Unwell, symptoms of Low T at 23. Had bloodwork. Doctors will NOT help me.

[JackTorrance]

Hi guys,

So I'm pretty unwell lately to be honest... I have slightly low body temperature (about 35.5 C usually but it can go up to 36.5 C which is normal or drop even lower to 35.1) and a pulse which is sometimes slow. Blood pressure is usually normal but can dip or also rise to slightly above normal from time to time.

I have lots of symptoms of low T. I can barely ever get a full erection (I usually get off still semi-hard), have fatigue, have exceptionally poor results from working out, never wake up with an erection, have a weird sort of anxiety where I feel nervous and uncomfortable but different from how very shy people are. I got tested twice for T and my results were 395 ng/dl and 363 ng/dl. I am 23 now but I had those tests done a couple of months ago when I was still 22.

I have been to about 4 doctors now and all say it's fine, it's proving to be extremely expensive because I'm spending money to go to more and more docs just to be told it's within range and to go home, I am gaining a rep as a hyerchondriac because I keep claiming my T is too low for my age and that I feel fucked up. I realize probably only the hormone stuff is what I should post here, but just in case, here's my full panel:

TEST 1
-----------------------------------------------------
Serum T - 392 ng/dl
Serum Ferritin - 229 ug/L (quite high, range 22 - 275)

Free T4 - 11.5 pmol/L (relatively low, range is 9 - 19)
Serum TSH - 2.45 mu/L

Albumin 52 g/L (slightly above range of 25 - 50 g/L)
Bilirubin - 53 umol/L (this is normal for me because I have Gilbert's Syndrome)
Serum Alkaline Phosphatase 62 iu/L
Serum ALT level - 16 iu/L
Serum gamma GT level - 12 iu/L (JUST in range, range is 12 - 64)

GFR calculated abbreviated MDRD - 64 mL/min (had kidney ultrasound, was normal they said)
Serum sodium - 143 mmol/L
Serum potassium - 4.4 mmol/L
Serum creatinine - 123 umol/L (repeat was just in range, 109 umol/L, range is 64 - 111)
Serum urea - 9.1 mmol/L (repeat was in range, 7.3 mmol/L)

Serum cholesterol - 3.5 mmol/L
Serum triglycerides - 0.73 mmol/L
Serum HDL - 1.2 mmol/L
Serum LDL - 2.0 mmol/L
HDL/LDL ratio - 2.9

Haemoglobin - 150 g/L
Total white cell count - 5.4 x 10*9/L
Platelet count - 167 x 10*9/L
MCV - 89.7 fL
RBC count - 4.74 x 10*9/L
Haematocrit - 0.425 I/I (slightly below range of 0.45 - 0.50 I/I)
MCH - 31.6 pg
MCHC - 353 g/L
Red blood cell distribution width - 12.5%
Neutrophil count - 2.4 x 10*9/L
Lymphocyte count - 2.6 x 10*9/L
Monocyte count - 0.4 x 10*9/L
Eosinophil count - 0.0 x 10*9/L
Basophil count - 0.0 x 10*9/L
Nucleated red blood cell count - <0.2 x 10*9/L

TEST 2
-----------------------------------------------------
Serum SHBG - 45 nmol/L
Serum Testosterone - 366 ng/dl

They just want to put me on SSRIs or send me to a psychiatrist because they think I am struggling due to a supposed mental illness they assume I must have. I go numb and feel very faint sometimes and have to put my head to the ground to make it go away but this is ignored when I explain it. I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as healthcare it's just make-believe. I'm in the UK and I've even paid private just to be told the same thing that my levels are fine for 22-23 years old and that I'm imagining it all.

I've felt the same way for a few years now to be honest. Please let me know what you think of this as to be honest the doctors even ignore most of the results which aren't within lab range and I know I won't be getting any help from doctors.

 

[JackTorrance]

P.S. I should mention, I had these tests done in the morning, first thing.

 

[Burrr]

I think your low T is probably a symptom, not the primary problem.
Something's going on with you and I hope you can figure it out. Keep working with drs, and when one sucks get a different one.
good luck!

 

[Fear of the Dark]

Hello. My medical doc uses this range for test levels of your age

259-869 18-30years old

Loosing battle if they go strictly off numbers.

 

[tenpoundsleft]

Just to get peace of mind, if nothing else, would it be that hard for you to get your hands on some testosterone, self medicate at, say, 100mg per week? Two shots of 0.25ml each per week - try that for a month, see how that feels. Or maybe bump it to 0.4ml per shot, that should definitely get you to a much higher level, then you'd know if that's what ails you.

And if you don't do any PCT, you'll definitely have low natural test levels after.... if your goal is to get certified as having low test levels.

