Last week I started with a new doctor and at the end of my visit they asked me if I wanted them to test the blood that just taken for T. It was $20 more, so I said what the hell.

Got a phone call yesterday that I was pretty low. I am going in tomorrow to discuss things with them. Is there anything I should ask about specifically? Or treatments I should avoid?

ETA: I'm an almost 36 year old white male if that makes a difference in your answer. Slightly overweight, but active.

Did they tell you your actual #?


And follow-up question, how's your energy levels, typically? Excluding typical monday/going-to-work dread stuff.

In reply to RockOn They said the low end of normal is 240 and that I'm at a 70.

I have been pretty tired all summer. Still have managed to complete two races however. Currently on the tail end of training for Chicago Marathon. Pace times are pretty down currently.

[I'm not a doctor, but had looked in to after testicular cancer]

Yes 70 is well outside the normal range. I was going to mention that being at the low end of normal, while sounds concerning, isn't all that bad. But that's not the case for you.

I would ask your docs thoughts on marathon training's affect on T. Any chance that + time of day factored in to a low level at the time of test? Could always re-test after you've recovered from the marathon and come down off training.

Hopefully others weigh in, but if I were at 70 I would have gone on replacement therapy. Mine has been around 300 since the cancer stuff and I've just dealt with it (diet, lifting, trail runs, reduce alcohol instake etc). Just my 0.02 fwiw.

Discussed with my doc about 2 weeks ago at a regular checkup..

Your T-level should be between a 300-800 (mine was a ~575)

Edit, just saw you said you had a 70, based on the data below from WebMD, etc. - my unprofessional advice is you should seek treatment (I am not a doctor)

Quote:

---

Testosterone levels are measured through blood tests. Most doctors agree that a "normal" reading falls anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). About 40% of men over age 45 will have levels that come in below that range. But a low reading by itself isn't enough to warrant alarm.

In fact, it'll likely have a lot to do with the time of day doctors test your blood. The best time for testing is between 7 and 10 a.m. "Different hormones have different patterns of secretion," says Ronald Swerdloff, MD, chief of endocrinology at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. "Normal testosterone ranges are based on morning samples, when the average person is at a higher level. Afternoon tests may give a false impression of low levels."

Even if your testosterone levels are below the recommended range, you still might not have to worry. Doctors say that a reading between 200 and 300 ng/dL is sort of a gray area.

Levels that are just slightly low aren't a cause for concern by themselves. But if you have other symptoms, you'll want to see your doctor. "Everyone agrees that if you have a phenomenally low level, you'd benefit from treatment. But if it's just slightly low, as is more common, you'd definitely want to have symptoms," says Bradley Anawalt, MD, chief of medicine at the University of Washington.

Those symptoms include:

• Lower sex drive or desire
• Lower quality and frequency of erections
• Lower bone density
• Reduced muscle mass and strength
• Low energy
• Fatigue
• Depressed feelings

---

Shoot me an email. Had a similar situation several years ago.

In reply to OaklandAg06 Thank you. Sent.

In reply to Swarely

Swarely said:

---

Why the debface?

---

I don't use that emoji much. Must have NEA t the smile or half smile emoji next to it.

Got blood drawn today for a second, more comprehensive, test. Guess we will see what the numbers say next week. He did mention they were they lowest numbers he had ever seen.

In reply to Swarely

Swarely said:

---

Last week I started with a new doctor and at the end of my visit they asked me if I wanted them to test the blood that just taken for T. It was $20 more, so I said what the hell.

Got a phone call yesterday that I was pretty low. I am going in tomorrow to discuss things with them. Is there anything I should ask about specifically? Or treatments I should avoid?

ETA: I'm an almost 36 year old white male if that makes a difference in your answer. Slightly overweight, but active.

---

I went down this road, slightly older. There were so many uncertainties and potential issues I decided I just needed to take better care of myself before I proceeded.

My levels were no where near as low as yours and after dropping some weight went up quite a bit.

In reply to Sea Speed

Sea Speed said:

---

OasisMan said:

---

lb3 said:

---

...you'll probably be committing to maintenance doses for life...

---

thats the prob with T-replacement (TRT)

---

i see no problem with feeling like a young man until the day you die

---

Quote:

---

One of the most notable [side effects] is a decrease in the size and mass of the person's testicles.

---

https://www.drelist.com/blog/testicle-size-testosterone-injection/?amp

In reply to Sea Speed

Sea Speed said:

---

Why do you care how big your testicle are when you are happily married and have all the children you desire to have? You want giant old balls?

---

I guess it might solve the man spreading pandemic if more people were on T so I guess our feminist friends might be happy about that.

In reply to lb3

lb3 said:

---

Sea Speed said:

---

OasisMan said:

---

lb3 said:

---

...you'll probably be committing to maintenance doses for life...

---

thats the prob with T-replacement (TRT)

---

i see no problem with feeling like a young man until the day you die

---

Quote:

---

One of the most notable [side effects] is a decrease in the size and mass of the person's testicles.

---

https://www.drelist.com/blog/testicle-size-testosterone-injection/?amp

---

clomid or gonadoralin solves this

Second test came back a little higher, but still low. Have another appointment Friday to talk options.

Did anyone get results from just clomid for example before going to a testosterone supplement (eg pellet, gel, injection).

In reply to TXAGFAN

TXAGFAN said:

---

Did anyone get results from just clomid for example before going to a testosterone supplement (eg pellet, gel, injection).

---

i believe it can raise test levels, just not to the extent that test+clomid can.

In reply to Swarely

Swarely said:

---

Second test came back a little higher, but still low. Have another appointment Friday to talk options.

---

do you drink alot? this has a very negative impact on test levels.

Mine was low - checked it a bit over a year ago due to strong family hx of hypogonadism in my brother and dad and had low energy and libido. My Free T was 200 so just a bit low but it was trending down over the last few years so started the Gel and have been very happy with the results.

In reply to HaveGoodGetGive I drink a lot on games days.

I would wager that I've drank less this year than pretty much any year since I was 16.

Just left my doctor and he's recommending That I either go one Clomid or do the injections.

Clomid takes 2-3 months to see if it works and is just a pill I take 3 times a week.

Injections start working in 3-4 weeks, but he wants me to come in every week for them. And that includes a $20 copay every time.

Sounds like both are for life.

Anyone want to offer some advice?

In reply to Swarely That is pretty damned expensive for the injections. You would be able to probably beat or match that at q low t clinic and not have to go in every week. The once a week visit would be a deal breaker for me.

i think mine is 190 for 10 week supply. they send me the stuff, i do it myself, super easy. this way im not tied to a location.

I dont think taking just clomid is going to help that much. whats your free test at?

In reply to Swarely Injections. Think almost every studies show that injections work way better than anything else.

Pretty sure you can do them from home after you go in a few times to get them. Talk to your doc if you can eventually start self injecting at home.

Desiccated Liver Tabs, lifting heavy weights, and 4 eggs 4 hours before bed will make a huge difference in how you feel. Also, selenium deficiencies can effect T. 4 Brazil nuts will do the trick.

Yeah all those things are precursors to T production. If you're in your 30's eat steak and eggs, liver pills, lift heavy and voila!

In reply to MosesHallEnforcer

MosesHallEnforcer said:

---

Yeah all those things are precursors to T production. If you're in your 30's eat steak and eggs, liver pills, lift heavy and voila!

---

If you are near 50 continue to work out and eat reasonably and slap some t gel on in the mornings.