19 year old with super low testosterone; what to do?

[JDC93]

I recently had some bloodwork done and it confirmed my suspicions. I have VERY low testosterone (8.4 nmol/L; normal range is 8-29 nmol/L), and my doctor, in his infinite wisdom, doesn't think there is a problem.

I've been experiencing depression, low self esteem, and low libido all throughout puberty. I went and spoke to a few different doctors during that time (age 15-18) expressing concerns over low testosterone, but I was ALWAYS told that I should go "talk to somebody" (psychologist), and was sent out the door with a perscription for an anti-depressant.

I have a very soft face (no masculine features), and a skinny-fat body that I've fought with for a few years to no avail. Any muscle I put on seems to be accompanied by three times its weight in fat. I've always had social anxiety and have been a pushover all of my life. Yet, a lot of my friends are the opposite: masculine face, lean/muscular body, aggressive/confident; yet they live on a diet of pizza and beer while I bust my ass with proper nutrition/rest.

In all fairness, I have been in a caloric deficit for the last 3 months, however, dietary fats and protein have been kept high. I try to maintain my one rep maxes during cutting, so I max out on multiple lifts at least twice a week. My testosterone still shouldn't be THAT low, should it?

Anyways, I've had enough bullshit from the doctors and I am intending to get something done about it; with or without a perscription. Does anyone here know of any references backing up the fact that 8.4nmol/L is NOT NORMAL for somebody my age? I'm trying to arm myself with some information from legitimate sources. I've looked around on PubMed, but can't find much relating to this case. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[300winmag]

At your age you need to look at other things. If you havent been tested try for an MRI on your pituatary. Also have you done blood work for estrogen, thyroid, LH, FSH, PSA, Prolactin, vitamin b and D, also have you checked for diabetes. Until all of those were tested I would be careful on going further. THe problem is at your age your going to be hard pressed to find a doc or clinic to take you on unless you had something majorly wrong unless you have a missing ball or something. Not to say you dont have an issue, also at your age you could still be in puberty and would be hesitant to start testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), alot comes with that. Doing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is not going to change your life around if you have bad habits. Are you sleeping 7-9 hours a night every night? Are you smoking, doing lots of alcohol, any recreational drug use? Are you working out 3-5 times a week? If you have an issue with all of those you might want to address those before you do testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

Also if your psych issues you may at least want to see somebody to see if it helps.

Hopefully that helps but i think you will hear much of the same from others.

 

[JDC93]

I don't drink or smoke. I used to drink occasionally a few years back, but I have since stopped. My diet is fine (cutting right now on around 2700 cals) and I train 3 times a week (Starting Strength). I'm guessing I'm around 15% bodyfat.

I'm no expert on this, but it seems largely hereditary/genetic. As I said, most guys my age are busy drinking 'till 4AM and living off a diet of processed food devoid of nutrients. Yet they have no issues.



I've been screened for diabetes, TSH has also been checked and reported as normal. Don't think estrogen or prolactin has been tested. My doctors seem to have some type of psychic ability; they can tell if I'm normal hormonally just by looking at me.

Let's be serious here. 8.4 nmol/L isn't right at my age, even if I'm not living the life of a health and fitness nut.

 

[300winmag]

depending on your stats 2700n calories a day is a lot and probably should be in the 1800-2200 range. 2700 would be fine if your working out hard 5 times a week and trying to build muscle, but if your the standard 5'10 guy whats overweight, 2700 is way to much for cutting

 

[JDC93]

I'm losing weight, so no, in MY case 2700 works.

 

[Decreased_Entropy]

I am a little older than you (24) but I recently went to a Male Clinic in my area because I have low test also- 345 ng/dl. They ran their labs and order 200mg of test a week. Anyways a testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) specialist is more likely to help you, mainly because thats all they focus on and its how they make their money ha

 

[olddawg]

One test is not enough to draw a conclusion, time of day, stress, overtraining, diet, etc.... can all contribute to low test. Keep working with the doc, get everything tested, multiple times, work on those other natural things in the meantime to see if you can alter them and see some results. good luck

 

[300winmag]

right your test should be in the morning probably by 9am. If you did it late in the day you number could be deceving. Like said before you go on test you should have been tested at twice and next time maybe the day before ensure you are rested and not burnt out.

 

[JDC93]

Bloodwork was completed around 2:15PM. I was not aware that testing shod be conducted in the morning so thank you for informing me.

I also have ED, so I'm pretty sure there's an issue here. Even IF I was hungry, dehydrated, and tired, would my levels sink that much?

Thanks for the feedback everybody.

 

[olddawg]

ed too? fuuuuuck. your gp is out of his league, ask for a referral to an endo or maybe a urologist for full hormonal panel

 

[JDC93]

Sounds good, will do.

 

[300winmag]

Bloodwork was completed around 2:15PM. I was not aware that testing shod be conducted in the morning so thank you for informing me.

I also have ED, so I'm pretty sure there's an issue here. Even IF I was hungry, dehydrated, and tired, would my levels sink that much?

Thanks for the feedback everybody.

Potentially