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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by peacetoy on November 18, 2005, at 7:24:39
Hi, I'd just like to get some opinions on the testosterone levels I've just had checked.
Plasma testosterone level was 9.7 nmol/l (equivalent to 279 ng/dl). A "normal range" of 8.4 - 28.7 was quoted, so I'm at the very low end of normal. I'm in my late 30s, so I think my levels should be considerably higher.
I've been suffering from fairly severe depression for the past year that's been largely resistant to medication, as well as a very low libido. I'm encouraged by this recent trial that suggests testosterone's usefulness in depression:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12505808&query_hl=3Any opinions/experiences?
Posted by jamestheyonger on November 18, 2005, at 10:23:52
In reply to testosterone levels, posted by peacetoy on November 18, 2005, at 7:24:39
Assuming you are male, 300 ng/dl is the low end of the normal scale for males. T is highest in the AM, best to take the test then.
Mine was at 300 ng/dl in the AM and my primary care doc is open to supplementing it once we get my lipids under control.
There are a few small studies that indicate T can be low for both sexes that are on AD's or depressed.
Posted by Jedi on November 19, 2005, at 16:23:24
In reply to testosterone levels, posted by peacetoy on November 18, 2005, at 7:24:39
> Hi, I'd just like to get some opinions on the testosterone levels I've just had checked.
>
Peacetoy,
If you're not already doing it, I would get a complete check up by a urologist or endocrinologist. There are many causes of low testosterone. Diseases of the hypothalamus, pituitary, or gonads can be involved. Or there can be no known explanation. A good short overview is at: http://www.urologychannel.com/testosteronedeficiency/index.shtml
Since many antidepressant medications have sexual side effects, these medications combined with a low testosterone level can lead to sexual problems. Many doctors, out of fear of treating with hormones, will tell you that you are in the normal range for adult men. What they don't tell you is that your 279ng/dl is probably in about the 5th to 10th percentile on the bell shaped curve.
Good Luck,
Jedi
Posted by alohashirt on November 19, 2005, at 23:22:08
In reply to testosterone levels, posted by peacetoy on November 18, 2005, at 7:24:39
> Hi, I'd just like to get some opinions on the testosterone levels I've just had checked.
>
> Plasma testosterone level was 9.7 nmol/l (equivalent to 279 ng/dl). A "normal range" of 8.4 - 28.7 was quoted, so I'm at the very low end of normal. I'm in my late 30s, so I think my levels should be considerably higher.
>
> I've been suffering from fairly severe depression for the past year that's been largely resistant to medication, as well as a very low libido. I'm encouraged by this recent trial that suggests testosterone's usefulness in depression:
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12505808&query_hl=3My experience - a routine physical showed 243 ng/dl - my internist took a second blood sample for further testing and then offered to give me a supplemental testosterone injection to see how that felt. I took him up on his offer. About an hour later I am walking down 5th Ave and a young woman smiles at me, holds eye contact and I suddenly felt 20 years younger. A block later it happens again. On the subway a man,a nd then a woman say hello to me. I wander into work feeling robust and bouncy on my feet.
Further tests showed a non-primary deficiency caused by pituitary producing insufficient signals for the testes. I continued the supplementation and it has proven very beneficial. I am stronger, less flab, more muscle, physically confident no rage or anger. Only side effect is a slight blushing appearanc eon face and neck.
Posted by Declan on November 20, 2005, at 13:58:43
In reply to testosterone levels, posted by peacetoy on November 18, 2005, at 7:24:39
So your plasma testosterone level was 279. Is that the free testosterone level? Anyway both are important. I see a nutritional doctor who's pretty good and we spend hours looking at my complete homone profiles measured over the years and trying to follow the pathways you'd have seen on those diagrams, and trying to relate the measured levels to supplementation received. Anyway I take slow release bioidentical testosterone capsules. They've had a noticeable impact, mainly making me feel healthier/younger. It's complicated stuff though.
Declan
Posted by Iansf on November 20, 2005, at 18:58:35
In reply to Re: testosterone levels, posted by Declan on November 20, 2005, at 13:58:43
Anyway I take slow release bioidentical testosterone capsules. They've had a noticeable impact, mainly making me feel healthier/younger. It's complicated stuff though.
> Declan
>>I didn't realize you could buy slow release bioidentical testosterone capsules. i thought the only options were injection or skin patches. I've never heard of a pill form.
Posted by Declan on November 20, 2005, at 20:24:35
In reply to Re: testosterone levels » Declan, posted by Iansf on November 20, 2005, at 18:58:35
Hi, it's compounded in the pharmacy. There are also creams (which aren't well absorbed) and implants (which are invasive and irreversable) and troches (which give a big spike in blood levels). As you say there are patches which in the heat become irritant, or so I've heard. The drawback to the capsules is that most of the testosterone is catabolised by the liver and is a strain on it perhaps, and the expense.
Declan
Posted by alohashirt on November 20, 2005, at 20:46:36
In reply to Re: testosterone levels » Declan, posted by Iansf on November 20, 2005, at 18:58:35
> Anyway I take slow release bioidentical testosterone capsules. They've had a noticeable impact, mainly making me feel healthier/younger. It's complicated stuff though.
> > Declan
> >>
>
> I didn't realize you could buy slow release bioidentical testosterone capsules. i thought the only options were injection or skin patches. I've never heard of a pill form.
>
There are many options. Unfortunaterly most US doctors are pretty ignorant of testosterone deficiency. Those doctors who have many AIDS patients will have experience with using testosterone to combat muscle wasting. Some choices::,
1) injection of testosterone. Many different forms,
2) Injection of other steroids,
3) testosterone gel applied to body (Testim),
4) patch applied to scrotum,
5) "buccal" plug that sits on gum under lip for 12 hours,
6) implant that sits under skin for six months ,
7) injections of a pituitary product that stimulates testes to prodyce testosterone,
8) methyl testosterone capsules,
9) bunch of herbal stuff (tribulus etc) that allegedly/questionably increase testosterone production
This is the end of the thread.
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