Labwork Recommendation for ED

[goloco]

Aloha

I want to get some testing done for my "low libido/ Erectile dysfunction (ED)" issues.

These issues started to pop up about a year ago...

Rarely sought out testing but Im doing the right thing now...by getting labwork done.

If my Primary from the VA wont order the test(s) for me, I figure Ill go to LabCorp to get it done.

What tests do you recommend I get done for, "low libido/ED"?

Im thinking to at least get these done, do you recommend anymore?
^
Free test
Total test
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); free thyroxine index (FTI); luteinizing hormone (LH); prolactin; T3 uptake (THBR); testosterone; thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH); thyroxine (T4)

Thank you for your time!

 

[alfresco]

Can't answer this any with degree of authority or certainty and will not speculate as
there are so many interrelated 'moving parts.'

At the VA, why not ask a endocrinologist or doctor?

Have you been on steroids? Be upfront about your usage. Could be a correlation
although correlation does not imply causation.

 

[goloco]

So when I made this post I wanted to make sure Im requesting the right tests (from the VA) to be done for my issues...

I was trying to get more clarity from fellow PM board members.
I figure the tests Im requesting are a good start for a basic assessment...wouldnt you agree?

Ive been taking roids, on & off for 3 years now (Im 31)

Currently running 200mg Test & 200mg Tren E per week

Im guessing to use Caber now, .25-.50 per week...but I dont want to guess anymore, I want some tests done to give me better insight

 

[tokon]

estrogen?

 

[goloco]

estrogen?

On Labcorp... I see an "Estrogen Total" test....

004549: Estrogens, Total | Labcorp

Labcorp test details for Estrogens, Total

www.labcorp.com

....Is "Estrogen Total" sufficient for measuring our Estrogen?

Im so new to this...

 

[lif22]

Estrogen and DHT for sure

 

[phoenix2]

So when I made this post I wanted to make sure Im requesting the right tests (from the VA) to be done for my issues...

I was trying to get more clarity from fellow PM board members.
I figure the tests Im requesting are a good start for a basic assessment...wouldnt you agree?

Ive been taking roids, on & off for 3 years now (Im 31)

Currently running 200mg Test & 200mg Tren E per week

Im guessing to use Caber now, .25-.50 per week...but I dont want to guess anymore, I want some tests done to give me better insight

You need sensitive estradiol test because tren can show up as e2 on standard test.
Are you taking any AI?
Your problem is erection, libido (desire) or both?

 

[m314]

Most libido issues in my experience came down to estradiol. I would also get prolactin checked.

Everyone's different, but tren (even low doses) kills my sex drive over time. First it kills my ability to finish, then over a few weeks my sex drive goes away almost completely. This happens even with estradiol and prolactin in the right ranges.

 

[phoenix2]

Most libido issues in my experience came down to estradiol. I would also get prolactin checked.

Everyone's different, but tren (even low doses) kills my sex drive over time. First it kills my ability to finish, then over a few weeks my sex drive goes away almost completely. This happens even with estradiol and prolactin in the right ranges.

I agree with you. Libido/ed issues are mainly caused by too high/too low e2 and a screwed androgen/estrogen ratio.
Prolactin has a role too, but mainly related to anorgasmia/refractory period. It could cause ed issues if it's very high. In my experience tren increases test aromatization, and i felt better with lower test/tren ratio. But everyone is different.

 

[goloco]

You need sensitive estradiol test because tren can show up as e2 on standard test.
Are you taking any AI?
Your problem is erection, libido (desire) or both?

Thank you for the sensitive estradiol test recommendation

Aromasin 25mg EOD (but with tren e 200mg/sustanon 200mg per week, maybe thats too much Aromasin per week...)

Cabergoline .25-.50mg per week

Erection & Libido (desire), both are a problem

When I have taken the Viagra prescription, its like magic....I get the mental energy + the dick gets rock hard.

A VA Physician told me nationwide, all doctors are very restricted on how much Viagra they can prescribe, I can only get something like (6) 100mg pills per 30 days. So I just ordered some raw Viagra powder, so I dont have to deal with that bullshit policy anymore.

Typically, it takes a while for me to cum, never was the premature ejaculation type, haha.
I feel like Viagra makes the erections so much harder so theyre more sensitive to vaginal penetration/grinding and I cum quicker or I can at least finish sex by cumming.

Some instances Im still hard but it takes so much time and effort/energy to cum, I stop before cumming (my girlfriend dont like this...."its not real sex, unless you cum"...her words).

When these dick issues started popping up, a year ago, I started looking into penis stretching & exercises..I think they have been making a difference for me. I do stretches in the shower combined with this pump that uses water for resistance. 2 days on 1 day off protocol with penis work, haha.

I've been looking through the forums to learn from people who dealt with similar challenges...it seems that Masteron and/or Proviron made positive impact on libido issues; consequently, no AI was needed when one or the other was taken.

I got some Masteron & Proviron on the way, Ill try one of them first.

 

[m314]

Aromasin is probably the cause of your problems. 25 mg EOD is a massive dose. I wouldn't need an AI at all on 200 mg/week test and 200 mg/week tren.

 

[goloco]

Aromasin is probably the cause of your problems. 25 mg EOD is a massive dose. I wouldn't need an AI at all on 200 mg/week test and 200 mg/week tren.

