LOW TESTOSTERONE symptoms

[jonnyb45]

Hi guys, Im new here so forgive me if this is in the wrong section. I am 25 yrs old, had my T tested when i was 18 because i was having symptoms but was told they were "normal". I just went for another test a few days ago, so Im waiting for the results. I am pretty much in a panic, because it seems so clear to me that i have been suffering from this condition my whole life, but worry about hearing the word "normal" again when i go back. I dont think it's possible that you can considered someone okay just by what their test result shows. Seeing as everyones bodies work differently, 2 people with identical levels are bound to react to their respective levels differently. If the range for normal is (arbitrary number) 2-10, and i show up as a 3, why is it not okay to boost myself up to a 9? That way im still within range, but get to experience the good effects of having high T. I workout regularly, and eat so much healthier than my friends, yet many of them are naturally stronger than me without ever going to the gym or dieting. Regardless of what my test shows, i think this is a sign that something is wrong. Also, I have absolutely zero sex life, and rarely ever experience morning wood. I am not sure what to expect from posting this, but i guess to get it off my chest and hopefully chat with people with similar experiences, or who know what i should do. I have never used any performance enhancing substances, but am beginning to think that's what i need. PM me if you don't want to respond publicly. Thanks to anyone reading this

[cog]

Zero sex life and no morning wood at 25.Bad.

[jonnyb45]

^Tell me something i dont know. any advice?

[Praetorian]

Jonny you are correct in saying it is not about the number...this is a serious debate as one lab can use specific values and another can use different ones when it comes to hormone testing. For years thyroid TSH levels were .5 to 5 when considering what is normal...that is n longer used...it has been changed to .5 to 3...remember the higher the TSH number the lower the amount of active thyroid (T3). The issue was people at 3-4 were considered normal and yet were developing significant hypo thyroid side effects. The point being some people at 3 may feel fine others will feel like crap...so its not just about the number its also about how you feel and the quality of life. The same holds true for testosterone...I would really suggest seeing someone else if you are not getting anywhere with your current MD.
P

[cog]

Check the TRT threads for knowledgeable TO docs Johnny.

[jonnyb45]

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply, i appreciate your feedback. and yeah to me it seems ridiculous to paint everyone with the same brush. Problem is, im really having a tough time finding a doctor to take me seriously. I've also heard from many people that went on TRT that they only noticed slight imporovements.....i saw this on youtube vids people posted and such...and judging by what they were saying, it seemed they got put on a dose so low that it couldn't pass the threshold of where they would notice benefits. I understand that doctors don't want to be held responsible for giving out to much T, and having something bad happen.....but at the same time, im a grown up, and feel like i should be able to decide for myself if i am willing to risk aspects of MY health. I feel like the mental stress and anxiety this is causing me if far worse than what some T injections would do.

[Hosehead]

Like Prae said, get another opinion. When I was twenty eight I had all but lost my sex drive. I had been gear free for several years and I never did more than half a gram a week per cycle at that point so it wasn't like I had killed my natural tests levels. I went to see my family doctor and he tested me. When he got back to me he said I had 'normal' test levels but i was at the extreme bottom end without being considered abnormal. He was old school and wouldn't prescribe test. His alternative was anti depressants which I was on for a few years. Yeah, they made me feel better and my sex drive improved a little - but I could barely feel any sensation in my dick. Sure i could **** for hours but I couldn't come easily. And who really cares about getting her off ? Not me. So finally I decided all I needed was a little bit of self administered test. Everything got better. It's the way to go. I think most GPs are getting it but get a guy or girl in their fifties and they are too scared to prescribe it. Or just plain ignorant. If you can't switch GPs then DEMAND a referal to an endo doc.

[jonnyb45]

haha thanks man, your bold honesty is appreciated. I was also put on anti depressents at one point, but they did nothing for me. it seemed kinda dumb, to try to ease my depression rather than go after the thing that's CAUSING my depression haha. I'm about 95% certain Im gonna have to go the self administered route as well. Im sure there is a doc out there that would cooperate but searching for that needle in a hay stack is really a pain in the ass. Docs seem more concerned with being charged with malpractise than actually helping me. I guess i can understand there point of view (why risk making a few hundred grand a year to help some guy you barely know). Regardless, i feel i gotta take it into my own hands, so im just trying to gather as much info as i can from everyone here. Im so relieved that such a large community exists for people that have interest in this stuff. Even if a Doc prescribed me some T, Im guessing it would be a low ass amount that i would have to supplement it on my own anyways. Going to see an Endo is something ill consider, but even then, sitting on a wait list for 6 months to be told i should try some naturopathic bs will just be a time waster. We'll see how things go here. Thanks for the reply, if you got anything else to add id be glad to hear it

[ubcpower]

Never tried any gear at all? Interesting you come to a bodybuilding site and post this, did you also try some mens health and anti-aging or medical forums?

[jonnyb45]

Hmm im not sure why you find that interesting...a bodybuilding site seems like the most obvious place to go to get knowledge, and almost every site that came up in google when i would search for testosterone was related to bodybuilding. And I have checked out some of those sites, but found them quite unhelpful, as they are mainly geared towards lifestyle changes that an older adult might need to make, things i am already doing.

[ubcpower]

For a 25 year old who has never touched steroids and feels its a natural life long problem an endo or your gp is the most obvious and safest place to go. You just seem very comfortable with the 'gear' lingo and not worried at all about jumping into what is a serious life long decision (hrt). Most people with no experience would be terrified at the thought of what hrt entails. Its important to be upfront and I'd do so with a medical professional, tell them everything your struggling with

[cog]

This isn't the first time we hear of doctors looking at the wrong head.

