Help with hormones and fat loss!

[dutcholiver]

I need help! I have gone to two different HRT docs, done blood work, and both docs say that all but two of my levels are "normal." I only had a slightly low dhea and test level. (I am 30 yr. old) My problem is that I absolutely can not lose any body fat. I am a trainer and I am maticulous about diet, training, etc. - that is not the problem. I consistently have a low body temperature of approx. 97.4 degrees. The only time I have been able to lose the slightest bit of fat (about .25 lbs in a week) is when I would drop my kcals VERY low for 5 days, 45 min cardio every day, then on the 6th day crank my kcals very high, do no cardio and watch my body temp. make it to the low 98 degree range. This has been going on for years. SO, I got fed up after my last blood work and decided to try and address the problem myself (insert judgement here). I suspected that it was my thyroid, even though my levels measured "fine," and I tried some very low dose armour thyroid (with some dhea to address that issue). This did help make the fat loss easier, but I was still busting my ass for .5 lb per week. I could live with that pace of fat loss, but because I self-diagnosed I stopped just because I dont know if I fixed the orginal problem or not. Help>

ANY ideas? Why would the armour work a little bit even though my blood values were fine. And even if my blood values were slightly off prior to my supplementing with the armour, why would it seem as if my thyroid was completely useless.

[1cc]

Please post your labs with ranges.

[wildfox]

yeah, would be nice to see your full lab info. What's your current body fat %? Have you considered a macro-nutrient-cycling diet that is heavier on the protein and good fats, and only a few meals a week are high-carb-only?

WF

[Vforcer2]

Originally Posted by dutcholiver

I need help! I have gone to two different HRT docs, done blood work, and both docs say that all but two of my levels are "normal." I only had a slightly low dhea and test level. (I am 30 yr. old) My problem is that I absolutely can not lose any body fat. I am a trainer and I am maticulous about diet, training, etc. - that is not the problem. I consistently have a low body temperature of approx. 97.4 degrees. The only time I have been able to lose the slightest bit of fat (about .25 lbs in a week) is when I would drop my kcals VERY low for 5 days, 45 min cardio every day, then on the 6th day crank my kcals very high, do no cardio and watch my body temp. make it to the low 98 degree range. This has been going on for years. SO, I got fed up after my last blood work and decided to try and address the problem myself (insert judgement here). I suspected that it was my thyroid, even though my levels measured "fine," and I tried some very low dose armour thyroid (with some dhea to address that issue). This did help make the fat loss easier, but I was still busting my ass for .5 lb per week. I could live with that pace of fat loss, but because I self-diagnosed I stopped just because I dont know if I fixed the orginal problem or not. Help>

ANY ideas? Why would the armour work a little bit even though my blood values were fine. And even if my blood values were slightly off prior to my supplementing with the armour, why would it seem as if my thyroid was completely useless.

If you do not have labs for FREE T3 and FREE T4, as well as TSH, then not much can be said with regard to your thyroid. We need these to look at your thryoid status. Also Total T, Free T, and Estradiol levels are needed.

You also need to give your diet macros. I for one have to get my calories down to 1500-1700 to loose about 1.25 lbs per week with 3 days of weights (for 45 minutes to 1 hour) and two days of HIT cardio at 25 minutes.

Armour has some T3 hormone in it which will speed up your metabolism, and T4 that converts to T3 in your body. If you do not need Armour and are taking it, then you will shut your natural thryoid production down, and you will likly GAIN weight and feel like crap. It can take months to rebound back to where you were, so be carefull that you don't screw yourself up playing around with hormones.

[Krembles]

Originally Posted by dutcholiver

I need help! I have gone to two different HRT docs, done blood work, and both docs say that all but two of my levels are "normal." I only had a slightly low dhea and test level. (I am 30 yr. old) My problem is that I absolutely can not lose any body fat. I am a trainer and I am maticulous about diet, training, etc. - that is not the problem. I consistently have a low body temperature of approx. 97.4 degrees. The only time I have been able to lose the slightest bit of fat (about .25 lbs in a week) is when I would drop my kcals VERY low for 5 days, 45 min cardio every day, then on the 6th day crank my kcals very high, do no cardio and watch my body temp. make it to the low 98 degree range. This has been going on for years. SO, I got fed up after my last blood work and decided to try and address the problem myself (insert judgement here). I suspected that it was my thyroid, even though my levels measured "fine," and I tried some very low dose armour thyroid (with some dhea to address that issue). This did help make the fat loss easier, but I was still busting my ass for .5 lb per week. I could live with that pace of fat loss, but because I self-diagnosed I stopped just because I dont know if I fixed the orginal problem or not. Help>

ANY ideas? Why would the armour work a little bit even though my blood values were fine. And even if my blood values were slightly off prior to my supplementing with the armour, why would it seem as if my thyroid was completely useless.

