Testosterone Levels (Total and Free)

[xcdizzle22x]

Hey Guys,

I just got some blood work done after feeling real sluggish, low sex drive, and inability to really progress in the gym I knew something was up. Especially since I am only 22 years old. I had tried everything, changing around my diets, workout routines, etc. I have been able to get pretty cut, I'm about 6 feet, 160, under 10% B.F. but was unable to add any muscle mass or get stronger for that matter.

My lab results are:
Total Testosterone: 319 ng/dL Range given: (250-1100)
Free Testosterone: 54.5 pg/mL Range given: (35 - 155)

Any treatments that you guys suggest that I should bring up to the doctor? Certain Prohormones, repla***ent treatments, or testosterone treatments that have worked well?

Thanks for the help

[J DIESEL3]

Hey xcdizzle welcome to the forum.You are in good hands here on getting great advice and some direction.

I'm sure soon some vets will reply to your thread and help u out.The first thing you need to do is find out what is causing your low t before u start thinking about trt.Also if you have any other labs with ranges you could post that would help as well.

[xcdizzle22x]

Thanks for the response J Diesel! I knew this would be the place to go to get some help and answers. I had mulyiple tests run including CBC, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, a negative screening for Lymes, and T3 Free, T4 Free, TSH, and the Testosterone levels done. What else would be useful to post here?

[J DIESEL3]

That's a great start.Just remember to include your ranges.Some of the guys will let you know if they need any other info. Good luck!

[xcdizzle22x]

Only thing else abnormal besides my testosterone levels was on my Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, for BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) which was 32 mg/dL. Range provided: 6-22 mg/dL. And the other high number was my AST (aspartate amino transferase, also called SGOT) which was 50 U/L, where range given was 0-45. Everything else seemed to fall with in the "normal" range.

[zaggahamma]

test levels low yes

werent u gonna post your thyroid numbers?

are u saying u ran prohormones/aas or r u asking if u should tell that to the doc?

[steroid.com 1]

OP - Did you get this BW on your own or with a Physician?

Are these the only panels you had tested? If not, post ALL with ranges.

Especially like to see LH/FSH along with complete Thyroid panels.

You don't need a TRT protocol right now...you need a diagnosis first!

Your total serum level for a 22 year old should be north of 700.

Is there anything in your history that would explain this suppression? Previous steriod use? Injury?

While your levels are still in the "normal" range they are low and it's not an age related suppression in serum levels...it should not happen to otherwise healthy 22 year old males.

There are a number of pathologies that you need to eliminate before considering a TRT protocol.

[xcdizzle22x]

I just had the bloodwork done and have not run anything to date. Basically I wanted to come to you guys to see where I should go from here with these results. I really am trying to gain lean muscle, and I think the low test levels are the reason I have been unable to add size.
And yes, the thyroid numbers are as follows:
T3 Free: FT3 2.7 pg/mL Range: 2.5-3.9
T4 Free: FT4 0.8 ng/dL Range: 0.6-1.6
TSH: 3.31 uU/mL Range: 0.34-5.60

Once again, any advice is much appreciated.

[SEOINAGE]

Have you tried lessening your work load and really bulk? Ate at a calorie surplus for longer than 3 months? Done any barbell strength training programs?

[xcdizzle22x]

I have never used steroids or anything of the sort. Currently cycle on and off of a preworkout (typically Superpump), post workout nutrition includes a whey protein, prebed I take a Casein Protein. Also taking a multivitamin daily. I am not a beginner in the gym. Have been working out intensly for four years. Currently on a 4 day split.

[steroid.com 1]

I just had the bloodwork done and have not run anything to date. Basically I wanted to come to you guys to see where I should go from here with these results. I really am trying to gain lean muscle, and I think the low test levels are the reason I have been unable to add size.
And yes, the thyroid numbers are as follows:
T3 Free: FT3 2.7 pg/mL Range: 2.5-3.9
T4 Free: FT4 0.8 ng/dL Range: 0.6-1.6
TSH: 3.31 uU/mL Range: 0.34-5.60

Once again, any advice is much appreciated.

Your welcome...

Your TSH is high and suggestive of a problem. You'd like to see this below between 1-2 reference range.

