Low Testosterone Result-Concerned, Wondering How I Can Confirm, And Track Progress

[ThinJohnny Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ThinJohnny]

Hi guys,

I just got a shocker yesterday. I went for an annual physical, and decided to get my testosterone checked, just out of curiosity. I've always thought I was hornier than all of my friends at all ages, and I was fully expecting a very high reading for my age. The result came back as 392.

The doctor said that's in the normal range, which she said is something like 250 - 1100, but when I got home I found a bunch of sites with tables broken down by age. I don't know if these are reliable sites, but most of them were consistent and listed ~600 as the normal level for someone in their forties.

This was really shocking to me, and at first I thought they were bogus web sites trying to sell testosterone products. But after a while, all the sites seemed to agree, and a couple of them seemed legit.

I have a couple of questions. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated:

1)Has anyone gotten a low reading like this, and later gotten a much higher one, without making any lifestyle changes or introducing supplements? I know time of day matters, and I've read that there are several different types of tests, and that even the ones administered by labs can be unreliable. Does anyone know if this is true?

2)I plan on going to an endocrinologist, and having at least one more test done, but are there any tests I can do myself on a regular basis, that are reliable. I doubt my insurance company will pay for repeated tests, since I'm in the normal range.

3)I was off for a few weeks before taking this test. I visited a bunch of friends and partook in several nights of relatively heavy drinking. I read in post 3 of this thread https://www.pegym.com/forums/gym/496...ne-levels.html, that heavy drinking can beat down your test level. I'm going to refrain from alcohol and test again, but just curious if anyone knows for sure that this can be a significant factor, and if anyone thinks this could be the entire explanation for the low reading.

[Glamissand1 Senior Member Member of the Month March 2014 Find all posts View Profile Close Glamissand1]

It is felt that after orgasm it takes up to 7 days to get your test levels back up to 100%. Try to keep your hands off for a week and see how you test afterwards. If it shows higher then we can start to turn this theory to fact. If you need a natural supplement try Maca to boost test levels.

[ThinJohnny Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ThinJohnny]

Hmmm.... I did ejaculate the night before the test. Maybe that could have affected the result. Thanks for the reply Glamissand1. I'll check out Maca, too. Thanks.

[Glamissand1 Senior Member Member of the Month March 2014 Find all posts View Profile Close Glamissand1]

I forget where I read this but, getting married and having kids lowers our test as natures way of settleing us down. It may not be true but I for one feel tamed down after getting a wife and kids. Went from down right crazy to a sensible citizen and when I say crazy I mean no regard for injury (full superman complex)!

[faithandhope Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close faithandhope]

I forget where I read this but, getting married and having kids lowers our test as natures way of settleing us down. It may not be true but I for one feel tamed down after getting a wife and kids. Went from down right crazy to a sensible citizen and when I say crazy I mean no regard for injury (full superman complex)!

I don't think nature intended upon "marriage", or even fathers caring for their children enough to stop mating.

[Glamissand1 Senior Member Member of the Month March 2014 Find all posts View Profile Close Glamissand1]

You may be correct, it might just be a side effect of being monogamous. That is if the theory is true that we lose test from settling.

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

Test results bounce around like crazy even within the same day. You have no symptoms and are in normal range,

[islander_a Member Find all posts View Profile Close islander_a]

OP, do you lift weights or do any exercise? And I mean regularly, at least 3 times a week, every week? Another factor might be weight - what kind of shape are you in?

If you're really serious about this and want to improve your test levels, I suggest the following. Start exercising regularly, gradually introduce weight lifting, get rid of extra fat and try to build muscle. And I mean really serious weight lifting, nutrition etc. After 6 months or so, go take another test and see what the levels are then. I'm not an expert on this, but I think weight lifting and nutrition play a big part.

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

Again a single test is not relaible. You have a test in the normal range and no issues other than some guys (on the internet for gods sake ) saying it should have been more

[islander_a Member Find all posts View Profile Close islander_a]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there's necessarily anything OP should be worried about. It's just that more testosterone in general seems to do some good, so I mentioned a few points on how one could increase their levels naturally.

