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[WCB2]

I am a 39 yo male and just got my T levels checked due to some symptoms including:

1. Low Sex Drive
2. Slight Weight Gain
3. Fatigue
4. Erection Issues

My T levels came back as follows:

Total Testosterone 410 ng/dL
Free Testosterone 14.39
Free % 3.51
SHBG 29.2
Luteinizing Hormone 1.96 mlU/L

If I look at the "normal level" It is on the lower end. I want to have a conversation with my doctor about "normal" vs "optimal". I have seen a few sources that optimal for my age is around the 550 -650 mark for total Testosterone.

Also,
Does anyone have any tips on increasing T levels naturally?

Thanks.

 

[johndoesmith]

Post your full labs and reference ranges.

Better yet, post a picture or screenshot of them. There isn't really much information there.

You're most likely secondary, so it is possible you can raise it "naturally"(God, I hate that phrase). People will say sleep better, eat better, exercise better.

 

[WCB2]

Here are my results... please help me understand this

 

[CoastWatcher]

Welcome to Excelmale, we hope you'll be an active member. Were these tests ordered by your primary care physician? I ask because they are somewhat incomplete. Your thyroid hasn't been assessed, you're missing an FSH value, a PSA should be captured for baseline reference, DHT, estradiol sensitive, and prolactin all are needed. But, observing what you did have run, you are tending toward hypogonadism. It may well be an uphill battle - ending in frustration - to convince your current doctor to take your complaints seriously and treat you, and if that's the case you should head as quickly as possible to a doctor who has the expertise to manage your case with you. "With you"...we all have to be our own advocates, as you probably realize.

Are you taking any other medications/supplements?

 

[WCB2]

this came from the endocrinologist that my PCP referred me to.

My Triglycerides were 143
My TSH is 1.220u{IU}/mL

I am currently on Vitamin D2 and Fish Oil Supplements

 

[CoastWatcher]

this came from the endocrinologist that my PCP referred me to.

My Triglycerides were 143
My TSH is 1.220u{IU}/mL

I am currently on Vitamin D2 and Fish Oil Supplements

The range for the TSH? Every lab calibrates and reports to slightly (sometimes, significantly) different ranges.

So, these labs were ordered by an endocrinologist? Your PCP, probably in good faith, sent you to see this specialist with the idea that hormones should be managed by a doctor certified in the specialty dedicated to hormonal management. You are likely to be disappointed in the way this plays out. If you spend some time reading the threads in the various folders, particularly the "sticky" threads and posts, you will arm yourself with the appropriate arguments that should convince a doctor that "in range" and optimal are two different things.

 

[WCB2]

the range for the TSH is .3 - 4.5 u{IU}/mL

yes these labs were ordered by the endocrinologist. My PCP referred me as he said my general physical labs were good in July. He and I talked about some of my symptoms.

Any suggestions for things I can do at home (diet etc) to help in this endeavor as well. It is just so frustrating that there does not seem to be any male health doctors.

 

[CoastWatcher]

the range for the TSH is .3 - 4.5 u{IU}/mL

yes these labs were ordered by the endocrinologist. My PCP referred me as he said my general physical labs were good in July. He and I talked about some of my symptoms.

Any suggestions for things I can do at home (diet etc) to help in this endeavor as well. It is just so frustrating that there does not seem to be any male health doctors.

What is your diet like now? Your sleep? Exercise? Weight? These are all important factors, and some can impact testosterone levels more than others, but "natural" cures are not going to turn hypogonadism around.

There are doctors who know how to deal with androgen deficiency. Defy Medical, I am not a patient, but respect them greatly, has a national practice that can work with you no matter where in the United States you live, and Prime Body, which has multiple locations and may be able to help you depending on your location, are site sponsors. You'll see their ads here. Many, many members are satisfied with the care they provide. It will mean going outside your insurance, but the costs are reasonable and can be looked at as an investment in your health. Or, you may be happily surprised at the care you receive from your endocrinologist. Just remember you're not without options.

 

[WCB2]

My diet is i would say okay... I don't eat much processed food. I balance my carbs to protein to healthy fats. I am trying to cut back on added sugar. My sleep habits are about 5-7 hours a night... i get into bed but have a hard time falling asleep. I know I need to get back in the habit of exercising regularly. I recently shifted from my company's office to working from home. I am 5' 11" and weigh 178lbs and a bmi of 24.6 and running about 20% body fat. i have a slight gut that I want to get rid of. My goal is 165 and 12-15% body fat.

 

[johndoesmith]

View attachment 2697
Here are my results... please help me understand this

you seem to have more tests, please post pictures of ALL tests you have, holding back information won't help you.

I assume that's a calculated free testosterone test, I'm not sure how they got 14, as the calculator I use gave 9 ng/dl free testosterone.

You need more complete testing, sensitive E2 being the most important.

You're low normal testosterone, and definitely seem secondary. Your testes seem healthy, but your pituitary isn't calling for more testosterone seeing as LH is 1.9. That can definitely increase a lot, therefore increasing testosterone. If E2 is low, it will explain a lot of your symptoms.

 

[WCB2]

thanks... I am hopefully going to meet with either my PCP or the Endocrinologist soon. I am going to need some help in gathering things together to be able to discuss with him Optimal vs Normal.

Also, I have been thinking back and I cannot seriously remember the last time I woke up with a morning wood. How normal is it that they have disappeared.

 

[CoastWatcher]

thanks... I am hopefully going to meet with either my PCP or the Endocrinologist soon. I am going to need some help in gathering things together to be able to discuss with him Optimal vs Normal.

Also, I have been thinking back and I cannot seriously remember the last time I woke up with a morning wood. How normal is it that they have disappeared.

It's certainly part of a picture that suggests hypogonadism.

 

[johndoesmith]

thanks... I am hopefully going to meet with either my PCP or the Endocrinologist soon. I am going to need some help in gathering things together to be able to discuss with him Optimal vs Normal.

Also, I have been thinking back and I cannot seriously remember the last time I woke up with a morning wood. How normal is it that they have disappeared.

Well, most guys here would be willing to help you, but you're not exactly giving us the information we need. We need full lab results in order to help you advocate for yourself.

 

[WCB2]

what other info do you need... I did not have e2 tested or a PSA.

 

[johndoesmith]

what other info do you need... I did not have e2 tested or a PSA.

Any labs you have even if you think they aren't relevant.

 

[madman]

Take everyones advice and pursue a clinic that specializes in trt as the majority of gps/endos/uros usually will only treat patients which they consider truly hypogonadal and well below the limit of the total testosterone reference range and even than they would only try to get most patients into the mid/normal range not the optimal as we would say high/normal range unless you are extremely lucky and find one of the few doctors who actually knows what they are doing.

I live in Canada an am in a similar situation to you low/normal tt/ft and it is an uphill battle to get treatment!