Unexpected Testosterone Test Result

hzs3fg

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I hate to admit it but I recently turned 70. I'm reasonably fit - currently about 10 lbs heavier than in my photos, most of which are five to six years old.

In the last six'ish months, I've noticed quite a decline in erection frequency and quality, made worse by the fact that Cialis no longer seems to help at all.

So, the other day, I thought to myself, hey, maybe it's a Low-T thing? Symptoms matched up pretty well. Set up a test with a major lab organization, they drew blood yesterday and I just got the results.

Surprising, to say the least. Just on age alone, my levels should be much lower, right? Blood draw was at 12 noon; I did hit the gym about six hours earlier, but I've only just started going again and my workouts are not super crazy.


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hzs3fg

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Well, needless to say, testosterone is not the only thing that leads to an erection. Did you see an urologist?

Yeah, that really wasn't my point. But, I do see my urologist twice a year for ongoing kidney stone issues and will definitely mention this on my next visit.

Mostly, I was just commenting on the (to me, anyway) surprisingly high testosterone level, as everything I read says that I should expect to be in the 500's at best given my age. And, yes, I did think that Low-T might explain some of the changes I have noticed in the past 12 months, but they could also be just as easily explained by pandemic depression and lack of adequate exercise.
 

Fishsqueezee69

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Yeah, that really wasn't my point. But, I do see my urologist twice a year for ongoing kidney stone issues and will definitely mention this on my next visit.

Mostly, I was just commenting on the (to me, anyway) surprisingly high testosterone level, as everything I read says that I should expect to be in the 500's at best given my age. And, yes, I did think that Low-T might explain some of the changes I have noticed in the past 12 months, but they could also be just as easily explained by pandemic depression and lack of adequate exercise.

Is this total Testosterone or Free Testosterone? Did they measure SHBG?
 

hzs3fg

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Is this total Testosterone or Free Testosterone? Did they measure SHBG?

Total Testosterone. As far as i can tell, this is the only testosterone test offered by Quest Diagnostics without an actual doctor's order.

I will look into getting the complete testosterone profile testing because I'm very curious about it now.
 

Fishsqueezee69

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Total Testosterone. As far as i can tell, this is the only testosterone test offered by Quest Diagnostics without an actual doctor's order.

I will look into getting the complete testosterone profile testing because I'm very curious about it now.

Unfortunately, as we age the levels of Sex hormone binding globulin goes UP which means that even if total testosterone remains high, free testosterone drops.

This does not mean you need testosterone supplementation. It is part of the aging process.

There are far more likely explanations for your observed symptoms, including issues of vascular etiology. I would wait and consult with a doctor before spending any more money on testing.

Age-related changes of serum sex hormones, insulin-like growth factor-1 and sex-hormone binding globulin levels in men: cross-sectional data from a healthy male cohort - PubMed
 
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Fishsqueezee69

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Btw I should add that's between IGF1 levels dropping and free testosterone falling, muscle mass is much harder to maintain as you age so if you are able to build muscle, you probably have ok levels of free T. No testing needed.
 
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Scarletbegonia

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Yeah, that really wasn't my point. But, I do see my urologist twice a year for ongoing kidney stone issues and will definitely mention this on my next visit.

Mostly, I was just commenting on the (to me, anyway) surprisingly high testosterone level, as everything I read says that I should expect to be in the 500's at best given my age. And, yes, I did think that Low-T might explain some of the changes I have noticed in the past 12 months, but they could also be just as easily explained by pandemic depression and lack of adequate exercise.
My guy, 65, has a number in the eight hundreds, too.
There are actually heath impacts with such numbers. I did a quick google search the night he mentioned it.
so a spot of checking might be in order.
 
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hzs3fg

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My guy, 65, has a number in the eight hundreds, too.
There are actually heath impacts with such numbers. I did a quick google search the night he mentioned it.
so a spot of checking might be in order.

Yes, I've thought of that. Things like testicular cancer and adrenal tumors, for example, can cause higher than expected testosterone numbers.
 

headhunter317

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I saw you have ongoing kidney stone issue. I have had 20+ of them.....OUCH!!!! That is until I saw I doc here when I moved. He had a 24 hour urine collection test done. Had a stone analyzed and found the content of it. Findings are that my body produces to much uric acid. The Dr prescribed meds and I have not had one in 3 years!!!!