I am 41, 5’ 8" and weigh 240. I was 200lbs in February 2014 and this time last year, 215lbs. I started to carry visceral fat more noticeable than ever, not much in the way of subcutaneous. Started having a hard time maintaining an erection, was tired, have insomnia, moody and really started struggling with building muscle which is why I went to have my testosterone levels checked.
In 2011 I had pain in the right testicle so severe that it hurt to sit and walking was unbearable. I had an ultrasound and saw two urologist who couldn’t give a diagnosis but it subsided in a couple of weeks. Every once it a while I’ll have a pain or dull ache but it doesn’t last very long. I’ve always been in good health and I’ve got back into lifting for the last two years.
I lift three days a week for usually 1-1 1/2 hrs each session. My strength has steadily increased but knee and lower back injuries hampers my squat and deadlift.
Had blood work done on 12/24/14
Total test: 184 ng/DL (340-1050)
Free test: 3.7 ng/DL (9-15)
SHBG: can’t remember
Put on androgel 1% @ 2 pumps daily. Felt better for 2 weeks and then felt worse. Androgel 1% was discontinued so, I went back after 1 month and the doc did more tests.
Total test: 113 ng/dl (340-1050)
Free test: 5.3 ng/dl (9-15)
SHBG: can’t remember
Was put on androgel 1.62% @ 2 pumps daily and told to come back in a month. Got another round of tests after 6 weeks.
Total test: 187 ng/dl (340-1050)
Free test: 4.5 ng/dl (340-1050)
I was starting to get frustrated by then cause the androgel wasn’t working and was told estrogen wasn’t a problem and no need to test it. Androgel was increased to 3 pumps daily and was referred to an endocrinologist. The Endo is really an Endo but a PA and got all suspicious when I asked about injections and asked about clomid to help restore testicle size. He said I wasn’t at that point yet. Said testicle size was "appropriate " to which I said, not for me it isn’t. He ordered more tests since my primary didn’t send prior test results in time.
Free test: 123 ng/dl (250-1100)
Free test: 24.6 pg/dl (46-224)
Bioavailable: 50.5 ng/dl (110-575)
Albumin: 4.5 g/dl (3.6-5.1)
SBH: 16 nmol/l (10-50)
Prolactin: 5.2 ng/ml (1.8-14.4)
FSH: 0.7 miu/ml (2-17.7)
LH: <0.2 miu/ml (.9-10.6)
I was put on injections of 200mg of cypionate very 2 weeks, have had 2 injections thus far and feel slightly better until 4-5 days before the next injection. I wanted to question the endo about the LH results but he wasn’t in the office. I was told over the phone that the pituitary hormones were "appropriate " but I don’t see how a <0.2 is "appropriate ". I work in a lab and I know what a “less than” result means. I have an appointment scheduled for in the morning to see a different md at my primary physicians office. I’m tired of dealing with not getting any help and getting treated like I’m just want to get on gear for recreational purposes. I even went so far as to complain to the medical center the endo works for because of the “appropriate” test results and was told I couldn’t see another doctor but feel free to go somewhere else.
Any help, additional info or knowledge of good doctors in the triad area of NC would be appreciated.