Lab reference range question (with labs)

[lcplblazer]

I finally got a copy of my last bloodwork taken. I posted a question on another thread but didn't have enough information at hand for feedback. Now that I have a copy of my bloodwork, my question is, do any of these ranges they used for reference seem like they are "off base" with the norm? (Namely the total testosterone ranges).

I'm also open to any insight anyone may have as to the interpretation of my blood work, sense after considerable research here and else where has lead me to the conclusion that your average doctor has a prehistorically outdated outlook on where hormone levels should be for general well-being.

The dirt:
26 year old male
Lab appears to be "Quest Diagnostics"

Estradiol - 20pg/ml Range <30

Free Estradiol - 0.47pg/ml Range <0.45

SHBG - 17nmol/L Range 10-50

Total Test - 329ng/dl Range 185-650

FSH - 2.50 Miu/mL Range 1-8

LH - 5.96 mIU/mL Range 2-12

Prolactin - 14.93 ng/ml Range 1.6-18.8


I asked for free test but must have fallen on def ears, I had to argue to get most of these done as is. As far as I know these mostly look decent to me, except for Free Estradiol and of course I'm not very content on 329 total test. Which brings me back to my question, I havn't seen very many total test ranges that are any where near as low as 185-650. When I see this range, all I see is "AlmostDead-MildlyNormal"

Any insight would be much appreciated!

 

[cjw2021]

How do you feel? 329 is out of range low in some labs.

 

[Teutonic]

I was at 110 on a scale of 220-880..any other meds your on ?
Pain ?
Ssri s
Benzo s?

All will tank your levels..

 

[lcplblazer]

How do you feel? 329 is out of range low in some labs.

Pretty much like the poster boy for low-t symptoms...
Weak or no wood
Pretty much no desire to have sex with the wife.
Not much motivation to do things that I want to do. I've always been kind of a "loner" compared to most my friends. But now I'm just don't right reclusive.
It's a lot harder for me to lose weight or even maintain, which use to be almost effortless a couple years ago, even though my eating/drinking habits were worse then.
Depressed.
The list goes on but it's hard for me to explain over a keyboard... and I dont like listening to myself whine lol

I know that my 329 level still falls within normal range for pretty much all the ranges that I've read about. What is raising my eyebrow is how low THIS lab set the standard. Going by my test range of 185-650, it looks to me like their "exceptable normal range" for a 26 year old is from someone who is almost dying up to someone who is barley average. Using this range makes it even more difficult for them to even bat an eye lash at my total test range, and it makes me wonder what level they would aim for when giving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to someone else, since 325 would be mid-normal

 

[lcplblazer]

I was at 110 on a scale of 220-880..any other meds your on ?
Pain ?
Ssri s
Benzo s?

All will tank your levels..

Other than two Cialis I've taken over the last month, no. And those wern't before the test anyway.

I've never taken anabolics or pro-hormones.
Not on any anti-depressants or medication... although my doctor is more than willing to load me up on those without a second thought...

 

[ecdysone]

Your test level is about half of average for a 26 yo. More importantly, your free-test might be abnormally low.

 

[lcplblazer]

Your test level is about half of average for a 26 yo. More importantly, your free-test might be abnormally low.

Thats kind of what I gathered from most of the posts on here and articles I've read online. It makes me mad they didn't test for free-test, since now I have to go through the full battery again.... each time I have to argue with them to add something else, even though I specifically asked for free-test this last time. But judging from the ranges they use for reference, it seems like a lost cause anyway.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[ecdysone]

Don't argue with them - just pay for it yourself using one of the online labs (for example, DirectLabs charges less than $50 for free-test).

 

[lcplblazer]

Don't argue with them - just pay for it yourself using one of the online labs (for example, DirectLabs charges less than $50 for free-test).

Thanks for the input, I'll probably end up doing that. I just figured it was one of those things where it is better to know where all levels were at that given time.

Also I was hopeing to get everything done at once to make it easier to take my bloodwork to a third party if need be... (namely Chip/Team Maximus) and possibly go that route. I am/was able to get it done for free through the Veterans hospital.


Looks like I'm missing some of the prerequisites for Chips initial bloodwork anyway though.