Re: Serum testosterone levels
From: Ron (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 10 Sep 2003 15:00:55 -0500 (CDT)
Hi Amy,
The peripheral neuropathy in your feet is likely due to type 2 diabetes.
Have you had a blood test called "Hemoglobin A1c (H A1c) ?
That is more accurate than blood sugar for predicting diabetes.
If you are not reducing your calorie intake and especialy by reducing
refined carbohydrates the metformin may not be sufficient to counteract
the carbs.
Some people seem to tolerate the brand name "Glucophage" better, so if
you are having any side effects you might want to try the other med.
There are difference in the non active components.
If you are not able to reduce your triglycerides that can cause a heart
attack.
How is the HDL LDL cholesterol ration?
Here are a few articles so that you won't have to accept your doctor's
word as gospel. Print them... and underline in RED all that applies to
your symptoms.
http://www.drmirkin.com/archive/6254.html
http://www.drmirkin.com/heart/7888.html
http://www.drmirkin.com/archive/6443.html
http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/8846.html
http://www.drmirkin.com/diabetes/d222.html
Good hunting...
Ron
At Wed, 10 Sep 2003, anonymous wrote:
>
>I wouldn't be too concerned. As I am sure you know, hormones fluctuate
>and test results can sometimes be off. If it is still that high or any
>higher on your next follow-up test, I would discuss this with your
>doctor; Maybe ask about increasing the Metformin dosage.
>
>At Tue, 9 Sep 2003, Amy wrote:
>>
>>Hello Everyone!
>>
>>First, my question. Back in June my testosterone level was at 68.0
>>ng/dL. At my August re-test it was up to 116.0 ng/dL. I understand the
>>reference range to be that 0. is low and 35.0 is high. Just how bad is
>>this? I am a bit freaked by this - I get sent this lab-test result sheet
>>from the doc's office along with some stupid form letter that only has
>>the "Make no changes" box checked. I call the doc's office and the
>>nurse says that it is not "at a scary level", that my sugars are fine,
>>and that if the doctor had been concerned, I would have been notified. I
>>expressed my frustration with my acne, and that I didn't understand why
>>I couldn't at least be prescribed something that would clear up my face.
>>She said the metformin I am taking was supposed to help with that.
>>Again, I get the "take your medication as prescribed and keep your
>>appointments" speech. By that time I was so mad I just hung up on her.
>>Any input you have regarding that would be much appreciated (the
>>testosterone, not my having hung up on the nurse).
>>
>>Secondly, some background info. I was diagnosed with IR about a year
>>ago and started taking 500mg of metformin 2x daily. Additionally, I
>>take blood pressure meds, neurontin for peripheral neuropathy pain in my
>>feet, Actos, Lopid (high triglycerides), various vitamins and those
>>nasty fish oil capsules, ortho-evra (which I re-started about a week ago
>>in hopes of it helping clear up my face), and anti-depressants. I
>>distinctly recall my first appointment with this endocrinologist - he
>>was almost giddy as he kept ticking off marks on his chart and
>>exclaiming how I was a "textbook case". How exciting for him, and
>>utterly dismal for me. I hadn't had a regular period for 5 years until
>>about 6mos to 1yr ago (no, I didn't miss it - fertility is simply not a
>>concern of mine right now). Let me add that I'm 28 and overweight.
>>Overweight enough to have a BMI of 36. I'm on a low-carb (30grams of
>>carbs per meal) diet and have lost 10 pounds in the past two months. If
>>there's anything else you want to know, ask me.
>>
>>Thanks!
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