Symptoms and
tests: (Dec. 2008)
- feeling anxiety often
- difficulty relaxing
- trouble to sleep at night
- men’s issues in the bedroom sometimes
- bad moods
- depression
- lower energy levels
- stomach and digestive issues – lots of gas, bloating
Thes are the “
Testosterone (T) nmol/L
(range 10 - 30) (300 – 1000 ng/dl)
(10.4 – 34.7 nmol/L)
Free T pmol/L (range 200 - 800) (5.0 – 40.0 pg/ml) (520 – 1387 pmol/L)
Bioavailable T nmol/L (range 5 - 20)
(120 to
600 ng/dl) (4.0-16.0
nmol/L)
SHBG nmol/L (range 10 - 70) (6 – 50 nmol/L)
LH IU/L (range <10) (2.0 – 14.0 U/L)
FSH IU/L (range <10) (1.0 – 12.0 U/L)
Albumin g/L (range 35 - 50)
DHEA Sulphate umol/L (range 5.2 - 14.2) (110
– 690 µg/dl) (3.0 – 18.7 µmol/L)
Prolactin ug/L (range <15) (0 – 15 ng/ml) (2.1 - 17.7 ug/L)
Estradiol ug/L (<220) (< 60 pg/ml) (<
185 pmol/L)
Cortisol nmol/d (range 30 - 220)
Glucose Fasting mmol/L (range 3.3 - 6)
TSH mU/L (range
0.38 - 5.5) (specialists
suggest the range is (0.38 to 2.5)
These are my tests
results: (see above for normal ranges)
#1) Test Results (tested at 5:30pm) Comments based on range standards above:
Testosterone
(T) 14.6 nmol/L low
normal range
Free
T 383 pmol/L low
normal range and lower than normal range (Method
of Vermeulen)
Bioavailable
T 9.8 nmol/L low
normal range (Method of Vermeulen)
SHBG 26 nmol/L low
normal range
LH 4.6 IU/L low
normal range
FSH 2.2 IU/L low
normal range
Albumin 47 g/L high
normal range
Prolactin 3.0 ug/L low
normal range
TSH 3.0 mU/L mid
normal and higher than normal range - some say 3.0 can
lead to problems in future
Lipemia slight serum appeared slightly fatty
Result Analysis:
-
All
testosterone test results are in the low normal range (save for Free T which is
lower than normal by some standards)
-
TSH
is considered too high by expert suggested range.
-
My
blood serum appeared slightly fatty – slightly cloudy serum.
Actions:
-
Get
all testosterone results back into the mid to high normal ranges.
-
Get
the TSH lower than 2.5 if possible.
-
Do
further tests for the Thyroid such as for T3 and T4 to get a better picture of
its health.
-
Test
for lipids to try and explain the slight Lipemia.
Questions:
-
What
causes low Free T and how do you fix it?
-
What
causes high TSH and how do you fix it?
#2) Test Results (tested at 8:30am a
week later – fasted for 10 hours)
Testosterone
(T) 11.8 nmol/L
Free
T 301 pmol/L low
normal range and lower
than normal range (Method of Vermeulen)
Bioavailable
T 7.5 nmol/L low
normal range (Method of Vermeulen)
SHBG 28 nmol/L low
normal range
LH 4.8 IU/L low
normal range
FSH 2.0 IU/L low
normal range
Albumin 46 g/L high
normal range
DHEA
Sulphate 1.9 umol/L lower than normal range
Prolactin 7.0 ug/L mid
normal range
Estradiol 122 ug/L mid
normal range
Glucose
Fasting 5.0 mmol/L mid
normal range
Result Analysis:
-
All
testosterone test results were still in the low normal range (save for Free T
which is lower than normal)
-
DHEA
is lower than the normal range. This is a problem that needs to be fixed
soon.
Actions:
-
Find
out why and then based on findings, set a course of action to get all
testosterone results back into the mid to high normal ranges.
-
Find
out why and then based on findings, set a course of action to Get my DHEA
levels up into mid to high normal ranges – some suggest getting DHEA levels
up may increase your T levels as well (and also may increase Estrogen levels)
so you may only need to raise your DHEA levels to increase your T..
-
Get
tested for Cortisol levels as the DHEA|Cortisol
ration should be monitored. Too much
Cortisol is not good.
-
Test
for DHT as well, as I read it is this substance that can raise the chances for
prostate cancer.
-
Test
for PSA before supplementation and get digital rectal exam before as well.
Questions:
-
What
causes low Free T and how do you fix it?
Probably the low DHEA, which is a precursor to T, caused some low levels
of T.
