Low Natural Test-20 years old

[ScottMcD1]

Hey guys and gals I've got an issue and I'm hoping I can get some insight onto it. I recently got my test levels looked into because I felt like something was amiss(low sex drive, lethargic, depression, trouble with muscle mass vs body fat etc). I had to have a lengthy conversation with my doctor to even do the test because of my age, and I asked for total free and a few other factors but they only did total.

For quick stats I'm 20 years old about 210 lbs currently. Bodyfat untested but I could wear size 32 pants if my legs still fit in them haha. Nothing special by far but people know I lift. Never used AAS or pro hormones, diet is 6 meals a day high protein moderate fats and moderate/low carbs.

Results came back with a total level of 281 ng/dl in a 262-1593 range. He saw no problem with this because I fit the range while I on the other hand am very upset. A 20 year old healthy male shouldn't just be skating by at the bottom right?

What I'm currently interested in is people's thoughts on what my next steps of action should be. Another opinion, retest, HRT(I'd like to keep this as a 3rd or later option), anything.

Thanks anyone who takes the time to help me out

 

[ScottMcD1]

And to add. I hope this didn't come across as a young guy trying to get on AAS or something. Quality of life is top priority and the fact that it's holding back bodybuilding most likely as well doesn't sit too kindly with me. I won't be back till this afternoon if anyone has questions that need to be answered but anything people need to know to help will get answered eventually.

 

[pesty4077]

Alot of things could be driving your test levels down. Did you eat within 12 hours of testing? Also stress decreases test levels, not to mention not eating correctly. It never hurts to get a second opinion.

 

[engbulldog]

hey bro , I'm going through the same thing right now so far my Endrocrinologist has done 4 blood samples two readings were low the third was at the bottom end of the scale and the last i will find out next week but he has told me it could be the protien that i'm on but he will look at the results and he is going to write a scrip for test gel or somthing like that but to the point in most cases it is stress at 20yrs all i could think about was sex now 13 yrs later all i think about is a nap!!!! This might not be what you are looking for but your not alone and it will get better

 

[Mutation]

When I was 20, my levels were always around 600. I was upset because it was not at the high end of the spectrum. So, I can imagine how you feel being all the way at the bottom.

Now I have alot of friends who have been given the "patch". One even threw on 15lb lbm withing a month or two after he started with the patch (he had been lifting for 15 years).

I would get your levels checked again under optimal condition (eating, sleeping...). An endocrynologist will know more about hormone levels than your reg doctor (kind of expensive though). If they are still low think about your options. At 20yrs old, most may tell you to hold off, but if your levels are already low whats the point? Using the patch or gel could make a dramatic difference in your life.

 

[saudades]

Results came back with a total level of 281 ng/dl in a 262-1593 range. He saw no problem with this because I fit the range while I on the other hand am very upset. A 20 year old healthy male shouldn't just be skating by at the bottom right?t

NO, and tell your doctor so. Get another test to confirm that you are at that level. Your doc should have no problem prescribing you HRT if you test out like that consistently. That level is far too low.

Why is it that if you are on the tail end of the bell curve just within the limit they think you are fine? Ironically, if you test on the upper side of the curve but still within the limit, they say to you that you are too high and want to bring you down. Can you say, DOUBLE STANDARD?

At your age if you are testing at borderline low levels, you need HRT. If you doctor won't give it to you, go to another doctor.

 

[ScottMcD1]

Alot of things could be driving your test levels down. Did you eat within 12 hours of testing? Also stress decreases test levels, not to mention not eating correctly. It never hurts to get a second opinion.

I had the test done at around 9:30 AM(woke up at about 8:30) and had my last meal at 10PM the night before as per his suggestion. Diet is pretty good, I train and eat DC style so it's lots of high protein meals and for me tons of veggies and healthy fats added, carbs around training only for the most part because I tend to gain bodyfat too much for my liking . When you say second opinion, do you mean from another doctor about those results or another test?

hey bro , I'm going through the same thing right now so far my Endrocrinologist has done 4 blood samples two readings were low the third was at the bottom end of the scale and the last i will find out next week but he has told me it could be the protien that i'm on but he will look at the results and he is going to write a scrip for test gel or somthing like that but to the point in most cases it is stress at 20yrs all i could think about was sex now 13 yrs later all i think about is a nap!!!! This might not be what you are looking for but your not alone and it will get better

Thanks man.