The money you're spending on docs and tests in the west should pay for a trip to Bangkok, where you can get good gear.

Your call on what to do.

 

[Dr JIM]

"They are not going off just numbers" but included those complaints YOU mentioned but now feel are unimportant or irrelevant!

Here's a summary of your THREE POST LIST
- ED
- diminished energy
- anxiety
- fatigue
- shyness
- completely inexplicable symptoms such as vague "numbness"
- denial that leads to doctor shopping

I'm sure the list they heard was MUCH more inclusive.

By far the number one cause of low T signs or symptoms in patients WHO DONT HAVE IT, is anxiety/depression.

After visiting FOUR DOCTORS any reasonable person would at least give their diagnosis due consideration rather than seek refuge from the truth in a AAS forum!
-

 

[Dr JIM]

Oh and in case your wondering I'm one of those "kind of doctors" who believe what you feel is very real BUT since the cause is NOT result of low T, TRT is contraindicated!

 

[Outlier]

I suppose I am going to piss some more people off with my opinion. The fact is, a testosterone level of 363 or 395 for a 22 year old is simply...low. I don't care what anyone else says, that number is just low, especially in the setting of a host of symptoms. The current reference range we use for testosterone levels is antiquated at best. Are your low readings causing your constellation of symptoms? Impossible to accurately answer over the internet. I am curious as to what your IGF-1 levels look like as well. Any idea what your estrogen levels look like? This could help give more insight. Also, have you lost or gained any significant weight recently? Also, how long have these symptoms been occurring? Have you gone through any major life changes recently?

What are your options? Do nothing and see if this issue is transient. Seek out an Endocrinologist for an expert opinion. Seek out a physician who solely practices in HRT. If I were in your situation, I would wait about a month. During that month I would keep a journal of the foods, medications and supplements consumed as well as all activities and amount of time slept each night. This may seem like a corny undertaken, but you are looking for a pattern, which you may or may not find. Then I would seek out an endocrinologist. Will an Endocrinologist prescribe you testosterone at the age of 22? There is a high probability that he/she will not. But again, your lower test levels and symptoms may be a "byproduct" of something else, which is why I am advocating you remain diligent.

It was mentioned above that you could try 100mg of Test/week and see how you feel. I can appreciate the thought process, however, the caveat to that is you may be masking an underlying problem. Right now, you kind of have a one track mind. "my symptoms are caused by low test levels and so I need testosterone." Your symptoms could be caused by something else but everything at this point is speculation.

In the meantime, try to relax and enjoy life. Even if you do not feel like hitting the gym, force yourself to go. Take a deep breath and realize this small issue will pass in due time.

 

[Outlier]

Hi guys,

So I'm pretty unwell lately to be honest... I have slightly low body temperature (about 35.5 C usually but it can go up to 36.5 C which is normal or drop even lower to 35.1) and a pulse which is sometimes slow. Blood pressure is usually normal but can dip or also rise to slightly above normal from time to time.

I have lots of symptoms of low T. I can barely ever get a full erection (I usually get off still semi-hard), have fatigue, have exceptionally poor results from working out, never wake up with an erection, have a weird sort of anxiety where I feel nervous and uncomfortable but different from how very shy people are. I got tested twice for T and my results were 395 ng/dl and 363 ng/dl. I am 23 now but I had those tests done a couple of months ago when I was still 22.

I have been to about 4 doctors now and all say it's fine, it's proving to be extremely expensive because I'm spending money to go to more and more docs just to be told it's within range and to go home, I am gaining a rep as a hyerchondriac because I keep claiming my T is too low for my age and that I feel fucked up. I realize probably only the hormone stuff is what I should post here, but just in case, here's my full panel:

TEST 1
-----------------------------------------------------
Serum T - 392 ng/dl
Serum Ferritin - 229 ug/L (quite high, range 22 - 275)

Free T4 - 11.5 pmol/L (relatively low, range is 9 - 19)
Serum TSH - 2.45 mu/L

Albumin 52 g/L (slightly above range of 25 - 50 g/L)
Bilirubin - 53 umol/L (this is normal for me because I have Gilbert's Syndrome)
Serum Alkaline Phosphatase 62 iu/L
Serum ALT level - 16 iu/L
Serum gamma GT level - 12 iu/L (JUST in range, range is 12 - 64)

GFR calculated abbreviated MDRD - 64 mL/min (had kidney ultrasound, was normal they said)
Serum sodium - 143 mmol/L
Serum potassium - 4.4 mmol/L
Serum creatinine - 123 umol/L (repeat was just in range, 109 umol/L, range is 64 - 111)
Serum urea - 9.1 mmol/L (repeat was in range, 7.3 mmol/L)

