Testosterone levels - Male 51

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getafix33

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I received some tests back and would like to know if they are in the "normal" range. My Dr seems to think so but symptoms I am experiencing suggest otherwise.

Total Testosterone - 11.3 nmol/l
SHBG - 17.6 nmol/l
Free Testosterone calc - 306.2 pmol/l

TIA
 
getafix33 said:
I received some tests back and would like to know if they are in the "normal" range. My Dr seems to think so but symptoms I am experiencing suggest otherwise.

Total Testosterone - 11.3 nmol/l
SHBG - 17.6 nmol/l
Free Testosterone calc - 306.2 pmol/l

TIA
Click to expand...
Fortunately mybb’ers are far more qualified to answer than your doctor. You’re in good hands.
 
Do you have any weight issues? Being overweight will bring down testosterone. There's also other factors at play such as genetics, and i think i read somewhere eating junk food (excessively) also lowers total testosterone.

But i think age is the major factor it does go down over time from what i've read. The treatment can sometimes be expensive so maybe your doctor is just being conservative since it is between the normal values (albeit it quite close to low on the total side)
 
getafix33 said:
I received some tests back and would like to know if they are in the "normal" range. My Dr seems to think so but symptoms I am experiencing suggest otherwise.

Total Testosterone - 11.3 nmol/l
SHBG - 17.6 nmol/l
Free Testosterone calc - 306.2 pmol/l

TIA
Click to expand...

Your doctor is obviously more qualified to guide, but if I look at my Dec 2024 Annual full blood screen, the testosterone levels were (54 yo):

Total - 16.1
Under 8, possible candidate for therapy
8-12 if symptomatic doctor to advise, may benefit from therapy
12 or more is normal

SHBG - 27.5

Free Testosterone - 370
Above 250 is regarded as normal
 
Get a second opinion from another doctor.

What did you AI say?
" your levels are within the reference range, on the lower end. Symptoms like fatigue, low libido, brain fog, or mood changes may still indicate suboptimal testosterone for your body"
 
Last edited:
getafix33 said:
I received some tests back and would like to know if they are in the "normal" range. My Dr seems to think so but symptoms I am experiencing suggest otherwise.

Total Testosterone - 11.3 nmol/l
SHBG - 17.6 nmol/l
Free Testosterone calc - 306.2 pmol/l

TIA
Click to expand...
Your doc knows that these are low levels, but the alternative to what he advised you is lifelong TRT which is a pain in the ass (literally).

Testosterone levels aren't a one size fits all. Some men experience low T symptoms wit blood levels where other men might still get raging boners and feel pretty good.

Like others said If you're overweight and your diet needs work, that will be a major factor.

Good natural T booster supps: ZMA at night, Tongkat Ali/Longjack and Ashwaganda in the morning. You'll be waking up with boners again...
 
Sensorei said:
Your doc knows that these are low levels, but the alternative to what he advised you is lifelong TRT which is a pain in the ass (literally).

Testosterone levels aren't a one size fits all. Some men experience low T symptoms wit blood levels where other men might still get raging boners and feel pretty good.

Like others said If you're overweight and your diet needs work, that will be a major factor.

Good natural T booster supps: ZMA at night, Tongkat Ali/Longjack and Ashwaganda in the morning. You'll be waking up with boners again...
Click to expand...
Yeah if it came to medically, lab researched product from big pharma that involves expensive injections in the a** that are painful vs a plant-based vegetarian extract I will gladly take the injection every day lol.

That stuff you posted is 1.5 steps away from waving a wand and saying hocus pocus top get your testosterone levels up :ROFL:
 
neoprema said:
Yeah if it came to medically, lab researched product from big pharma that involves expensive injections in the a** that are painful vs a plant-based vegetarian extract I will gladly take the injection every day lol.

That stuff you posted is 1.5 steps away from waving a wand and saying hocus pocus top get your testosterone levels up :ROFL:
Click to expand...
All studies from the National Library of Medicine (Pubmed):

Tongkat Ali 6 months double blind study - Improved testosterone

Tongkat Ali meta-study - Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Ashwagandha - Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha in Aging, Overweight Males - "Ashwagandha intake was associated with 14.7% greater increase in testosterone"

Ashwagandha on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males- : A randomized controlled trial - "It was also associated with a statistically significant increase in serum testosterone levels"

"These findings suggest that ashwagandha demonstrated a significant subjective perception of sexual well‐being and assisted in increasing serum testosterone levels in the participants."


Get back in your hole, troll....
 
getafix33 said:
I received some tests back and would like to know if they are in the "normal" range. My Dr seems to think so but symptoms I am experiencing suggest otherwise.

Total Testosterone - 11.3 nmol/l
SHBG - 17.6 nmol/l
Free Testosterone calc - 306.2 pmol/l

TIA
Click to expand...

Looks "normal". However, one persons normal is not anothers, which is why the range for normal is so high. Some people can get and feel really good on lower ranges, others on higher. For your age, I would say this isnt bad, but this is why a good HRT clinic (which SA lacks) will guide you. A normal GP in my experience is just not equipped (and shouldnt be expected to be) to effectively deal with this.
Even when trying to say "optimal", its difficult and is dealt with on a case by case basis.
Did they test E2 as well?

