Low Free T, Normal Total T

[smokeyman]

I'm 24 years old and I have low libido, low motivation, fatigue, and brain fog. I also have very low penis sensitivity as well which is worrying me. I went to the doctor and asked for a hormone panel. The doctor said my test was "normal". My total t could definitely be better, but my free T was below the reference range. Could my low free testosterone be causing my symptoms? I'd appreciate some opinions.

Total Testosterone: 429 ng/dL (348-1197)
Free Testosterone: 9.1 pg/mL (9.3-26.5)
Prolactin: 6.0 ng/ml (2.1-17.7)
Lutenizing Hormone: 2.4 mIU/ml (1.5-9.3)
FSH: 2.6 mIU/ml (1.4-18.1)
Estradiol: 20 pg/ml (0-39.8)
DHEA: 292.8 ug/dL (164.3-530.5)
SHBG: 27.0 nmol/L (16.5-55.9)

[kelkel]

Hi Smokey.

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but at your age your TT and FT should be much higher. Your LH is low which is indicative of this. Your doc is saying you're normal simply because you are "in range" which to me is an indicator that he does not know hormones nor is he interested in how you feel, which is most important.

You need full BW to help determine why your T is low. In the Finding A Doc sticky thread at the top of the forum is a list of BW to obtain. Be sure you get a full thyroid panel to include TSH, FT3, FT4, RT3 and Antibodies at a minimum. All this will help us, and an astute doc in determining why you are low. Know that many things can cause low T such as thyroid, cortisol, trauma, pathologies and testicular issues. As well as cycling and pro hormone use.

At your age do not settle for "your normal" from a doctor. And yes, low T can make you feel like crap.

[smokeyman]

Hi Smokey.

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but at your age your TT and FT should be much higher. Your LH is low which is indicative of this. Your doc is saying you're normal simply because you are "in range" which to me is an indicator that he does not know hormones nor is he interested in how you feel, which is most important.

You need full BW to help determine why your T is low. In the Finding A Doc sticky thread at the top of the forum is a list of BW to obtain. Be sure you get a full thyroid panel to include TSH, FT3, FT4, RT3 and Antibodies at a minimum. All this will help us, and an astute doc in determining why you are low. Know that many things can cause low T such as thyroid, cortisol, trauma, pathologies and testicular issues. As well as cycling and pro hormone use.

At your age do not settle for "your normal" from a doctor. And yes, low T can make you feel like crap.

Thanks for the reply kelkel.

I figured my levels were low. I asked my doc to refer me to an endo so thankfully he did. I see the endo next month.

There are a LOT of other things that were tested on my blood work. Most everything came back in good range. I also have my TSH level here:

TSH: 2.433 mIU/L (0.370-4.420)

This is the only thyroid level I have. Should I get a complete panel? Is it possible my TSH be normal, but the others be abnormal?

A few other things that stuck out to me are my Ferritin serum levels. I don't know what Ferritin levels are or if they're really important, but mine seems borderline low.

Ferritin Serum: 22.4 ng/ml (22.0-322.0)

Other things that stuck out to me:

Eosinophil: 10.5 (0.0-5.0) I have no idea what this is, but it was over double the max range. Doc didn't mention it so maybe its nothing.
Eosinophil Absolute: 0.7 (0.0-0.5)

Folate Serum: 20.4 ng/ml (3.1-24.0)
Albumin: 5.0 gm/dl (3.5-5.0)
Globulin: 2.3 gm/dl (2.3-3.5)
Albumin/Globulin Ratio: 2.2 (1.0-2.0) Again, I don't know what any of these levels are, but some were marked abnormal on my blood work. My doc didn't mention any of them.

I'm going to try and get the endo to check all of the blood work you listed in the sticky. I'm curious about my DHT levels. Is low DHT a possibility for someone having sexual problems?

[BallSak]

Your numbers are very similar to mine before trt. I felt terrible!

1st thing you should do is do exactly what kelkel suggested. Look for an A4M certified doctor in your area. You can do a search on the A4M website. Best of luck!