New guy here - second round of bloodwork - should I see another doctor?

[subnet]

hey all - long-time lurker first time poster! Before I start, I'll give you my info:

Male 39 (40 in a month)
5'10" and 190 lbs
Working out 3 to 4 times per week
Overall good health, other than 'spare tire' around my gut area

Went to my GP to get testosterone levels checked after finding that I have all the symptons of low T-level = hot flashes, irratibility, lethargy, poor sleep, difficult time recovering from activity, poor muscle gains, etc.

First bloodwork came back - total T-level is 241. He says I need to see an endocrinologist.

Go to the endo, SHE says I need another bloodtest. Results come back and my new level is 359 and free-T is 49 which is elevated. All other things are OK (thyroid etc.). She tells the nurse to tell me to come back in a month for another blood test.

After doing a ton of reading here, and researching 'optimal' T-levels, etc., it seems that I really would like my overall T-level to be in the 800 range right, and not just in the low-end of the range? Not sure what a month of waiting and then another blood test is going to do, other than show her that I am still low. I'm afraid that she just believes that since I am in the acceptable range, that it's just the way it is, but I'm not so sure I really want to be in the lower end of that range do I?

So I have a few choices I guess. Wait another month and get re-tested, go back to her and ask for TRT, or go to another specialist if I can find one that's more in-touch with HRT. I guess I had it in my mind that I would be going on TRT and am disappointed that I have to wait, and probably will be out of luck. Not sure I want to be on T for the rest of my life but I really want to feel better though. These hot-flashes are killing me...

Thoughts?

[flatscat]

hey all - long-time lurker first time poster! Before I start, I'll give you my info:

Male 39 (40 in a month)
5'10" and 190 lbs
Working out 3 to 4 times per week
Overall good health, other than 'spare tire' around my gut area

Went to my GP to get testosterone levels checked after finding that I have all the symptons of low T-level = hot flashes, irratibility, lethargy, poor sleep, difficult time recovering from activity, poor muscle gains, etc.

First bloodwork came back - total T-level is 241. He says I need to see an endocrinologist.

Go to the endo, SHE says I need another bloodtest. Results come back and my new level is 359 and free-T is 49 which is elevated. All other things are OK (thyroid etc.). She tells the nurse to tell me to come back in a month for another blood test.

After doing a ton of reading here, and researching 'optimal' T-levels, etc., it seems that I really would like my overall T-level to be in the 800 range right, and not just in the low-end of the range? Not sure what a month of waiting and then another blood test is going to do, other than show her that I am still low. I'm afraid that she just believes that since I am in the acceptable range, that it's just the way it is, but I'm not so sure I really want to be in the lower end of that range do I?



So I have a few choices I guess. Wait another month and get re-tested, go back to her and ask for TRT, or go to another specialist if I can find one that's more in-touch with HRT. I guess I had it in my mind that I would be going on TRT and am disappointed that I have to wait, and probably will be out of luck. Not sure I want to be on T for the rest of my life but I really want to feel better though. These hot-flashes are killing me...

Thoughts?

I think you are going to have a hard time getting an Endo or Uro to prescribe trt with those second numbers. Not saying you wouldn't feel better with it. You are probably going to need to go to an anti aging doc - or another that is very progressive and has the knowledge to do what is right. You should ask your endo what the plan is if your levels come back in the same range. Not too many guys here have had good luck with female docs btw.

[subnet]

thanks flatscat - I definitely was surprised when she came in after I expected a he. I guess I'll see what she says after the 3rd test. Part of me wants it to be low, the other part obviously wants everything to be OK.

[Vettester]

Flatscat is probably right about your endo. Good chance they'll push you out and move on. The first sign was when the GP pushed you off on the endo when your numbers were in the 200's, and he did not give you a prescription. Having a female endo does not give me any warm and fuzzies that matters will get better with your team anytime soon. I went through a similar deal and discovered the reality check with HRT at the modern day doctor's office. They're behind the curve on this, which is why the Anti-Aging places are doing so well, and it's why they're getting a premium for their services at this time.

As far as optimal levels. A lot of it is obviously preference or opinion. I've read that normal ranges are something in the lines of 280-to-1000 for total. My own opinion. 200's and 300's suck, you can start feeling some peace in the 400's, and 500's and 600's would be a good place to be. I'm at 895 as of a few weeks ago, which my endo thinks is really high. My HRT Clinic says it's great, as long as I feel good and don't have any other related issues (which I don't). I'm training pretty heavy and I do feel great, so this number works for me. So, there's much contrast with what people will tell you, but I personally think you will see lots of improvements if you were to get the level at least in the 550 range.

[subnet]

cool - thanks vetteman - I think I'm going to go back to my GP and ask if he can put me on treatment. It's worth a try i guess. I definitely don't think the endo is going to do anything for me unfortunately. If they said 'do this and that and come back in a month', then they're trying to see me get better, but just telling me to come back is definitely just hoping I go away.

crap