"You're too big to have low-T"....

[NSW]

.... is what I was just told this morning after I was referred to a TRT-HRT specialist by my doc.

I was also told that "Free Test values mean nothing" and "there's no point in testing your estrogen with the muscle mass you have."

To be clear I'm not a huge guy by any stretch of the imagination (6'4", 230lbs, 47" chest, 17.5" arms) so I'm kind of floored that he would say that. Is it impossible to gain muscle mass if you have low T? I'd think not...

A bit disappointed TBH because I figured that most of the problems that I've been having over the past 3-5 years could have been attributed to Low-T but if I'm supposedly "normal"... back to the drawing board I guess.

For reference my total test was just over 400 (14.4 in a range of 8.4 - 28.7nmol/L), while my free test was 26.2 (range of 31 - 94pmol/L).

Any thoughts/advice?

 

[NateDEEzy]

Yes, get a new doctor lol. The way you look isn't a clear indicator of testosterone levels. The results you mentioned seem pretty low. How old are you?

As a reference, type in bignoknow in youtube, it's a guy who's tracking his testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) progress. If you looked at him you'd probably never guess he had low T. I really can't believe that even with a blood test that shows almost out of range total testosterone and a below level reading of free T, your doctor won't consider treating you because you don't look like you could have low T. Lol again demonstrating how much doctors are in the dark on this issue.

 

[supacharged21]

I am also above average musclular at 6ft 240 and very surprised my T levels are low.

I went in to get baselines and check them because my father has low T also. I expected it to be high actually until I aged some. It looks like they already dropped.

I have an appointment with my fathers urologist on the 28th regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) I have a lot of they symptoms and just thought something was wrong with me, but never imagined it to be this at this age. I am sure big guys can catch crap when they are above average build and need testosterone.

Anyways I am 32 and here they are.
TESTOSTERONE 231.1 ng/dL
TESTOSTERONE FREE 7.4
ESTRADIOL 24 PG/ML
ESTROGEN 85 PG/ML

TRIG 37 MG/DL
CHOL 187
LDL 114 MG/DL
HDL 65.5 MG/DL
RATIO 2.9

LIVER
ALT/SGPT 24 IU/L
AST/SGOT 33 IU/L

 

[mhuard]

I've got decent muscle and also never would have thought mine was low. Now that I started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), I'm just a tad concerned that someone will find out and assume that all my gains are from the Test and not the last 4yrs of busting my ass. A little vain, I know...

 

[supacharged21]

I've got decent muscle and also never would have thought mine was low. Now that I started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), I'm just a tad concerned that someone will find out and assume that all my gains are from the Test and not the last 4yrs of busting my ass. A little vain, I know...

You know I already get that now. People have called me names back in school and it has always been a joke. ROIDS! Steroid boy! It is something I have lived with and never really sweated, because I know inside it was from me and me only. I get what your saying as people will use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as an excuse for your gains now. I am just trying to build what I can and don't want to look back and wish I had done things differently, that is what has led me up to this point.

 

[halfwit]

Yes, get a new doctor lol. The way you look isn't a clear indicator of testosterone levels. The results you mentioned seem pretty low. How old are you?

As a reference, type in bignoknow in youtube, it's a guy who's tracking his testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) progress. If you looked at him you'd probably never guess he had low T. I really can't believe that even with a blood test that shows almost out of range total testosterone and a below level reading of free T, your doctor won't consider treating you because you don't look like you could have low T. Lol again demonstrating how much doctors are in the dark on this issue.

Second this ^ The only visual aspect I can really think of for having low T is from being hypogonadal for a LOOONG time, and that's excess bodyfat around your waist. The list of triggers that can cause your HPTA to go haywire is a mile long and unfortunately can be really hard to prove/disprove which one is the cause. A GREAT doc will ask you how you FEEL, not blindly go by how a range that includes sick 90 year old men's levels compares to yours.

My .02c

 

[NSW]

Second this ^ The only visual aspect I can really think of for having low T is from being hypogonadal for a LOOONG time, and that's excess bodyfat around your waist. The list of triggers that can cause your HPTA to go haywire is a mile long and unfortunately can be really hard to prove/disprove which one is the cause. A GREAT doc will ask you how you FEEL, not blindly go by how a range that includes sick 90 year old men's levels compares to yours.

