I have low T at 22 years of age

[thenotorious]

Hello guys, i have been reading this board for a while.
I am 22 years old.
I have been suspecting i have low T for quite a long time now, for about 5 years.
I am always tired and without energy, meek as a sheep.
I had some hormones checked:
August 2013:
Total Testosterone 385ng/dL(280-800)
Estradiol 21.15µg/L (7.63-42.59)

September 2013:
Total Testosterone 418ng/dL(280-800)
Estradiol 26.90µg/L (7.63-42.59)
FSH 1.56IU/L(1.5-12.4)
LH 3.04IU/L(1.7-8.6)

November 2014: <--Thats the time i visited my doctor, i was terribly depressed.
TSH 1.884mE/L(0.55-4.78)

March 2015:
Total Testosterone 425ng/dL(280-800)
Prolactin 13.41µg/L(4.1-18.4)

This winter i went through a terrible depression. I was taking Mirtazapine at 15mg/day for about 2 months. Then decided to stop. However, it looks like depression didn't really have any influence on the T. But after that depression my confidence and real-life libido are totally crashed, completely zero.

What concerns me right now is headaches. I have been having them lately.
When i was taking the bus home today from uni, i got a terrible headache(in the morning i was feeling good, no headache). Pain right in the centre of the head. That was accompanied/caused by a good dose of fatigue. And i dont know if this headache is just from fatigue, or is it something wrong in my head, like tumor or something?

I attend an electrical engineering school. At school i have terrible issues with brain fog, mental clarity and fatigue.

I know a head MRI would be good, but just because of some headache and lowish T that is not really LOW, i dont think doctor would be willing to do that.

I also know a sleep study would be good, but i feel like a hypohondriac begging my doctor for these tests without any strong reason.

What else should i check before giving HCG and TRT a shot?
I don't have a varicocele-well i may on the right testicle, but the right testicle is big, the left is small. And varicocele usually happens on the left side. And at the end of the day, i think i am secondary, not primary.

Would be grateful for any advice.

 

[Megatron28]

You are not hypogonadal by definition. Did you check all blood work first thing in the morning after a good night's sleep? What does you diet look like. How much sleep do you get?

What ia your weight, height and body fat %?

A sleep study would be a good idea.

 

[thenotorious]

I get a lot of sleep, but never feel rested. Though in the morning i feel pretty good, but as the day goes, i get fatigued really fast. I did check the bloods first thing in the morning. My diet is pretty much healthy, eggs, bread, milk, meat, rice, potato, oatmeal, buckwheat, some fruit...but i have some digestion problems...and i think if i had higher testosterone i would be much healthier overall...
i have pretty much always been the weak little kid and so is today, i am 5'9' 155lbs skinny guy, not fat, despite going to the gym for 5+ years, others look better than me, i get a little shape but can't put on muscle for gods sake, and from age 15-19 i was often sick every winter, my imune system is very weak for no reason i guess.
I could eat all the shit this world has and never go over 165pounds, thats the heavier ive ever been...despite lifting and eating a lot.
So being that skinny little shit, i dont care if i am on the gear for life, i would like to get a decent body, but i am not in for the body at all, i am in for the mental part.
bodyfat..i dont know maybe 13-14% but i have genetically low bodyfat
as far as the facial hair goes, i think could count them
and with my levels of 400, if i do ever go on juice, i am gonna stay on it anyway
i very much wanna do a TRT trial, i know exactly how and everything, the only thing holding me back is finding the root cause of it first, but that is gonna be a challenge..

 

[Megatron28]

I would get a sleep study and a general workup by your doctor to see if anything can be identified.

Any weird food alerigies by chance? Something like wheat or gluten perhaps?

 

[thenotorious]

So what about my headaches? Should i push for a MRI scan?
As far as wheat and gluten goes, i think i have no problems with that, should i push for an allergy test?
for the sleep, I often have nightmares, that most times i dont even remember. People tell me that i scream and shout in my sleep (funny )

 

[Megatron28]

So what about my headaches? Should i push for a MRI scan?
As far as wheat and gluten goes, i think i have no problems with that, should i push for an allergy test?
for the sleep, I often have nightmares, that most times i dont even remember. People tell me that i scream and shout in my sleep (funny )

I would look into your sleep first. You have no idea how important sleep is to your overall health.

 

[Roush]

Your total test isn't all that low IMO. Do you smoke weed or binge drink ? Those two habits can significantly lower natural test

 

[PrinceDianabol]

I understand where your coming from, I had similar levels at age 22. Even though it's not technically hypo I still felt pretty shit. Same symptoms, brain fog, never rested, hard to recover from training etc.

