2nd blood tests. Adrenal Fatigue?

[Guest guest]

I have received the results of my 2nd blood exam, and would like to

share these results with you and compare them to the 1st exam I did 2

months ago.

1st blood exams (October)

LH 5.9 IU/L (1.5 - 9.3)

FSH 4.3 IU/L (1.4 - 18.1)

Estradiol 75.4 pmol/L (43 - 151)

Progesterone 2.80 nmol/L (0.89 - 3.88)

Prolactin 11.5 ug/L (2.1 - 17.7)

Androstenedione 1.9 nmol/L (2.4 - 12.6)

SHBG 18.5 nmol/L (in men 13 - 71)

Total Testosterone 9.17 nmol/L (8.40 - 28.7)

Free Testosterone 17.8 pmol/L (19.08 - 121.45)

DHT 668 nmol/L (in men 250 - 990)

TSH 4.31 mUI/L (0.35 - 5.50)

Adiol-G 10.1 ng/mL (in men 1.0 - 23.6)

2nd blood exams (December)

LH 4.9 IU/L (1.7 - 8.6)

FSH 5.3 IU/L (1.5 - 12.4)

Estradiol 31.52 pmol/L (28.00 - 156.00)

Progesterone 0.96 nmol/L (0.70 - 4.30)

Prolactin 15.06 ng/mL (4.60 - 21.40)

Androstenedione 1.86 ng/mL (2.4 - 12.6)

SHBG 25.5 nmol/L (in men 13-71)

Total Testosterone 12.61 nmol/L (9.90 - 27.80)

TSH 3.02 uIU/mL (0.27 - 4.20)

Free T3 3.65 pg/mL (2.00 - 4.40)

Free T4 1.49 ng/dL (0.93 - 1.70)

DHEAS 6.34 umol/L (1.50 - 10.70)

Cortisol 170.5 nmol/L (taken at 8 am, range is: 171.0 - 536)

Explanation

* The different ranges are because the tests were taken in different

labs (also different countries).

My testosterone is very low indeed, but I think my LH and FSH

production isn't bad, so after the 1st blood test I've been looking

into other possible causes.

At first I thought I could be hypothyroidism, but Free T3 and Free T4

came back within range.

But at this time, Cortisol test was asked for, and came back below

range. My doctor didn't pay much attention because it touches

borderline.

So I did some reasearch and it turns out I might be suffering from

Adrenal Insufficiency.

My adrenal glands are exhausted and are not putting out enough

Cortisol. Therefore, my body is not producing enough Androstenedione,

per this pathway:

http://www.drlam.com/pictures/adrenal_pathway.gif

<http://www.drlam.com/pictures/adrenal_pathway.gif>

With my level of Androstenedione, no wonder I have low Testosterone

and low Estradiol.

A lack in cortisol levels explains an underactive thyroid (my TSH is

too high), low Testosterone levels due to low Androstenedione, and a

host of many symptoms that I have (in the last year i've had a

recurring infection, many alergies and seborrheic dermatitis episodes.)

Since I've read Cortisol should be the priority in treating

hormones,

I'm hoping that by increasing Cortisol, the other hormones will fall

into place, including the low Testosterone.

(Note: It's also worth noticing that my level of Estradiol has fallen

to half since the 1st blood test, and my Progesterone has fallen to

1/3. My Prolactin has risen 5 points, approaching the top level of the

interval.)

I'd value your opinions about all this.