please help - i'm 22, my testosterone is 304 ng/dl, and my doctor told me that's norm

[Michael Red]

I'm experiencing erectile dysfunction, depression, and fatigue. I haven't attained an erection in over a month. I'm 22 years old. I told my doctor and he checked my testosterone (total). It was 304 ng/dl. He said this was in the range. I tried to check my free and LH levels a month later, because I did some research and still had this awful problem. The nurse told me they couldn't check it because I was "exactly in the middle of the range."

Help me. I'm frightened. I've read online that anything below 350 can warrant testosterone replacement. While I'm trying to find the reason for my low T, it seems that my doctor doesn't seem I have low T. What on earth would possess him to think this level is normal for a 22 year old male? Does anyone have any idea? Please help me. I can't get an erection and my relationship is suffering. I can't concentrate or enjoy life. And my doctor just keeps telling me that there's nothing that can be done, because I'm in range. They all told me my insurance won't cover anything, because I'm in range. HELP!

[aussie made]

Seek a different doctor. He clearly doesn't no anything about low test. I'm lower then you and my idiot doctor said that was ok. I just went somewhere else. Have you done a cycle before?

[kelkel]

What aussie said. If you have blood work post it up. We may see something that may help you. Many things can cause low T such as hypothyroid, pathologies, trauma, cortisol or prolactin issues. Fix the issue and odds are your T will flourish again. Do not jump on testosterone until you find the root cause of the issue. It's the last thing you want at your age. Patience isn't easy right now, that's understood, just do your best.

[Michael Red]

thanks guys. i do have hyperthyroidism as well. however i've been taking levothyroxine every day for four years for it and my hormone levels are normal for it, though. im seeing the doctor again on thursday... so i can post my results. i gave a blood sample last week, which is when all the nurses told me i was in range and nothing could be done. they acted like i was foolish for being concerned, like 304 ng/dl is perfectly natural. one of the nurses even laughed at me. so i am very frustrated. wish they would just shut up and keep their opinions to themselves.

could hyper/hypothyroidism cause low t? i took radioactive iodine 4 years ago and have been on levothyroxine ever since. im definitely within range on this one. i can post my results again on thursday after i see the doctor but could that even be the cause?

i tried to get my LH levels checked and the nurse scoffed and gave me a dirty look. but idk what to check for and my doctor doesn't seem to know either. i dont even know what other doctor to go to and i dont have the finances to do this without insurance (which pparently wont cover me because im in range even though im NOT within range... where did they get THEIR range from???) and i dont know which doctor i could even go to for help... i may have 2 just scout around...

[Michael Red]

i heard something may be going on with my pituitary gland, thats why i wanted to check lh levels... im so lost and frustrated

[Beethoven]

Michael follow what Kel said, find a Dr that knows what he's doing. Lord knows that there are a bunch who don't. Wait it out and if no other recourse when everything else has been ruled out, consider trt. The wait will be worth it.

[Michael Red]

Michael follow what Kel said, find a Dr that knows what he's doing. Lord knows that there are a bunch who don't. Wait it out and if no other recourse when everything else has been ruled out, consider trt. The wait will be worth it.

thank you, beethoven. it's so frustrating because hes a doctor and hes supposed to know how to help me. but at least im not doing it alone. im scared because my relationship might suffer in the long run if it lasts too long. but shes extremely supportive... so thank you for your help.

[kelkel]

Red most doc's really do not know hormones as they are not specifically trained in them in med school. Get copies of your BW. They are yours and you are entitled to them. Knowing your LH and FSH levels as you referenced would be a great indicator of pituitary function and is a necessary part of the evaluation process.

If pituitary function is low then testosterone is low. This could indicate a possible pathology and and MRI should be done to rule this in or out. If LH/FSH function is high and test is low then it indicates the issue is testicular related. At this point your "boys" should be evaluated for issues, varicoceles, etc.

Now, I don't think you've been asked but have you run any cycles or prohormones recently?

[Rodax]

I would advise seeing an Endocrinologist. They are hormone specialists and know what's going on from the top down. My GP said I was a bit low but it could have been caused by how late in the day the blood was collected. I was at 284, when I went in before 9am I was 178. Finally I went and saw an Endo and he put me on 25-50mg of Clomid daily. My Test levels have been sitting in the 684-715 range since. I honestly want to cap out at like 1025 or 1052 and feel like an 18 year old again. Right now I feel like I did when I was in my early 20's, but anyway yeah a good Endo who knows what he's doing will know what to do. I assume you're not looking at full on replacement therapy, because you're young. HRT with just Test will shut you down to the point where you will be lucky if you make sperm. With Clomid, your LH and FSH jump up and your testes do what they are supposed to do which is make sperm and Test. Anyway, good luck!

[Michael Red]

I would advise seeing an Endocrinologist. They are hormone specialists and know what's going on from the top down. My GP said I was a bit low but it could have been caused by how late in the day the blood was collected. I was at 284, when I went in before 9am I was 178. Finally I went and saw an Endo and he put me on 25-50mg of Clomid daily. My Test levels have been sitting in the 684-715 range since. I honestly want to cap out at like 1025 or 1052 and feel like an 18 year old again. Right now I feel like I did when I was in my early 20's, but anyway yeah a good Endo who knows what he's doing will know what to do. I assume you're not looking at full on replacement therapy, because you're young. HRT with just Test will shut you down to the point where you will be lucky if you make sperm. With Clomid, your LH and FSH jump up and your testes do what they are supposed to do which is make sperm and Test. Anyway, good luck!

you give me so much hope. i hope when i talk to my doctor thursday that he will check my LH levels. i am afraid that he will be stubborn. but if he is, yes i will find an endocronologist. unfortunately it takes forever to get an appointment. but that is ok. i pray all i need is clomid. that would be like a miracle.