My .02c

This has been a problem for me (IMO) for a while now too. But I will confess that I've never been a cardio freak and I work a desk job so I suppose it could be that too. I eat pretty clean though. Rarely have fast food, rarely drink, and I'm in the gym 5 days a week hitting the weights.

Getting some more tests done this morning and then I'll know the results in a week.

I'm 37 yrs old btw.

 

[halfwit]

This has been a problem for me (IMO) for a while now too. But I will confess that I've never been a cardio freak and I work a desk job so I suppose it could be that too. I eat pretty clean though. Rarely have fast food, rarely drink, and I'm in the gym 5 days a week hitting the weights.

Getting some more tests done this morning and then I'll know the results in a week.

I'm 37 yrs old btw.

That's what got me into the doc's office tbh. I was working out 6 days a week with 30-50 minutes of cardio each day and STILL could not lose the extra belly fat I had been slowly gaining. Hopefully after these new tests your doc stops being a turd and realizes that there is something wrong. Telling someone that they're fine just by looking at them is not only rude, but irresponsible.

Good luck!

 

[visgoth]

Agreed on the advice to get a new doctor. I was told my T was "fine for my age" at 38. My biggest problem was low energy. I work odd hours over a 12 hour period and found myself needing naps to the point of being rediculous. I could sleep 8 hours and still need a nap after being awake 4 hours.

I finally went to a Urologist 10 years later and was instantly diagnosed with low T, even though my T was still "normal for my age". Don't wait 10 years! Get a second opinion from a doctor that knows and understands TRT. My doctor is no juice pusher, but he is quite aware that T can help men with symptoms of low T. His threshold for no juice is total t of 500, unless you're a special case. Special cases go to see an Endo doc.

I wish I could have been on the juice since 38 when I first knew I had a problem.

 

[SicVic]

Agreed on the advice to get a new doctor. I was told my T was "fine for my age" at 38. My biggest problem was low energy. I work odd hours over a 12 hour period and found myself needing naps to the point of being rediculous. I could sleep 8 hours and still need a nap after being awake 4 hours.

I finally went to a Urologist 10 years later and was instantly diagnosed with low T, even though my T was still "normal for my age". Don't wait 10 years! Get a second opinion from a doctor that knows and understands TRT. My doctor is no juice pusher, but he is quite aware that T can help men with symptoms of low T. His threshold for no juice is total t of 500, unless you're a special case. Special cases go to see an Endo doc.

I wish I could have been on the juice since 38 when I first knew I had a problem.

What was your levels??

 

[NSW]

Agreed on the low energy too.... that has also been a problem for a while now. Another thing I've noticed is that "morning wood" is now a thing of the past... can't even remember the last time I had that. In fact, random erections in general are a thing of the past. I'll go through an entire day without "little buddy" moving at all.

Why are docs so against TRT? I can understand them denying you if you're asking for 700mg/wk or something like that... but a standard cycle of 200-250/wk? Is that really so bad?

 

[SicVic]

Agreed on the low energy too.... that has also been a problem for a while now. Another thing I've noticed is that "morning wood" is now a thing of the past... can't even remember the last time I had that. In fact, random erections in general are a thing of the past. I'll go through an entire day without "little buddy" moving at all.

Why are docs so against TRT? I can understand them denying you if you're asking for 700mg/wk or something like that... but a standard cycle of 200-250/wk? Is that really so bad?

Because they don't want you to become to manly and steal all their chicks. Have you tried clomid nolvadex or triptorelin?

 

[NSW]

Because they don't want you to become to manly and steal all their chicks. Have you tried clomid nolvadex or triptorelin?

No... never cycled before or taken any kind of drugs.

Would Nolva even do anything? I was under the impression that it was just to keep gyno away.

Have heard that Clomid could help some.... know anyone who's had good results just off of that?

 

[visgoth]

What was your levels??

300 total t in my late 40's at the time. I wasn't told what it was in my late 30's.