Tested low for Testosterone (TT 268/Free 9.4), need advice on what to do next

[sp00ked]

I would appreciate any advice on what I should do next in terms of finding a doctor that will be willing to treat me and what kind of treatment I should be aware of.

I have been suffering from almost all the symptoms of Low-T (depression, low sex drive, trouble maintaining an erection (taking cialis), lack of interest and memory problems) and decided to get my levels tested.
Turns out that my Total Testosterone levels were 268 ng/dL (240-960 range) and my Free Testosterone was 9.4 (9-30 range).
I'm a 27 year old male and I don't think my levels should be right at the low end of the range, especially since some research say that 300 is the lower limit for total testosterone.

I got the lab results back with the note saying my results look normal, but that I should call her if I was interested in seeing a specialist.

I've tried taking anti-depressants but those haven't helped.

I've been reading through the forum and don't want to take a TRT that would shut-down my own production of testosterone.

Does anyone have any advice on what questions I should have for my doctor and what treatments I should ask about? What kind of levels should I be targeting, 700?

Also, does anyone know a good endocrinologist here in Minneapolis?

Thanks a lot!

 

[spinn]

First off, do not go to an endocrinologist, they are horrible and dont help anyone but themselves. I would start by calling a compounding pharmacy near you and asking if they knew any doctors who treat low Testosterone.

 

[EasyEJL]

If you are looking for insurance to cover it, it may be touchier. if you are willing to pay out of pocket for it all, then anti-aging clinics will give you overall much better results than anything your insurance would pay for.

 

[OnTheRoadTo]

Sleep levels?

Fat intake?

Zinc?

Vitamin D?

Vitamin A?


Try to cover those bases - deficiency in any could dramatically lower testosterone. Also, if you are shut down from anabolic use, clomid or HCG might help.


OTC test boosters (very low dose letrozole, resveratrol etc) may help. Do you have any estrogenic efects from your condition that would suggest high aromatase activity?

 

[sp00ked]

Thanks for the replies. Although I would prefer for it to be covered by insurance, I would be willing to go out of pocket if it helps with my problems.

Sleep levels are good, get 8 hours or so a day. I work from home so I can wake up at anytime I want to and that helps. Have had trouble with getting up in the middle of the night lately and not being able to go back to sleep, but that's probably down to the lack of sunlight and Seasonal Affective Disorder that's common in the high latitudes during winter.

I would say fat intake is below normal, I don't eat that much fast food or instant food and have relatively healthy meals. Am trying to take more protein instead of carbs.

I've been taking calcium and Vitamin D supplements to counteract the lack of sunlight during the winter months.

Tried taking a GNC Megamen multivitamin, but that made my urine extremely yellow and scared me off it. Is it normal for urine to be yellow when on a multivatamin. Never had that effect when I did took a different brand before.

I have not done any anabolics and this is my normal level naturally.

So is it safe to say my best bet would be to look for an anti-aging clinic instead of consulting an endocrinologist?

 

[BigBlackGuy]

We're going to need more information than this. There are so many other factors like LH and SHBG. Along these same lines, what about estradiol levels? Even if your FREE T levels are ridiculously high, high estrogen levels will negate them. Also, total test is not as important as free t.

You may want to go back to your doc and tell him to give you a full hormone test, not the testosterone only. I didn't know they had those. My doc is very accommodating, he immediately suggested i get a full hormone screening when all I wanted was my cholestrol. hah!

 

[spinn]

Yes a multi vitamin should turn your urine yellow. If it doesnt, that is when you have problems. I would go back on them. My dr recommended http://organicpharmacy.org/products/Added.Protection.III.Without.Copper/SKU:DLAPG

 

[BigBlackGuy]

Yes a multi vitamin should turn your urine yellow. If it doesnt, that is when you have problems. I would go back on them. My dr recommended http://organicpharmacy.org/products/Added.Protection.III.Without.Copper/SKU:DLAPG

Why should the turn someones piss yellow?

 

[SemperFi9999]

HRT/TRT candidate. Search another forum and there is a great/reliable source that can meet anyone's needs as far as therapy goes. Big red banner will pop up on the right saying HRT/TRT. All meds come with scripts. No more ugl's

 

[sp00ked]

I guess my next step should be to get a complete hormone test, the first one I got didn't include those.
From what I gather, the following are the most important
LH
SHBG
Estradiol

 

[EasyEJL]

Why should the turn someones piss yellow?

because there are many of the vitamins that are water soluble, and are eliminated into urine when there is excess in bloodstream.

 

[spinn]

Why should the turn someones piss yellow?

Because you piss out the excess nutrients that a vitamin gives you. If you do not have enough nutrients all are absorbed and there is nothing to piss out, so your urine is clear.

 

[spinn]

I guess my next step should be to get a complete hormone test, the first one I got didn't include those.
From what I gather, the following are the most important
LH
SHBG
Estradiol

I would find a good dr to tell you what to test, there are 50-75 things on Jansz's list alone. You will be wasting money without the whole picture.

 

[spazface]

in a similar situation as you, though my levels are a little lower. not exhibiting the same symptoms, just low sex drive and can be very edgy at points.

my urologist gave me androgel, but i have yet to start it since i'm seeking a second opinion. I don't wanna zap my nutz to oblivion as i want to still have more kids, and thinking that maybe there's a better option then the transdermal gel. If i'm gonna do test, i want shots and hcg as well.

 

[spinn]

in a similar situation as you, though my levels are a little lower. not exhibiting the same symptoms, just low sex drive and can be very edgy at points.

my urologist gave me androgel, but i have yet to start it since i'm seeking a second opinion. I don't wanna zap my nutz to oblivion as i want to still have more kids, and thinking that maybe there's a better option then the transdermal gel. If i'm gonna do test, i want shots and hcg as well.

you need to test lh and fsh before you do that, to see if you are primary or secondary.

If I were you, I would take my temperature 3 times a day for a while to see if this may be thyroid or adrenal related.

 

[punxweb]

I will typically piss bright yellow after I take a B complex vitamin. The multi doesn't typically do it for me because there is not much vit B in them.

 

[sp00ked]

I found an anti-aging clinic in my area and I'm wondering if I should go there for a consultation or if I should consult an actual endocrinologist.
I'm just worried that the doctor at the anti-aging clinic might not know as much about low testosterone causes and treatments. But don't want to have to deal with a unhelpful endocrinologist.
Any advice?

 

[spinn]

search the board for others experiences with endos. My experience, called endo asked what an office visit would cost. Secretary said $450. See endo. Endo charges me $1150, then reduces it to $925. Endo gives me testosterone and never tests psas, for possible prostate cancer, or lh or fsh. Endo says "youre just depressed". I ask for generic meds, endo prescribes most expensive available for another $350. Endo burns in hell for all of eternity.

 

[EasyEJL]

Hormone replacement therapy is the bread and butter of an anti-aging clinic. The main reason to visit an endocrinologist first is to look at the full hormone blood test spectrum and see if its possible to either restart your natural production, or make it work with hcg alone. After seeing if that is the case, if the endo is going to put you on hormone replacement then just go to the antiaging clinic at that point. They will do a better job of it. Most endos put you at the lower end dosage wise, most antiaging will go as high as you want so long as you aren't experiencing any sides. They check you for PSA (prostate specific antigen) regularly among other tests.

 

[sp00ked]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I've decided to go to the anti-aging clinic first and do a consultation with them. Will update this thread with the results of the visit.