Low test diagnosis

[Letdown]

Hello all

I recently had a routine blood test as I have been suffering with fatigue and feeling lethargic for a while and the bloods came back as low vitamin D and low testosterone.

I didn’t get a reading from my vit D, just given meds 20,000iu once a week for 8 weeks.

But they said my test was 7 and the range is 8-35 so it is below where it should be, after a chat, I am being referred to an endocrinologist.

I’m a bit worried and struggle to get through the day atm due to feeling tired.

Should I be doing anything until I see the endo and is there anything I can do to stop feeling so bad?

I’m 44, 6ft, 250lb, UK based, I have always trained on and off but never seen any real improvements, I try to keep my diet in check but for as long as I can remember I’ve always felt tired and feel like everything is a real effort to do, I’ve put on about 30lb (fat) in the last year or so as I feel my energy levels are shot.

I’ve tried dieting but if I eat to little I get dizzy spells, headaches and just can’t function.

It’s like a vicious circle, I want to diet and train but I feel to shattered to train and can’t function if I don’t eat.

Probably a bit of rambling but I just feel lost and don’t know where to start or what to do??

[kelkel]

Hey Letdown!

First, take some time and read the sticky threads (the ones that don't move) at the top of this forum.
Next, post up your blood work if you have it.
Always best to determine the cause of your hypogonadism first before embarking on any form of treatment so you don't put a bandaid on a problem that's fixable.
You specifically need to see LH/FSH and thyroid panels. Know that hypothyroidism can cause hypogonadism. Fix the first and you can normally fix the second.
He put you on D2 to bring up your D. That's fine. You can switch to regular D3 later.
I would prefer a Urologist over and Endo. My opinion anyway.
Not uncommon to gain weight (fat) when test is low.
Spend as much time here educating yourself as possible so when you have your next appointment you can ask the correct questions. Matter of fact, write them down otherwise you're bound to forget some.

Edit to say: Do not take everything your doctor says as gospel as so very many doc's do not know hormones. The doc's title doesn't really matter just whether they have knowledge of hormones.

[Letdown]

Hi Kelkel

Thank you for the response, I didn’t get the blood work from the GP they seamed more bothered about my mental state.

I will ask and see if I can get my blood work, I think checking my test levels was an afterthought so will probably need further bloods done, which I’m guessing I’ll have to wait for till I see the specialist.

I feel like I would feel better if I wasn’t so lathergic and could do some training, eat better and lose some fat.

[kelkel]

It's your blood work so just have them fax or email it to you. Start keeping a file of all your blood work to track changes and progress.
Lethargy / brain fog is a common side effect of low T.
Right now you need to try and find the root cause and that's done via blood work. Hypogonadism can be Primary (testicular failure), Secondary (Pituitary issues) or simply a combination of both normally known as andropause.
When you get your blood work redact any personal info and post it here if possible.
Remember to read the stickies.

[Harry141983]

Hey mate,

I have seen Endocrinologist recently regarding the same issue.

You can ask your endocrinologist for two tests (which I have done recently) to find out root cause why you are having low T (mine was 2 ).

1. Testes scan (to find out any issues with testicles , if they are smaller than usual of your age etc)

2. Most important test (blood work) is to find out whether your testes not producing T or your Pituitary gland wont give signal to testes to produce. Pituitary is responsible for making other hormones too including T so she/will test for those hormones levels if they are producing or not.

Your best plan atm I believe is to see Endocrinologist.

Also, its doesn’t matter a lot if you are having low T and have to spend regular routine life for few months (advised by my specialist)

In my case , i was prescribed Testovan gel first for the first three months but it didn’t increase my levels a lot and its a hassle to apply the gel on daily basis so I requested my specialist to give me Reandron injections. Now i am taking Reandron every four weeks and my next blood test is due just before my second injection. First blood test is done after 3 days of first injection so she can check what would be the beat dosage for me.

My advice, pls do not hesitate to request blood tests, reports, scans and paper work from your specialist.

Sorry English is my second language, please ask me if you have any questions related as i am in the same boat.

Good luck

[kelkel]

Hey mate,

I have seen Endocrinologist recently regarding the same issue.

You can ask your endocrinologist for two tests (which I have done recently) to find out root cause why you are having low T (mine was 2 ).

1. Testes scan (to find out any issues with testicles , if they are smaller than usual of your age etc)

2. Most important test (blood work) is to find out whether your testes not producing T or your Pituitary gland wont give signal to testes to produce. Pituitary is responsible for making other hormones too including T so she/will test for those hormones levels if they are producing or not.

Your best plan atm I believe is to see Endocrinologist.

Also, its doesn’t matter a lot if you are having low T and have to spend regular routine life for few months (advised by my specialist)

In my case , i was prescribed Testovan gel first for the first three months but it didn’t increase my levels a lot and its a hassle to apply the gel on daily basis so I requested my specialist to give me Reandron injections. Now i am taking Reandron every four weeks and my next blood test is due just before my second injection. First blood test is done after 3 days of first injection so she can check what would be the beat dosage for me.

My advice, pls do not hesitate to request blood tests, reports, scans and paper work from your specialist.

Sorry English is my second language, please ask me if you have any questions related as i am in the same boat.

Good luck

Your english is just fine!