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Low Testosterone

71,177 Views | 233 Replies | Last: 18 days ago by OregonAggie
HaveGoodGetGive
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AG
BAP Enthusiast said:

HaveGoodGetGive said:

Max Power said:

I've been on TRT for several years now and I do have a note regarding side effects. When we discovered I was low my wife and I were trying to have a baby. I was put on HCG during that period so it wouldn't impact fertility. My numbers increased and didn't notice any negative side effects that I recall.

After we had the kid I was moved to full on TRT. In my mid-30s I was under 200, I'm currently at normal levels. After I had been on the injections for a while my mood had gone down significantly. I would get super angry at very minor things, also depressed. I went and talked to the doctor and figured out that I had depression as well. It didn't give me depression, but it amplified what was below the surface. I'm now on TRT and anti-depressants and I feel like I'm supposed to. My depression isn't gone, but it's manageable.

I just wanted to make sure people know that you need to pay attention to your mental health during this period of time.
Gald you got that figured out. Did you happen to get your estradiol levels checked? I have heard if they get too high which can happen on TRT that you get very moody.


That's correct. That's why doctors also prescribe anastrozole to control estradiol.
right but if you take AI and it gets too low, you start to feel like crap again. My e2 is on the high level as far as "normal" range goes, but I feel fine and dont have any negative side effects
Jbob04
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Had mine checked for the first time, 355. 40 years old. Not sure how long before I dip below 300
Sea Speed
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Never so long as you go to the right dr.
Jbob04
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lol true. I had them add this test on my annual bloodwork at my primary doctor. Of course the nurse said I'm within range so all is good. I guess they don't really account for age as a factor. If I was 70 this would probably be ok, but not 40
KidDoc
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Jbob04 said:

lol true. I had them add this test on my annual bloodwork at my primary doctor. Of course the nurse said I'm within range so all is good. I guess they don't really account for age as a factor. If I was 70 this would probably be ok, but not 40
The labs "should" be using age adjusted normals.

So your 355 if Free T is a bit below average but still within 2 standard deviations. If 355 is Total T that is pretty low for 40s.

Normal Testosterone Levels In Men: Average By Age Chart (menshormonalhealth.com)

No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Jbob04
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Honestly I'm not sure if it's total or free. I'm waiting for it to show up on my portal with the other tests to verify.
Mr President Elect
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I'm 38 and my lab results from last year were:
Testorsterone, Serum: 309 ng/dL (std range: 264 - 916 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone (Direct): 11.7 pg/mL (std range: 8.7 - 25.1 pg/mL)

I asked my primary if I could get on some sort of treatment since it was on the low end of the range and plus I feel like I have a lot of the symptoms and she told me no since it was still within range. I have my annual exam coming up and thinking of requesting a different primary within the office, or just going to a clinic that specializes in it.
Aggie_Boomin 21
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Would never want a female in charge of my hormones.
KidDoc
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Mr President Elect said:

I'm 38 and my lab results from last year were:
Testorsterone, Serum: 309 ng/dL (std range: 264 - 916 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone (Direct): 11.7 pg/mL (std range: 8.7 - 25.1 pg/mL)

I asked my primary if I could get on some sort of treatment since it was on the low end of the range and plus I feel like I have a lot of the symptoms and she told me no since it was still within range. I have my annual exam coming up and thinking of requesting a different primary within the office, or just going to a clinic that specializes in it.
I don't treat low T as a pediatrician(my patients tend to have too much T) but I would have told you the exact same thing. You are normal, treatment is not indicated at this time. That is subject to change of course.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
BAP Enthusiast
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Jbob04 said:

Had mine checked for the first time, 355. 40 years old. Not sure how long before I dip below 300


Below 400 is considered medically low and you qualify insurance wise.
BAP Enthusiast
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Mr President Elect said:

I'm 38 and my lab results from last year were:
Testorsterone, Serum: 309 ng/dL (std range: 264 - 916 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone (Direct): 11.7 pg/mL (std range: 8.7 - 25.1 pg/mL)

I asked my primary if I could get on some sort of treatment since it was on the low end of the range and plus I feel like I have a lot of the symptoms and she told me no since it was still within range. I have my annual exam coming up and thinking of requesting a different primary within the office, or just going to a clinic that specializes in it.


>she

Find a male doctor, women are utterly worthless for this exclusively male issue. Ignore everything she said and go to another male doctor.

Yours is not the first time I have heard of a woman denying a man treatment. It's so common now that I cannot fathom why any man would ever go to a female doctor for this issue.
BAP Enthusiast
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KidDoc said:

Mr President Elect said:

I'm 38 and my lab results from last year were:
Testorsterone, Serum: 309 ng/dL (std range: 264 - 916 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone (Direct): 11.7 pg/mL (std range: 8.7 - 25.1 pg/mL)

I asked my primary if I could get on some sort of treatment since it was on the low end of the range and plus I feel like I have a lot of the symptoms and she told me no since it was still within range. I have my annual exam coming up and thinking of requesting a different primary within the office, or just going to a clinic that specializes in it.
I don't treat low T as a pediatrician(my patients tend to have too much T) but I would have told you the exact same thing. You are normal, treatment is not indicated at this time. That is subject to change of course.


At 38? Below 400 is enough to qualify for testosterone therapy insurance wise. It's ridiculous to tell someone that this is fine and not even remotely consider how they feel mentality or if they have any symptoms of low testosterone. If you have all of the symptoms like weight gain, lethargy, no motivation, etc. then a doctor should consider that.

My doctor doesn't care at all what your numbers are, he only cares about how you feel, which is exactly how the endocrine system should be treated. Every single person is different and responds to hormones differently.