As Mega said definitely have a sleep study done first. Get a full blood panel by the doctor. TSH is a little high so I'd look into full thyroid panel as well. It can cause lethargy and similar symptoms etc.

You should look into trying clomiphene therapy afterwards to get your TT back up. TRT should be your absolute last option and I highly recommend you look into every other avenue first.

Good luck on your journey. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, I know what your going through.

 

[3J]

if his libido crashed with the anti depressants thats very typical

 

[thenotorious]

Your total test isn't all that low IMO. Do you smoke weed or binge drink ? Those two habits can significantly lower natural test

Believe me, that is too low to feel good. But yeah, it depends on the individual. I have smoked weed maybe 10 times in my life. Last time over half a year ago. I did have some exaggerating with alcohol consumption in the past, but i have been pretty much sober for the last year.

@PrinceDianabol: great to hear someone was in the same boat. How did you solve the problem?
I'm gonna check FT3 and FT4, do i need both? Should i check anything else?
I am kinda scared of clomiphene, because i am already in a bad place mentally, and also because of the vision side effects. If any SERM, i plan on using Nolva and maybe Torem.

Now i am going to get the sleep study done and after that i will probably do hcg 100iu eod and go from there. if i feel good, then the next thing is nolva and maybe torem and then come off, if i dont feel good, then i'll probably try 3 weeks of test prop and then see. also AI on hand.

 

[Megatron28]

Are you working with a doctor? You should not be self-medicating.

 

[Havasu]

It's normal for anti-depressants to kill your libido. As everyone has said get a sleep study. Get a Full CBC with Differential done so you can see all your main blood panel readings. See what your vitamin d is like. Vitamin d deficiency is common, it can effect your mood, and hormone levels. If all of those paths lead to a dead end, as suggested try Clomid therapy before TRT. Your HPTA may need a kick in the pants. TRT should be your last option. I started relatively young at 37, and I will be on it for a looooooooooooooooooooooooong time. At 22, that time is even longer. At 22 I wouldn't have wanted to have to worry about administering TRT.

 

[thenotorious]

Hey Guys.
I really think that sleep is a big problem of mine. But the thing is, is have some kind of nerve/other tissue damage on one of my legs, that bothers me practically 24/7, but more when i go to sleep and when i wake up. I have a felling of pain/heat and sometimes tingling from my knees to the tip of my fingers. That was caused by a corticosteroid injection back when i was 16/17 years old. That injection damaged my leg. Degenerated the tissue.
After an ankle sprain, i had quite some granulation tissue(thats the new tissue that grows when ligamnets are damaged). After i received that corticosteroid shot, that tissue was gone! My skin around the ankle thinned and my calf muscled ached that i couldn't walk for 2 months.
And when asked doctors about that, they don't know a damn thing, they say thats impossible and they dont wanna hear about it. I even had thoughts of amputating my leg in the past.
I have an appointment with a neurologist scheduled.
And strongly believe if i go on trt, my sleep would improve, my leg would strenghten, my mentality would improve. So i would use TRT to help me out with an illness thats making me weak. Just like they use it in aids and other patients.
This winter i truely thought about suicide. I couldn't drive a car normally, without thinking of just turning the wheel and crasing it. That is crazy. I don't wanna live like that anymore.
I also have neurological illness predisposition in my family, thats just one more reason for me to go on trt. I wanna live a strong, full life, not just fighting for survival, like i do now, at 22 years old.

Yesterday i went to sleep at 12:00 and fell asleep after some time. I think i was in half sleep/half awake state until 5:00am, when i realised i am awake and cannot sleep. Then i realised i feel cold and got myself a cover, and then i actually slept until 11am.

 

[Megatron28]

Hey Guys.
I really think that sleep is a big problem of mine. But the thing is, is have some kind of nerve/other tissue damage on one of my legs, that bothers me practically 24/7, but more when i go to sleep and when i wake up. I have a felling of pain/heat and sometimes tingling from my knees to the tip of my fingers. That was caused by a corticosteroid injection back when i was 16/17 years old. That injection damaged my leg. Degenerated the tissue.
After an ankle sprain, i had quite some granulation tissue(thats the new tissue that grows when ligamnets are damaged). After i received that corticosteroid shot, that tissue was gone! My skin around the ankle thinned and my calf muscled ached that i couldn't walk for 2 months.
And when asked doctors about that, they don't know a damn thing, they say thats impossible and they dont wanna hear about it. I even had thoughts of amputating my leg in the past.
I have an appointment with a neurologist scheduled.
And strongly believe if i go on trt, my sleep would improve, my leg would strenghten, my mentality would improve. So i would use TRT to help me out with an illness thats making me weak. Just like they use it in aids and other patients.
This winter i truely thought about suicide. I couldn't drive a car normally, without thinking of just turning the wheel and crasing it. That is crazy. I don't wanna live like that anymore.
I also have neurological illness predisposition in my family, thats just one more reason for me to go on trt. I wanna live a strong, full life, not just fighting for survival, like i do now, at 22 years old.

