Testosterone levels by age

[mike7]

Are the charts accurate? I've been reading here a lot and trying to educate myself on TRT. I have all of the symptoms that are indicative of low testosterone but I'm not sure if it's just part of getting older, in my head, or if it's a legit problem that could be helped by TRT.

I'm 41 and just had my annual blood work done through the VA, I'm a disabled vet. I asked my doc to have my testosterone checked along with everything else and it came in at 524 (241 - 827), total test was 553 a year ago. I realize that's not low by the typical medical standard and many here have much lower numbers than myself.

Getting my VA doc to test for all of the recommended levels is basically impossible so I'll have to go somewhere out of pocket for those. I realize that's only a small piece of the puzzle, still waiting on free testosterone levels to come back, but is a TT level of 524 indicative of having low testosterone by itself? The reason I ask is if you look at test levels by age I'd be in the same neighborhood as that of a 65 year old by several age related charts.

 

[Hydranted]

524 ng/dl wouldn't be considered hypogonadal, but I'd wait to see what your free T looks like. It's entirely possible to have normal total T but low free T.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Agree, let's see what your free/bio available test looks like. A variety of other components need to reviewed as well .. E2, Thyroid, Adrenals (cortisol, DHEA), D3, iron/ferritin, electrolytes, the gamut on CBC's, lipids, metabolic profile (usually find the electrolytes in a comprehensive metabolic panel).

 

[mike7]

Initial blood work

I realize that all of the necessary tests, like e2, aren't listed and that's simply due to getting my blood work done through the VA. I'm still waiting on the results of the free T, had to be sent out, but I'm wondering what the rest looks like to the experts here and what I should get in addition to what's listed.

41 years old @ 6' 3" and 205 lbs. Try to eat healthy most of the time and train BJJ about 3X a week.

Test Name: ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE
Result: 35
Units: IU/L
Reference Range: (15-63)
Interpretation: Effective 09/25/2012: Reference range is 15-63 IU/L (males)
and 14-54 IU/L (females).
Previous reference range was 5-40 IU/L.
----------------------
Test Name: ALBUMIN
Result: 4.0
Units: G/DL
Reference Range: (3.3-4.8)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 3.3-4.8 g/dL.
Previous reference range was 3.1-4.5 g/dL.
----------------------
Test Name: ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN
Result: 1.4
Units: RATIO
Reference Range: (1.1-2.2)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
Result: 68
Units: IU/L
Reference Range: (32-91)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Referrence range is 32-91 IU/L
Previous reference range was 39-117 IU/L.
----------------------
Test Name: ANION GAP
Result: 11
Units: mmol/L
Reference Range: (10-20)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE
Result: 30
Units: IU/L
Reference Range: (15-41)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 15-41 IU/L.
Previous reference range was 5-37 IU/L.
----------------------
Test Name: BILIRUBIN
Result: 0.8
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (0.3-1.2)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 0.3-1.2 mg/dL.
Previous reference range was 0.1-1.5 mg/dL.
----------------------
Test Name: CALCIUM
Result: 9.7
Units: MG/DL
Reference Range: (8.9-10.3)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 8.9-10.3 mg/dL.
Previous reference range is 8.4-10.2 mg/dL.
----------------------
Test Name: CARBON DIOXIDE
Result: 31
Units: MMOL/L
Reference Range: (22-32)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: CHLORIDE
Result: 105
Units: mmol/L
Reference Range: (101-111)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 101-111 mmol/L.
Previous reference range was 96-108 mmol/L.
----------------------
Test Name: CREATININE
Result: 1.02
Units: MG/DL
Reference Range: (.64-1.27)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 0.64-1.27 mg/dL
(males)
and 0.44-1.03 mg/dl (females).
Previous reference range was 0.40-1.20 mg/dL.
----------------------
Test Name: GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE.PREDICTED
Result: 85.5
Units: ML/MIN/R
Reference Range: (60SEE INTERP)
Interpretation: All individuals with GFR <60 ML/MIN/R(1.73m2)R for 3 months are
classified as having chronic kidney disease, irrespective of the
presence or absence of kidney damage.
All individuals with kidney damage are classified as having
chronic kidney disese, irrespective of the level of GFR.
EGFR results >60 ML/MIN/R(1.73m2) are imprecise. Many variables
affect the calculated result. Interpretation of eGFR results >60
ML/MIN/R(1.73m2) must be monitored over time.
EGFR is calculated from patient creatinine value, age, gender
and race. If the patients race is "Undeclared" or "Unanswered",
the COMMENT field comment will populate with "MISSING PARAMETER" text.
The EGFR check will calculate the formula without the race variable.
The doctor will need to evaluate this when viewing the reports in CPRS.
----------------------
Test Name: GLUCOSE
Result: 98
Units: MG/DL
Reference Range: (74-118)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 74-118 mg/dL.
Previous reference range was 70-105 mg/dL.
----------------------
Test Name: POTASSIUM
Result: 4.6
Units: mmol/L
Reference Range: (3.6-5.1)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 3.6-5.1 mmol/L.
Previous reference range was 3.6-5.2 mmol/L.
----------------------
Test Name: PROTEIN
Result: 6.8
Units: g/dL
Reference Range: (6.1-7.9)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 6.1-7.9 g/dL.
Previous reference range was 5.9-8.4 g/dL.
----------------------
Test Name: SODIUM
Result: 142
Units: MMOL/L
Reference Range: (136-144)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 136-144 mmol/L.
Previous reference range was 133-145 mmol/L.
----------------------
Test Name: UREA NITROGEN
Result: 19
Units: MG/DL
Reference Range: (8-20)
Interpretation: Effective 09/27/2012: Reference range is 8-20 mg/dL.
Previous reference range was 6-19 mg/dL.
----------------------
Test Name: UREA NITROGEN/CREATININE
Result: 18.6
Units: RATIO
Reference Range: (12-20)
Interpretation: --
=========================================================================