Roger that.

Ill get off of the Aromasin; perhaps, Ill stick with the Caber at .25-.50 per week.....we'll know for sure, when I get some good labwork going

 

[m314]

Roger that.

Ill get off of the Aromasin; perhaps, Ill stick with the Caber at .25-.50 per week.....we'll know for sure, when I get some good labwork going

Low dose caber only boosts sex drive in my experience. It might help to stay on it. For me, 200 mg/week test puts my total and free test at the top of the natural range. My sex drive is the highest when estradiol (in the sensitive test) is also at the top of the natural range.

If you want a sky high sex drive, try switching out the tren for low dose trest (70 - 100 mg/week). Low dose trest with TRT test makes me want it several times a day, and I'm in my mid 40s.

 

[mario2901]

Caber is stupid strong - read up more on on prolactin has a huge influence on libido and erection quality.

My prolactin climbs above range slightly over a longer period,I use .5 ONCE to bring it down.

 

[phoenix2]

Thank you for the sensitive estradiol test recommendation

Aromasin 25mg EOD (but with tren e 200mg/sustanon 200mg per week, maybe thats too much Aromasin per week...)

Cabergoline .25-.50mg per week

Erection & Libido (desire), both are a problem

When I have taken the Viagra prescription, its like magic....I get the mental energy + the dick gets rock hard.

A VA Physician told me nationwide, all doctors are very restricted on how much Viagra they can prescribe, I can only get something like (6) 100mg pills per 30 days. So I just ordered some raw Viagra powder, so I dont have to deal with that bullshit policy anymore.

Typically, it takes a while for me to cum, never was the premature ejaculation type, haha.
I feel like Viagra makes the erections so much harder so theyre more sensitive to vaginal penetration/grinding and I cum quicker or I can at least finish sex by cumming.

Some instances Im still hard but it takes so much time and effort/energy to cum, I stop before cumming (my girlfriend dont like this...."its not real sex, unless you cum"...her words).

When these dick issues started popping up, a year ago, I started looking into penis stretching & exercises..I think they have been making a difference for me. I do stretches in the shower combined with this pump that uses water for resistance. 2 days on 1 day off protocol with penis work, haha.

I've been looking through the forums to learn from people who dealt with similar challenges...it seems that Masteron and/or Proviron made positive impact on libido issues; consequently, no AI was needed when one or the other was taken.

I got some Masteron & Proviron on the way, Ill try one of them first.

I had several times same problems. And everytime aromasin was involved. You can try proviron or masteron, but if you drive e2 too low they are worthless, or they may even have opposite effects.
25 mg eod of aromasin with 200 mg of test is too much. Get your e2 tested via sensitive test if you can.
Cabergoline, as a dopamine agonist, helps no doubts in the libido department. But dopamine is only one of the pieces of puzzle when it comes to libido. The right balance between hormones is the key.
Check your prostate also if you have urinary symptoms. Recently i was having some mild ed problems (not libido) and i discovered i've gotten an infection (prostatitis). My gf has gotten the infection too.
Congestion, tension, inflammation of pelvic area (muscles, nervs, blood vessels) may lead to some degree of ED too. And then the mind adds the rest. Obsessive thinking and stressing about ED, about how you will perform will cause ED, no matter the levels of which your e2, test and prolactin are.

 

[phoenix2]

Caber is stupid strong - read up more on on prolactin has a huge influence on libido and erection quality.

My prolactin climbs above range slightly over a longer period,I use .5 ONCE to bring it down.

Yes, cabergoline taken at need is very strong and with long lasting effects. Take too much and you will wake up in zombie mode. And, for me, too much cabergoline has negative effects on libido. On a side note, it makes me shot bigger loads lol .

 

[swim15]

As noted, that aromasin dose is insane and would give me ED on a gram of test a week. I'd drop it entirely as well as the caber. Really no need and DA agonists arent something to play with a lot unless they are really, really necessary.

If that doesn't do it, Id drop the tren and see how things are on just test.

If you still want blood work I'd start with these. It could be related to none of those but if its hormone related, that will likely give you a good starting point.
Total Test
Free Test
SHBG
DHT
Sensitive estradiol
Prolactin
TSH
Free T4
Free T3
Reverse T3

 

[Pissbrainiac259]

100 to 1 odds says your VA doc will NOT draw half of those labs for you. Fortunately, nowadays you can request essentially any blood work you want. What labs to order and how to interpret them can sometimes be a Rubik's cube. Stewie, you want to chime in on this one.

 

[Creation]

Have you tried just asking for it?

Tell him you are having trouble maintaining a woody..

 

[goloco]

Yes, cabergoline taken at need is very strong and with long lasting effects. Take too much and you will wake up in zombie mode. And, for me, too much cabergoline has negative effects on libido. On a side note, it makes me shot bigger loads lol .

I remember when I first started reading about Caber...the libido boosting effects is what first attracted to me to it, lolz

But Caber may not be for me
OR
it needs to be taken in much smaller doses

My VA doctor fulfilled my request for labwork (who knows if he did all the test I requested).... he called me earlier today to tell me my thyroid levels are out of whack, my prolactin was in a normal range...

I requested a copy to see for myself.....I still have yet to receive a copy