Low T -- Need advice!

[beerbaron105]

Not really sure where to post this, but I've been suspecting symptoms of low T for a while now, got my blood work tested and my overall testosterone came back at 376 ng/dl

The doctor said I was within a normal range, but when I started googling online, my numbers were about half of what it should be at my age (29 m)

I came back to the doctor and requested he send me to an endocrinologist but he again said my levels were normal, I explained to him that I have the test levels of a 60 year old, so he agreed to do a free testosterone test and check my thyroid function, so I am heading back for bloodwork in the morning.

What are my options at this point if it comes back again low? I don't really want to go on TRT

And is 376 ng/dl low for a 29 year old? Test was taken in the morning after a 12 hour fast.

[dmacdonal9]

If you're in the normal range, then don't. There's tremendous variability within that range, and despite what some will say, TRT is a lifelong commitment. I did it, and am glad I did, but you want to go into it with your eyes open.

Eat at maintenance calories and get a solid 8 hours/night for 4-6 months and get tested again.

[Serpentarius]

Unless you see a doctor there is NOTHING you can do, so don't worry about it or seek medical assistance. No exercise, food, or activity will help.

[jubjubrsx]

if you are with in acceptable ranges dr's wont do anything. Every person is designed to run on a certain level of testosterone. Testosterone isnt the be all solution to your weight lifting goals, I just dont understand why everyone links T levels to muscle growth.

what you should do is try to figure out whats causing it. my doc is trying that right now, got me off all preworkouts, creatine, multivitamins, basically anything with herbal stuff in there. also no caffeine! try this for two months, then get tested again.

when you say you are suspecting low T symptoms you really need to say what symptoms you are having. Alot of people confuse the symptoms for something else.

best advice I can give you is DO NOT self medicate, you are just asking for trouble.

I wouldnt complain to be honest could be me! I'm 34 (was tested 2 years ago and was at 325 but that was acceptable in their minds)


^^just keepin it real man. sorry for any bad news.

[beerbaron105]

Lack of energy, low libido, low strength in the gym, I don't over-train, I workout 3-4 days a week, I get 7-8 hours of sleep, I eat mostly proteins fats, with some carbs mixed in too, one or two high carb days a week. I do drink coffee, and I am on shift work which probably affects my levels as well.

^^ I see your results and yeah those are ultra low, but to the guy that said only medication will work I am not quite sure if I believe that. I am aware of several sources that have changed diet, training, lifestyle and have improved their testosterone levels without resorting to lifelong commitments to TRT.

I am also suspecting my thyroid as a culprit but we will see in a few days when the results come in ,and I will post them here.

[beerbaron105]

I also read anabolicmen dot com and he posts a ton of very interesting articles on natural ways to improve testosterone

[dmacdonal9]

I also read anabolicmen dot com and he posts a ton of very interesting articles on natural ways to improve testosterone

There are things you can do to remove the factors that are suppressing T levels. Like remove stress, remove sleep deficit, remove calorie deficit, remedy a mineral deficiency, that sort of thing.

But in terms of taking something to boost test, the evidence is pretty weak for all that stuff.

[devilsrule61287]

Mine comes in at the 230-250 range, which is at the VERY low end of the "normal" range, and sometimes just out of the normal range. Yet even so, I'm still able to make gains and get pretty lean, though it certainly takes some more time and effort than most people would have to put in for the same result.

Don't be too hasty about getting treatments that will totally screw with your endocrine system. Many of those treatments require very long-term commitment, so you need to consider all possibilites, explore all avenues for treatment, etc. Of course, speak with endocrinologist and see what they recommend because there are a number of approaches they can try to raise T short of synthetic replacement. Unfortunately, I was told that forum rules prevent me from specifically describing what those treatments are.

[Serpentarius]

I also read anabolicmen dot com and he posts a ton of very interesting articles on natural ways to improve testosterone

nope, there are no ways to change it. If you are lean and active and they are low, thats who you are and what you have to live with unless you get something from an outside source....sorry. Think about it, if something REALLY made test levels higher naturally, EVERYONE on the forum would know about it and would be doing it.
You sure you dont have clinical depression? (not the same depression as "oh my dog died").

[Neofolis]

There are numerous supplements that claim to boost testosterone levels, most of which are pointless for people in the normal range, because, although some of them have been shown to work, they increase they offer is not substantial enough to make a noticeable difference. The most noted increases are from D-Aspartic acid, which offers an average increase for most individuals of around 30%, which may sound good, but you'd actually need increases of several hundred percent to see any significant change. For people below normal range, growth hormone treatment is the standard approach and taking something like D-Aspartic acid may offer some additional help in getting to a satisfactory level.

Shift work can also have a significant effect on hormone production/balance and effects some people considerably more than others.

[tara19]

You're in the normal range.
The DR isn't worried. If it is such a big issue to you, take your results and get another consultation.

[BRH]

376 ng/dl is low end of normal but levels can fluctuate quite a lot. They can't diagnose anything on the basis of one (normal) test, they would have to have 3-4 tests all showing low levels and then investigate why as well. Usually testing LH & FSH to see if you have a testicular problem or not.

If you are low on T then TRT might help the libido and energy. I can't see it would help "strength in the gym" much at all, TRT is not a panacea.

I wouldn't touch any supplements that claim to raise T or self-medicate either.... that is just asking to screw up your system even more.

[amar654]

There are ways to increase T naturally, but the increase is only a small amount and is usually for men who have there T in a normal range and just want to pretend like getting a little more will help them out. If you T is truly lower than average than there is very little you can do non-medically.