[Michael Red]

Red most doc's really do not know hormones as they are not specifically trained in them in med school. Get copies of your BW. They are yours and you are entitled to them. Knowing your LH and FSH levels as you referenced would be a great indicator of pituitary function and is a necessary part of the evaluation process.

If pituitary function is low then testosterone is low. This could indicate a possible pathology and and MRI should be done to rule this in or out. If LH/FSH function is high and test is low then it indicates the issue is testicular related. At this point your "boys" should be evaluated for issues, varicoceles, etc.

Now, I don't think you've been asked but have you run any cycles or prohormones recently?

no i've never done any cycles or prohormones. im not sure if DHEA counts(?). in january my doctor did tell me to try DHEA for my erection problems. it worked, for a month. and i felt better than ever before. but now DHEA doesn't work anymore. it stopped working after a month. so i stopped taking it and will tell doctor thursday when i see him...

[kelkel]

The title of the doctor does not matter. Only that they understand hormones. The title endo does not = hormone (TRT) specialist. Not by any means. If you really want to be specific as to what title to look for, make it an A4M Certification.

[kelkel]

no i've never done any cycles or prohormones. im not sure if DHEA counts(?). in january my doctor did tell me to try DHEA for my erection problems. it worked, for a month. and i felt better than ever before. but now DHEA doesn't work anymore. it stopped working after a month. so i stopped taking it and will tell doctor thursday when i see him...

Was it micronized DHEA?

[Michael Red]

Was it micronized DHEA?

im sorry. i dont follow entirely. the DHEA i bought was in capsule form from GNC. the doctor told me to purchase it from GNC or walmart in capsule form. im not sure what micronized would make it (i looked it up and didn't find out)

[BallSak]

Micronized dhea is absorbed much more efficiently. Get MRM brand dhea. It works.

[Michael Red]

Micronized dhea is absorbed much more efficiently. Get MRM brand dhea. It works.

okay, thank you so much! i looked it up on amazon and am thinking of ordering it so that maybe it will help give my energy and overall libido a boost before the doctors are able to fix everything (staying positive). since i dont know how long it will take id like to have something like this there to help me in the meantime... or should I wait? would taking a prohormone during this time hurt things? id hate for the answer to be yes, but i will wait if i have to for my health.

[Michael Red]

OK. I went to the doctor and my total testosterone this time is 275 ng/dl. my free testosterone is 4.2. both are well below the range. however my LH levels were normal. so now it has to be something else. im going to see an endo next week. dont know what 2 expect.

[Michael Red]

also i take maybe two hits of weed a day. would that effect my testosterone this much if at all?

i stopped drinking and smoking cigarettes because of this. ive drank and smoked for 4 years and quit 6 months ago. i still smoke weed, but only a little. but it's daily, only at night to go to sleep (literally, i just smoke two hit and close my eyes)

[sfgiantsfan55]

no i've never done any cycles or prohormones. im not sure if DHEA counts(?). in january my doctor did tell me to try DHEA for my erection problems. it worked, for a month. and i felt better than ever before. but now DHEA doesn't work anymore. it stopped working after a month. so i stopped taking it and will tell doctor thursday when i see him...

remember these DRs work FOR you .... clearly your MD hasnt read anything about T therapy since 1950. Move on.

[sparverius]

also i take maybe two hits of weed a day. would that effect my testosterone this much if at all?

There are studies that say it does. You can look them up. It wouldn't hurt to quit. You'll feel smarter once it clears from your system.

Clean up your diet, eat your veggies, get plenty of sleep and exercise. Weight lifting is good for building testosterone naturally but it's also good for your mood to exercise outside, so go for a run. You are ill so you need to take care of yourself.

[Rusty11]

What are your thyroid levels? Post them when you have them. HypOthyroidism symptoms are very similar to low t symptoms. Not to be a downer, but I've yet to hear of an endo that was educated in trt. I've been on the same med as you for 15 yrs. When I started trt, I found out quickly that my endo didn't have a clue. And, when someone doesn't have a clue, they can make matters much worse. I have my gp overseeing my trt, but my endo still oversees my thyroid. Maybe your endo will be differant-I hope so.

p.s. a normal tsh level does not, alone, indicate that all is ok. Many more thyroid tests need to be done.

[kelkel]

OK. I went to the doctor and my total testosterone this time is 275 ng/dl. my free testosterone is 4.2. both are well below the range. however my LH levels were normal. so now it has to be something else. im going to see an endo next week. dont know what 2 expect.

As stated, cannibas will effect T levels. Many pro-hormones are also suppressive of your natural testosterone levels. Regarding LH levels, if they are normal and T is low it's indicative of potential primary hypogonadism (testicular issues.)

And Rusty's comment regarding TSH is on point. People can still have sub-clinical hypothyroidism with a normal TSH level.

[Michael Red]

i've stopped smoking marijuana so now i've stopped all of my vices because of this. i doubt marijuana would make my testosterone drop to 275 when im 22 years old. and im not a heavy smoker whatsoever. but to be careful i guess i will stop that too.

this is all so frustrating. i'll post thyroid levels when i get them. the doctor said they're fine but i'll post to make sure. the endo im going to next week should know more and what more needs to be checked, or at least i hope.

also does anyone know the reason why DHEA stopped working? it was working fine for a month then all of a sudden doesn't do anything. im waiting for the micronized DHEA to come in and ill try that.

wish i didnt have this problem im only 22. i wonder what new medical problems will arise in the future. trying to go to school and having a full time job and balancing personal life and now with this thyroid and testosterone problem. i wonder what else i have in store for me.