FT4 is very low and suggestive of a problem. You'd like to see this near the 1.6 reference range.

Converting FT4 to FT3 is ok. You'd like to see this near the 3.9 reference range.

Given your low Testosterone levels and a Thyroid that is working way to hard for a 22 year old I would find a Doctor who understands these things and eliminate other possible medical conditions.

These numbers are not right for a man your age.

Note, low testosterone levels will cause hypothyroidism which your panels are pointing to.

All your symptoms are indicative of the panels you've presented.

Find a Doctor...

[xcdizzle22x]

gdevine,
I had these tests done by a physician. I went into the doctor's with constant muscle fatigue, feeling very "bland" I guess I would say, with a very very low sex drive and hunger for anything really. I knew Testosterone could be an issue, so he ran those tests I have listed above. I am currently eatin 3,500 calories a day, with a proper carbs/protein/fat breakdown. So I knew that is was not my workout routine or my nutrition that was of concern.

[xcdizzle22x]

These numbers are not right for a man your age.

Note, low testosterone levels will cause hypothyroidism which your panels are pointing to.

All your symptoms are indicative of the panels you've presented.

Find a Doctor...

But wouldn't that imply loss of appetite and weight gain? In my case it is quite the opposite. I eat every 2 hours. Well balanced, high protein meals.

[ecdysone]

What was your creatinine value? (your BUN is pretty elevated, but maybe just from a high protein diet)

As others have said, you really need to get LH/FSH tests done before anyone could speculate about the cause of your low test.

[bass]

read the stickies, most answers to your questions are there. get informed so you know how to communicate with your doctor.

[xcdizzle22x]

What was your creatinine value? (your BUN is pretty elevated, but maybe just from a high protein diet)

Hey ecdysone, my creatinine came in at 1.1 mg/dL with a given normal range of 0.5-1.3.

[zaggahamma]

Your welcome...

Your TSH is high and suggestive of a problem. You'd like to see this below between 1-2 reference range.

FT4 is very low and suggestive of a problem. You'd like to see this near the 1.6 reference range.

Converting FT4 to FT3 is ok. You'd like to see this near the 3.9 reference range.

Given your low Testosterone levels and a Thyroid that is working way to hard for a 22 year old I would find a Doctor who understands these things and eliminate other possible medical conditions.

These numbers are not right for a man your age.

Note, low testosterone levels will cause hypothyroidism which your panels are pointing to.

All your symptoms are indicative of the panels you've presented.

Find a Doctor...

g, i thought the tsh was a lil high as well....

would you have any theories to what could be causing the poor levels...and/or possible solutions for them...for instance what are some common causes/reasons for poor thryroid activity..and how are those treated?

[steroid.com 1]

g, i thought the tsh was a lil high as well....

would you have any theories to what could be causing the poor levels...and/or possible solutions for them...for instance what are some common causes/reasons for poor thryroid activity..and how are those treated?

Honestly J, IMO his TSH and FT values are in a shitty place due to his low Test levels.

If he found out why he's so low for his age and correct it so that his Test levels normalize his thyroid would probably will as well.

[ecdysone]

Actually GD, I was going to say the opposite: that poor thyroid function maybe be causing his low test.

In any event, we have to remember:

TRH
------------> Hypothalamus ------> Pituitary -->--- LH/FSH ----> Testicular


GRH
------------> Hypothalamus ------> Pituitary -->---- TSH -------> Thyroid



So no matter which causes which, they are completely interrelated.

[xcdizzle22x]

Hey guys,
I got the test results from an urgent care center. When the doctor called back he said my test levels were normal. I asked for the results and saw those levels. Made an appointment with a new doctor tomorrow and will be brininging my results with me. Is there any more tests I should ask for while there to help clarify why my levels are so low?

[kelkel]

Yes. Read the stickies. Recommended BW is in Finding a TRT Physician sticky or go to www.allthingsmale.com. Get complete BW done.

[ecdysone]

Is there any more tests I should ask for while there to help clarify why my levels are so low?

No, actually just ignore everything in this thread and you will be on your way

[xcdizzle22x]

Perfect. I'll be checking out the rest of the stickies in the thread. Thanks for all of the help. Will post after doctor's appointment tomorrow.