Billegitimate
New member
So, "normal" levels of T are determine by creating a window within which 90 or 95% of tested ranges will fit. On the one hand, it makes sense. The 5 or 10% must be statistical outliers, therefore the normal range is what encompasses most of what is being seen.
I've had people argue with me. So if the normal range for T for your age is 300-800, it is their position that 301 is fine while 299 needs treatment. Is that even reasonable? Hell no.
So, here's what to compare it to: Vision.
It's that simple. I don't know the exact statistics, but I'd bet that 90% or more of all people who visit the optometrist have between 20/20 and 20/60 vision. So what do we tell the person with 20/60 vision? Do we say "Well, you're in the normal range, just like 90% of the people I see. Squint a little harder when you need to, and come back if it gets worse. Once you're 20/80 we'll look at getting you glasses."
Yeah, you'd go see another optometrist. Because we're not looking for normal vision when we go the optometrist. We're looking for OPTIMAL vision. And 20/20 is achievable with corrective lenses for almost everyone. When OPTIMAL is achievable with little to no downside, why settle for normal?
I'll wear my glasses, and I'll optimize my testosterone levels, thank you very much.
Sheesh, doctors don't even do this with weight. Doctors are fine looking at a BMI chart and telling you're too heavy. But heavy is now normal, so the inconsistencies in their reasoning...or just the lack of reasoning itself, is abundantly clear.
I've had people argue with me. So if the normal range for T for your age is 300-800, it is their position that 301 is fine while 299 needs treatment. Is that even reasonable? Hell no.
So, here's what to compare it to: Vision.
It's that simple. I don't know the exact statistics, but I'd bet that 90% or more of all people who visit the optometrist have between 20/20 and 20/60 vision. So what do we tell the person with 20/60 vision? Do we say "Well, you're in the normal range, just like 90% of the people I see. Squint a little harder when you need to, and come back if it gets worse. Once you're 20/80 we'll look at getting you glasses."
Yeah, you'd go see another optometrist. Because we're not looking for normal vision when we go the optometrist. We're looking for OPTIMAL vision. And 20/20 is achievable with corrective lenses for almost everyone. When OPTIMAL is achievable with little to no downside, why settle for normal?
I'll wear my glasses, and I'll optimize my testosterone levels, thank you very much.
Sheesh, doctors don't even do this with weight. Doctors are fine looking at a BMI chart and telling you're too heavy. But heavy is now normal, so the inconsistencies in their reasoning...or just the lack of reasoning itself, is abundantly clear.