Far too many doctors based endocrine issues on numbers when that's not how it works, at all.
HaveGoodGetGive
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Mr President Elect said:

I'm 38 and my lab results from last year were:
Testorsterone, Serum: 309 ng/dL (std range: 264 - 916 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone (Direct): 11.7 pg/mL (std range: 8.7 - 25.1 pg/mL)

I asked my primary if I could get on some sort of treatment since it was on the low end of the range and plus I feel like I have a lot of the symptoms and she told me no since it was still within range. I have my annual exam coming up and thinking of requesting a different primary within the office, or just going to a clinic that specializes in it.
free test is low, go to a specialist
Flavius Agximus
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Just turned 59. My numbers from June: Free 422 ng/dL, bio avail 218.5, total 1.3 mg/L. Report says "normal." Over last year have had fading libido, some depression, performance issues.

Afraid my PC doc wouldn't prescribe because range is normal. Anyone have suggestions for specialist in Houston area?
Max Power
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I'd ask your doc for a referral to an endocrinologist. Depending on your insurance a referral might be required even if it's for something as simple as a discussion about the issue. Your PCP shouldn't take issue with a request to see a specialist.
Swarely
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Just got labs back. T is up to 850. Estrogen is at 56, so I'm going on blockers. Explains why I have been eating so much ice cream and watching rom coms.
In reply to
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BQAg84 said:

Just turned 59. My numbers from June: Free 422 ng/dL, bio avail 218.5, total 1.3 mg/L. Report says "normal." Over last year have had fading libido, some depression, performance issues.

Afraid my PC doc wouldn't prescribe because range is normal. Anyone have suggestions for specialist in Houston area?

If you have a copy of your labs and don't mind injecting yourself, I've used TRT Nation for the past 7 weeks. Really wish I would have started this a long time ago.

The site can be clunky, but they're legit and ship everything you need to your door.
https://trtnation.com/
HaveGoodGetGive
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I have used primebody since April of this year. Its been a easy process. DM me if you want more details.
TXAGFAN
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BCOBQ98
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So as a kinda joke I asked my cardiologist to add a testosterone test to my lab work. It came back at 103 which seems pretty low in the range the test says of 250-827. I'm assuming this is total test and not free. I haven't talked to cardiologist yet but she is the type to treat stuff with lifestyle modification vs medication.

I'm in houston, should I find another dr that specializes in this or go online or??? The thought of jabbing myself with a needle for the rest of my life doesn't sound like fun.
Aggie_Boomin 21
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AG
Sounds like you should look for another doctor. Not sure lifestyle changes exist that would be enough to triple your test.
Issue with going to the internet and just buying stuff on there is you want blood work done pretty regularly, especially when you first start to monitor how it's affecting other bio-markers.

ETA: I might have misunderstood what you meant by going online. There are plenty of online HRT clinics that do it responsibly and would meet all your needs.
HaveGoodGetGive
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mine is easy BQ, shots are akin to insulin shots. my provider is all online with regular blood work.
Sea Speed
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with test that low you should be able to get it covered by insurance
BCOBQ98
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Is your provider the one you mentioned directly above? Do they take insurance?

Any recommendations on a dr in houston? Should I go to a place like the low t clinic or are these Not advised.


BCOBQ98
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Yes, I meant an online clinic not ordering shady Russian drugs.

HaveGoodGetGive
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BCOBQ98 said:

Is your provider the one you mentioned directly above? Do they take insurance?

Any recommendations on a dr in houston? Should I go to a place like the low t clinic or are these Not advised.



yes it is and no they do not take insurance. if you go the insurance route, youll probably need a brick and mortar clinic

how much does insurance cover?
KidDoc
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HaveGoodGetGive said:

BCOBQ98 said:

Is your provider the one you mentioned directly above? Do they take insurance?

Any recommendations on a dr in houston? Should I go to a place like the low t clinic or are these Not advised.



yes it is and no they do not take insurance. if you go the insurance route, youll probably need a brick and mortar clinic

how much does insurance cover?
I'm on T Gel and all of the doc/labs are covered with copay- the T gel itself is $25/3 months for me.

I didn't feel much different for a good while after starting but man I feel it now. Feel like I'm in my 20s again and I'm almost 50.
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HaveGoodGetGive
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thats awesome, im glad it worked for you. i hear there are mixed results with gel, but congrats!
BCOBQ98
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I'm having the wife call my cardiologist to see if she can recommend an endocrinologist. I'd rather try and go that way first to see what they say. My cardiologist was super impressed with all of my other numbers such as lowering my cholesterol from 280 to 160. I have been on a low dose statin for the past 5 months but also made some diet changes, drinking less, as well as exercising quite a bit more.
HaveGoodGetGive
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if you do a hormone test, do not drink 48 hours prior to the test.
BCOBQ98
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I'm assuming you mean drinking alcohol. I'm new to this and guessing alcohol reduces T?
HaveGoodGetGive
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yes sir, sorry should have clarified
KidDoc
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Thinking back on it I think what helped my gel work better was how I applied it. I am on 4 pumps daily and was applying to alternating upper arms. So I would do 4 pumps in a hand then try to put it on the opposite arm in the morning.

I changed to 2 pumps to each arm a few months ago and I bet that really enhanced absorption and raised serum levels much more effectively.

No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Mr President Elect
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Just got back from my annual and my free test has dropped below 300. I got my primary to give a rec to an endocrinologist. She (I know, I should have a male) said that as a primary she can't treat it unless it is below the "low" range which it currently is only slightly above. She seemed supportive though and mentioned other clinics too but that at least the endocrinologist should be covered by insurance.

Mentioned the gel being considered more effective but that it was more expensive so most do shots; not sure how true this is as KidDocs listed cost doesn't seem that high.
KidDoc
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Yeah depends on your insurance policy and formulary. I was surprised how cheap it was.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
 
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