MrTrumo Low T

[mrtrumo]

Great article. I am new to this forum but I came across it while I was trying to learn about trt. My doctor wants me to start trt and I am hesitant because I keep hearing it is for life. My wife is also very hesitant also, but she is very hesitant about all medications. She is a fitness instructor, and the most in shape person that I know, and she is also a registered nurse, so I like to follow her lead when I can because she usually knows about meds. I am 46 years old and I have had my testosterone levels checked 4 times in the last year and a half. The results ranged from 288 to 383. Twice it was under 300 and twice it was over. My doctor thinks these levels are too low for my age and he said that my insurance company would most likely cover trt if my level was under 300 on two occasions. I also suffer from central sleep apnea, so the two may be related. My libido is very low, almost not there at all. It was a very difficult conversation with my wife when I explained this to her. She understands that it is my testosterone levels that lower my libido but she said it is still tough to hear that your husband just doesn't have the desire to be intimate with you. (my wife is 43 years old and she looks like a college cheerleader so being attracted to her is not the issue, and I think this leads to my depression as I keep thinking what the hell is wrong with me? Look who I am married to! How can I not have a libido?) I had a bone scan done a couple of weeks ago and it indicated that I have osteopenia which I am sure is a result of the low T. I am now convinced that I am in need of the trt, but I don't know how much experience my doctor has on the subject, and I am wondering what dosage I should start with. I really want to correct this so my libido comes back, and I am not tired, moody, and depressed any longer.

 

[Megatron28]

Great article. I am new to this forum but I came across it while I was trying to learn about trt. My doctor wants me to start trt and I am hesitant because I keep hearing it is for life. My wife is also very hesitant also, but she is very hesitant about all medications. She is a fitness instructor, and the most in shape person that I know, and she is also a registered nurse, so I like to follow her lead when I can because she usually knows about meds. I am 46 years old and I have had my testosterone levels checked 4 times in the last year and a half. The results ranged from 288 to 383. Twice it was under 300 and twice it was over. My doctor thinks these levels are too low for my age and he said that my insurance company would most likely cover trt if my level was under 300 on two occasions. I also suffer from central sleep apnea, so the two may be related. My libido is very low, almost not there at all. It was a very difficult conversation with my wife when I explained this to her. She understands that it is my testosterone levels that lower my libido but she said it is still tough to hear that your husband just doesn't have the desire to be intimate with you. (my wife is 43 years old and she looks like a college cheerleader so being attracted to her is not the issue, and I think this leads to my depression as I keep thinking what the hell is wrong with me? Look who I am married to! How can I not have a libido?) I had a bone scan done a couple of weeks ago and it indicated that I have osteopenia which I am sure is a result of the low T. I am now convinced that I am in need of the trt, but I don't know how much experience my doctor has on the subject, and I am wondering what dosage I should start with. I really want to correct this so my libido comes back, and I am not tired, moody, and depressed any longer.

Are you treating your sleep apnea? If not, treating it may improve your testosterone levels. Sleep is very important to one's health.

Can you post your blood work results so we can see what is going on with you? As you read inhe. sticky, there sometimes are things that can be done to improve your Low T. If those don't work (or are not available options) then TRT is indicated. One thing to keep in mind is that the health consequences of living with Low T are very serious. Treatment is very important to your long-term health

Also, I recommend starting a new thread so that we can focus on your situation. When you post your blood work results, it would be a good time to start a new thread.

By the way, a common TRT dosage is between 100-200mg per week of testosterone cypionate.

 

[mrtrumo]

Below are the latest labs that I could pull up. My sleep apnea is being treated with cpap but I will admit I often fall asleep before I put my mask on. My doctor also believes I have narcolepsy as I have the "gene that all narcoleptics have". I have a Ritalin patch for daily use to get me through the day. I cannot get through a work day without my patch or some alternative like Adderall but the patch works best for me. Doc wants me to go back to sleep lab to be formally diagnosed with narcolepsy but that would entail going off the patch for a week prior and I could not do that unless I were on vacation.

Thanks for your input

Aug 10, 2015 White Blood Count
7.9 x10^3

Aug 10, 2015 Red Blood Count
5.47 x10^6

Aug 10, 2015 Hemoglobin
15.3 g/dl

Aug 10, 2015 Hematocrit
45.9 %

Aug 10, 2015 Mean Corpuscular Volume
83.8 fl

Aug 10, 2015 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin
27.9 pg

Aug 10, 2015 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concent
33.3 g/dl

