Testosterone Levels

[horneyoldguy]

I'm in the same boat. My doctor says the normal range is 200-1600. But as I understand it, different doctors/labs define the normal range differently. There's no universally agreed upon standard. The last time I got tested, my doctor told me that he had consulted with an endocrinologist, who told him that experts are reconsidering where to set the low end, and are beginning to treat men with levels below 300. He gave me a referral to the endocrinologist, but I haven't been able to get an appointment yet.

That's why I am being treated, my levels are at the low end of normal and my urologist said to go on the therapy - he has me use a gel which I put on upper arms every morning (Testim) instead of injections. My follow-up PSA was good and my next check-up in that area is in 6 months.

 

[onewatcher]

Last summer I had a bout of extreme fatigue. I was 52, work out at least three days a week, not overweight, eat right.
Went to the doctor and asked to do a T level. It turned out it was very low. 145.
Went to an endocrinologist, ordered an MRI and found a small pituitary tumor! Was it the cause of the low T?
Went on the gel, and the T level dropped to 125!!!
The ednocrinologist started me on Inj's, 200mg every 2 weeks. T level at the end of the two weeks was up in the high range!!
Labido is on overdrive, lots of wood, feel great all the time, and even have redistributed some body fat, and turned to lean muscle.
PSA went up a bit, however, prostate exam was normal.
Low T in men is a very unhealthy condition. Get checked out by an endocrinologist. They have the ability to diagnois and treat.

 

[ColonialBoy]

I've has two T test and they are low.

I'm seeing a doctor and hope to go on the usual routine - T cypionate, hCG and an aromatase inhibitor.

 

[bguy]

I had mine tested today and I should know the results in about two weeks. I'm actually hoping that they find my levels are low and can help me out there. I've had continuing difficulties with one girl I'm seeing and I'm getting very frustrated by it. Having read this thread, I think it would also explain my being inexplicably tired at times.

 

[Meniscus]

I finally managed to get an appointment...at the end of October...with the endocrinologist's physican's assistant. If I waited for an appointment with the endocrinologist himself, I wouldn't be able to see him until December.

 

[Eisenhower]

Guys, be aware that it's not just T, but your Estradiol levels (Estrogen) that impact libido, etc. Many docs don't even test Estradiol and just slap T on you (if you're lucky enough to find a doc who will do TRT). What happens is your body often converst T into Estradiol and you're no better off. It's essential that you keep Estradiol in the right balance or you could be super high in T but still having problems because your Estradiol is also high.

I am about to start down the TRT route myself, but I would not do it with any doc who doesn't understand about keeping control of Estradiol too.

Eisenhower

 

[LittleDude]

I've often wondered if a low testosterone level is to blame for my small cock size. I'm also lacking in some secondary sexual characteristics, the deep voice, body hair (i have very little), don't have a full beard.

 

[Meniscus]

...It's essential that you keep Estradiol in the right balance or you could be super high in T but still having problems because your Estradiol is also high.

Interesting. Do you know what might cause high Estradiol levels in men? Or is it one of those things that "just happens" sometimes? Thanks.

 

[Eisenhower]

I'm no expert, by any means - I'm just learning the TRT ropes myself ... but my understanding is that there are numerous reasons Estradiol may be out of whack, but one main problem is an enzyme called aromatase that literally converts your testosterone into estrogen.

Some well educated docs are now attacking estradiol first rather than giving you more testosterone via a patch, gel or shots. There are anti-estrogen drugs for women like Arimidex that reduce your estrogen. When that happens, often your testicles kick in and start raising your testosterone naturally. I'm hoping this is what the doc will do in my case.

Eisenhower

 

[bguy]

My doctor says the normal range is 200-1600. But as I understand it, different doctors/labs define the normal range differently. There's no universally agreed upon standard. The last time I got tested, my doctor told me that he had consulted with an endocrinologist, who told him that experts are reconsidering where to set the low end, and are beginning to treat men with levels below 300.

I just got the results from my doctor today and he said the normal range is 100-800. Since I am above 400, I'm apparently fine. This is a bit disappointing to me, because I'm still having troubles maintaining an erection during sex, and I hoped there would be a simple medical explanation.

On the plus side, even when half-erect, she thinks I'm huge.

 

[Meniscus]

bguy, I understand where you're coming from. As has been discussed in other threads, it doesn't really matter if your T levels fall into the normal range. The fact that the range is so wide indicates that what is normal for one man is not what's normal for someone else. So it's important to figure out what is normal for you.

For example, when my libido problem began, I tested at 355, which is well within the normal range. It's somewhat at the low end, but not borderline low. However, I believe (but unfortunately cannot prove) my T levels were probably significantly higher before my problem began.

