My son is almost 18 and T is only 261

[Steelballs]

I had a suspicion something was wrong. No energy, heavy, no facial hair. I took him to his GP had a panel done. Then went to my Endo. She said his weight may be a factor. He's 6'2" and weighs 330lbs. She wants him to do a sleep study. She also tested him for cortisol but still waiting for results. I was really surprised how low his T was. I asked if he could do Clomid. She said no, he's too young. She said I can get a second opinion from a pediatric Endo. She said she is worried about affecting his pubertal process. I tried searching for other posts for younger low T. I had a hard time finding them. I know they are here. I've seen them, just never read them. I think a small boost of T would help him lose the weight. I have his panel info below:

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]IgA[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]210.0 mg/dL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]70.0-400.0 mg/dL[/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]Tissue Transglutaminase Ab, IgG, S[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]1.9 U/mL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]<6.0 (Negative) U/mL[/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]Iron[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]48 ug/dL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]35-150 ug/dL[/TD] [TD="class: flagCol"][/TD]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]TIBC[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]358 ug/dL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]250-450 ug/dL[/TD] [TD="class: flagCol"][/TD]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]Iron % Saturation[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]13 %[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]20-50 %[/TD] [TD="class: flagCol"]L [/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]FSH[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]8.7 mIU/mL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"] [/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]LH[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]4.63 mIU/mL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]0.07-6.00 mIU/mL [/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]Estradiol[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]28.9 pg/mL [/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]Testosterone, Free, S[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]10.2 ng/dL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]4.28-20.9 ng/d [/TD]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]Testosterone[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]261 ng/dL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"] [/TD] [TD="class: flagCol"]L[/TD]

[TD="class: srchbl, colspan: 4"]-------------------REFERENCE VALUE-------------------------- 300-1200 [/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]Free T4[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]0.99 ng/dL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]0.75-2.00 ng/dL [/TD]

[TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Component[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Your Value[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Standard Range[/TH] [TH="bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: left"]Flag[/TH]

[TD="class: nameCol srchbl"]TSH[/TD] [TD="class: valueCol"]1.970 uIU/mL[/TD] [TD="class: rangeCol"]0.450-5.500 uIU/mL [/TD]

 

[Gene Devine]

He needs more complete thyroid labs to include FT3, RT3 and Thyroid antibodies.

Need to see Prolactin.

The labs posted are all fine except Total Testosterone.

I would suspect that he may be Primary Hypogonadal given the LH/FSH serum levels are fine.

He would need to have his testes examined and imaged to rule out pathology or other issues.

Has he ever had an injury? Is he taking any medications?

He needs to get his testosterone levels elevated as he is still very much maturing and this level needs to be optimal for proper development.

Find a specialist in male hormones.

 

[ScottM]

Did she say anything about his FSH?

-Scott
Telthera

 

[Vince]

This may not pertain to your son. I had a good friend you went through puberty at age 21. My question is, has your son gone through puberty. At 6'2" I would think so.

 

[Vince Carter]

He needs more complete thyroid labs to include FT3, RT3 and Thyroid antibodies.

Need to see Prolactin.

The labs posted are all fine except Total Testosterone.

I would suspect that he may be Primary Hypogonadal given the LH/FSH serum levels are fine.

He would need to have his testes examined and imaged to rule out pathology or other issues.

Has he ever had an injury? Is he taking any medications?

He needs to get his testosterone levels elevated as he is still very much maturing and this level needs to be optimal for proper development.

Find a specialist in male hormones.

Great response Gene I think you nailed it.

 

[a_crossfitter]

Steelballs,

You haven't talked about your son's habits so I will assume he is as sedentary as most MILLENIALS. Your son got to where he is now for a number of reasons we can't point out. His whole endocrine system is whack! I wouldn't administer hormones until his diet, exercise, and sleep habits are dealt with.

I am on TRT (but haven't injected Test in almost 2 months). I stopped cold turkey because of vanity (crown was thinning). 2 weeks ago lab work came in and my natural T production is at 394 ng/dl according to labcorp. I've been going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Cleaned up my diet even more ( I eat REAL food now). It was hard initially to get some motivation/energy to go to the gym but I sucked it up and went. Enery levels went up as I started moving around at the gym.

What I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't mess with his endocrine system yet. Work on his diet, sleep and physical activity before you start getting opinions. If after the above has been corrected and he still has poor hormonal production then you should start looking into modern medicine therapies.

I get frustrated when someone just wants medicine hoping to fix their issues without healing their bodies first through diet, sleep, and exercise.

PS: Spend more time with him at the gym......if he lives with you.