-
What
causes low DHEA levels? - is this an
adrenal issue as I did have lots of stress from OCD off and on for several
years in the past, my adrenals probably released too much Cortisol too often at
times and may have caused my Adrenals to get fatigued? If so, can I fix my adrenals instead of just
taking DHEA supplements?
#3) Test Results (a few days later)
Lipids Testing:
Cholesterol 5.41 mmol/L range
2 – 5.19 Slightly High
LDL 3.63 mmol/L range
1.5 – 3.39 Slightly High (3.37-4.12 mmol/L) - Borderline
high
HDL 0.99 mmol/L range
> 0.9
Chol/HDL (Risk Ratio) 5.46 ratio range
<4.9 Slightly High
Tryglycerides 1.73 mmol/L range
0.45 – 2.29
Using - http://www.onlineconversion.com/cholesterol.htm
Cholesterol 5.41 mmol/L = 209.2034 mg/dl
LDL 3.63
mmol/L = 140.37123 mg/dl
HDL 0.99
mmol/L = 38.28306 mg/dl
Chol/HDL (Risk Ratio) 5.46
Tryglycerides 1.73
mmol/L = 153.23295 mg/dl
DHEA Sulphate 2.0 umol/L (range
5.2 - 14.2) (lower than normal range)
Result Analysis:
-
My
bad cholesterol was slightly high and my good cholesterol was slightly low.
-
My
DHEA was still lower than normal for a second time.
Actions:
-
Need
to lower my bad cholesterol and raise my good.
-
Find
out why your DHEA is so low.
Questions:
-
Find
out what foods have too much LDL and avoid them and find out which ones have
high HDL and incorporate some of them into your diet.
-
Test
for your cortisol\DHEA ratio
#4) Test Results (a few days later) Comments based on range standards above:
Cortisol 320 nmol/L
very HIGH (URINE CORTISOL 24H (URINE
CORTISOL) M/F <100 Y 30--220 nmol/d)
Result Analysis:
-
Cortisol
is much higher than the normal range and this along with low DHEA can lead to
serious issues over time. This needs to be fixed soon.
Actions:
-
Doctor
is having me do a blood test where I take a specific medicine one time only and
they observe what happens to my cortisol levels…etc.
-
Having
a brain scan to look at my Pituitary gland, as he says the issue could be
somewhere between(and including) my pituitary gland
and my Adrenal glands.
-
Have
a doctor do a “Diagnos-Techs Adrenal Stress Index
(ASI) saliva test” - it test for various things such
as gluten & accompanying scores. A
gluten issue in the body can cause physiological stress, raising Cortisol.
-
The
above test may or may not test for H-Pylori but get this tested too! as it can cause physiological stress and raise cortisol. I have had H-Pylori twice.
-
After
the suppression test, after 2 weeks, go back and do a baseline ACTH and
Baseline Cortisol and DHEAS
-
It
is also recommended by a patient, to do a saliva cortisol test too. They say if
serum cortisol is high and all of your saliva cortisol results are high, then by all means, pursue Cushings
testing. I have read that DHEA is high in Cushing’s and mine is low, but I will
still check this test if an answer is not shown by the other tests.
Questions\Comments:
-
What
causes high Cortisol levels along with low DHEA?
-
I
mentioned to my doctor that I really don’t feel that much emotional stress, at
least not very often and he said even if I was being chased by lions through a
burning jungle, I still would not have cortisol this HIGH***. He said stress
can be physical as well, such as body tissue inflammation, injury, fluctuation
in blood sugar levels. There can be hidden inflammation such as a bacterial
infection of the stomach. I think it may be issues with my stomach as I have
had those before several times.
#5) Test Results (a few days later)
Dexamethasone
Suppression Test: Morning blood
Cortisol was 30nmol/L
(normal range of cortisol after this type of test is less than 50
nmol/L)
Result Analysis:
-
The
normal levels seen with the Dexamethasone Suppression Test, suggests I don’t
have Cushing’s disease.
-
I
did feel more relaxed after my cortisol went down and did sleep better.
Actions:
-
Still
need to find out what is causing the very high Cortisol and low DHEA
-
Brain
scan is now scheduled.
Questions\Comments:
-
Based
on the results of my Dexamethasone Suppression Test, does that mean my
pituitary is working ok or my adrenals are ok?…etc.
#6) Test Results (a week later)
Brain
Scan Results:
Result Analysis:
-
Actions:
-
Visit
to a endocrinologist is now scheduled.
