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low testosterone

im a 22 year old male 6 ft. i think i have low testosterone because i have very low muscle mass skinny wrists and quite small hands i have been on weight lifting programs for months and done the diet but no results. my arms look like a young boys. i also have little facial hair. i really think i have some sort of hormone defiencey but i dont know what to do. i feel quite embarrassed to tell the doctor
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Avatar universal

    Hello,  As someone that works within the medical arena, I can tell you that your complaint is not that uncommon.  There is no need to be embarrassed talking with your doctor about your concerns with testosterone deficiency.  The doctor will run a simple blood test to check your testosterone and other hormone levels. This will quickly tell them (and you) if there is a treatable issue or not.  

Best of luck!
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Avatar universal
Hi,
   I am not a doctor, or from the medical field, but, for your age, please do not go for any Hormone Replacement Therapy, unless advised by an expert Endocrinologist after proper evaluation of your hormone levels, as blind HRT treatment may lead to non reversible health consequences.Why do n't you talk to another Endo, if the one you met, you feel, did not listen to you?
Solace    
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Avatar universal
they didn't check my levels
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Avatar universal

I would go to amazon.com to buy you DHEA unless you have a reliable health food store in your area.  The brands I prefer are: Pure, Natrol, and Swanson. As far as using androforte testosterone cream, have not known anyone that has had positive results with it so I cannot endorse it. By the way when they checked your "T" levels did they also check you estrogen levels? (yes, men have estrogen in small quantities).  If your levels are high in ratio to your "T" levels that can cause some of the problems you are having.
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Avatar universal
i have used androforte testosterone cream which i think is bioidentical testosterone and i didn't notice any muscle change when working out. is dhea the same as androforte in that it is made by bioindentical hormones
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Avatar universal
do you know which are the most reliable dhea manufactures and the best dhea
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Avatar universal
Hi Niko

   Actually, there is quite a bit of literature on the benefits of DHEA. The "catch 22" is that any makers of DHEA cannot make any solid claims when it is sold as a supplement.  If they do it opens the door for government medical boards to regulate it and cause a legal hassle. So when you go to any vitamin store and carefully read the labels on any supplement, note that they won't make any solid claims like prescription medicines do. I can think of a couple dozen patients that benefited from DHEA for muscle strength and size when added to there current exercise routines. It is worth a try in my humble opinion.  Now, with regards to your second comment about aching muscles; I do not know your routine or frequency but here are a couple of basic guidelines that my professional trainer gave me. First, For muscle growth and strength, no muscle group should be worked more than three times a week with at least on day rest in between. All workouts should NOT exceed 60 min.a day, and be sure to drink fluids throughout the workout to avoid dehydration, muscle cramps and stiffness.  An example of an average workout would be; 3 sets of 8-12 reps with one min. rest between sets. If you cannot do three sets of 8, reduce the weight until you can. If you can do more than 3 sets of 15 then slowly increase weight until you back to the 8-9 rep point again. Use this as a guideline as you work each muscle group. My typical workweek is: Upper body on Mon, Wed, Fri. and lower body and stomach on Tues., Thurs, Sat.  As always, drink plenty of fluid (not soda) and workouts to help reduce soreness and fatigue.  Remember, the biggest muscle growth day is "rest" day after the workout.  

Let me know if you need any further help
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Avatar universal
i read that there is no evidence that DHEA increases muscle growth. which is my main concern having underdeveloped muscles. no matter how much i workout my muscles wont seem to grow. all i get after workouts is aching muscles where i cant even straighten my arms because they stiff and aching that much
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Avatar universal

For what it is worth ZMA will not do much of anything for your "T" levels. However, some people find that if taken at bed time it helps them sleep (because of the zinc and magnesium).  I do think DHEA is worth a try as it is directed at increasing "t" levels in men. Just remember not to exceed the recommended dose as it can cause acne and sweating.  

Best of luck.
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Avatar universal

For what it is worth ZMA will not do much of anything for your "T" levels. However, some people find that if taken at bed time it helps them sleep (because of the zinc and magnesium).  I do think DHEA is worth a try as it is directed at increasing "t" levels in men. Just remember not to exceed the recommended dose as it can cause acne and sweating.  

Best of luck.
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Avatar universal
yeah i seen the doctor and he said there is not enough evidence to order a test. he said it's just the way im built even though i told him i lift heavy weights and still have low underdeveloped muscles. for some reason here in the uk doctors are reluctant to test for low T. I did try zma once but that didn't do much
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Avatar universal
Sorry for the delay responding to your comment.  Although low testosterone is not as common in younger males, it does happen.  If you get a doctor that will not run a blood test, I am not sure what recourse you have in the UK.  If all else fails, you can try buying DHEA over the counter at a vitamin or health food store (time released if possible).  DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and can help raise your levels. Be advised that you do not want to exceed the recommendations on the bottle (typically 25mg is the norm) as you can cause an increase in acne and sweating. Read up on DHEA at trustworthy websites to become better informed on the pro's and con's of this supplement.

Good luck!    
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Avatar universal
is it common for a 22 year old to complain about having low t. i think the dr will look at my age and say im to young to have low t and not order a blood test. also im from the uk so i dont know if they have the same simple approach for low t as they do in the usa
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1622896 tn?1562364967
COMMUNITY LEADER

      Hi i am built like you it never stopped me from doing anything i do have {Low Testosterone} it  never stopped me from having children either Chill lol Take Care ....Bob
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