25 and low test, blood work, looking for help

[talic209]

My endo tested me for everything and all was normal except my testosterone and shbg. These results are recent.

Album, serum 4.7 (3.6-d.1 g/dL)
shbg 52 (10-50 nmol/L) High
testosterone, free 37.3 (46.0-224.0 pg/mL) Low
testosterone, total, lc/ms/ms 423 (250-1100 ng/dL)
testosterone, bioavailable 79.9 (110.0-575.0 ng/dL) Low
Cortisol 11.30 (ug/dL)
Ferritin 104.1 (22.0-340.0 ng/mL)
FSH 12.3 (mIU/ml)
Free T4 1.1 (0.7-1.8 ng/dL)
LH 3.1 (mIU/ml)
Prolactin 10.5 (3.3-20.8 ng/mL)
TSH .57 (0.50-6.00 MIU/ML)
CRP <5.0 (<10.0 mg/L)
ESR Sediten <7 (mm/hr)
Estradiol 23 (< OR = 39 pg/mL)
ACTH 20.5 (7.4-64.3 pg/ml)
IGF-1 208 (99-283 ng/ml)

I am 25, 170lbs and 6'3. I've been lifting weights 3-5x a week for 5 years, following routines and tracking progress. I eat healthy, I weigh my food, count calories, macros, and micros.
I've known my test was low for atleast 2 years, I had blood work done then. That blood work 2 years ago was almost identical, test was a little bit higher.
I decided to keep trying to raise it myself and didn't want medication.
Fast forward 2 years, no changes, no strength gains, still depressed, no joy, no drive, always tired. So I went back to the doc.

My doctor suggested to put me on hcg, 2000 3x a week. Hcg because I am young and may want kids someday.
I am looking for some opinions or advice or similar stories or anything. I appreciate it.

[2Sox]

Welcome, Talic. You're in the right place for answers and for the hope to get through what is heavy on your mind right now. And I think you're smart in going slow before you embark on a lifetime of TRT.

You say "all is normal" but there is more to normal than meets the eye. Have you been examined thoroughly regarding any trauma or pathology of the pituitary? Have you had any trauma or irregularities of the testes? A thorough examination is in order. Others here can comment further.

Regarding children: You should know that TRT does NOT rule out having a family in the future. Many men on this forum can attest to that. Ask to see their baby photos. Stick around, study all you can, and ask questions. My best wishes to you.

[talic209]

Thank you for your response.

I forgot to mention that I had an MRI of my pituitary gland after I got the first blood work tests done. My pituitary is slightly enlarged but the doc said it was good.
There has not be any trauma or irregularities to my testes. I had a semen analysis done which came back normal too.

The kids thing was my doctors reasoning for the hcg, I am indifferent and want to take the route that's best for my health. Whether it be straight test, hcg, or something else.

Thanks again.

[talic209]

My insurance approved the hcg treatment. I'll be picking it up at the pharmacy in a few days, they had to order it.

Oh, I also have goiter apparently..
I already had it ultra scanned and I'm getting it biopsied 2nd week of June.
Doc said it wasn't related though. Bringing it up just in case.