[MovingUp Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MovingUp]

I remember the studies done, they showed indeed we lose testosterone for a few years during child birth and early childhood of our children

[CompensatingForMuscleMass Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CompensatingForMuscleMass]

This appears to be total testosterone. It says nothing because free testosterone is the only one available. You could have very little conversion to other hormones like estrogen, which is much better then having high total testosterone and slightly higher free testosterone, but a ton of estrogen to go with it (well, it does give you a nice smooth skin, like me ). This is why the normal range is so big, get a useful test done next time if you actually want to know how "manly" you are, rather then wheter you are healthy. The testosterone test was useless, because it is designed to see if you are healthy. Without any signs that your testosterone is low, this is a useless test to take. I hope your doctor told you so before taking your money.

[Padawan787 Moderator ReservePEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Padawan787]

Hi guys,

I just got a shocker yesterday. I went for an annual physical, and decided to get my testosterone checked, just out of curiosity. I've always thought I was hornier than all of my friends at all ages, and I was fully expecting a very high reading for my age. The result came back as 392.

The doctor said that's in the normal range, which she said is something like 250 - 1100, but when I got home I found a bunch of sites with tables broken down by age. I don't know if these are reliable sites, but most of them were consistent and listed ~600 as the normal level for someone in their forties.

This was really shocking to me, and at first I thought they were bogus web sites trying to sell testosterone products. But after a while, all the sites seemed to agree, and a couple of them seemed legit.

I have a couple of questions. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated:

1)Has anyone gotten a low reading like this, and later gotten a much higher one, without making any lifestyle changes or introducing supplements? I know time of day matters, and I've read that there are several different types of tests, and that even the ones administered by labs can be unreliable. Does anyone know if this is true?

2)I plan on going to an endocrinologist, and having at least one more test done, but are there any tests I can do myself on a regular basis, that are reliable. I doubt my insurance company will pay for repeated tests, since I'm in the normal range.

3)I was off for a few weeks before taking this test. I visited a bunch of friends and partook in several nights of relatively heavy drinking. I read in post 3 of this thread https://www.pegym.com/forums/gym/496...ne-levels.html, that heavy drinking can beat down your test level. I'm going to refrain from alcohol and test again, but just curious if anyone knows for sure that this can be a significant factor, and if anyone thinks this could be the entire explanation for the low reading.

You just missed testosterone week on theartofmanliness.com!

Check these out

Testosterone Week: The Declining Virility of Men and the Importance of T | The Art of Manliness
Testosterone Benefits: Why Testosterone is Important | The Art of Manliness
How Testosterone is Made in Men | The Art of Manliness
Testosterone: What?s a Normal Testosterone Level in Men? | The Art of Manliness
How to Increase Testosterone Naturally | The Art of Manliness

600 is roughly average for a man of 40, but the standard deviation is roughly 200.

Resistance training, proper sleep cycles, healthy fats + cholesterol etc. will all help increase testosterone.

A bit of exercise, a slight change in diet, and better sleep would help you get it up to normal

[ThinJohnny Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ThinJohnny]

Thanks to all of you guys for responding. I haven't been on in a while. Since I originally posted, I got a printed copy of my results with all the details. I have some questions about free testosterone and some of the other numbers on there. I'll dig it up tomorrow and get back on here. Thanks again.

[Looking4more Retired Moderator Member of the Month Feb 2013PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Looking4more]

Hey TJ,
I wouldn't worry too much about your T level. 392 sounds perfectly fine. True, the test can be different depending on when you had it done. It will always be higher first thing in the morning. To answer the questions you originally posted:
1. I have never gotten a low reading then later got a high one. I have gotten consistent low readings, the lowest being about 140. That's a problem!
2. I am not aware of any tests that you can do yourself at home.
3. I am also not familiar to how alcohol affects T levels. I do not drink so I have no first hand knowledge of it. I have read that excess sugar and other things can affect your T levels. If you are concerned then it's a good idea to lay off the alcohol and retest.
There are numerous things you can take to naturally boost T levels. Exercise was mentioned but it works better if it is heavy lifting with large muscle groups such as doing squats. The production of T requires cholesterol so I was taking fermented cod liver oil mixed with butter oil to help mine since my cholesterol is always very low. Almonds and Brazil nuts also seem to help. Maca root also combined with Horny Goat Weed is a good supplement to take as well but if I remember right, you can only take it for a limited time then take a break before taking more. I used to take it before I knew I had low T. If you don't have many of these symptoms, then I wouldn't worry about it. I had all of these: lack of energy, feelings similar to depression, loss of muscle mass, weight gain specifically around mid-section, loss of libido, and in very low cases like mine, back spasms and ED problems. Hope this helps.