Questions\Comments:
-
#7) Test Results (a week later)
Ferritin 124
ug/L (15
- 300)
Creatinine 89
umol/L (70 - 120)
Estimated
GFR 84 mL/min (>=60)
Calcium 2.29 mmol/L (2.10
- 2.55)
Gamma
GT 27 U/L (10
- 58)
ALT 18 U/L (<60)
TSH 2.6 mU/L (0.38
- 5.5) (specialists suggest the
range is (0.38 to 2.5) - considered
borderline high by some.
Free
T4 13.1 pmol/L (10.5
- 20)
Free
T3 4.9 pmol/l (3.5
- 6.5)
Cortisol
(Morning AM) 521 nmol/L (140 - 690) - high normal, but test was done 2
weeks after the Dexamethasone test, which temp lowered my cortisol
Result Analysis:
-
Online Thyroid group said: “Most healthy
people (without thyroid issues) have frees at midpoint of range (or higher).
Midpoint for Free T4 would be 15.25 and Free T3 would be at 5.”
Actions:
-
Appointment
with endocrinologist is scheduled to have him analyze these results.
-
Seeing
Naturopath to get ASI (adrenal stress index) test which includes saliva
cortisol tests at 4 different time intervals during a one day period, plus DHEA
test. Also will get a GI test.
-
It
appears that I have many symptoms of “low stomach acid” so I am researching it
and looking for a test I can take. I
have had stomach issues for years and have high levels of gas and intermittent
bloating usually each day or every second day, plus occasional constipation and
diarrhea.
Questions\Comments:
-
n/a
#8) Test Results (a week later)
Saw
an Endocrinologist and he said my morning blood Cortisol was normal high which
is good for first thing in the morning, but still does not know why my DHEA is
low.
Result Analysis:
I
have had only 2 tests for Cortisol.
- One 24 hour urine test which shows total
Cortisol produced which is good for knowing if you are producing too much for a
1 day period.
- One morning blood Cortisol which only
proves that it was normal at that specific time and it is unknown if they
levels would drop or increase (they should
decrease throughout the day).
Actions:
-
Since
no tests proved why my cortisol was high and my DHEA was low, we both agreed that
maybe the high cortisol was (and maybe still is) due to my ongoing stomach
issues which cause physical body stress and cortisol can be produced due to
this kind of GI stress. On going high cortisol can lower DHEA over time.
-
The
last morning only cortisol test showed as normal high which is good, but I need
to know if it is gradually going down throughout the day as it normally should
or is it peaking again later, so I will do an ASI test that will test my saliva
(more accurate for Cortisol some say) at 4 different times in the day.
-
Also
will do 1 more 24 hour urine Cortisol test to see if I am still producing
too much, as compared to normal amounts seen in most patients.
-
Will
do a test for low stomach acid by taking Betaine HCL supplements in the middle
of meals and increasing the dose each day until I feel a burning sensation and
at that point, go back to yesterday’s dose and continue and monitor the
symptoms for low stomach acid.
-
Will
also do some cleansing of my entire GI tract.
-
Will
wait a couple weeks and do another DHEA test
-
Been
reading and would like to get hair analysis and test for lead levels and other
potentially harmful substances.
Questions\Comments:
-
#9) Test Results ( 1 week later)
The
test for low stomach acid showed that I do in fact, have low stomach acid. I am up to 3 Betaine HCL tablets per big meal
and still feel no burning sensation.
Apparently many people have this condition as well and don’t even know
it as the symptoms for both high and low stomach acid can be similar in some
ways. But if you have normal or high
stomach acid and you take Betaine HCL tablets you will feel burning the first
time you take it. Don’t drown it with
water too much when you take it and have some Alka-Seltzer ready.
Still waiting for my ASI results.
Result Analysis:
-
I have low stomach acid
and have slightly less gas and bloating issue now but too early to tell.
Actions:
-
Taking
Betaine HCL tablets with big meals especially that contain lots of protein such
as in meat.
-
Also
taking pre and pro biotics and some digestive enzymes
occasionally.
-
Questions\Comments:
-
The
consequences of elevated cortisol and reduced DHEA levels are
devastating:
The immune system is
compromised with increased risk to infections, certain cancers, allergies and
autoimmune diseases. Glucose utilization and insulin function are altered with
resultant higher blood sugar levels. Salt and water are retained, producing
tendency toward high blood pressure. Blood cholesterol and triglycerides
increase and predispose to heart disease. Thyroid function becomes impaired,
resulting in decreased metabolism, lowered body temperature, and reduced
vitality. The body stores fat, especially around the midsection. Depression,
insomnia, hunger, and PMS result. Reproductive function falters with resultant
infertility and cessation of the menstrual cycle. The body becomes more
susceptible to toxins and heavy metals. Stomach ulcers form. Memory and
learning become impaired. The combination of reduced R.E.M.
