Some of these posts have me intrigued, especially KSmans. I’ve been on testim for a month hoping to treat my non-existent libido/arousalness almost complete loss of sexual sensation, fatigue, decreased ‘enjoyment of life’ , memory loss, weak muscles and strength. and some other problems related to this drug i took called Accutane for acne several years ago. My first thought is that it impacted my testosterone level, so I had complete bloodwork and I was in the ‘normal’ range but low normal.
I think I was at around 380ng/dl. I finally persuaded my doctor to let me try testim. I’ve been on it for a month so far, and have not yet noticed any real benefits. I did notice a slight energy increase that would come and go, however its hardly noticeable.
I was almost sure TRT would help my sexual problems but it did not. Is it possible that my body is not absorbing it cause im hypothyroid? My free T3 was out of range. My TSH was in range, but from what I’ve read it could be sub-clinical hypothyroidism. My FH and LSH were at the very low end bottom of normal. I’m trying to get some more follow up blood work done, although my doctor is relatively clueless and I can’t seem to get the proper help I need. I have to beg just to get the right blood tests done. I’m not shre what to do next, im completely lost.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do to treat these problems? Btw im 20 years old
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I have some labwork here but it’s from well over 6 months ago atleast, thats why I didn’t post it. Do you think it’s been to long for these results to still be approriate? I’m from Canada so the ratio might be different
Total T = 12.0, Ref range = 8.0-29.0 nmol/L
SHBG = 19, Ref range = 10-55 nmol/L
Bio available test = 7.2, Ref range = 4.0-16.0 nmol/L
Free T = 347, Ref range = 175-700 pmol/L
TSH = 4.58, Ref range = 0.20-6.00 mU/L
Free T3 = 6.0, Ref range = 2.7-5.7 pmol/L
Free T4 = 16.0, Ref range = 8.0-22.0 pmol/L
FSH = 2, Ref range = 1-18 IU/L
LH = 3, Ref range = 1-9 IU/L
Prolactin = 14, Ref range = 0-15 ug/L
I’m not a doctor, but I think it’s safe to say that you have secondary (hypogonadotrophic) hypogonadism, the condition that occurs because of low LH and FSH. That’s what I’ve had since 22 years old.
As I’ve said before, the first thing my doc did when I visited him was give me three options: HCG, clomid, OR Androgel. I chose clomid, but only used it for a month, and then switched to Androgel, which I’ve been on ever since. HALF A TAB of clomid brought my levels up from 240 to 790 ng/dl - a tripling with a measly half a tab.
I regularly test at 800 to 100 ng/dl with 10 grams of Androgel.
I don’t know why you have problems just getting blood tests. All I do is email my doc asking for a prescription. He mails it to me and I go to the lab.
From what I’ve heard the medical community is different in the states. Doctors here are paid by the government so they have less incentive, whereas in the states they are privately billed, but I may be wrong.
Whenever I ask for certain tests now most just say ‘oh that’s overkill.’ They continually tell me im normal even when some of my labs are out of range or at the low end.
You seem to have HPTA repression from too much prolactin - aka hyperprolactimia. You may have some gyno. Your dopamine levels will be repressed and you could have some depression, mood and energy problems.
You might have a pituitary adinoma as a root cause. If you have some loss of peripheral vision - adinoma.
Your boarder line anemia would respond to higher T levels.
Interesting. I don’t think I noticed much loss of peripheral vision. I had a CT scan done in the past and it was all clear but I never had a MRI done… I assume since you didn’t mention my thyroid, then it is fine?
Yeah, you should get an MRI of your head to rule out a pituitary tumor. I had that done. I don’t have a tumor. So my condition is referred to as “idiopathic”, a fancy way of saying, “we don’t know the cause”.
You’re right, we don’t have universalized healthcare here. But I think most doctors, privately paid or otherwise, are going to say it’s overkill if you keep asking for blood test after blood test. Even mine would. Fortunately, I’ve never had that problem because my doctor is a reliable professional well-versed and experienced in all things andrology/urology.
Try to find a urologist with a fellowship in andrology. They take this condition very seriously.