Serum cholesterol - 3.5 mmol/L
Serum triglycerides - 0.73 mmol/L
Serum HDL - 1.2 mmol/L
Serum LDL - 2.0 mmol/L
HDL/LDL ratio - 2.9

Haemoglobin - 150 g/L
Total white cell count - 5.4 x 10*9/L
Platelet count - 167 x 10*9/L
MCV - 89.7 fL
RBC count - 4.74 x 10*9/L
Haematocrit - 0.425 I/I (slightly below range of 0.45 - 0.50 I/I)
MCH - 31.6 pg
MCHC - 353 g/L
Red blood cell distribution width - 12.5%
Neutrophil count - 2.4 x 10*9/L
Lymphocyte count - 2.6 x 10*9/L
Monocyte count - 0.4 x 10*9/L
Eosinophil count - 0.0 x 10*9/L
Basophil count - 0.0 x 10*9/L
Nucleated red blood cell count - <0.2 x 10*9/L

TEST 2
-----------------------------------------------------
Serum SHBG - 45 nmol/L
Serum Testosterone - 366 ng/dl

They just want to put me on SSRIs or send me to a psychiatrist because they think I am struggling due to a supposed mental illness they assume I must have. I go numb and feel very faint sometimes and have to put my head to the ground to make it go away but this is ignored when I explain it. I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as healthcare it's just make-believe. I'm in the UK and I've even paid private just to be told the same thing that my levels are fine for 22-23 years old and that I'm imagining it all.

I've felt the same way for a few years now to be honest. Please let me know what you think of this as to be honest the doctors even ignore most of the results which aren't within lab range and I know I won't be getting any help from doctors.

Also, you have to be truthful with yourself and not denounce the notion of possible anxiety or another mental health disorder. If you have a mental health problem such as anxiety or panic attacks then get them addressed and all else may resolve as well.

 

[BigPharma]

I agree with most on here: being a emotional,physical and spiritual being there are many areas to address when considering complete wellness. For myself when one of these three areas suffers in my life- it affects my whole being. Though your T-levels might not be as adequate as you would hope or even borderline low--Its of the upmost importance that you remain open minded to any/all concerning issues as well as solutions. Your goal is to be all well,is it not? It does sound like there are other physical symptoms occuring that need to be addressed as well as alleviated but that will only happen if you continue to be honest with your physicians as well as yourself,otherwise you will be just wasting your time and money...I know how frustrating it can be to seek a physicians assistance and guidance, afterward they dont give the help that one would have hoped to receive, Sucks! Big bill- no goodies!! I feel for you dude.. Hang in there brother-- i will tell you this much, there was a time in my life when i would go see doctors hoping to get some meds.that would make me ok. Most of the time it was Valium or Xanax, i had a chemical imbalance and i didnt know it-so i self medicated with drugs and stuff. Well those dr.s knew i had issues i wasnt aware that i had( can you believe that,they knew me better than me?lol) anyway,Dr.s always wanted to put me on Meds that didnt get me high,but would actually target the problem/imbalance and correct it. WTF!! Take shit that didnt do what i wanted it to do, fuck that!! I knew better than them dr.s- so 10yrs go by,and i am still dealing with the same issues/problems--enough was enough,i needed some help-so i went to the hospital and back to them dr.s...well this time i was ready for a change-i took the medicine that they suggested(Brain Vitamins is what i call them) guess what- it worked!! Stable life,a chance to live... my point is, its really hard to give the medicine/Dr.s a fair chance when we think we know it all. They might not be perfect or just human but they deal with illness and treat people for a living... i am not implying by any means that you need brain vitamins- i am just hoping my experience can help you and keep you from making the same mistakes that costed me 10 yrs of good living. God bless brother

 

[Troy H]

Good morning Dr.Jim
Have a quick question & would like ur professional opinion/experience
I recently read an article about men who has had longterm opiate dependency issues are typically to experience low-t & it symptoms. Do u find this TRUE or agree with that statement from ur knowledge/experience .... thank u

 

[tenpoundsleft]

Good morning Dr.Jim
Have a quick question & would like ur professional opinion/experience
I recently read an article about men who has had longterm opiate dependency issues are typically to experience low-t & it symptoms. Do u find this TRUE or agree with that statement from ur knowledge/experience .... thank u

Maybe separate thread issue...

