Age 38, some ED due to apathy, very low sex drive, depression ...

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have been suffering the above symptoms for the better part of a

year. When I went to the urologist, he gave me the thyroid test and

testosterone came back at 460, against a normal range of 300-1100, and

I was deemed " normal. " Great - except that I don't really get horny.

I've since read alot on this board and other sources that makes me

think that this is way too low for a 38 year old man with these

symptoms. I didn't have a free testosterone test for some reason.

Does anyone have an opinion? I do have anxiety and such so there's

definitely a psychological component to what I experience, regardless

of testosterone.

Also, I'm not really excited about shooting myself with needles. Is

the gel or the patch that I've read about online effective?

Thanks for your thoughts.

bsg.

[Guest guest]

Bsg,

The gels and patches work great for some guys. For others, including

myself, they don't work at all. Some guys on here have had extremely

good luck with pellets; others have had problems with them working

for longer periods. It seems like the best delivery method is a very

individual thing.

You might want to get your pituitary hormones checked out as well,

specifically LH and FSH.

Mark

> Also, I'm not really excited about shooting myself with needles. Is

> the gel or the patch that I've read about online effective?

>

> Thanks for your thoughts.

>

> bsg.

[Guest guest]

Hi bsg,

Low T could definitely cause those symptoms. However, don't

automatically exclude other possible causes. Anxiety and stress

can also cause those symptoms, AND lower testosterone.

Even though your level is " in range " it could be low enough to

cause those symptoms. Too many doctors look at the ranges

instead of the patient. Further tests are needed: at a minimum T,

free T and estradiol. If you find a doctor who understands and

successfully treats hypogonadism, he/she will know what to test.

I suspect you urologist will not be helpful. Many endocrinologists

are also unhelpful, although they can confirm or eliminate

organic causes, such as pituitary tumors. You can save yourself

a lot of grief by finding someone who understands male

hormones, TRT and alternatives to TRT.

Your body is capable of making testosterone, it just isn't making

enough. There are ways to boost your own T production without

TRT, these are worth investigating first. (Again, anxiety reduction

is helpful if you can manage that, but low T makes people more

susceptible to anxiety.)

If that doesn't work, the next step is TRT. Gels and patches are

effective for many, but they shut down natural T production. It

would be likely that you'd then have to continue TRT for the rest of

your life, plus there are fertility issues. If you do go on TRT,

management of is essentual for successful long-term results.

Best,

Bruce

> Hi,

>

> I have been suffering the above symptoms for the better part of

a

> year. When I went to the urologist, he gave me the thyroid test

and

> testosterone came back at 460, against a normal range of

300-1100, and

> I was deemed " normal. " Great - except that I don't really get

horny.

> I've since read alot on this board and other sources that

makes me

> think that this is way too low for a 38 year old man with these

> symptoms. I didn't have a free testosterone test for some

reason.

> Does anyone have an opinion? I do have anxiety and such so

there's

> definitely a psychological component to what I experience,

regardless

> of testosterone.

>

> Also, I'm not really excited about shooting myself with needles.

Is

> the gel or the patch that I've read about online effective?

>

> Thanks for your thoughts.

>

> bsg.

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 03:06:40 -0000, you wrote:

>Hi,

>

>I have been suffering the above symptoms for the better part of a

>year. When I went to the urologist, he gave me the thyroid test and

>testosterone came back at 460, against a normal range of 300-1100, and

>I was deemed " normal. " Great - except that I don't really get horny.

> I've since read alot on this board and other sources that makes me

>think that this is way too low for a 38 year old man with these

>symptoms. I didn't have a free testosterone test for some reason.

>Does anyone have an opinion? I do have anxiety and such so there's

>definitely a psychological component to what I experience, regardless

>of testosterone.

>

>Also, I'm not really excited about shooting myself with needles. Is

>the gel or the patch that I've read about online effective?

>

>Thanks for your thoughts.

Was the 460 an early morning or afternoon test?

460 is not all that low. Especially for a late in the day test.

Look in the links section for the chart on age and testosterone

levels.

Shots or gel will stop all this natural production and you will be

replacing it for life.

I'd consider getting the free T test, estradiol (E2) and total

estrogen. (High E can cause these kinds of problems as well.

Particularly if you're over weight.)

Look in the links and file section for the arimidex studies. Arimidex

has been show to boost T levels about 200 to 300 points. (But you have

to be careful it doesn't lower E2 too much.) This might be a better

solution.

And it sounds like you might be thinking of self-medicating. I think

self-medicating with T is a road to disaster. IMHO.