Low Total but Normal Free

[labuski]

Hey guys

First off I am 26, 5'8 200 pounds. ~18 percent bodyfat. I was talking with some buddies last year that are on TRT and they told me the symptoms they were having to be put on TRT. It was surprising to see that i had the same results. I ended up going to any lab test now for results and I came in at:

Total Testosterone 295 ng/dL RR 250-1100
Free Testosterone 78.8 pg/mL RR 35-155


I went to my Doctor who called a Urologist, because of my past history of either a twisted testicle at birth or a testicle that didn't drop correctly. I don't know which it was, all I know is that i have a scar. I also had a hydrocele on my other testicle at around the age of 9. Anyway back to my post. Both doctors said that since my free testosterone was normal that I had nothing to worry about. They recommended some v (stupid filter) and an antidepressent. I left pissed and so here we are a year later. I just went to get tested again and won't know the results until later this week.

My question is, obviously my total testosterone is very low for someone my age, is it true that all that matters is the free testosterone?

Thanks guys!

[steroid.com 1]

Welcome my friend; can you post results with ranges for:

SHGB
Albumin
Estradiol
LH
FSH

There are a number of reasons why the discrepancy.

In short however, your Doc is right, the Free Test is what your body uses and you're in a "ok" range.

Testosterone level fluctuate buy as much and +/- 40 pg/ml on any test for some men so who knows it might have been low just at the time of the pull.

If you have these assays post please and we'll jump in!!!

[HRTstudent]

What time did you have your blood drawn?

[labuski]

What time did you have your blood drawn?

at 11 am

[SD421]

I'm the furthest thing from an expert, but that seems a little late in the day for a draw, my blood work even stated on the paper that anything after 10am showing irregularity should be retested.

[bass]

well according to LabCorp ranges his total is way below normal, labcorp range is 348-1197. even though it was late in the day to draw still way too low.

[labuski]

so i got tested again, this time was later in the afternoon.

Total Test 285 RR 280-1070 ng/dL
Sex Hormone bind glob 19 RR 13-71 nmol/L
Free Test 74 RR 47-244 pg/mL

I made an inquiry into an anti aging clinic close to wear i live because the chick doctor specializes in HRT. I'll have some more labs soon. Can't wait to see what she has to say.

I know my free is in the normal range but in my opinion my Total is WELL below normal for a 26 year old man. It will only get worse as I get older too. Time to do something about it now.

[labuski]

so after talking with some friends that are already on TRT i've setup an appointment with their doctor before i go to the clinic. i've also ordered the male hormone panel and fsh/lh tests through labcorp, so when i get that i'll post it up.

one other thing, i seem to recall that i had high iron level. i read that men who have hemochromatosis have a higher rate of hypogonadism. any of you guys have hemochromotosis?

[labuski]

I went to the doctor that my buddies go to and he agreed to start me on TRT at 100mg's a week. I inquired about an AI but he said he's never seen anyone need to take one while being at the 100mg dose. Reading this site, people are stating otherwise. I will continue to do blood work and monitor. He also brought up HCG but said he doubts insurance will cover it and that it is expensive. However after doing further research next time I see him I will see if he will if he will go ahead and prescribe it to me anyway so that my boys won't die incase i ever do want to have kids.

Bad News:

my blood pressure was at 150/101 when i checked in. he said i need to get on a script to lower this. however we started talking about other things and he forgot to prescribe it. i should probably call him.

also my hematocrit was at 49 before starting trt. i have a feeling is something i am going to be fighting from now on as i am naturally high.

[labuski]

oh yeah here is my results from lab corp.

i was very surprised as my testosterone was significantly higher. although the night before i blasted my legs working out with heavy squats. Also do you think my estrogen level is too low? anything else out of the ordinary. what about my thyroid?

hxxp://i.imgur.com/pXKFG.png

[lovbyts]

I would not go on meds after only one high blood pressure test result. You may have white coat syndrome meaning you get high blood pressure when in the doctors office.

My blood pressure is high every time I get it check right after being at work for 12 hrs and awake for 15+ but when I get it checked first thing in the morning or the fist few hours of being awake it's perfectly normal. Have it checked a few more times to see where it is at first. Make sure they check it properly also. You have been seated for at least 1 min (typically they rush this) and you do not have your legs or arms crossed. Make sure you are rested and have been drinking plenty of water and no coffee/caffine.

[xcraider37]

oh yeah here is my results from lab corp.

i was very surprised as my testosterone was significantly higher. although the night before i blasted my legs working out with heavy squats. Also do you think my estrogen level is too low? anything else out of the ordinary. what about my thyroid?

hxxp://i.imgur.com/pXKFG.png

Might get a better response if you post the results directly instead of through a link.

[labuski]

[xcraider37]

Based on your T Levels I would advise against TRT, would have liked to seen SHBG if high along with your slightly high albumin, you would have some room to add to that t-level, although being your free T is good, I doubt your SHBG is high. More investigation is needed before you jump on any TRT protocol.

What time of the day was this blood work done? Hopefully an hour or two after rising for the day.

[labuski]

Yes around 10 am i get up at 8. Like i said i have had 3 other blood tests all at 280-290 level. I think i skewed the results though by blowing up my legs the night before. This is way higher than i have ever seen.

What about my estrogen level? Do you think that it being that low could affect my energy/labido/mood?