(rapid eye movement) sleep and lowered growth hormone release at night diminish
mental and physical regeneration, which results in acceleration of the aging
process. Protein synthesis is reduced and protein breakdown is increased,
leading to bone loss, skin wrinkles, arthritis, muscle loss and weakness, and
all the protein supplements in the world won't make a difference. However,
resistive exercise (like bodybuilding) can maintain muscle mass under these
conditions by "stealing" protein from the internal organs. Obviously,
this is not healthy. An additional strike against endurance athletes is the
fact that insulin-sensitive, slow oxidative type 1 muscle fibers become
replaced by fast glycolytic type II-B muscle fibers,
resulting in poor performance. Not all of these effects of high cortisol and
low DHEA occur in everyone. What does happen in each individual is dependent
upon genetic predisposition and lifestyle/environmental factors.
The bad news is that maladaptation to stress with
elevated cortisol and diminished DHEA is extremely common, epidemic actually.
And until the body undergoes a certain degree of breakdown, there are no
symptoms. The good news is that the altered cortisol and DHEA levels, and the
conditions that result, can be normalized with the appropriate intervention.
DHEA supplementation is only part of the solution. To fully reverse this
condition, the stress that produced it must be removed - but first it must be
identified.
Most people equate the word "stress" with mental/emotional strain.
This is only one type of stress. The other major types of stress are body
tissue inflammation and injury, and fluctuation in blood sugar levels. No
matter which of these types of stress are present, the body's response is
always the same: initially both cortisol and DHEA increase, and with prolonged
stress, the DHEA plummets.
To truly correct the underlying cause, we need to reduce the precipitating
stress. Meditation, tai chi, and aerobic exercise can minimize mental/emotional
stress. All of these methods have been proven to reduce cortisol levels. When
cortisol levels are lowered, DHEA levels begin to increase toward normal.
Inflammation in the body may be obvious, as in arthritis, or it may be hidden.
It must be identified and dealt with appropriately, which usually includes
specific diet and nutritional supplement strategies. The most common cause of
hidden inflammation is a bacterial infection of the stomach. By killing these
bacteria with the appropriate medication, cortisol and DHEA are normalized. The
second most common cause of hidden inflammation is an inherited intestinal
toxicity to a protein found in certain grains, such as wheat, rye, oats,
quinoa, soy, and amaranth. To reduce this source of stress to the body, these
foods must be avoided or at least minimized. When blood sugar fluctuations are
stressing the body, 5 or 6 meals should be eaten daily and they should have a
carbohydrate to protein ratio of roughly 2 to 1 with a moderate glycemic index. All of these strategies help to correct the
underlying cause of low DHEA and high cortisol.
The popular notion that DHEA levels decline primarily because of age is false.
As described above, DHEA levels diminish because of prolonged stress. Many
people in their twenties have low DHEA levels and some people in their eighties
have been shown to have normal DHEA production.
When the body has become maladapted to stress, with reduced DHEA and elevated
cortisol, in addition to dealing with the precipitating stress, it is a good
idea to take DHEA supplements. It should be noted that this use of DHEA
supplementation is short term (usually less than a year) and its purpose is to
allow the adrenal glands to rest so they can regenerate and begin producing
normal DHEA levels again on their own. In my opinion, this is the only physiologic,
safe and logical use of DHEA supplements. It just so happens
that a huge number of people fall into this category. However, don't
assume you are one of these people. When the maladapted stress response
proceeds long enough, eventually the adrenal glands become exhausted and we get
a reduction of cortisol below normal levels with DHEA rising into the normal
range. To take DHEA in this state does more harm than good by further
suppressing cortisol levels! To determine your body's levels of DHEA and cortisol
with greatest accuracy, you need to have them measured from saliva samples.
When DHEA levels are low, supplements should be taken for several months. When
another saliva test has shown that DHEA is back in normal range, the
supplements are gradually tapered off and followed by another test about a week
after stopping supplementation. This is done to assure that the body has
recovered and is again making DHEA on its own.
For those who are not concerned with health but take DHEA for reasons other than
restoring levels to normal, beware of excessive and/or prolonged use causing or
contributing to: nausea, headaches, acne, liver tumors, atherosclerosis,
prostate cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, male breast growth, uterine
fibroids and polyps, endometriosis, cystic breasts and ovaries, male pattern
hair growth in women, spotting, and breast tenderness. The adrenal glands may
atrophy and some people on thyroid replacement therapy will become hyperthyroid
as the DHEA makes the medication more active.
