Normal Testosterone Levels

[ed1223]

What is considered a "normal" testosterone level for a healthy 45 year old man?  I have been suffering from a variety of symptoms consistent with low testosterone: low sex drive, lack of morning erections, less intensity during ejaculation, less hard erections, irritability, etc..  I had my doctor run blood tests and everything came back normal.  Testosterone was 257 on a scale of 241 - 800.  Doctor says this is normal and will not consider hormone treatments.  The only medication I take is a statin, which has lowered my cholestorol to normal levels.  I am not overweight, nor do I feel depressed.  This has become a major quality of life issue, as my wife is feeling somewhat undeisrable and neglected. I'm not ready to give up on a healthy sex life, but now that my doctor has determined thal all is "normal," I'm not sure what my next step is.  I have unable to find a chart that lists normal testosterone levels by age.  I'm hoping that if I could find some evidence of what I suspect (that my testosterone is indeed low) then I might be able to convince my doctor to consider treating me.  Can you help?

[tegz742]

I've seen that hypothyroid issues can affect Test. levels but not the reverse, Many of these metabolic interactions will take time to settle out and it seems you have a lot happening at once here.
That's an awful lot of weight gain, also. Diet/exercise advice?

[tegz742]

I have a similar scenario. I can get FreeT4 and TSH done [mid range] but T3 and its reverse is out of the question for normal requirements in many places.
I got the book by Dr Durrant -Peatfield and wised up accordingly, but the Docs all just want to believe T4 magic numbers and not get into probably expensive and exploratory areas of secondary hypothyroidism..
I did have a head injury 7 years ago and this was neglected, also.
I've had high BP lethargy, fatigue,sleep problems and lowT the latter now finally being addressed by Endo using creams for now. This is not my ideal solution- but movement in the right direction, at least.

[jasongat]

There is a lot of great information on here. Not that we are all trying to compare level as we all are facing the same issues, however my test level is only 80 right now. I went to my family doc 6 months ago explaining to him the same things we have all said here. 6 months ago my test level was 90, I started injections. 1 shot monthly, did that for the past 4 months and now as of today my level is down to 80. Not good at all. It's not helping and getting very frustrating. Now we are going to try injections twice per month and see how that goes. With a level of only 80, no wonder I can't get myself to do ANYTHING, I feel so tired all the time. Suggestions?

[bas80]

I am a 32 year old male with low testosterone and hypothyroidism and my testosterone at my first test was 298 then about 6 weeks later it was 199. My family Dr, started me on testosterone injections bi-weekly, and at my last test my testosterone is at 478.  

But my thyroid has started to stop working properly and my cholesterol and my triglycerides have both shot to over 300, and on top of that my insulin has declined and I am on medication for that also.  My weight had went from 285 to 360 in about 6 weeks.

I also feel that my bone density has diminished drastically, I just wonder if getting a shot of testosterone weekly would help boost my metabolism and help me shed weight along with getting my thyroid back to a productive level  

[kuhnster]

go see a urologist, I had same problem with family Doc and seen a urologist and now on testosterone replacement. ...been working real well, like an 18 year old again and I feel better. I am 42 years old

[jimc54]

same here

[backpainbutdontcare]

  Hey Ed,
Believe it or not what your going through is pretty typical. As a physician's assistant, at your age it is normal to have this. In fact sometimes it comes and goes as I see in patients on a frequent basis. If it persists I think you need another doctor. You are right it is a quality of life issue. 45 is not old and your sex life should go on for many years to come. Of course your doctor does not care about your sex drive. It simply is not considered in the field of medicine necassary to get hard erections with explosive climax results. as far as normal level of testoserone they say 200- 850 depending on what doctor you ask. now I have taken care of guys as young as 19 and men in their late 60's and the level I consider borderline is no lower then 350 and even this is low. Will give an injection and usally would like to see from the shot over 500. if not high 400's. I have had a great sucess treating patients with cycles of testosterone. My advice is to go and find out from a doctor who specializes in testosterone replacement therapy. who will monitor on a regular basis and takes you seriously. Find out about the risks and rewards of hormone therapy. I'm sure you won't be dissapointed.