Young guy needs some answers

[Jay12341235]

Hey all, I've got a few questions about recent blood work.

I'm an 18 year old and POST PUBERTAL male. I have suspected that I have low testosterone for a while so I went to the Doc and got some BW done. Here are the results:

Serum: 297 ng/dl
Free test: 5.6 ng/dl
BioT: 127 ng/dl
SHBG 35

Blood test was around 1PM. Thyroid came back normal.

I know I need more things tested, such as estrogen and fsh, lh etc. But based on these numbers, do you guys think I should actively pursue testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or higher testosterone levels? Or should I be content with where I'm at? Now would be a good time to note that, even though I am young, I have no intention (and possibly no ability) to reproduce because of unrelated genetic complications. That aspect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) does not bother me.

My doctor told me that my results were in "normal range" (aka I don't care, get off my back, symptoms don't matter) and dismissed my case without referring me to an Endo. Despite his opinion, I'm feeling the effects of my low T everyday. I'm discouraged because it doesn't feel right to argue with someone who has an MD, but I also don't want to simply drop the subject because I have the typical symptoms that would be found in men with low testosterone. These include mild depression, being tired all the time, no sex drive, difficulty with erections (at age 18! Come on...) poor performance in the gym, and very poor muscular improvements despite consistent good diet and training. I know testosterone effects bone growth, so I also suspect low bone density or poor bone development because of my low bodyweight for my height (6'1, 162 lbs) but that's more of a shot in the dark. I highly doubt that I have Klinefelters due to my testes being normally sized, but I will ask for a professional opinion about this anyways. I made an app. with an Endo despite my Doc's opinion, but I fear he will have the same reaction as my Doc. I want to live like a normal MAN not a discouraged boy.

One more snippet of info: I suffered an untreated testicular torsion at age 13, and I will tell my Endo about this. I'm starting to feel really bad about not getting that checked out...

So I guess my final question is: Do you think I have a good case for low testosterone? Should I be pursuing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) given the above information or should I be happy with what's been handed to me? Personally, I am not happy with the way the Docs have responded.

I'm interested in every opinion out there, sorry for the text wall.

 

[halfwit]

I would definitely push this issue further, but testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may not necessarily be the answer. A good endo will look into several different causes for your low (yes, that is LOW) testosterone, some of which may be treatable without having to subject yourself to shots for the rest of your life. Be BRUTALLY honest with these doctors and remember to leave the whole muscle mass part out of your chief complaint. They don't care if you are getting "swole" in the gym or not, they just want to treat your symptoms and get to the next guy. Talking about fitness or anything mildly relating to musculature is quite likely going to put them on the defensive and make things harder for you.

Do NOT settle for this. You do NOT have to feel this way - keep pushing for proper treatment and keep doing research into TRT/hypogonadism. It will pay off eventually, and you will be happy you did.

My .02c

 

[Jay12341235]

I would definitely push this issue further, but testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may not necessarily be the answer. A good endo will look into several different causes for your low (yes, that is LOW) testosterone, some of which may be treatable without having to subject yourself to shots for the rest of your life. Be BRUTALLY honest with these doctors and remember to leave the whole muscle mass part out of your chief complaint. They don't care if you are getting "swole" in the gym or not, they just want to treat your symptoms and get to the next guy. Talking about fitness or anything mildly relating to musculature is quite likely going to put them on the defensive and make things harder for you.

Do NOT settle for this. You do NOT have to feel this way - keep pushing for proper treatment and keep doing research into TRT/hypogonadism. It will pay off eventually, and you will be happy you did.

My .02c

Thanks for your reply.

I feel like this is impacting my life. I don't feel good enough for relationships of any kind anymore due to my stoic approach to life and low sex drive. I don't even feel like hanging out with friends anymore! I've always been on the apathetic side (chronic low t?) but over the last couple of months things have just started looking bleak. I can't help but think that all of these things are related to my testosterone levels. Is this a possibility?

 

[methos]

I second that. Don't feel bad about disagreeing with an MD. Most of the GP's and MD's that I converse with seem to only treat the bell shaped curve. Don't give up and finding a solution. Yes, this could be cause by Low T or slightly elevated E. But I would let the endo tell you that. Just don't stop searching for you answer.

 

[photonchild]

Dude you can't live this way. Get it treated

 

[mmaker233]

Agreed, with photonchild. Don't run to a TRT doctor before seeing an endo. But if all checks out with the endo, then try a TRT to see if you feel better. I'm sure there are millions of people who have low T but it doesn't bother them. You don't seem like one of those people though. Sex is the one thing in life that is good AND good for you. So get if fixed and start banging chicks...or dudes if you go that way! LOL.