Having said that, I wouldn't be wishing for low testosterone if I were you. Do you really want to have to go through testosterone replacement therapy for the rest of your life? Do you want your testicles to shrink as a result of the TRT? Decreased sperm count and infertility are also possible side effects, along with increased acne, baldness, and breast enlargement.

Personally, I'm hoping for a different diagnosis. I want the endocrinologist to say, "You have 'Syndrome X,' and there's a simple cure." I really want my body to produce it's own testosterone. It bothers me to think about having to take synthetic testosterone for the rest of my life.

But that's probably too much to hope for. If I can't have "Syndrome X" with it's simple cure, then I'd prefer to me diagnosed and treated for low testosterone. If another doctor tells me that I don't have low testosterone without offering an explanation and treatment for my low libido, I'm going to cut his balls off.

 

[Meniscus]

I...I'm still having troubles maintaining an erection during sex...

Is your problem low libibo or is it just maintaining an erection? If you're "just" having trouble maintaining an erection (I don't mean to say that like I'm minimizing your problem), then there are probably other, more likely explanations than low testosterone.

...On the plus side, even when half-erect, she thinks I'm huge.

You are huge. Very nice pics. I'm envious. Maybe your dick is just too big to keep hard? You're so skinny I can't imagine your body having enough blood to get your dick hard without, you know, passing out or something.

 

[arrivaderciroma]

My friend switched to shots and gave me three bottles of his T gel. I tested for T before using any and was told I was normal...But I tried the gel to see what might happen and saw my blood pressure rise in a few days after starting the gel. I self monitor my bp because I'm taking meds for it. I then researched the gel and saw that elevated bp is one of the side effects. My doctor says that T is a great thing for guys but I don't think I'm ready for it.

 

[JMeister]

I just got the results from my doctor today and he said the normal range is 100-800. Since I am above 400, I'm apparently fine. This is a bit disappointing to me, because I'm still having troubles maintaining an erection during sex, and I hoped there would be a simple medical explanation.

On the plus side, even when half-erect, she thinks I'm huge.

Could be a harbinger of coronary artery blockage or low growth hormone but good luck with getting a diagnose of low growth hormone. My very limited understanding of it is that is not yet recognized by the medical masses and there's no easy way to test for it.

 

[STYLYUNG]

I have been on T replacement for over fifteen years. It was prescribed originally to stop the lengthwise shrinkage of my former eight-and-a-half-inch penis. T replacement didn't accopmplish that effort. The hip muscle shots were spaced at once a month at the beginning, then at every three weeks, and now they are given every two weeks. For the first week of this two-week period, my libido is like WOW! It took two JO's last night to relieve the desire to climax. That's pretty good for a guy that is looking back at his sixties. Right? I had been watching a few LPSG guy-vids which added to my turn-on and the need for relief.

As for the penis shrinkage, my urologist, who is known around the USA and Europe because of his prostate surgery technique (no loss of erectile ability due to prostate removal surgery), told me that some penis shrinkage is normal and that all men are going to experience some penis shrinkage. Sorry to repeat that info.

 

[Eisenhower]

bguy, I wouldn't settle for "400 is fine" ... if your Estradiol walues are too high, you could have ED at 600 or even more ... I bet your doc didn't even test Estradiol (E2) did she?

Eisenhower

 

[bguy]

I wouldn't be wishing for low testosterone if I were you. Do you really want to have to go through testosterone replacement therapy for the rest of your life?

You're right. It's not that I want to have low testosterone, it's really more that I want to have an answer. I don't have that yet.

 

[Vordhosbn]

I just started TRT this week. The rainge is somwehere like 230 - 850... something like that... mine was about 260, VERY LOW and I'm only 25 years old! That explained the VERY low libido, depression, etc. Well I finally got back to the gym and I was fucking wailing on the bench press. Definite increase in strenght and recovery time at the gym. Plus, when I pop wood, it doesn't only feel like my dick is hard, I also feel HORNY WITH AN ERECTION, which was kinda lacking with low T levels. Still takes me time to cum as I'm on Celexa (SSRI). The main difference is my confidence levels. My doc said I could do the shots once every two weeks or the cream daily. I'm going to try the cream next and figure out which I preffer.

 

[whitmanhr]

Have low testosterone around 300, doctor placed me on a testosterone gel i rub into shoulder area everyday. After 3 months levels hit 600 and now rather than have low sex desire I want sex everyday and masturbate often cause I am so horny. Doctor checks prostate regularly and psa is fine so far and I am no longer tired! Love it so far.

 

[Eisenhower]

whitmanhr, does being on the testosterone replacement make you cum quicker? I've worried that if I get on T, I'm going to be so horny that I blast off too soon. Is that a problem?