Blood test results are in comments please

[SprintR]

Ok fellas, I received the results of my blood tests yesterday.
I'm 30yrs old and have had low libido for around 5 years and ED with complete lack of pleasurable sensation for 1 year.
My GP has told me that I'm in the 'normal range' for testosterone, but as you can see below, I'm clearly in the lower range of normal.

Serum testosterone : 16.1 nmol/L (normal range 12.4-34.1)

Free testosterone : 53 pmol/L (normal range 31-100)

SHBG : 24 nmol/L (normal range 10-50)

DHEA : 8.7 umol/L (normal range 2.2-15.2)

FAI (I have no idea what this is) : 67.1 (normal range 40-150)

TSH : 1.25

My doc said there was no need to test for anything else because I was 'within the normal range' on the most important tests. He said 'I can only prescribe you a testosterone gel or patch if you are below reference range. To be honest you look like a perfectly healthy young man so I wouldn't worry about it'.
He handed me a few sample boxes of Levitra for my ED and said that it may help improve my libido!
At my insistence, he gave me a referral to a specialist (Endocrinologist) who apparently lectures all over the world in male HRT.

In the meantime, I'd appreciate some comments on my test results.
Thanks.

 

[greatgro]

Serum testosterone : 16.1 nmol/L (normal range 12.4-34.1)

Free testosterone : 53 pmol/L (normal range 31-100)

Find another Doc. Seriously - you're T levels are normal...for a 60-80 year old. A 30 year old should NOT be at the bottom of the range. You should at least be midrange and ideally in the top 1/3 of the range. I never had T levels below the normal range but my initial T tests were similar to yours (with lower free test). I've been on TRT for almost a year now and we've finally got the dosage tuned in. I feel SO much better. I was losing muscle and strength at an alarming rate a year ago, now with my great nutrition the past 5 or 6 months, I'm in great shape and in many exercises/areas stronger than I've ever been in my life. I'm 33 BTW.

I'd suggest making the trip to Michigan and seeing Swale. He's my doc and I can't say enough good things about him.

 

[SprintR]

Thanks for your reply. If only there was a doctor like Swale in Australia.
Hopefully this endocrinologist I'm seeing in 3 weeks will be able to offer me something.

 

[Albert]

SprintR,

I hope you see an enlightened doctor.

If he is easy to talk to maybe he would read the AACE document, available from http://www.aace.com/clin/guidelines/hypogonadism.pdf

I have found it a long hard road, be patient and if this doctor will not help you, then look for another.

We need Swale to come down here and enlighten them, big time.

I know of no easy way.

Let us know how you get on.

Albert.

 

[SprintR]

Thanks for that link, Albert. Hopefully the doc will take the time to read it.
If you want to chat on msn some time, my email is neospeed105@hotmail.com

 

[HeadDoc]

didn't you guys find anyone from the A4M directory of docs in Australia that could help?

 

[Albert]

HeadDoc,

Thanks for that, but there is only about a dozen or so in a country, Australia is not that much smaller the the US...........So they are only in a few large cities.

I'm in ruraul area and none close enough to use easierly. We have to get referals to see these guys, if our primary care doctors will do it and if he's any good he will be booked out for the next six months.

Our system is not like what you guys have over there, except for the insurance side of it (rip off), our system is based on the British system, but they screwed that as well.

I'm still waiting to get my script for Testogel filled, yep as of the first of August it's legal in Australia, but the drug companies haven't got it..........and we can't get the pump.

Go figure.

Thanks,
Albert.