36 with 121 ng/dL and testicle issues...I'm lost

[LowTX]

I have a testicle that descended late and was always smaller than the other. Now the larger testicle has shrunk to match the other. It started with leg and testicle pain and really nothing has been solved. I have bilateral vericocele and small cysts. I have possible epididymo orchitis on the left, the one that shrunk. I don't know exactly anything for certain. He claimed the my vericocele were grade 1 and not worth the surgery. I think it might improve fertility at minimum, so I think I might push for it. Again though, he just wants to put me on T and be done. The epididymo orchitis might be the main problem or the varicocele, I don't know. What I do know is that I noticed the change, both in size and feeling from the low T. Mood swings, hot flashes, slightly lower libido, more fat at the same weight. Just a month ago it was pretty normal this is sudden onset, not the result of aging. I'm trying to learn everything I can about this situation before making choices. I think the surgery might be worth it but I'm unemployed and have no insurance. I would be broke if I do it, it's $6k. However, it's worth it if I keep my fertility as a result...I think microsurgery is the way to go.

It seems to me that I need to find out the cause of the low T, if it's primary or secondary. I think it's damage to the testicle itself but I need to know for sure. If it is, I should get the surgery I think. The study I saw stated that there was an average increase of 140 after the surgery. I would still be very low if I chaived the same results, that would put me at 261. However, combined with lifestyle changes maybe I could get it over 400 at least and avoid taking T. I read where a guy claimed to boost his by 400. I've been on a keto diet and sedentary for a year and I've been majorly stressing about this situation. If I change these things along with the surgery, perhaps I will have some success. Opinions on if this might be enough? If it's secondary, I need something other than T to boost T production in the testicle, like Clomid from what I gather. My understanding is that Clomid will not help with actual testicle damage though, is that true? If I do need Clomid, my understanding is that docs really don't prescribe it to men and that, even if they did, you have to keep an eye on it because it can have other negative effects. So you REALLY need a doctor to prescribe it and keep an eye on test results for you. Not an easy feat.

I do need to start lifting, exercising and eating to do whatever I can to boost T but I'm lost. I'm going to look like an idiot in whatever gym I join and I'm weak. Anyway, I really doubt this will help much without the surgery considering just HOW LOW my T results were.

Taking T is an irreversible step, right? I would be taking it for the rest of my life...it also hurts fertility. I feel so low right now, I want a family more than anything in life and I worry that is slipping away. I don't know what I would be living for if I lose that. Anyway, just looking for any input. Sorry for the long post.

 

[LowTX]

I just got even worse results. Last week I was at 121 total T, today I was at 58. I really worry damage is happening quickly in my testicle. I don't understand it dropping at this rate, any insight?

 

[LowTX]

I'm now scheduled for an endocrinologist, a fertility doctor and my urologist. Scheduling another urologist for a second opinion as well. I will live with having to take shots all the time and the quarterly blood work, I have no choice. As long as I can still at least have kids via IVF, as ****ty as that is. If I can't even do that, I just don't know... I'm probably not even producing sperm at this point, with this low T I think I have all sorts of testicular damage. We shall see. What should my endocrinologist test for at minimum? I want to be informed for that appointment.

 

[pracata]

Man I’m really sorry to hear this and I hope all comes out good.

 

[LowTX]

Thanks for the response. I think I made my post too long and will get few replies. I should have kept it short and, honestly, I just doubt many here have ever been in any situation like this. It's a situation I never imagined myself being in and is a definite downer. I could perhaps even deal with normal low T diagnosis in the 2-300 range but this is just something else. Anyway, I will post updates after I get results from the docs.

 

[texastea]

You are doing the right thing by making appointments with your doctors. You should also proceed with strength training. Concentrate on your goals and don’t worry about how people at the perceive you. Good luck.

 

[LowTX]

Right, I always hear it's best to cut first and I definitely still have some cutting left to do. I'm pretty skinny-fat right now at 6' 180 lbs. I lost 35 lbs to get here and want to keep going until I can see abs when flexed before I bulk. This situation has obviously complicated matters considerably.

 

[LowTX]

New results, don't know if it went up because I tested an hour after waking up or what. Maybe I don't need test....any insight? How much does activity play a role? I'm basically doing bed rest. I did change from a keto diet to normal and I did start walking a little. I really need to step it up if that will help my test levels, I want to anyway.

Total Testosterone: 400 ng/dL
Free Testosterone: 65.2 pg/mL
FSH: 2.9 mIU/mL
LH: 2.4 mIU/mL
Prolactin: 10.9 ng/mL
Estradiol: 18 pg/mL

Not sure what the endocrinologist will say. I think I will forego treatment until I see where I can get without it. I want to avoid test because I plan on having kids in the next couple years. I know I'm still low, but I'm thrilled with this vs the 121 I got previously.

 

[kenpoengineer]

Looks like you are secondary hypogonadal. Have you used any AAS, SARMS, SERMS, testosterone boosters, estrogen reducers? Any antidepressants? Other medications or OTC painkillers?

 

[LowTX]

Looks like you are secondary hypogonadal. Have you used any AAS, SARMS, SERMS, testosterone boosters, estrogen reducers? Any antidepressants? Other medications or OTC painkillers?

No, I've never done any of that. Maybe OTC pain killers a couple times a year, that's it. Well actually, my PCP had me on naproxin for about a month before my first test but I stopped taking it since then. That's basically Aleve, a pain killer. To me it looks like my FSH and LH levels are pretty normal but my testosterone is below normal. All I know for sure is that I have pain in my testicles, I have varicoceles on both sides, the ultrasound tech said I might have an infection on the left (epididymo-orchitis) and and that's the same side I've noticed atrophy the most. I have a follow-up with my endocrinologist and I will likely schedule with my urologist again to discuss possible causes and options with both. I also think I need a third test.

Also, I had a semen analysis that was pretty normal, not sure if that indicates much.

 

[NAO1255]

New results, don't know if it went up because I tested an hour after waking up or what. Maybe I don't need test....any insight? How much does activity play a role? I'm basically doing bed rest. I did change from a keto diet to normal and I did start walking a little. I really need to step it up if that will help my test levels, I want to anyway.

Total Testosterone: 400 ng/dL
Free Testosterone: 65.2 pg/mL
FSH: 2.9 mIU/mL
LH: 2.4 mIU/mL
Prolactin: 10.9 ng/mL
Estradiol: 18 pg/mL

Not sure what the endocrinologist will say. I think I will forego treatment until I see where I can get without it. I want to avoid test because I plan on having kids in the next couple years. I know I'm still low, but I'm thrilled with this vs the 121 I got previously.

Try SERMs and L-Dopa...maybe growth peptides???
I would suggest doing that.
Could be your sTAR proteins are downregulated.
You might other blood flow issues...
Eat more Pomegranate/drink Pomegranate and also Garlic/Onions and stuff like that.
If its not a vericocele then Yes it could be an orchitis or or epidymytitis-type infection.
I would suggest Swedish Flower Pollen and super-foods that boost regeneration of the Glands.
~Area-1255

 

[John Smeton]

Id keep an eye on it and ask to get retested in a month bc your first test showed 121 . That is extremely low and unhealthy