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Suggest Treatment For Low Testosterone Levels

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Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014
Question: Hi there, I have just had my testosterone tested and the results came back pretty low but just within tolerance. (11.8 nmol/L recommend is 10 -35) would this low testosterone warrent me getting some kind of patch or cream? I'm 23 years old aand have a perfect diet and train hard with proper rest days. 

I have attached the results
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Testosterone

Detailed Answer:
I have reviewed the attached report.

Most endocrinologists worldwide would consider this level as not being abnormal.

Many would also like to know the Free Testosterone levels which is a separate blood test. The method used to measure Free Testosterone is also very important. If it is not Equilibrium Dialysis then the result is not reliable.
In that case, free testosterone can also be estimated indirectly by measuring serum Albumin, SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) and Total testosterone.

Various laboratories have varying cut offs for free testosterone but generally 5.7 to 6.5 ng/dl is considered a lower limit of normal.

As much as Endocrinology is a science of numbers, it also requires considerable clinical perspective. This means that examining the patient and getting detailed history completes the picture.

For example, testosterone whether it is free or total , is best drawn early in the morning. Fasting is not necessary. The reason for this is that as the day progresses testosterone levels in the blood start to fall normally. So if your sample was taken later in the day then these levels only appear on the lower side when in reality the correct measurement is supposed to be in the morning.

But if you want a simple answer to your question , then I would say that an Endocrinologist would most likely be unwilling to prescribe testosterone to you on the basis of this one blood test result.
Unless the free testosterone levels are found to be low, especially with some physical examination findings (such as small testicle size) then further consideration would be given to more evaluation such as more blood tests for
Prolactin
FSH
LH
Karyotype
Ferritin

These are just examples of the kind of possible tests that can be considered.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (14 hours later)
ok I get that, so for myself I'm trying to put on more muscle and loss what looks to be like puppy fat which sits around my belly.

I train hard and eat will I'm just having trouble losing that weight, is there anything I can take to give me that edge to achieve my goal and with this kinda low testosterone will tjis impact with muscle gains?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
I understand what you are saying.

I noticed that your TSH on the attached blood test appears normal. So your thyroid function seems ok.

There are couple other hormonal conditions that can cause fat accumulation in the midriff area.
One is called Acromegaly and the other is Cushing's syndrome. Both these are rare conditions and testing for them can be expensive and challenging to interpret.
It is best that an Endocrinologist examines you and decides whether or not to proceed with testing for these.
This testosterone is not low enough to cause problems with muscle gain. But as I said earlier, free testosterone (measured correctly, or calculated indirectly) is the true measure of the body's testosterone activity.

There is no specific hormonal treatment I would recommend at this point.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Low Testosterone Levels

Brief Answer: Testosterone Detailed Answer: I have reviewed the attached report. Most endocrinologists worldwide would consider this level as not being abnormal. Many would also like to know the Free Testosterone levels which is a separate blood test. The method used to measure Free Testosterone is also very important. If it is not Equilibrium Dialysis then the result is not reliable. In that case, free testosterone can also be estimated indirectly by measuring serum Albumin, SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) and Total testosterone. Various laboratories have varying cut offs for free testosterone but generally 5.7 to 6.5 ng/dl is considered a lower limit of normal. As much as Endocrinology is a science of numbers, it also requires considerable clinical perspective. This means that examining the patient and getting detailed history completes the picture. For example, testosterone whether it is free or total , is best drawn early in the morning. Fasting is not necessary. The reason for this is that as the day progresses testosterone levels in the blood start to fall normally. So if your sample was taken later in the day then these levels only appear on the lower side when in reality the correct measurement is supposed to be in the morning. But if you want a simple answer to your question , then I would say that an Endocrinologist would most likely be unwilling to prescribe testosterone to you on the basis of this one blood test result. Unless the free testosterone levels are found to be low, especially with some physical examination findings (such as small testicle size) then further consideration would be given to more evaluation such as more blood tests for Prolactin FSH LH Karyotype Ferritin These are just examples of the kind of possible tests that can be considered.