I would get your levels checked again under optimal condition (eating, sleeping...). An endocrynologist will know more about hormone levels than your reg doctor (kind of expensive though). If they are still low think about your options. At 20yrs old, most may tell you to hold off, but if your levels are already low whats the point? Using the patch or gel could make a dramatic difference in your life.

Could you help define optimal conditions just so I can make sure I'm getting things right if(well likely when) I get retested? I was in my "cruise" period of lifting and had taken about 5 days totally off from the weights and hadn't done cardio for 2 days prior. No supps, got a decent nights sleep, hadn't had sex(darn haha) and I don't really drink at all anyways, that's all I can think of that might effect it off the top of my head.

NO, and tell your doctor so. Get another test to confirm that you are at that level. Your doc should have no problem prescribing you HRT if you test out like that consistently. That level is far too low.

Why is it that if you are on the tail end of the bell curve just within the limit they think you are fine? Ironically, if you test on the upper side of the curve but still within the limit, they say to you that you are too high and want to bring you down. Can you say, DOUBLE STANDARD?

At your age if you are testing at borderline low levels, you need HRT. If you doctor won't give it to you, go to another doctor.

I'm thinking by his reaction to the test and his general attitude when I asked for the test(several times) that he won't be giving me HRT even if I test out low consistently. Are there websites or other ways to find endo's by city/state? I think that would be my best route for finding someone to help me.


Thanks for the responses guys.

 

[cb11mass]

If you haven't already, see an endocronologist. I had the same exact problem my test was at almost the same level. The general doc said it was fine, but my endo did a ton of tests. You should have an MRI done to check for any tumors on any of ur endocrine glands. They should also check your adrenal function.
It turned out i had a microadenoma on my pituitary. Now I am 22yrs old on HRT I feel amazing. The HRT realy improved my quality of life. I have more motivation, more energy, and less anxiety. I overall just feel better.
Go to a specialist and find out what is wrong because your test should not be that low.Then push for HRT once you find out what is wrong.
Also evaluate your lifestyle, are you getting enough sleep, eating enough and propper nutrients. 20 yrs old you may be partying at school... alcohol can lower test.

 

[GoneForever]

Have you ever done any aas or pro hormones? If so at what ages, and what type of cycles, did you do pct?

 

[ScottMcD1]

If you haven't already, see an endocronologist. I had the same exact problem my test was at almost the same level. The general doc said it was fine, but my endo did a ton of tests. You should have an MRI done to check for any tumors on any of ur endocrine glands. They should also check your adrenal function.
It turned out i had a microadenoma on my pituitary. Now I am 22yrs old on HRT I feel amazing. The HRT realy improved my quality of life. I have more motivation, more energy, and less anxiety. I overall just feel better.
Go to a specialist and find out what is wrong because your test should not be that low.Then push for HRT once you find out what is wrong.
Also evaluate your lifestyle, are you getting enough sleep, eating enough and propper nutrients. 20 yrs old you may be partying at school... alcohol can lower test.

Thanks, any suggestion on how I find an endo in my area? I'm at school out of state so I literally don't know any doctors within 200 miles of me you know. Last time I drank alcohol was 3.5 or so months ago so I don't think that's a problem. I get at least 7 hours of sleep every night and mentioned my eating a little while back. I had to track my food for a week and it came out to an average of 3800 calories of 90% good bodybuilding foods. Steak, ground beef, chicken,protein powders, fish oils, olive oil almonds, green veggies till I can't stand them haha.

 

[ScottMcD1]

I'm getting the sense that if my levels are truely this low(with a retest to help prove/deny it) that there isn't really a "natural" way to boost them up and HRT would be the only option. Am I reading the posts correctly?

 

[MilitaryMuscle]

If you haven't already, see an endocronologist. I had the same exact problem my test was at almost the same level. The general doc said it was fine, but my endo did a ton of tests. You should have an MRI done to check for any tumors on any of ur endocrine glands. They should also check your adrenal function.
It turned out i had a microadenoma on my pituitary. Now I am 22yrs old on HRT I feel amazing. The HRT realy improved my quality of life. I have more motivation, more energy, and less anxiety. I overall just feel better.
Go to a specialist and find out what is wrong because your test should not be that low.Then push for HRT once you find out what is wrong.
Also evaluate your lifestyle, are you getting enough sleep, eating enough and propper nutrients. 20 yrs old you may be partying at school... alcohol can lower test.

