r/Testosterone • u/Turbulent-Bus-7877 • 2d ago

TRT help Apparently normal Testosterone levels but unquestionable symptoms

I’m 40 and have repeatedly tested with normal testosterone—usually around 17 nmol/L reference (8-30), free testosterone 378pmol/lL reference (150-700), shbg 29—but have lifelong signs and symptoms of low testosterone: low libido, very limited body hair, late and incomplete secondary development, and a much younger-looking appearance. Normal chromosomes, below normal testicle size. Lh-6, fsh-16,

Has anyone experienced this despite normal blood testosterone? Could reduced androgen sensitivity explain it, its like my cells can't use the testosterone. Would a reproductive urologist/andrologist be the right specialist to investigate it? Went to an endocrinologist and he dismissed my chronic symptoms and said im fine because my blood t levels are normal.

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u/lawrencep93 2d ago

Similar to me but I had higher fsh and lh levels got on trt and life has changed so many chronic health conditions also have reversed it's been crazy how under diagnosed people are with this sort of levels but small testicles and high lh and fsh.

Get a trt clinic who will treat you and aim for above the lab range for total and free test if you are in a similar position to me

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u/Turbulent-Bus-7877 2d ago

That sounds promising mate. I’m in Australia—how did you go about finding a TRT clinic willing to treat you with testosterone already in the normal range? I didn't know trt clinics existed, I thought my options were through an endo providing my levels were lower than normal range or getting online.

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u/lawrencep93 2d ago

Boost health group will script you right away

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u/Turbulent-Bus-7877 2d ago

What country are you from? I've done some research and apparently it's illegal in Australia to get prescribed trt if above what's considered normal, even with hypogonadism

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u/lawrencep93 2d ago

No that's wrong who told you that is an idiot many trt clinics in Australia will script at under 400 free test and symptoms just many doctors are fucked lefty idiots

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u/SubstanceEasy4576 2d ago

Hi,

Sorry to hear you've been having some problems.

The blood results mostly suggest that a fertility disorder is likely. The majority of men with FSH levels around 16 (assuming not a typo) have impaired fertility, although not all. The most frequent cause for a 40 year old to have this type of FSH level is a testicular disorder impairing sperm production, which can cause compensatory FSH elevation. Low testicular volume is also correlated with impaired sperm production, but not testosterone levels. If you don't have children, semen analysis can be used to assess fertility - if this is relevant.

Lifelong low libido, low body hair and young-looking appearance aren't likely to be related to the testosterone levels, both total and free around are at typical levels for your age. Body hair distribution is affected by your own unique genetics (so can be very different to your father), and libido varies massively between men.

The impact of TRT on your sexual characteristics at this stage would be inducing gradual testicular atrophy. Testicular atrophy on TRT increases over time as the testes no longer receive hormonal stimulation. After a while, they are often left like small grapes or dates. TRT does not increase penis size in this type of situation.

Trials of TRT specifically for low libido in men with normal testosterone levels can be considered in special cases, if the potential risks are acceptable eg. large decrease in fertility on treatment, testicular atrophy, difficulty sropping etc.

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u/Turbulent-Bus-7877 1d ago

Thanks for your response, this clears things up regarding what route to take. Yes my sperm count was low (22 million total) but I managed to get my partner pregnant and now have a 7 month old son. I will accept this young look and the way I am.

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u/SubstanceEasy4576 1d ago

You're welcome. That's great about the pregnancy. Honestly, I used to not like being young looking. I felt it was un-manly (or something). I then aged massively over the last few years and realised I should have appreciated things more in the past. A lot of guys post on forums not due to a testosterone/hormonal disorder, but due to perceived lack of certain stereotypically masculine traits, which is causing them to feel something is wrong with them. Individual characteristics are relabelled as potential signs of a hormonal disorder. There isn't anyone apart from TRT clinics who is benefiting from this ideology.

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u/CastleSF 2d ago

You are 40 and worried about " limited body hair"? Maybe you should look at your diet and exercise and quality of sleep and stop being fixated on your testosterone level.

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u/Turbulent-Bus-7877 2d ago

I'm not worried about limited body hair, I'm suffering from all the symptoms of low testosterone, I have been lifting weights consistently since I was 16, im 175cm tall, and 89kg with low body fat. I get plenty of sleep, my diet is great. Someone has just pointed out that people are prescribed trt if below 400, which I am. This is obviously why I am getting symptoms and for the first time some clarity. I served in 6RAR and 8/9RAR as a rifleman from the age of 21-36, so for you to say get some sleep, look at your diet. . . Im fixated on constant chronic exhaustion and low libido, flat moods, dispite doing everything within my power to turn it around.

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