Normal is not helpful as the word comes from a statistical “normal” distribution. But doctors wrongly think that that means normal health.
Three standard deviations then mean that 99.7% is normal and only 0.03% are then abnormal.
Total testosterone, TT is only one measure and may be misleading. free testosterone, FT is T that is active. Bioavailable T is FT & albumin+T, all active. If SHBG is elevated, you get more SHBG+T which is not bioavailable which lowers FT and Bio-T while inflating TT with more SHBG+T.
Where are you located? Affects treatment and diagnostic options.
Post the numbers and ranges.
How much Vit-D3 are you taking?
Low B-12 suggests a poor diet and/or poor absorption.
- Explain diet
- Do you use iodized salt?
Labs needed: - need ranges
TT -redo with FT
FT
SHBG
LH and FSH - both!
prolactin
RBC - existing
hematocrit -existing
iron -existing
Do you have any digestive issues?
Heart burn?
Meds to reduce stomach acid?
We need more data about you.
Please read the stickies found here: About the T Replacement Category - #2 by KSman
- advice for new guys - need more info about you
- things that damage your hormones
- protocol for injections
- finding a TRT doc
Evaluate your overall thyroid function by checking oral body temperatures as per the thyroid basics sticky. Thyroid hormone fT3 is what gets the job done and it regulates mitochondrial activity, the source of ATP which is the universal currency of cellular energy. This is part of the body’s temperature control loop. This can get messed up if you are iodine deficient. In many countries, you need to be using iodized salt. Other countries add iodine to dairy or bread.