 

[Troy H]

Shoot..
im sorry man. Yes ur right. Newbie here still learning how to navigate this forum. My PC's hard drive crashed yesterday. Now... trying to do this off oldass mobile. My mistake though ...thanx for the correction

 

[JackTorrance]

As some others have said ITT, my T levels seem very low for 22/23 and I've heard that a lot but I know doctors never acknowledge that, why is that? Is it a lie that ~350 ng/dl is not right for a young man? I can't tell if it's bullshit to sell TRT or if it's true. I am not sure what Dr. Jim thinks of the T levels I posted but on the Nebido (TRT) site I am barely above the range of someone who "could possibly benefit from HRT depending on Free T" (which they haven't checked me for) and these were morning tests. I've read reports on forums of men with the same T level as me who said their lives changed after using HRT. I do think the T levels could be a symptom of something else though just not sure what.

I would consider anxiety as a possible cause of symptoms but I can't, because anxiety wouldn't explain why my pulse is so slow despite my lack of fitness, or why my blood pressure/temperature drops. I was sent for a 24 hour ECG because the GP was concerned with my pulse and it was abnormal. My heart rate randomly raced, dropped and skipped beats. They didn't see anything DANGEROUS so they haven't pursued it, but it was not a normal ECG result. Weird things were happening both during sleep and while awake... So what explains that?

 

[Burrr]

Jack, you have something going on other than low t. Your number for testosterone may be in range, but a 23 year old should not have weak erections and low libido.

Maybe you have a hard to diagnose disease, perhaps something auto immune....
I don't blame you for wanting normal testosterone while you try to diagnose your condition. no matter how old you are, low t sucks balls.

 

[BigPharma]

As some others have said ITT, my T levels seem very low for 22/23 and I've heard that a lot but I know doctors never acknowledge that, why is that? Is it a lie that ~350 ng/dl is not right for a young man? I can't tell if it's bullshit to sell TRT or if it's true. I am not sure what Dr. Jim thinks of the T levels I posted but on the Nebido (TRT) site I am barely above the range of someone who "could possibly benefit from HRT depending on Free T" (which they haven't checked me for) and these were morning tests. I've read reports on forums of men with the same T level as me who said their lives changed after using HRT. I do think the T levels could be a symptom of something else though just not sure what.

I would consider anxiety as a possible cause of symptoms but I can't, because anxiety wouldn't explain why my pulse is so slow despite my lack of fitness, or why my blood pressure/temperature drops. I was sent for a 24 hour ECG because the GP was concerned with my pulse and it was abnormal. My heart rate randomly raced, dropped and skipped beats. They didn't see anything DANGEROUS so they haven't pursued it, but it was not a normal ECG result. Weird things were happening both during sleep and while awake... So what explains that?

So do you lift? Did you mention height,weight, occupation or activity level?? Do you do drugs? Drink? Take prescription meds?

 

[JackTorrance]

Jack, you have something going on other than low t. Your number for testosterone may be in range, but a 23 year old should not have weak erections and low libido.

Maybe you have a hard to diagnose disease, perhaps something auto immune....
I don't blame you for wanting normal testosterone while you try to diagnose your condition. no matter how old you are, low t sucks balls.

I thought so, hopefully if there is anything the further tests will show it.

So do you lift? Did you mention height,weight, occupation or activity level?? Do you do drugs? Drink? Take prescription meds?

Yeah I lift 3 days a week for about a year, do 1G protein/lb (even though I know the figure is like 0.83 g/lb), about 5 exercises per workout, usually reach failure by final set on each exercise. I'm 5'11, 70 KG (yet I still have a lot of fat around my lower abdomen and face). I lifted higher volume around 4 and even 5 days a week but I found my lifts decreased at that volume. My recovery is extremely poor. Also despite my lifting I cannot run a mile, I struggle at 0.75 miles even, my fitness is poor.

Apart from lifting my activity level is low. I work from home.

I don't take drugs, smoke or drink or take prescription meds. I have drank about five to six times in 2015 just on nights out (e.g. mate's birthdays).

 

[BigPharma]

Wtf, 22/23 yrs old 154 lbs, cant run mile, 5ft 11in. Try to lift and eat rite, no drugs/no drinking...Fuck dem doctors... you need some testosterone!!! Learn about pct, ancillaries,and gear... but for real i have been blessed to have good genetics and decent to good test naturally. I didnt have to juice until 33 and i probably didnt need to then,but i couldnt resist!! Lmfao. Anyway if i was in your position and legitimately needed test to be normal or achieve gains. I would start low, 100MG TEST E, TWICE A WEEK. Doing this dose of good gear from a trusted source should get you normal...some people might not agree with me but for fucks sake,who wants to remember their fuckin 20's feeling like their 50's...fuck that mate,get your research on,get your swole on,then get your fuck on= no more depression... PROBLEM SOLVED

 

[BigPharma]

By 100mg test e 2x a week i mean 2shots 50mg each....

 

[Burrr]

Do you have any other symptoms? Anything?