Again, I do not advocate reckless use of DHEA. I supply the following
information on types of DHEA supplements to educate only.
Despite popular propaganda, wild yam is not a source of "natural"
DHEA. Proponents of wild yam claim that the body makes DHEA from it as needed. Diosgenin is the compound in wild yam that the body
supposedly converts to DHEA. Diosgenin can be
converted to DHEA, but only in a laboratory! It does not get converted to DHEA
in the human body. In addition, some wild yam products are laced with DHEA or
other hormones in unknown quantities. Taking wild yam supplements is dangerous
business - you don't know what you are getting.
Some real DHEA supplements are available in a liquid form to be taken under the
tongue. The peak dose used to restore normal levels is 5 to 7 milligrams twice
per day. The drops are held under the tongue before swallowing. Eating,
drinking, brushing teeth, and smoking should be avoided for 30-45 minutes
afterward. DHEA administered sublingually is the preferred method in cases of
autoimmune disease.
In order to get greater conversion of DHEA to testosterone and estrogen, it
should be taken in capsule form. It should be taken in two daily doses at the
beginning of meals. The meal must contain some fat for the DHEA to be properly
absorbed. The peak dose of DHEA to restore normal levels is 25 milligrams twice
daily. Micronized DHEA is 3 to 4 times better absorbed than non-micronized. Micronization means that the individual particles of DHEA
have been reduced to very small size.
To conclude, DHEA is a powerful hormone and supplement with potential to do a
lot of good. Like everything else in the body, balance is the key. If you are
considering DHEA supplementation, I recommend performing a salivary DHEA-cortisol
test to see if you need it.
The multi-billion dollar antacid industry has you believing that stomach acid is bad for you.
While you may use antacids for heartburn relief or indigestion, they are not a cure for what causes these problems in the first place.
Contrary to popular belief, indigestion is usually caused by low stomach acid - also called hypochlorhydria- and it affects up to half of our population. 1
Treatment that further neutralizes stomach acid can make your digestion worse.
Why Stomach Acid is Good For You
Stomach acid or hydrochloric acid (HCl), is a very powerful digestive agent, and much more important than you realize.
HCl's important functions include:
As you age, your stomach acid tends to decrease anyway. Add a poor diet of processed foods and you may find that you have both digestive and immune problems.
Low Stomach Acid: A Vicious Cycle
There are two main consequences of low stomach acid:
Low stomach acid
eventually creates a vicious cycle: low stomach acid = low minerals = acidic
blood. This cycle continues because acidic blood further creates low minerals
and low stomach acid.
Once this vicious cycle has started, there is a cascade of consequences:
Low DHEA and high cortisol affect your brain and behavior, but that's not all. The vicious cycle of low stomach acid affects your inner ecosystem too. Low stomach acid can lead to more bad guys (pathogenic bacteria, candida and viruses) than good guys (healthy microflora), thus lowering your immunity.
Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid
Here are some of the common symptoms and disorders caused by low stomach acid1,3:
Increase Your Stomach Acid, Heal Your Digestion
Here are the 3 KEY ways to increase your stomach acid:
As you eat a healthy Body Ecology diet, you will find your digestion improving. You may notice that you experience heartburn relief, less indigestion and improved energy. Or perhaps, if you have had long-standing digestive problems, your journey to health may take a bit longer. Be patient as you go step by step towards true health.
Whatever the reason for low stomach acid, we have another solution for you: Assist Dairy and Protein Digestive Enzymes.
Assist Dairy and Protein is a potent blend of digestive enzymes and HCl designed specifically to help you digest proteins from all animal and vegetable sources.
There is no reason to suffer the vicious cycle of low stomach acid. So start by healing the root cause and watch your energy and vitality improve, naturally!
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland becomes inefficient and fails to
produce enough T4. The pituitary gland (through the feedback loop) will
produce increased amounts
of TSH. In the early stages of hypothyroidism, the T4 level will
remain normal, but the TSH
will be raised. Eventually, the thyroid gland will fail
sufficiently to cause the T4 to fall below normal and the TSH will become significantly
raised.
Hypothyroidism causes exhaustion, metabolic slowing, cold intolerance, hair loss, and depression.
The lab findings (early on) are a normal T4 and Free T4 with an elevated TSH. Later the T4 and Free T4 become low and the TSH rises even higher.
Treatment is achieved by taking thyroid replacement therapy (L-thyroxine) by mouth on a daily basis. Measuring the TSH can be used to monitor how appropriate the therapy is but should not be done more than once a month when treatment is started and no more often than once per year thereafter (unless there are unusual symptoms).
The information contained on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice. Please see Your Doctor for any medical complaint
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