4 time per week, 10 drinks at a time. I know, very stupid! I stopped a month ago. SHBG can lower BAT. Is that what is causing my symptoms; too much SHBG in my system from past drinking? Testosterone gets bound to SHBG and makes the test ineffective? I have not drank for a month, except 3 drinks 1 week ago on easter...stupid, I know! When do SHBG levels normalize after abstaining from drinking?

6.How long does natural testosterone production take to shut down after starting on testim, and how long will it take to return to pre-testim levels after stopping? Will 5 days of testim shut down natural test production?

7. When does testim totally leave the body?

8. What will lower FT and BAT? What will increase SHBG? I ask this to get my levels back to pre-testim levels quikly.

I am in great shape. I run and lift. I always go in for a complete physical, blood work-up (cbc, liver, psa, cholesterol, etc), EKG, chest film, etc. 2 years ago my TT was 450 out of a 270 to 850 normal range.
I have only had some slight liver enzyme (ALT) elevation from drinking. I drank for 9 years, 3-4 time per week, 10 drinks at a time. I know, very stupid! I stopped a month ago. All other hepatic functions were normal.


Sorry for asking so many questions!! Doctors seem to not have a clue about this stuff. I have found more answers on ABB than with my doctors. You guys know your stuff!! I also hope that by returning my BAT and FT to high-normal levels, with testim, I can fix my libido,fatigue and increase my lean muscle mass.

Any links, etc. would be greatly appreciated.


Please go easy on me. I am a novice member.

Thanks a million,

Lucca Brassi

[noname]

First off, you don't need to post this twice, people will answer you when they have time, if they have an answer.

Testim only stays in your body for about 24 hours. You should be fine to take the tests now.

Why did you stop taking it to begin with? And don't worry about the doctor taking you off it. Just tell him that it works, you feel better on it, your symptoms are gone and you want to use it.

If he won't let you stay on, then fire his dumb ass and go find yourself another doctor. Do some research, look for anti-aging doctors in your area. I'm sure you can find one that will help you.

[Lucca Brassi]

Originally Posted by noname

First off, you don't need to post this twice, people will answer you when they have time, if they have an answer.

Testim only stays in your body for about 24 hours. You should be fine to take the tests now.

Why did you stop taking it to begin with? And don't worry about the doctor taking you off it. Just tell him that it works, you feel better on it, your symptoms are gone and you want to use it.

If he won't let you stay on, then fire his dumb ass and go find yourself another doctor. Do some research, look for anti-aging doctors in your area. I'm sure you can find one that will help you.

Hey JJ
I posted twice because the title on the first one was misspelled!!

I stopped because I have to take another blood test for FT, SHBG and albumin. Do you think it is back to normal (shbg and ft) now after 4 days?

[Lockk]

May want to take a moment and stop over to the new member introduction forum and say hello. I will try and answer a few of your questions for you.


1.Testim and Androgel leave the system quick thus why they are applied everyday. Within 5 days they should easily be back at original levels and most likely much sooner.


3, Early AM test levels are highest and doctor that understand TRT or HRT will have your teat levels checked before noon.

4. They wont evaluate SHBG or albumin for determing a prescription but they will use FT, TT & BAT and if it's within normal range most doctors will not give you a prescription. It is not customary to continue unless your levels indicate the need for a prescription.


5. That much drinking in general can lower TT, FT, BAT and effect SHBG to what extent you would have to google and do some research.
6. As soon as your HPTA see exogenous test then normal test production begins shut down immediately as to how fast it is turned off I am sure that depends on the person to some extent.

6. Yes SHBG, it can be elev in people who drink but currently you do not if by some wild chance your past drinking has damaged your HPTA the doctors can see and evaluate that from FH, TSH, LH, T3, T$ and then let you know if you are primary or secondary hypogonadal.

7. Just guessing but easily within 3-5 days Testim would be gone from your system.


Here is some reading for you. This guy is probably one of the better doc's for TRT & HRT,

All Things Male - Center for Men's Health

Good luck

[Lucca Brassi]

Thanks lockk
The info is helpful! I like the site too! Any more info will be appreciated.

[Lucca Brassi]

"7. Just guessing but easily within 3-5 days Testim would be gone from your system."

Lockk
Do you think my SHBG is back to pre-testim levels after 4 days off testim?

[Lucca Brassi]

Originally Posted by noname

Testim only stays in your body for about 24 hours. You should be fine to take the test now

If I lowered my shbg levels on 5 days of testim then are they now back to pre-testim levels after 5 days off testim?

[noname]

no clue. I'm not a doctor, even though I play one on TV...

[Lockk]

Originally Posted by Lucca Brassi

Lockk
Do you think my SHBG is back to pre-testim levels after 4 days off testim?

There are more things that affect SHBG then just your level of Test and I do not know them all but insulin levels for sure effect it. So it is hard to say if it would be back to previous levels.

I would say this, a smart doctor will use Free Test or Bio-available Test assays because they are not affected by SHBG and that is the reason to never base TRT on just Total Test levels.

If they tested for SHBG and it is way out of wack then any endocrinologist would be looking for other reasons rather then just Test levels.

I did see that your using a urologist I would suggest do tons of your own research and consider and endocrinologist,

[Lucca Brassi]

Originally Posted by Lockk

I would say this, a smart doctor will use Free Test or Bio-available Test assays because they are not affected by SHBG and that is the reason to never base TRT on just Total Test levels.

If they tested for SHBG and it is way out of wack then any endocrinologist would be looking for other reasons rather then just Test levels.

L,
I thought Test is neutralized by shbg: TT-SHBG=BAT , TT-(SHBG+BAT)=FT.
FT is not bound by albumin or SHBG. BAT = T bound by albumin + T not bound at all. Am I wrong?

10 days ago, my TT was 600 (normal=270-850), but I had serious low test symptoms. My past TT test was 450(normal=270-850) All my other tests were fine, i.e. thyroid, cbc, etc. I have never taken a FT or BAT blood test, yet. After the blood test, I took testim for 5 days.The testim cured all my symptoms. I stopped taking testim for the past 5 days as I had a blood test today. My symptoms returned.

I just took a Free T, albumin and SHBG blood test today. I hope 5 days off the testim has brought me back to pre-testim levels or lower; I only took it for 5 days prior to stopping. I went back on it today. Before I see the urologist I am going to stop the testim for 10 days. Hopefully, my levels (i.e. FT, BAT) will be nice and low, for the blood tests he orders. What are your thoughts.

That website, All Things Male, is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks a million for directing me to that site!!!