I’m 33 yrs old, not obese, exercise regularly (although have had to significantly decrease intense as symptoms have gotten worse… a lot fewer squats and deadlifts these days as I just can’t seem to recover).
I’ve long had low-T symptoms that have gotten significantly worse over past two years.
I talked to a Dr. and he said said he thought it would be low T based on the sexual issues. I had the following tests:
Total Test: 320 ng/dL (range shows 229 - 902 but lab says for my demo should be 265 - 902)
Technically all passes, but it is hard to believe that it’s a coincidence that the Dr suspects low-T is the issue and then I’m at the very low end of normal. My TT is basically ~5th percentile for the lab. Is it unusual to have such low TT but still ok/mediocre free T? Could that still lead to my symptoms?
I haven’t heard back yet from the Dr. but I’m trying to prepare for that discussion to be my own advocate. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to go from here?
Do you want to find out if youre hypogonadal or are you just looking for legal testosterone? It’s your prerogative I’m not flaming but rather asking a legit question.
These test tell you one thing… you’re not low T according to the medical community. You won’t get it covered by insurance. However, you will have no problem getting a T Clinic to prescribe you out of pocket. You didn’t test FSH/LH or E2. I would redo the tests before starting any therapy and include those tests with it.
My main symptoms I would say are fatigue/low energy, low libido and ED, no morning erections. I also have difficulty concentrating & irritability. My dr initially just prescribed me Cialis. It helps with the mechanics but not the libido/feeling into it. So it kind of just feels like I’m using someone else’s dick which means it takes forever for me to orgasm. My wife actually prefers the ED because it makes things less ‘real’ that way.
Fair question about my motivation. The decreased capacity for exercise & recovery is really secondary to my overall well being, but relevant for this site. It’s my main hobby so I do miss feeling like myself there. My main goal though is feeling better and getting back to working order, so I want to know whether hypogonadism is causing that. If not, great, then on to the next potential cause.
Based on my test results, so maybe it is the low test or maybe it’s not. I’m hesitant to go to a trt clinic bc I only want trt if it is what I really need. I’d worry that they would see everything as a low test problem. My initial thought was retest and do a more extensive panel. Sounds like I was thinking correctly. Do you think it would make sense to check prolactin too?
Yes this is a fair next step. You sound like a sincer guy that wants to know his diagnoses and you can only do that before starting TRT. FWIW based on your results and symptoms you have a strong shot at HRT resolving your problems. IMO.
Thank
You can but it’s very unlikely issue unless you have a prolactinoma.
You have symptoms that are caused by having lower than normal testosterone for your age, but the medical community defines low-T below 300, the typical level of someone in their 80’s.
You take anyone who is on TRT and lower his levels to 320, I guarantee you they will be having your issues, in fact 8 weeks ago my levels dropped to 397 ng/dL on TRT and I had all of your issues, got a dosage increase and all is good.