Low Testosterone at 23

[Kiwi23]

As you are probably aware i'm new to the forums and i would like some advise.

I have an appointment with the Endocrinologist on Thursday as i have had numerous bloods done all of which showed low Free testosterone.

I have two questions:

Am i going to have to be on testosterone for life give my natural levels at 23 are shot?

and

What would you guys suggest in terms of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and how do i go about helping the doctor to understand where i am coming from?

As in i have been training for 3.5years now and over the past 9-10months i have become weaker, smaller, had numerous problems with general endocrine function and i would like to be prescribed an appropriate amount so that i can regain the strength/size i use to have. Having grown up around doctors and having been to a number in the past i know what they are generally like when it comes to issues like this.

 

[halfwit]

First, your age is going to make things tricky for you as many docs feel it is unethical to treat folks still in the final stages of puberty. What are your test levels? There are a TON of things that can cause low testosterone levels, so I hope your endo doesn't just throw testosterone at you without investigating possible underlying conditions that may have caused this. If he's worth a salt, you can expect an MRI of your pituitary gland, adrenal tests, and of course a pretty comprehensive blood workup looking at thyroid levels, prolactin levels, estradiol levels, and many other factors that can cause shutdown of your natural testosterone production.

Word of advice: Don't mention strength, muscle, training or body building AT ALL. Testosterone still has quite the negative stigma in society, so even stating these might earn you a quick trip right back out of his office as quickly as you've stepped in. What do you mean by proper endocrine function?

 

[Kiwi23]

thanks for the reply.

I can't recall the exact level for free testosterone (+in my country we use a different measurement scale) however i know the normal range is around 6-12 and i am around 3mols per litre, bound testosterone was on the lower end of the spectrum also. They have tested Thyroid, and pituitary i believe (my GP tested) both were normal.

I have had problems with Vasopresin secretion is what i meant by general endocrine function, however my doctor wasn't keen to test anything else.

Thanks for the heads up about not mentioning training and my primary concern is sex drive, general mental well being etc anyhow.

 

[halfwit]

thanks for the reply.

I can't recall the exact level for free testosterone (+in my country we use a different measurement scale) however i know the normal range is around 6-12 and i am around 3mols per litre, bound testosterone was on the lower end of the spectrum also. They have tested Thyroid, and pituitary i believe (my GP tested) both were normal.

I have had problems with Vasopresin secretion is what i meant by general endocrine function, however my doctor wasn't keen to test anything else.

Thanks for the heads up about not mentioning training and my primary concern is sex drive, general mental well being etc anyhow.

Interesting, from what I recall Vasopressin is a function of the pituitary, so I hope they do indeed dig a little deeper there. Sex drive and a poor state of mental well being is what I was looking for. I would be sure to mention those and any other "I just don't feel right about this" symptoms are key to helping them understand where you're coming from. I made the mistake of telling my doc in medical terms what I thought was wrong, which put him on the defensive - thankfully my blood tests confirmed what I was saying.

Good luck man, I truly hope for the best and a happy ending for you.

 

[Kiwi23]

Thanks.

I know what you mean, it seems like as soon as you mention a possible cause your labelled a hypochondriac. I don't disagree that there are a lot of them out there, however i think for the most part its just peoples curiosity about what is happening to them. Everyone is interested in how we function and sometimes the measures they employ to hide things from us just make people more curious which leads to the extremes eg hypochondriacs.