Yesterday i went to sleep at 12:00 and fell asleep after some time. I think i was in half sleep/half awake state until 5:00am, when i realised i am awake and cannot sleep. Then i realised i feel cold and got myself a cover, and then i actually slept until 11am.

Have you spoken about this with your family and a psychologist? I urge you to reach out for immediate help.

 

[thenotorious]

Yes i have spoken with my mother. She gave me some good advice and understanding, but at the same time tells me to eat more healthy(which i do), to eat my salad at lunch, to stop drinking protein shakes, and some other bullshit, that leads into trying to dictate everything i do.
My father is fuckin 66 years old and he has mood swings on an hourly basis. One moment he pretends he is the most friendly and coolest person, the next moment he will act like a total retard. And i am not exaggerating here. But i sorta understand him, he looks like crap, drinks alcohol, smokes cigarettes and doesnt do any sport activity. He should definitely go on TRT and change his lifestyle. But i cannot help him cause he would never listen to me.
The way he talks to us defenitely shows he's also having mentally a very hard time. I don't think i've heard him having a telephone call without him getting in an argument with somebody.
I don't wanna be like him, bro.
And my only brother i have, he keeps telling me: ''How does it feel to fake?'' and things like that... man this is crazy, i'm telling you..

 

[Megatron28]

You need to seek medical and psychological help. Wanting to amputate your leg and commit suicide is not normal or healthy. Taking some test will not magically fix all your problems. You need professional help.

 

[TRTnooby]

Please listen to Mega bro. You need to talk to a professional about this shit. I lived with depression for many many years thinking nothing would help. Mainly I was just being a tough guy asshole. I needed help (still do) and I got it and life is fucking beautiful now compared to how it was. Its hard work, I hate doing it. I would much rather sit at my desk looking at stupid shit on the internet than go to my weekly appointment and talk about shit, but that isn't going to fix anything. There is no magic pill or shot, you have to do the work, its worth it.

 

[thenotorious]

Yeah, i'm listening. I was at the psychiatrist three times now, but we were debating things like social problems and family problems. I haven't told them about the leg thing. But don't misunderstand me, i wasn't actually going to take the saw and amputate my leg, i just wished or thought about how it would take my pain away, because the pain was getting old. I told this to my mother and brother once we were all in the kitchen, and then mother gave me good help about that, said that it would be irrational and no doctor would do it and some other things.

But, you know, also my mother, she has her problems, you know female hormones and that...one day shes cool, the other day shes telling you off over some retarded shit with a facial expression and voice that you think her head is gonna explode and the brain is gonna come out.

But all that mental problems don't change the fact that my T is low, and that it could turn my life around, even though it is no magic pill. At the end of the day, i wanna get big. Thats all i have been thinking all the days in school. I don't wanna be that kid at 165 and 5'9', when all my buddies are 5'11'+ and 180+.
And if my T is low today, whats it gonna be like 5, 10 years from now? why not start living a full and healthy life now?

The things right now, at the moment, are not so dark. There was even a moment one day one month ago i remember when i said i fucking love my life, but that was only one moment. On a normal day, i feel bad. The winter really screws me up, because the day is just like 8 hours or so. Gives me a feeling that everything is gonna die.

And for some reason, i have a strong feeling that if i could get some self confidence and not give a fuck what everyone else thinks(thats what i expect from testosterone), my life would just turn around.

I want to fix both sides, the low T, and the psychological side. I don't expect TRT to be a magic pill. I see it as a big investment in my life.

 

[Megatron28]

TRT won't make you grow taller. And your TT has not peaked yet. You are only 22. Read the Basic TRT Overview sticky thread and you will see a chart in there showing at what age TT tends to peak.

I personally think you have other things to look at before starting TRT. We know your sleep is an issue and that definitely lowers Testosterone levels. You have been taking antidepressants which doesn't help testosterone levels either. Sounds like your diet could be much better.

I am not ruling an HPTA Restart for you or TRT if that fails, I am just saying there are some potential causes of Low T that need to be looked into first. And keep seeing the psychologist. Being happy goes a long way.

 

[thenotorious]

Can i take melatonin as a sleep aid? does it even work? how much should i take?