 

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

Steelballs,

You haven't talked about your son's habits so I will assume he is as sedentary as most MILLENIALS. Your son got to where he is now for a number of reasons we can't point out. His whole endocrine system is whack! I wouldn't administer hormones until his diet, exercise, and sleep habits are dealt with.

I am on TRT (but haven't injected Test in almost 2 months). I stopped cold turkey because of vanity (crown was thinning). 2 weeks ago lab work came in and my natural T production is at 394 ng/dl according to labcorp. I've been going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Cleaned up my diet even more ( I eat REAL food now). It was hard initially to get some motivation/energy to go to the gym but I sucked it up and went. Enery levels went up as I started moving around at the gym.

What I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't mess with his endocrine system yet. Work on his diet, sleep and physical activity before you start getting opinions. If after the above has been corrected and he still has poor hormonal production then you should start looking into modern medicine therapies.

I get frustrated when someone just wants medicine hoping to fix their issues without healing their bodies first through diet, sleep, and exercise.

PS: Spend more time with him at the gym......if he lives with you.

There are plenty of teenagers who eat fast food every day, do nothing but play video games, and still grow tall with facial hair and otherworldly libido. Even with a shitty lifestyle, it's unusual for an 18 year old's testosterone to be this low. I agree with Gene that further inquiry is absolutely necessary. I'm not sure why the endo thinks her son is too young for clomid but these docs are always terrified of anything that impacts testosterone. It's okay to give teenage girls female hormones (birth control) and it's obviously necessary to give child diabetics insulin (which can actually kill you), but this 18 year old is too young to get clomid? I just don't get it. Nonetheless, further measures should be taken before making any kind of decision.

 

[a_crossfitter]

Ahhhh, so you think its ok to consume endocrine system disruptors as long as he gets treatment for it....basically giving a diabetes type 1 as much insulin as they need and not giving a dann about what they eat.

This kid is heavy. Maybe he has an insulin resistance problem. Why not have him fix his issues naturally until homeostasis is reached. If after that he can't get his test higher then maybe give him some test. Btw, maybe he is a naturally low test guy (like me...I think).

 

[Will Brink]

There are plenty of teenagers who eat fast food every day, do nothing but play video games, and still grow tall with facial hair and otherworldly libido. Even with a shitty lifestyle, it's unusual for an 18 year old's testosterone to be this low. I agree with Gene that further inquiry is absolutely necessary. I'm not sure why the endo thinks her son is too young for clomid but these docs are always terrified of anything that impacts testosterone. It's okay to give teenage girls female hormones (birth control) and it's obviously necessary to give child diabetics insulin (which can actually kill you), but this 18 year old is too young to get clomid? I just don't get it. Nonetheless, further measures should be taken before making any kind of decision.

I agree in that while any underlying medical causes for his low T should be ruled out via testing, I suspect the ultimate reason will be the BMI/BF %, lack of activity, and diet related. I seen plenty of teens with T lower than expected but not that surprising when diet/BMI/activity/life style factors taken into account, and when corrected, they were back on track. The kid is obese, start there....

 

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

Ahhhh, so you think its ok to consume endocrine system disruptors as long as he gets treatment for it....basically giving a diabetes type 1 as much insulin as they need and not giving a dann about what they eat.

That is a Grade A straw man fallacy. All I said was that it is unusual and unlikely for someone his age to experience hypogonadism as a result of crappy lifestyle.

 

[a_crossfitter]

Steelballs,

https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?2447-Foods-that-work-for-the-endocrine-system

 

[user_joe]

I don't even buy lack of activity causing low T. Never seen a case with blood tests to indicate it or someone with low T correct it by lifting. If being overweight was the issue it only makes sense to me if e2 and/or prolactin is causing the issue. Read of too many men who were stuck with low T after losing a ton of weight or stalling out doing it.

If if it were my kid I'd be seeking out the cause as quickly as possible with a second opinion. If he's unfortunate enough to need TRT I'd want to start it before he's completely developed.

 

[a_crossfitter]

I don't even buy lack of activity causing low T. Never seen a case with blood tests to indicate it or someone with low T correct it by lifting.

Why do you think men put on muscle when they start lifting weights? Typically, if you live a sedentary life with NO physical activity your body will NOT have a need to adapt to any demands. Now if you start lifting weights, your body will need to adapt by creating more muscle which, wait for it , happens when your testicles get told to produce more testosterone.

 

[user_joe]

Are you you offended by my comments? I've read many first hand accounts involving weight loss and low T. Never once seen someone solve the problem. So without proof otherwise I don't believe it.

You know now there are muscular people who are sendentary, right? Seems about as relevant as your comment. It's just genetic in that case.

