Please help me understand my blood/test results

[colewave]

I recently had a blood test done with my interenist, and my testosterone level came back in the low range for my age.

My readings were:

Total Testosterone: 259 ng/dL
Percent Free Testosterone: 1.82
Free Testosterone: 47.0 pg/mL


My doctor recommended that I go on Androgel Pump, 4 depressions a day. After doing some research it looks like my levels are quite low for my age, so I'm a bit worried and not sure what steps I should take. Is it worthwhile to go see some a hormonal specialist, or should I just start the Androgel treatment with my internist?

Is one bloodtest conclusive? I got this one done a few weeks ago, and I'm still trying to figure out what course of action to take.

Also, and doctor recommendations in Los Angeles would be appreciated.

 

[buck]

Could you post the ranges as weel as the results as this would help. And you may want to out the sticky The Labs I Run.

https://thinksteroids.com/community/threads/1546

 

[earthdog]

Yes, you need the ranges in order to make any sense from the tests. But most test ranges have 200-something as the low end. I think it depends on your symptoms, how long you have been suffering from them and how willing you are to be on TRT for the rest of your life. You have a doctor who's willing to treat you, so that's good. It's not his specialty. From what others' experiences, it seems that most endocrinologists (hormone doctors) just aren't that sophisticated when it comes to TRT. You might benefit from seeing an "anti-aging" doctor. In a large city like LA, you should be able to find plenty of docs who can help. Pick up the yellow pages and start calling, asking them how experienced they are in treating male hormone replacement. Make sure that they will monitor you as you progress. Or, stick with your doctor. See if he's willing to read Dr. Crisler's "Recipe for Success," also in a sticky above. If he's open to learning from one of the best in the world, Dr. Crisler will consult with him and advise him in your treatment.

 

[pmgamer18]

Before going on T meds you need to know why you are low. Read SWALE's Sticky: TRT: A Recipe for Success. And this link from the AACE Guildlines.
http://www.aace.com/clin/guidelines/hypogonadism.pdf
Print both and give to your Dr. he should be able to find out why.
I know of a young man that had low T levels and when they looked deeper he had a low infection. The fixed the infection and his T levels came back up.
Phil

 

[colewave]

More info

Thanks for the advice guys. Here are my ranges from the blood test:

Testosterone, Total: 259 Reference Range 236-1076 ng/dL
Testosterone Percent Free: 1.82 Reference Range 1.0-3.1%
Testosterone, Free: 47.0 Reference Range 31.0-160.0 pg/mL


Symptoms I have: lethargic, low sex drive, ED, mild depression

 

[pmgamer18]

Something is wrong find out what it is then treat it.
Phil

 

[Weatherlite]

Any past AAS or PH use?

Did this suddenly come on or have you had these symptoms for years?

Any traumatic event that may have influenced it? ie getting whacked in the nuts.

 

[colewave]

Missing

 

[colewave]

Can you guys help me understand

exactly how bad my results are? My doctor just said they were a little low.

Would it be stupid of me to start treatment on the Androgel pump while I try to find another doctor who is more experienced in this sort of treatment?

 

[cpeil2]

exactly how bad my results are? My doctor just said they were a little low.

They're more than "a little low." I have been looking at Dr. Shippen's book Testosterone Syndrome. He says that different guys feel good at different levels, so that one guy may feel great at 450ng/dl, but another needs 800 ng/dl. But pretty much everyobody he's seen with a level in the 200's feels pretty lousy.

 

[pmgamer18]

exactly how bad my results are? My doctor just said they were a little low.

Would it be stupid of me to start treatment on the Androgel pump while I try to find another doctor who is more experienced in this sort of treatment?

Yes I feel you need more testing before going on TRT and stopping my Testis from making T. If you start on TRT it is very hard to find out what is doing this. This is a big problem with most of the Dr.'s out there that don't know about testing and treatment. All they know is what the drug reps tell them.
Your liver could be doing this, and infection, stress, a brain tumor, cancer in your testis and a number of other things. Do you want to be on TRT for the rest of your life and not know why.
Phil

 

[DavidZ]

exactly how bad my results are? My doctor just said they were a little low.

Would it be stupid of me to start treatment on the Androgel pump while I try to find another doctor who is more experienced in this sort of treatment?

You've gotten some excellent advice so far, but I'll add my 2 cents.

Your T levels are definitely too low, but as a general rule, it's always good to get at least two blood tests to confirm your diagnosis before starting TRT. In particular, you should get LH and FSH done to determine whether your hypo is primary or secondary. Then you should consider all the TRT options before you embark. There are many options. See my TRT Primer postings (in 2 parts) and Swale's recipe sticky.

 

[SWALE]

Your T is not a "little low"--it is terribly low. Considering the assay is notoriously innaccurate, it could actually be only 150.

 

[colewave]

Thanks for all the info. I was on vacation, so I didn't have a chance to go through these.

I'm going to try to find another doctor for a second opinion and some additional testing.

 

[foreverdown92]

Thanks for all the info. I was on vacation, so I didn't have a chance to go through these.

I'm going to try to find another doctor for a second opinion and some additional testing. Can anyone help with recommendations in Southern California?

Hey, I live in Southern California as well.. A very good doctor is located in Santa Barbara. His name is Dr. Dorman. Here's his website and contact info:
www.testamerica.com The only thing is he is a private doctor, meaning insurance won't cover it.. But from my experience my whole therapy thus far has been relatively cost efficient. The evaluation is about 150.00, and every appt. is only 40 or so.. good luck