If you are considering HRT, I would strongly suggest testing other items like lypids, E2, prostate before considering jumping on.
There are likely many factors to try to alleviate your symptoms before HRT as well.

Also worth considering, if you go on HRT, your chances of recovering natural production will diminish the longer you are on and with your age, so it is probably a life long commitment / decision.
 
syntax said:
Looks "normal". However, one persons normal is not anothers, which is why the range for normal is so high. Some people can get and feel really good on lower ranges, others on higher. For your age, I would say this isnt bad, but this is why a good HRT clinic (which SA lacks) will guide you. A normal GP in my experience is just not equipped (and shouldnt be expected to be) to effectively deal with this.
Even when trying to say "optimal", its difficult and is dealt with on a case by case basis.
Did they test E2 as well?

If you are considering HRT, I would strongly suggest testing other items like lypids, E2, prostate before considering jumping on.
There are likely many factors to try to alleviate your symptoms before HRT as well.

Also worth considering, if you go on HRT, your chances of recovering natural production will diminish the longer you are on and with your age, so it is probably a life long commitment / decision.
Click to expand...
I think I mentioned on the other testosterone, had no apparent symptoms but mine was lower than the lower end of the range, as I noted DR popped me on estrogen blockers.

Reason I tested in the first place was kicking gyms ass and didnt note gains as fast as I would have anticipated.
 
Sensorei said:
All studies from the National Library of Medicine (Pubmed):

Tongkat Ali 6 months double blind study - Improved testosterone

Tongkat Ali meta-study - Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Ashwagandha - Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha in Aging, Overweight Males - "Ashwagandha intake was associated with 14.7% greater increase in testosterone"

Ashwagandha on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males- : A randomized controlled trial - "It was also associated with a statistically significant increase in serum testosterone levels"

"These findings suggest that ashwagandha demonstrated a significant subjective perception of sexual well‐being and assisted in increasing serum testosterone levels in the participants."


Get back in your hole, troll....
Click to expand...
Look I had a earlier issue which seemed to be testosterone related. I suddenly suffered hairloss and slow hair growth ( I'm quite a hairy chap ). Basically , abnormal for me large amounts of hair in the bath and my beard ( which is large and thick ) seemed to just stop growing. I trim it with hair clippers due to strength and growth but suddenly it stopped needing a trim for months?

So I spoke to my doc who said look, some males hit a point and have this type of sudden swing but the only way to be sure is a full blood test however the treatment is permanent injections as well as other complications because with the injections, your body actually slows down or stops producing it more.

A work colleague suggested the Tongkat Ali but I am as wary of the next of herbals etc. I did some reading and the various studies seemed to indicate at worse it would do no harm and folks have had improvement. So I bought some in Nov last year and I take a low dose, just one tab vs the daily 3. It has seemed to help as both the symptoms I mentioned have stopped. I'll be doing my full battery of bloods later this year and that will include a testosterone test this year as well as the normal prostrate blood screen etc and others. I already take some medication and a supplement for Omega3 so to add another small daily one is nothing and it seemed to work for me.

All I'm saying , is don't knock it. I would rather take something supplemental/dietary than do the hard permanent medication route. If I need it down the line, sure but for now, happy with this.
 
getafix33 said:
I received some tests back and would like to know if they are in the "normal" range. My Dr seems to think so but symptoms I am experiencing suggest otherwise.

Total Testosterone - 11.3 nmol/l
SHBG - 17.6 nmol/l
Free Testosterone calc - 306.2 pmol/l

TIA
Click to expand...
What are the symptoms? I'm curious what led you to do a hormone test.
 
If you have symptoms like fatigue, irritability etc. then speak to your GP. Do more than 1 test.
Don't talk to endocrinologists because they are all stuck in the past.
Endocrinologists will only ask, does your junk work? if yes then go away.
After charging you 2 grand for a 15min consultation.

There are daily gels you apply to shoulders. Don't accept the long-term injections. Nebido the worst of these types.
Gels are closest to what your body naturally does. Local Pharmacies can get Androgel or Testogel.
 
MikeaMatrix said:
There are daily gels you apply to shoulders. Don't accept the long-term injections. Nebido the worst of these types.#
Click to expand...
Agree on nebido, it was the go to subscription for HRT, but is no longer favoured in treatments

MikeaMatrix said:
Gels are closest to what your body naturally does. Local Pharmacies can get Androgel or Testogel.
Click to expand...
Depends what you mean by closest. Its all exogenous test, so none of it is that different except the breakdown and bioavailability of it. Its all just test though.
Gels can have issues with absorption as well as unintended contact with other people or pets. They could be considered "easier" but you cant guarantee what you will absorb, what you will not or lose and you can only use so much gel.

Injections arent that bad, but it depends on the individual. Ive used gear in the past and use TRT now. Gear can become a pain due to the higher amounts and harpoon pins, but HRT can use insulin pins done Subq, you can get really stable levels, takes about a minute to do, isnt painful and you can administer the exact dose you are looking for.

In saying this I have not used gels, so this is based on reading and experiences I have heard from others who have tried. I think the most important thing is regular blood work, getting to the right level with the minimum amount of hormone introduction and staying healthy. It doesnt really matter if it is done with a gel or pinning
 
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