Went to Doctor Today. Was Told I have Normal Test Levels but don't agree.

[7mike7]

Im only 16 and i've been told my test is normal however i don't feel that is.

I was clocked at 396ng/dl and i believe that is severely low. She told me the average is 156 - 600.

What should i do? I also found out my thyroid is SLIGHTLY low though i'm going for more bloodwork.

Should I raise concern?

I feel so much weaker within the last 2 months, sex drive gone down and my erections aren't as strong. Also my muscle mass gains within 7 months haven't been spectacular but alright however i been eating 4.5k cals.


Some people suggesting me to self medicate if she refuses to acknowledge my requests.

Extra info: Yes i know you need to be 18 however i have very little resources and thought you guys would be my best bet.

[Beethoven]

You a more thorough work up than what you have posted. At this point and your age TRT or self medication is the positively last thing I would do. Find a more knowledgeable Dr and find the root cause. TRT is not the answer for you especially at 16. I can empathize that you may have something going on but TRT is not the answer. I still cringe when young people are on here hoping to get on TRT where most of us would love to get off it. Read the BW stickie and find a Dr to find the problem.

[7mike7]

You a more thorough work up than what you have posted. At this point and your age TRT or self medication is the positively last thing I would do. Find a more knowledgeable Dr and find the root cause. TRT is not the answer for you especially at 16. I can empathize that you may have something going on but TRT is not the answer. I still cringe when young people are on here hoping to get on TRT where most of us would love to get off it. Read the BW stickie and find a Dr to find the problem.

Im not indirectly suggesting TRT but how else could this be treated? I don't really see any other effective way but i may be wrong and im highly uneducated about this topic thus why i came here.

[2Sox]

My advice: First have a talk with your parents about your concerns.

IMO, NO one on this forum would advise you to even CONSIDER looking into TRT at your age.

[7mike7]

My advice: First have a talk with your parents about your concerns.

IMO, NO one on this forum would advise you to even CONSIDER looking into TRT at your age.

what else is there to do? i mean my free test is literally 3....

[Low Testosterone]

Low testosterone levels in adolescents, while not extremely common, it does occur a little more often than we might think. However, while a little more common and not something I'd call extremely rare, perhaps slightly rare might be the best phrase. But if we consider say the entire population of the U.S. (350 million or so) sure, there are quite a few young ones with low levels.

That said, no doctor is going to prescribe you testosterone on the basis of a blood test alone. Yes, testosterone is and has been prescribed for decades to adolescents, but only after all aspects are examined. You may need testosterone, this could be the case, but you need to find a doctor that understands adolescent hormone issues, is willing to check all your hormones, perform an MRI, examine and discuss medication and lifestyle habits...leave no stone unturned.

Do you have any drug history use of any kind? I'm not referring to just recreational drugs but recreational as well as prescription. If the answer is no and those are your testosterone numbers, there is an issue, a problem and you need to find out what that problem is because throwing testosterone at it alone may very well not be the answer. It could be part of the answer but again, you need to do some digging on this one.

[ScotchGuard02]

396 out of 600 is not bad. Do not self medicate you could be asking for trouble. Have you done any steroids before? You're only 16, check out all other options before you start down the steroid path.

[Beethoven]

I remember back when I was very young, I had heard about other kids with problems similar to yours. The Drs were able to treat them WITHOUT putting them on a life long regimen. Now that's not to say you are not the case but at your age you most likely can be treated and go on to have normal levels WITHOUT getting on TRT. Find a knowledgeable DR, talk to your parents. Something this important should involve them.

[2Sox]

Low testosterone levels in adolescents, while not extremely common, it does occur a little more often than we might think. However, while a little more common and not something I'd call extremely rare, perhaps slightly rare might be the best phrase. But if we consider say the entire population of the U.S. (350 million or so) sure, there are quite a few young ones with low levels.

That said, no doctor is going to prescribe you testosterone on the basis of a blood test alone. Yes, testosterone is and has been prescribed for decades to adolescents, but only after all aspects are examined. You may need testosterone, this could be the case, but you need to find a doctor that understands adolescent hormone issues, is willing to check all your hormones, perform an MRI, examine and discuss medication and lifestyle habits...leave no stone unturned.