If you can't control your self with food. Don't blame hormones at 30 years old.
Big Bones ect. Wire your mouth shut.

[dutcholiver]

Look Guys, like I said it is not my diet! So I dont need to "wire my mouth shut" I have a B.S. in sport science and nutrition with a masters in physiology. Trust me, its NOT diet.

I am 200 lbs.
My Fat % is 11.2% - by 7 site bodyfat calipers
My recent lab results were:

TSH - 1.09 (range .35 - 5.5)
T3 uptake 39.0 (range 20 - 38.5)
T4 8.2 (range 4.4 - 12.5)
Calculated T7 (FTI) 3.2 (range 1.05 - 3.85)
Total Test 300 (range 240 - 800)
Free Test 7.9 (range 7.2 - 23.0)
IGF-1 220 (range 110- 290)
DHEA 260 (range 280 - 640)

[Krembles]

Originally Posted by dutcholiver

Look Guys, like I said it is not my diet! So I dont need to "wire my mouth shut" I have a B.S. in sport science and nutrition with a masters in physiology. Trust me, its NOT diet.

I am 200 lbs.
My Fat % is 11.2% - by 7 site bodyfat calipers
My recent lab results were:

TSH - 1.09 (range .35 - 5.5)
T3 uptake 39.0 (range 20 - 38.5)
T4 8.2 (range 4.4 - 12.5)
Calculated T7 (FTI) 3.2 (range 1.05 - 3.85)
Total Test 300 (range 240 - 800)
Free Test 7.9 (range 7.2 - 23.0)
IGF-1 220 (range 110- 290)
DHEA 260 (range 280 - 640)

Body Fat 11.2% Sorry. You sound like you are in Very Good Shape. I think you should not worry at all unless you are in competition. The Paris Hilton look sucks. I would definately get the Test Level up to 900-1250. Your doctor gave you a low range. With the increase in matabolism you will get defined. Secondly, Growth Hormones will melt the fat like butter on a hot skillet. Just don't over do it. Those 6 pack abbs guys are over doing it. They have inlarged organs that appear to be muscle.

[dutcholiver]

I am trying to address the low test and dhea levels naturally. Not sure what you are referring to reguarding GH. My IGF levels were great and I am not considering GH therapy.

[pmgamer18]

Originally Posted by dutcholiver

Look Guys, like I said it is not my diet! So I dont need to "wire my mouth shut" I have a B.S. in sport science and nutrition with a masters in physiology. Trust me, its NOT diet.

I am 200 lbs.
My Fat % is 11.2% - by 7 site bodyfat calipers
My recent lab results were:

TSH - 1.09 (range .35 - 5.5)
T3 uptake 39.0 (range 20 - 38.5)
T4 8.2 (range 4.4 - 12.5)
Calculated T7 (FTI) 3.2 (range 1.05 - 3.85)
Total Test 300 (range 240 - 800)
Free Test 7.9 (range 7.2 - 23.0)
IGF-1 220 (range 110- 290)
DHEA 260 (range 280 - 640)

I feel you need more testing to see why your T levels are so low normal for a man over 100 yrs. old. I have no room to talk on diet and training just an old man on TRT for over 22 yrs. I do now this some men over do it on there diet and work out. You need to take a close look at why your T levels are so low. I feel this is your problem and you don't want to go on TRT until you figure out why. Go to SWALES aka Dr. John's sit at www.allthingsmale.com and read his TRT: A Recipe for Success the tests you need are in here. Also see about asking your Dr. to work with him over the phone to test you and treat you.

[dutcholiver]

The reason I am not convinced it is a low test issue is that 4 years ago, I had all of my levels tested for the first time and my testosterone levels were much higher in the normal range. (cant remember exact numbers, but were probably double or more)..... I was having the same fat loss problems then.

Anyone else?