Testosterone Level for 25 year old male NO TRT

[Rhino 2.0]

I have a total testosterone level in between the 500's and 700's depending on the day. My SHBG however is normal range but I think it is kind of high normal. I had it measured twice. one time it was 40 and the other time it was 47. Range for SHBG is (10-50). Could my SHBG level be due to my genetics or it is a sign that my testosterone level is decreasing over time? Also what should the average level of an active 25 yearl old male be who lifts weights 5 times a week ? Didn't know if my testosterone is low my for my age.

 

[HealthMan]

As you age both total testosterone and SHBG diminish. But you are too young for that. Your “high” SHBG might be because of your genetics. You total testosterone is “normal” for your age but normal doesn’t mean optimal. But I would forget about numbers and ask yourself how do you feel? Why did you get your testosterone levels tested? You were having low-T symptoms?
The mean total testosterone for your age is around mid 600s. So you are right around there. Your SHBG is indeed on the high side which will make your free testosterone lower than someone with a lower SHBG. But it all comes down to how you feel. Some people here feel great with Total testosterone ~ 600. Some people including myself needs to be over 1000 to feel great. But total testosterone, SHBG are just part of the equation. Many othet variables comes into play when it comes down to low-T symptoms

 

[Rhino 2.0]

Yes I have been having LOW T symptoms for three years now. I have been tested multiple times by urologist and endocrinoligist and they said I was normal and my symptoms are not due to testosterone which I think they are. My free testosterone has always been on the low side of normal though. I don't know if my testosterone use to be a lot higher than it was now because I never got it tested until I was having symptoms. I never got my thyroid fully tested before though. From what I heard if you have a thyroid problem it can lower free testosterone.

 

[HealthMan]

What are your symptoms? I am 36 years old now. But after 30 years old my main symptom was feeling exausted all the time. In addition to that Libido was ok but poor erections. Joint pain. And despite of being a very healthy person my cholesterol levels were off and i was becoming insulin resistant. Blood pressure slightly elevated.
So I went to a bunch of doctors tested everything you can imagine and everything but my testosterone levels were normal (total testosterone anywhere from 270-340 tested in different occasions. Free testosterone was within range because i have “low” SHBG). I guess my low-T has a lot to do with my stress levels. My job is extremely stressful and I dont handle stress well.
So two years ago I decided to start TRT. My life has changed thanks to Dr Saya (my first doctor couldnt get things right). I have lots of energy. Joint pain is gone (due to low T my estradiol levels were very low ~ 6 sensitive test). Insulin resistance gone. Blood pressure normal. Cholesterol back to normal.
I honestly cannot imagine my life without TRT.
In your case I would try to find any possible causes for your symptoms (read about adrenal fatigue). Your testosterone levels seem to be ok (do you have your free testosterone levels with lab ranges?) If nothing works you might want to give TRT a try and see if that works. Just make sure you go with a doctor that understands what he is doing. TRT can mess with your fertility and you need a doctor who knows what he is doing. It takes knowledge to dial someone up.

 

[CoastWatcher]

A problem with your thyroid can be the cause of a lot of problems, and it can undermine a TRT protocol. To what extent has yours been evaluated?

 

[Rhino 2.0]

My symptoms are brain fog, tough time building muscle and losing fat (especially lower belly fat), my energy is ok in the morning and then starts to taper off in the afternoon, libido is ok some days and sometimes it sucks, erections are not strong as they use to be, never wake up with morning wood anymore, and I just never seem to get a good nights sleep. Yes I am trying to figure what could be causing it. I'm hoping its something with another hormone thats causing my symptoms. My free testosterone-73.5pg/ml (46-224). Second test 77pg/ml(46-224). Yes I finally got wise enough to actually make an appointment with a "hormone specialist" in my area at a place called Body Logic. Probably going to cost me a fortune though because they are out of pocket and do not take insurance.

 

[Rhino 2.0]

CoastWatcher- I have only had my TSH, Free T4, and Total T3 tested. My TSH and free T4 were perfectly in range but my total T3 I found was low but only by 6 points. So I think I defiantly need to get a full thyroid panel done soon.

 

[HealthMan]

Your testosterone is not terribly low (do you know what your testosterone levels were before feeling like this?) but not optimal as well. Remember that if you embark on the TRT journey it is a life time commitment. If you decide to stop you may want to consider a restart protocol and sometimes they do no work quite well. So you might end up with lower testosterone levels than you have now.
Given your age I would try to explore other options. First you should find a doctor to run a bunch of tests and try to find a possible cause for your symptoms. Maybe is your thyroid. Maybe it is not even hormone related (my old doctor tested me for lyme disease for example because i live in the north east).
Your diet might be off as well.
Also read about adrenal fatigue and ways to increase decrease SHBG and boost your free testosterone.
If everything fails you might consider giving trt a try. But remember its effects on fertility. And the possibility of starting and then stopping and your hormone levels get worse then what they are right now.

 

[madman]

I have a total testosterone level in between the 500's and 700's depending on the day. My SHBG however is normal range but I think it is kind of high normal. I had it measured twice. one time it was 40 and the other time it was 47. Range for SHBG is (10-50). Could my SHBG level be due to my genetics or it is a sign that my testosterone level is decreasing over time? Also what should the average level of an active 25 yearl old male be who lifts weights 5 times a week ? Didn't know if my testosterone is low my for my age.

Post full blood panel so we can get a better idea of the overall picture. What is your lifestyle like- sleep/stress/diet/activity/body fat levels/prescription-drug use/alcohol intake/shift-work? Many factors can have a negative effect on a males testosterone levels let alone thyroid/adrenals. Your total t is not low by no means and is descent and as far as your free t it is on the lower end but not low enough for most doctors to diagnose you with low testosterone. Liver health/function can affect ones shbg. You listed symptoms which you think are related to low to brain fog- can be related to poor nutrition/neurotransmitter imbalance, libido is ok and sometimes sucks-many factors can affect libido-stress/lack sleep/poor diet/mental health, erections not as strong as they used to be- ed is multifaceted and is not always related to low testosterone as endothelial/vascular health plays a critical role in penile function/health and waking up with no morning wood - NPT( nocturnal penile tumescence) happens during REM sleep and you said yourself that you just never seem to get a good sleep. Lack of sleep can have a big impact on all the symptoms you listed and as far as having a hard time building muscle/losing fat sure healthy testosterone levels play a role but ones genetics/diet have a big impact. I would look into your overall lifestyle and your adrenal/thyroid health.