[dngerfield]

actually when i first went to my doc with my symptoms of low testosterone she suggested i might be depressed and was ready to put me on anti depressants but i told her i wantd to see an endo and she agreed after my blood test confirmed low levels...

i know a couple guys that self administer(approx 125mg/wk) with trial and error and once a year go to the doc to make sure ALL values are within normal range.

[jonnyb45]

ubcpower: I appreciate the concern bro, really. and i am already in the process of doing all that, but i like to stay informed with what everyone out there is doing. I may sound like an idiot, but im not one of those people that believes doctors know everything, so Im trying to gather info about the topic from people with first hand experience. whether or not i go through with it, i havent come to that conclusion yet. Its something ive been thinking about for a very long time, not like i just woke up yesterday with this idea. And yes youre right, it is a scary thing starting a T program (well, im assuming it is), but you might not be able to fully relate to my situation as of late. Perhaps the reason i am not so worried is because Ive been to doctors my whole life to try and figure out whats "wrong" with me, and no one had an answer. Instead they would brush me off onto some other doc, who would give me the same answer (after waiting 6 months to see them i might add). I am suffering mentally dealing with all this, and feel like maybe im the one that has to take things into my own hands at some point. If i had it my way, i would go through with all this while being monitored by a physician, but i cant seem to find one that is on the same page as me or even cares for that matter. I guess that's why i come across as having not much fear.

[jonnyb45]

dngerfield: Appreciate the reply bro, very insightful. i feel like depression is the new term for "we dont know whats wrong with you". Rather than admit that, theyd rather put the blame on the patient. Depression is one of those things that is being so over diagnosed, that when someone with true depression comes along, its hard to differentiate them from all the people that were false labelled. Some depressed people have a chemical imbalance that causes their depression, others are depressed because of factors in their lives. writing off the second type of person as "depressed" is a great way to overlook other problems. I think i may end up doing what your friend does; self medicating, but being up front with the doc about doing it, and it will still be their obligation to give me honest feedback.

[ubcpower]

So what are your exact hormone scores on your bloodtests? Free test, total test,.....etc

[phatkid77]

Yep if you're low... Go see dr.komer....thankfully my gp is/was great after aome persistence... Be all end all tho??? Idk, I've taken 10x.prescribed dose and AM wood AnD drive is sparce...I have a shit tonne of stress tho, so I'm inclined to.think that causes issues..,.anuway.. bla bka bla. Mastersmensclinic is where.u want to look for legitimate help
Phats

[jonnyb45]

UBC: When I was last checked at 18 years old, I wasn't on point enough to request a copy for myself, I just took the doctor at his word when he said I was in the normal range. At the point I hadn't had testosterone as my main suspicion, and thus was not as informed about the different types of T, and different ways of properly measuring it. I am still waiting on the results for the tests I did a few days ago, so once I receive those back, ill be sure to post all the information i get.

[jonnyb45]

phatkid77: thanks a lot for the info, that clinic isn't too far from me so that will be great. I'm curious, when you were taking 10x the prescribed dose do you mean, ten times what's 'usually' prescribed, or that your doctor prescribed a small amount, and you supplemented the remainder on your own? And yea, for sure stress can be a huge problem, I'm starting to lose some hair on the sides of my head from the chronic stress ive been under in the past year, mood fluctuations and such....i don't so much care about the hair thing, but it serves as a sign that i need to take action and reduce stress. Also, did you notice a libido increase in the beginning, and then it tapered off? or did you not notice anything drastic period. What were the main things T did for you? thanks again

[phatkid77]

Well, my levels tested 10.4 (10-28 normal).. 100mg prescribed actually dropped me...so he upped me to 150 ay that put me at the very top with actual available level off ricchter. Lol
What did it do.. gained some muscle. Skin has seemed to thin out being on so long... Libido....tuff call, at the time in a shit marriage as for the 10x dose. Take a guess lol. Main thing it did..... I quit obssessing over it, so that's good..higher T is better than low T..

[wmk]

A common problem with getting Test levels checked is that the doctors in Canada check for overall Testosterone. This doesn't tell us much as someone can be at the highest range and their body might be utilizing most of it or almost none of it. The only way to accurately check Testosterone levels is to get your doctor to order a "Free Testosterone" test. In Alberta this is not covered by our government as a standard free test, so laboratory services will charge a 50.00 fee for this particular test. This will tell you and your doctor a lot more than a total testosterone test.

[TotalT]

A common problem with getting Test levels checked is that the doctors in Canada check for overall Testosterone. This doesn't tell us much as someone can be at the highest range and their body might be utilizing most of it or almost none of it. The only way to accurately check Testosterone levels is to get your doctor to order a "Free Testosterone" test. In Alberta this is not covered by our government as a standard free test, so laboratory services will charge a 50.00 fee for this particular test. This will tell you and your doctor a lot more than a total testosterone test.

You mean "bio available Test"...
"free Test" is usually not accurate.
Total T gives the doc a good picture.

[TotalT]

Well, my levels tested 10.4 (10-28 normal).. 100mg prescribed actually dropped me...so he upped me to 150 ay that put me at the very top with actual available level off ricchter. Lol
What did it do.. gained some muscle. Skin has seemed to thin out being on so long... Libido....tuff call, at the time in a shit marriage as for the 10x dose. Take a guess lol. Main thing it did..... I quit obssessing over it, so that's good..higher T is better than low T..

Your Total T was 10.4 ? this is nmol/L right?
Were you off any AAS, or never did any?