Why do you think men put on muscle when they start lifting weights? Typically, if you live a sedentary life with NO physical activity your body will NOT have a need to adapt to any demands. Now if you start lifting weights, your body will need to adapt by creating more muscle which, wait for it , happens when your testicles get told to produce more testosterone.

 

[DaveK22]

Steelballs...was he ever on isotretinoin? (aka Accutane)

 

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

Why do you think men put on muscle when they start lifting weights? Typically, if you live a sedentary life with NO physical activity your body will NOT have a need to adapt to any demands. Now if you start lifting weights, your body will need to adapt by creating more muscle which, wait for it , happens when your testicles get told to produce more testosterone.

There is a short term surge of testosterone after you lift weights, but it's actually a very common occurrence for natural lifters and athletes actually have lower baseline testosterone levels than healthy non-athletes because of the constant physical stress. Most of the studies I've seen show either lower testosterone or no significant difference between trained and untrained individuals. Dr Rand MccLain has actually spoken about this before. There's no question that having a BMI over 40 is bad for testosterone, but I still think it's unlikely that lifestyle would induce that low of a testosterone level in an 18 year old. Although obviously not mentioned by the OP, it would also be important to take note of testicular/penile size, pubic hair, and body hair to determine whether or not the kid in question even fully experienced puberty.

 

[Henry]

I agree with crossfitter. He's still growing and Clomid is some serious medication to give to a growing boy....really anyone. It's not like popping a vitamin. I agree with the endo. I would think real hard before giving a kid this. Why not try to get him to lose 100lbs or so? He's morbidly obese. Low T is the least of his worries right now. He needs to start getting on the right path to a healthy lifestyle while he's young.....versus trying when he's older...after his first stroke, or hearth attack, or after being diagnosed as a diabetic, etc. etc.

 

[Henry]

And here's my experience. My 48 year old cousin.....6'3 and 350lbs. His A1C was 6.6 and his T level was around 270 or something. Doc refused to put him on T and told him to lose weight. He cleaned up his diet, got a membership to the gym and lost over 125lbs over a year. Now his A1C is 5.8 and his T level is around 480. He looks great and feels great.

And, he's still working on it. His goal is to lose another 50lbs and get around or under 200lbs. I'm betting once he does that, he'll be around 500 or even higher for his T level.

 

[a_crossfitter]

Are you you offended by my comments? I've read many first hand accounts involving weight loss and low T. Never once seen someone solve the problem. So without proof otherwise I don't believe it.

You know now there are muscular people who are sendentary, right? Seems about as relevant as your comment. It's just genetic in that case.

I am not offended by your comments at all. However, the point I am trying to get across you is the fact that normal men, regardless of how muscular they are, put on muscle once physical activity (such as weight lifting) is introduced in their lives as a response of their bodies being told to adapt to the physical demands imposed.....your testicles produce testosterone and you put on muscle. Normally, the naturally skinny guy or the naturally muscular guy WILL put on more muscle. Now, if your testicles are not able to produce enough testosterone, provided there is some stimulation from lifting weights,.....then that's when men should be on TRT. THIS KID PROBABLY EATS LIKE CRAP, WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO POOR SLEEP, AND DEFFINITELY DOESN'T EXERCISE.

This kid can starve himself or get a gastric bypass and loose tons of weight without doing some sort of physical activity but that's not going to guarantee that his testosterone will go up. This isn't hard to understand.

Usually you clean up your diet, go to the gym, start losing weight, start sleeping better and put on muscle because your test went up...

 

[user_joe]

Never seen any studies that indicate this. It's a good theory. Makes sense. Doesn't seem to play out that way. Sleep is the only thing known to cause low testosterone and be a root cause. Lifting weights sure didn't do a thing for my testosterone levels. Now I didn't have issues as a teenager. Seems quite a bit more complex than most of us have dealt with.

I am not offended by your comments at all. However, the point I am trying to get across you is the fact that normal men, regardless of how muscular they are, put on muscle once physical activity (such as weight lifting) is introduced in their lives as a response of their bodies being told to adapt to the physical demands imposed.....your testicles produce testosterone and you put on muscle. Normally, the naturally skinny guy or the naturally muscular guy WILL put on more muscle. Now, if your testicles are not able to produce enough testosterone, provided there is some stimulation from lifting weights,.....then that's when men should be on TRT. THIS KID PROBABLY EATS LIKE CRAP, WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO POOR SLEEP, AND DEFFINITELY DOESN'T EXERCISE.

This kid can starve himself or get a gastric bypass and loose tons of weight without doing some sort of physical activity but that's not going to guarantee that his testosterone will go up. This isn't hard to understand.

Usually you clean up your diet, go to the gym, start losing weight, start sleeping better and put on muscle because your test went up...