Normal blood tests?

[JackP]

I'm 27 and just received back from a hospital blood results for testosterone . Apparently they are classified as normal, but the basic/quick research ive done would suggest that would only be the case if I was in my 60's:

Plasma T Level: 11.1
Plasma Albumin Level: 45
SHBG: 23
Free Testosterone: 0.260

Anyone able to give me advice as to whether these results are normal for someone my age?

[hammerheart]

Congratulations, you have low T!

It's not astronomically low, but you fall in the hypogonadal range (< 350 ng/dl)

Are you experiencing any symptom? Why did get tested in first place?

Now you need to know what your LH&FSH are, together with Prolactin. These are the hormones that signal your testes to produce T. High levels point to a problem in the testes, whereas normal/low might imply an issue in the hypothalamus/pituitary.

What is your weight/%bf?

What is your medical history? Any health issue to report?

[IncreaseMyT]

I think you missed a decimal on the free T, if not that is OFFICIALLY the lowest I have ever seen.

[hammerheart]

I think you missed a decimal on the free T, if not that is OFFICIALLY the lowest I have ever seen.

It's in nmol/L




Should convert to 7.51 ng/dl.

[IncreaseMyT]

Yea free t is really low. Bet your E2 is bottomed out.

Hope this helps.

[IncreaseMyT]

Low E2 is close to as big of a problem as low TT.

[Scorpion0922]

That's supposed to be 260 right, not .26?

OP, to answer your question (and I'm not a doctor) that's not normal for someone your age. Any AAS use in your past? Bu p bizzarro, any symptoms of Low T?



•Low libido or sex drive
•Erectile dysfunction or impotence
•Fatigue and lethargy
•Muscle weakness
•Shaving less often, loss of body hair
•Breast growth
•Reduced testicle size Skin changes on the skin, smooth, fine wrinkles

[IncreaseMyT]

260 TT isn't normal for any age.

[JackP]

Congratulations, you have low T!

It's not astronomically low, but you fall in the hypogonadal range (< 350 ng/dl)

Are you experiencing any symptom? Why did get tested in first place?

Now you need to know what your LH&FSH are, together with Prolactin. These are the hormones that signal your testes to produce T. High levels point to a problem in the testes, whereas normal/low might imply an issue in the hypothalamus/pituitary.

What is your weight/%bf?

What is your medical history? Any health issue to report?

Thanks for the useful info, really helps.

The reason I got tested was that I have constantly low energy levels, low muscle mass and even after years of going to the gym, I never seem to gain any muscle. When I also add in the fact I shave about twice a week, if that, and look years younger than I am, everything was pointing to low T levels. Now I just have to hope the doctor is competent enough to do something!

As for my weight, I'm 159 pounds, 6ft 1, and body fat is 19%, although I permanently have a lower waist paunch, even when I was at 10% bf, again something I think is testosterone related.

[hammerheart]

You're right, T affects how the body stores fat.

The symptoms are the ones every man with low t (including myself) is well acquainted with.

Take some time to read the stickies in this forum section. Unfortunately many docs are unknowledgeable about hormones, so doing your "homework" will be of help.

Anyway, try to see an endocrinologist instead of a general practitioner.

Next bloodwork should include CBC, CMP, LH, FSH and PRL.

[JackP]

You're right, T affects how the body stores fat.

The symptoms are the ones every man with low t (including myself) is well acquainted with.

Take some time to read the stickies in this forum section. Unfortunately many docs are unknowledgeable about hormones, so doing your "homework" will be of help.

Anyway, try to see an endocrinologist instead of a general practitioner.

Next bloodwork should include CBC, CMP, LH, FSH and PRL.

So just spoken to my GP who told me that my testosterone level was normal, as it wasn't done first thing in the morning it doesn't count, having low testosterone is good for me otherwise I'd be more aggressive (I wish I was making this up), and if I do some group sports, that should sort out the "low but normal" testosterone level.

Managed to get an endocrinologist appointment booked in but told id be waiting nearly 6 months for that.

Anything to suggest in the meantime? I think it's obvious that I'll be signing up for a new doctor!

[hammerheart]

having low testosterone is good for me otherwise I'd be more aggressive

This is a special one. Once I've collected enough of them I will sum up these freakish quotes from docs in a dedicated thread.


Find a new GP indeed. Can't you get a private endo?

[Scorpion0922]

Get a new doctor right away.....that height/weight/BF combo is God awful (not your fault)

Self medication may be a consideration but that's up to you.

[hammerheart]

He's absolutely normal/average, for - you know - non BB standards.

[JackP]

Get a new doctor right away.....that height/weight/BF combo is God awful (not your fault)

Self medicate if you have to.

Just gone and signed up for a new doctor as the previous "diagnosis" was based on ignorance and stupidity.

If, for some reason, a private endocrinologist doesn't prove successful/I hit the same wall of stupid as I did earlier today, any suggestions or things I can start looking into with regard to self medication?

[kelkel]

I'd find a Uro over if it were me....and start with full BW.

[IncreaseMyT]

He's absolutely normal/average, for - you know - non BB standards.

Sorry have to disagree.

[JackP]

Sorry have to disagree.

The one thing to consider is I've been going to the gym for years and that's really about the best I can reach, which seems absurd.

[IncreaseMyT]

Anything under 10 on free T is shit. Don't listen to anyone else this is your life, and you get to decide how you wanna live it.

What is "normal" anyway? Some level that men your age have? We know those levels are way down so why is it normal? Who said losing your T levels like we do as we age is normal?

Thats like saying getting prostate cancer is "normal" lol its definitely not, but unfortunately it is common in older age groups.

Or like saying me at 265 pounds and 6'3 I should eat a "normal" diet. 2200 cals they say lol I am through that by noon some days.

rant over

[IncreaseMyT]

I do agree however you need another lab as suggested.

FYI Free T ref range is just 5 - 21. He is only 2 points over and 27 years old. I have no idea where anyone would get normal from that.

[hammerheart]

Sorry have to disagree.

Yep, your right. Being obese nowadays is average, so he scores way better than most!

[kelkel]

Being obese nowadays is average!

It's a disease per the FDA......

[hammerheart]

It's a disease per the FDA......

I said average, not "normal".

[JackP]

I said average, not "normal".

Would you say its worth waiting for a professional diagnosis, beyond the abysmal doctors assessment, before self medication e.g. 100mg Testosterone Cypionate fortnightly?

[hammerheart]

Would you say its worth waiting for a professional diagnosis, beyond the abysmal doctors assessment, before self medication e.g. 100mg Testosterone Cypionate fortnightly?

I'd do the BW first (see above).

Personally, if I were to go back when I was first diagnosed, I'd try to restart (PCT) before jumping on TRT.

There could be some revertible issues, like raised PRL.

Self-medication is an option if you (like me) strictly need to, but has its downsides. On the other hand, waiting for the endo might prove disappointing (which is likely when it comes to public health docs).

Like kel said, another useful route is consulting an urologist/andrologist.