Aug 10, 2015 Neutrophils %
54.1 %

Aug 10, 2015 Lymphocytes %
34.0 %

Aug 10, 2015 Monocytes %
8.8 %

Aug 10, 2015 Eosinophils %
2.8 %

Aug 10, 2015 Basophils %
0.3 %

Aug 10, 2015 Neutrophils #
4.20 x10^3

Aug 10, 2015 Lymphocytes #
2.70 x10^3

Aug 10, 2015 Monocytes #
0.70 x10^3

Aug 10, 2015 Eosinophils # (Auto)
0.20 x10^3

Aug 10, 2015 Basophils # (Auto)
0.00 x10^3

Aug 10, 2015 Red Cell Distribution Width
13.9 %

Aug 10, 2015 Platelet Count
253 x10^3

Aug 10, 2015 Mean Platelet Volume
9.2 fl

Aug 10, 2015 Sodium Level
141 MMOL/L

Aug 10, 2015 Potassium Level
3.8 MMOL/L

Aug 10, 2015 Chloride Level
108 MMOL/L

Aug 10, 2015 Carbon Dioxide (Enzymatic)
26 MMOL/L

Aug 10, 2015 Anion Gap
10.8

Aug 10, 2015 Blood Urea Nitrogen
16 MG/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Glucose Level
115 MG/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Creatinine
1.18 MG/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Estimated GFR (African American)
> 60

Aug 10, 2015 Estimat Glomerular Filtration Rate
> 60

Aug 10, 2015 BUN/Creatinine Ratio
13.0

Aug 10, 2015 Calcium Level
8.0 MG/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Calcium Adjusted for Albumin
8.2 MG/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Aspartate Amino Transf (AST/SGOT)
15 U/L

Aug 10, 2015 Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT)
38 U/L

Aug 10, 2015 Alkaline Phosphatase
80 U/L

Aug 10, 2015 Total Bilirubin
0.30 MG/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Direct Bilirubin
< 0.10 MG/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Total Protein
6.6 GM/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Albumin
3.8 GM/DL

Aug 10, 2015 Prolactin
6.57 ng/mL

Aug 10, 2015 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone 3rd Gen
0.664 uIU/ML

Jun 27, 2015 Prostate Specific Antigen Screen
1.66 NG/ML

Jun 27, 2015 Insulin-like Growth Factor I
181 ng/mL

Jun 27, 2015 Free Testosterone
57 pg/mL

Jun 27, 2015 Total Testosterone
294 ng/dL


Was going to start a new thread, but I don't see where or how to do it. Maybe I don't have the right permissions.








Contact Portal Technical Support

 

[Megatron28]

We need the reference ranges to be included.

Didn't you have your LH, FSH and Estradiol checked? Those are key labs to have in diagnosing Hypogonadism.

 

[mrtrumo]

Ok here are the results with reference ranges. I know that they did check estradiol at one time but my health care site won't let me go back any further. I know I have them somewhere. Looking for them now.

Aug 10, 2015 White Blood Count
7.9 x10^3
4.5-11.0 x10^3
Aug 10, 2015 Red Blood Count
5.47 x10^6
4.5-5.9 x10^6
Aug 10, 2015 Hemoglobin
15.3 g/dl
13.0-16.0 g/dl
Aug 10, 2015 Hematocrit
45.9 %
41-53 %
Aug 10, 2015 Mean Corpuscular Volume
83.8 fl
78-98 fl
Aug 10, 2015 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin
27.9 pg
26.0-34.0 pg
Aug 10, 2015 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concent
33.3 g/dl
31.0-37.0 g/dl
Aug 10, 2015 Neutrophils %
54.1 %
40.0-80.0 %
Aug 10, 2015 Lymphocytes %
34.0 %
13.0-47.0 %
Aug 10, 2015 Monocytes %
8.8 %
0.0-10.0 %
Aug 10, 2015 Eosinophils %
2.8 %
0.0-10.0 %
Aug 10, 2015 Basophils %
0.3 %
0-1.5 %
Aug 10, 2015 Neutrophils #
4.20 x10^3
1.8-7.7 x10^3
Aug 10, 2015 Lymphocytes #
2.70 x10^3
1.0-4.8 x10^3
Aug 10, 2015 Monocytes #
0.70 x10^3
0.0-1.0 x10^3
Aug 10, 2015 Eosinophils # (Auto)
0.20 x10^3
0-1.0 x10^3
Aug 10, 2015 Basophils # (Auto)
0.00 x10^3
0.0-0.2 x10^3
Aug 10, 2015 Red Cell Distribution Width
13.9 %
11.5-14.5 %
Aug 10, 2015 Platelet Count
253 x10^3
150-350 x10^3
Aug 10, 2015 Mean Platelet Volume
9.2 fl
7.5-10.7 fl
Aug 10, 2015 Sodium Level
141 MMOL/L
136-145 MMOL/L
Aug 10, 2015 Potassium Level
3.8 MMOL/L
3.5-5.1 MMOL/L
Aug 10, 2015 Chloride Level
108 MMOL/L
98-107 MMOL/L H
Aug 10, 2015 Carbon Dioxide (Enzymatic)
26 MMOL/L
21-32 MMOL/L
Aug 10, 2015 Anion Gap
10.8
0-16
Aug 10, 2015 Blood Urea Nitrogen
16 MG/DL
7-18 MG/DL
Aug 10, 2015 Glucose Level
115 MG/DL
74-99 MG/DL H
Aug 10, 2015 Creatinine
1.18 MG/DL
0.70-1.30 MG/DL
Aug 10, 2015 Estimated GFR (African American)
> 60
>60
Aug 10, 2015 Estimat Glomerular Filtration Rate
> 60
>60
Aug 10, 2015 BUN/Creatinine Ratio
13.0
0-30
Aug 10, 2015 Calcium Level
8.0 MG/DL
8.5-10.1 MG/DL L
Aug 10, 2015 Calcium Adjusted for Albumin
8.2 MG/DL
8.4-9.5 MG/DL L
Aug 10, 2015 Aspartate Amino Transf (AST/SGOT)
15 U/L
15-37 U/L
Aug 10, 2015 Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT)
38 U/L
12-78 U/L
Aug 10, 2015 Alkaline Phosphatase
80 U/L
45-117 U/L
Aug 10, 2015 Total Bilirubin
0.30 MG/DL
0.0-1.0 MG/DL
Aug 10, 2015 Direct Bilirubin
< 0.10 MG/DL
0.0-0.2 MG/DL
Aug 10, 2015 Total Protein
6.6 GM/DL
6.4-8.2 GM/DL
Aug 10, 2015 Albumin
3.8 GM/DL
3.4-5.0 GM/DL
Aug 10, 2015 Prolactin
6.57 ng/mL