I have the same thing with my pituitary gland and since being on HRT my life has improved 10 fold. Everyone that knew me knew something was wrong with me because i was totally different than i was before. Messed up Hormones can really mess you up. My levels were a lot lower though(51 @ 20 years old). I picked up about 40 pounds from just a packet of androgel.

I would push for the HRT scott and get retested. If your doc doesnt refer you to an endo (which he should) then i guess search the internet? But your going to have to see an endo most likely and go though the proceadures that cb11mass is talking about.

 

[ScottMcD1]

Thanks MM that seems to be the general consensus so far. I just have to figure out a doctor or if possible an endo around me at school so I don't have to wait a month to get anything done about this.

 

[Massive G]

In general:

I don't know why everybody thinks that they can walk into a docs office and get a script for test if they show low average levels on a blood test.

No doctor is going to prescribe a 19 -21 year old male test with out getting to the key of the problem, especially if that male is a lifter and looks like he has some muscle. I personally wouldn't want to start on HRT at almost a teen age level.

If there is a problem then a good doc (endo) will find it and fix it and not just write a script chaining you for life to HRT.

 

[ScottMcD1]

Have you ever done any aas or pro hormones? If so at what ages, and what type of cycles, did you do pct?

No AAS or prohormones.

In general:

I don't know why everybody thinks that they can walk into a docs office and get a script for test if they show low average levels on a blood test.

No doctor is going to prescribe a 19 -21 year old male test with out getting to the key of the problem, especially if that male is a lifter and looks like he has some muscle. I personally wouldn't want to start on HRT at almost a teen age level.

If there is a problem then a good doc (endo) will find it and fix it and not just write a script chaining you for life to HRT.

Thanks Massive I was hoping you'd see this. I guess my problem is I don't know what the source of the problem is as I've had the same symptoms for years(at least 2-3) but didn't know what was wrong(just figured I felt like shit for no reason). I am getting blood retested and then will ask to be referred to an endo in my area and see if I can fix this one way or another.

And I'm not sure if I mentioned it here or not. I'd love to fix this via some other route and get my natural test up to the middle of the range, HRT to me is hopefully a 3rd or 4th option. I just don't have any experience with this area and need all the suggestions I can get at this point.

 

[Massive G]

And I'm not sure if I mentioned it here or not. I'd love to fix this via some other route and get my natural test up to the middle of the range, HRT to me is hopefully a 3rd or 4th option. I just don't have any experience with this area and need all the suggestions I can get at this point.

there definitely are other options that an endo may use like clomid and HCG and a few other things before they replace it.
Trust me a good endo will go through a gauntlet of blood test to find the problem FSH LH etc etc possibly pit scans etc etc.

Good luck with it.

 

[finny]

Sorry guys, but HRT at 19-20? Did I say crazy?

I mean some might have a problem that is fixable and there is some pre-existing condition but no one in their right mind should consider HRT at this age.

Sometimes I wonder with kids turning to AAS and other things in their mid-teens...

 

[ScottMcD1]

Hey Finny not sure if that was directed at me or the people suggesting things to me. I want to FIX this, whatever way possible and best for me because it absolutely sucks.

 

[finny]

Part to you, part in general.

Yes, I understand that you want to fix it. There has to be a reason behind your low test. If you haven't used anything in the past, then there has to be a good underlying reason and should be fully explored. At your age I wouldn't even consider HRT - just think of the implications. Yeah, it might look cute in the beginning, thinking that it might help build muscle or make you leaner at the same time, but after 20 years of the same thing it might loose its appeal pretty quick, especially if you consider that you might go another 40 years past that.

In general, kids jump on things pretty quickly, without researching anything. They don't even know what pct is until few years later and they come back crying...

Hey Finny not sure if that was directed at me or the people suggesting things to me. I want to FIX this, whatever way possible and best for me because it absolutely sucks.

 

[Phidias]

there definitely are other options that an endo may use like clomid and HCG and a few other things before they replace it.
Trust me a good endo will go through a gauntlet of blood test to find the problem FSH LH etc etc possibly pit scans etc etc.

Straight to the point, MG... as always!

Scott,

Go for another bloodwork, and if you're still in the low range try the methods mentionned in the post above... kinda like if you were on PCT... even before thinking about HRT you have to see if your natural test production can be increased.

An endo's help would of course be ideal, but if u can't find any who seems to care for your problem (justifying himself with the fact your levels may be low but still in the range ), take the appropriate measures on your own AFTER HAVING DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT.

Then, and only then, will you be able to say if you qualify, or not, for test replacement.