Do you have any drug history use of any kind? I'm not referring to just recreational drugs but recreational as well as prescription. If the answer is no and those are your testosterone numbers, there is an issue, a problem and you need to find out what that problem is because throwing testosterone at it alone may very well not be the answer. It could be part of the answer but again, you need to do some digging on this one.

Thanks, Low T. I learned something from this and gained another perspective. I hope this young man get the help he deserves.

[JTR12]

So many causes of low T and so many things to try before exogenous testosterone is considered--and at 16, I doubt it would ever be prescribed. Self-medicating? Horrible, horrible idea. Shutting down your natural production at that age could mess you up in a big way. If your doctor isn't responding to your concerns, find another one. Keep searching until someone listens. Could be a pituitary issue, could be your testes, could be a lot of things.

[ANIMAL]

What has gone on in your life within the past months or even several months? Girls, school, parents, friends etc. can all put stress on you, especially at that age. If your levels are at 400 on a scale of 156-600, I'd say your test levels are fine, just above average on that scale.

Everyone is so quick to jump to medications to solve their problems. Not saying you don've have a problem, I would recommend going through all the tests like others have mentioned, just don't be discouraged if everything comes back normal. Take a look at what's going on in your life that could be stressing you.

Best of luck to you.

[jstone]

Listen to everyone that has chimed in trt may seem great, but it truly is not. I started trt at 30 due to painkillers lowering test to virtually nothing after prolonged back issues. Now that the surgery is done and my back is fixed I would give anything to go back to having natural test levels.

Look around your area for a new doc. Your problem may be just due to some extra stress.

[2Sox]

Listen to everyone that has chimed in trt may seem great, but it truly is not. I started trt at 30 due to painkillers lowering test to virtually nothing after prolonged back issues. Now that the surgery is done and my back is fixed I would give anything to go back to having natural test levels.

Look around your area for a new doc. Your problem may be just due to some extra stress.

Most here would disagree with your statement above. If you read enough of the stories on this forum, it would become apparent to you that TRT saved the sanity of many, the marriages of countless men, and the lives of many others. Just like you, I think everyone here would like to have their own bodies produce "natural" levels. But because of many reasons - stupid mistakes, bad doctors or just age - it just can't happen. TRT is the next best thing.

[kelkel]

Listen to everyone that has chimed in trt may seem great, but it truly is not. I started trt at 30 due to painkillers lowering test to virtually nothing after prolonged back issues. Now that the surgery is done and my back is fixed I would give anything to go back to having natural test levels.

Look around your area for a new doc. Your problem may be just due to some extra stress.

Extremely negative comment which is really not backed up by any medical research. That said, TRT is no panacea and will not fix all aspects of someones life. But with a properly tuned protocol you stand a much better chance. Regarding stress, yes it can impact test levels by increasing cortisol levels, but it would be a stretch for it to take someone down to almost nil test levels.

[jstone]

Maybe i should have clarified i mean the hassle of dealing with the pharmacy, and the weekly injection. If I could go back to not needing it I would happily do it. If I had to go back to low test levels without trt. I would not.

My statement was not clear, and that was my fault. If my test levels were normal I would not want to go through with trt. I'm not married so it did nothing to help in that department, but I did help with my overall well being.


edit: my biggest problem with my trt has been insurance, for the first time in 3 years I don't have it. It made dealing with the pharmacy so much better. My problem with trt has been mainly insurance related, and 3 years of dealing with it has made me just wish I could have my normal test levels back that's all. The ops levels don't seem to bad, but I don't know how he feels. I just know that at 16 I wouldn't have wanted to deal with trt unless my numbers were extremely low, especially knowing I would probably have to deal with it for life.

When i first started trt i felt like i was 16, and I loved it. I'm not anti trt and that's how it came off. I think it's a great option for those who truly need it. From now on I will make sure to clarify my statements.

keel and 2sox portraying trt negatively was not my intention. My intention was to merely state if there is any other option at 16 I would explore that rather than trt.