Aug 10, 2015 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone 3rd Gen
0.664 uIU/ML
0.358-3.740 uIU/ML
Jun 27, 2015 Prostate Specific Antigen Screen
1.66 NG/ML
0.00-4.00 NG/ML
Jun 27, 2015 Insulin-like Growth Factor I
181 ng/mL
121-237 ng/mL
Jun 27, 2015 Free Testosterone
57 pg/mL
47-244 pg/mL
Jun 27, 2015 Total Testosterone
294 ng/dL
300-890 ng/dL L

 

[Megatron28]

You need to get your LH and FSH checked. You can ask your doc to order the labs for you or use the link below in my signature line to do it yourself. I would chekc TT and Estradiol as well at the same time.

If you use the link below get the Hormone Panel for Females which costs about $57. Will have results emailed to you in 24-48 hours typically.

 

[halfwit]

If you were fasting for the draw, you're going to want to keep an eye on your glucose from here on out. 115mg/dL is easily pre-diabetes territory. If not fasting, nevermind.

Seconding Tron's recommendations.

 

[mrtrumo]

I wasn't really fasting but I went first thing in the morning, without eating breakfast. I never eat breakfast. I have an appointment with my doctor today and I am going to ask him about that.

 

[IMT staff]

Just of future reference OP break your post up a little and you will get more response.

But yea your T is definitely low, both free and total.

 

[Megatron28]

Making your post easier for the reader will draw more people in which I get your more and better advice. Formatting goes a long way.

 

[mrtrumo]

Ok, Sorry for the long posts. I will remember that for the future. Have a Dr. apt today at 4:30 so I appreciate your advice I have read on here. I feel better equipped to talk to him now.

 

[mrtrumo]

Went to dr and he wants to put me on Natesto. He said it is new and it is a nasal gel. Anyone ever had any experience with it?

 

[Megatron28]

Went to dr and he wants to put me on Natesto. He said it is new and it is a nasal gel. Anyone ever had any experience with it?

I would look for a new doctor. Gels don't work very well and they are very expensive.

But you really need to run away because he wants to treat you without ever checking your LH and FSH.

 

[mrtrumo]

.

 

[mrtrumo]

I would look for a new doctor. Gels don't work very well and they are very expensive.

But you really need to run away because he wants to treat you without ever checking your LH and FSH.

Well he actually did check those levels but I don't recall what they were. The health plan I am in only lets me go back so far and look at my results. Unfortunately I cant go far enough back to see the lh and fsh. I am trying to find my printouts. I did consult with an endocrinologist about a year ago and she had my blood drawn then and checked all my levels. I didn't know what I was looking at then but she said my total testosterone was 311 and which is in the normal range so I did not need any trt Even though I had a nonexistent libido.

 

[IMT staff]

311 is still really low. The ranges are only there as a guide, symptoms have to be taken into account.

If you would have tested at 295 would you think you need TRT but not at 311?

Thats a very small difference, most definitely unnoticeable.

 

[Megatron28]

Just call and request your complete blood work results. You need to be proactive in your health. Learn how to advocate for yourself. Know your numbers.

 

[mrtrumo]

311 is still really low. The ranges are only there as a guide, symptoms have to be taken into account.

If you would have tested at 295 would you think you need TRT but not at 311?

Thats a very small difference, most definitely unnoticeable.

I completely agree. I did not go back to see her.

 

[mrtrumo]

311 is still really low. The ranges are only there as a guide, symptoms have to be taken into account.

If you would have tested at 295 would you think you need TRT but not at 311?

Thats a very small difference, most definitely unnoticeable.

One thing that bothered me was that she insisted that the blood be drawn first thing in the morning because that is when the level is the highest. So then the level comes in slightly over 300 which she said was in the normal range. So I guess I am expected to feel "normal" early in the morning only.

 

[mrtrumo]

Ok I got the lab to send me all of my blood work for the last couple years. What levels should I be looking for? Still trying to understand all of this before I pick up my prescription. Still waiting for my insurance to approve it but doc says that should be no problem due to the osteopenia that showed up in my spine and hip.