Lab Test: Lipid Panel
Lab Type: Chemistry/Hematology
Ordering Provider: XXX
Ordering Location: SOUTHERN NEVADA HCS
Specimen: Plasma (substance)
Date/Time Collected: 10 Feb 2015 @ 0810
Collected Location: SOUTHERN NEVADA HCS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Name: CHOLESTEROL
Result: 148
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (5-200)
Interpretation: Desirable: <200
Borderline High: 200-240
High Risk: >240
----------------------
Test Name: CHOLESTEROL.IN HDL
Result: 57
Units: MG/DL
Reference Range: (SEE INTERP)
Interpretation: No Risk Mod Risk High Risk
Men >55 35-55 <35
Women >65 45-65 <45
National Cholersterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines:
<40 mg/dL: Low HDL-cholesterol (major risk factor for CHD)
>59 mg/dL: High HDL-cholesterol ("negative" risk factor for CHD)
----------------------
Test Name: CHOLESTEROL.IN LDL
Result: 71
Units: mg/dl
Reference Range: (0-129)
Interpretation: Desirable LDL: <130
Borderline LDL: 130-160
High Risk LDL: >160
----------------------
Test Name: CHOLESTEROL.IN VLDL
Result: 20
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range:
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: TRIGLYCERIDE
Result: 101
Units: MG/DL
Reference Range: (10-200)
Interpretation: --
=========================================================================


Lab Test: Hemogram V
Lab Type: Chemistry/Hematology
Ordering Provider: XXX
Ordering Location: SOUTHERN NEVADA HCS
Specimen: Blood (substance)
Date/Time Collected: 10 Feb 2015 @ 0810
Collected Location: SOUTHERN NEVADA HCS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Name: BASOPHILS
Result: 0.0
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (0.0-0.2)
Interpretation: If CBC indicates need for manual diff, contact lab within 24
hours.
----------------------
Test Name: BASOPHILS/100 LEUKOCYTES
Result: 0.1
Units: %
Reference Range: (0.0-2.3)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: EOSINOPHILS
Result: 0.1
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (0.0-0.5)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: EOSINOPHILS/100 LEUKOCYTES
Result: 1.7
Units: %
Reference Range: (0.0-6.2)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ERYTHROCYTE DISTRIBUTION WIDTH
Result: 13.2
Units: %
Reference Range: (13.0-15.0)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ERYTHROCYTE DISTRIBUTION WIDTH
Result: 43.3
Units: fL
Reference Range: (35.1-43.9)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ERYTHROCYTE MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN
Result: 29.0
Units: pg
Reference Range: (27-34)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ERYTHROCYTE MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION
Result: 32.1
Units: g/dL
Reference Range: (32-36)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ERYTHROCYTES
Result: 5.35
Units: M/mcL
Reference Range: (4.7-6.1)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ERYTHROCYTES.NUCLEATED
Result: 0.00
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (0-0.012)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: ERYTHROCYTES.NUCLEATED/100 LEUKOCYTES
Result: 0.0
Units: %
Reference Range: (0-0.2)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: GRANULOCYTES.IMMATURE
Result: 0.02
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (0-0.031)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: GRANULOCYTES.IMMATURE/100 LEUKOCYTES
Result: 0.3
Units: %
Reference Range: (0-0.429)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: HEMATOCRIT
Result: 48.3
Units: %
Reference Range: (42-52)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: HEMOGLOBIN
Result: 15.5
Units: g/dL
Reference Range: (14-18)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: LEUKOCYTES
Result: 7.6
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (4.8-10.8)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: LYMPHOCYTES
Result: 1.9
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (1.3-2.9)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: LYMPHOCYTES/100 LEUKOCYTES
Result: 24.8
Units: %
Reference Range: (20-40)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME
Result: 90.3
Units: fL
Reference Range: (80-100)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: MONOCYTES
Result: 0.6
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (0.3-0.8)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: MONOCYTES/100 LEUKOCYTES
Result: 7.3
Units: %
Reference Range: (0-12.5)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: NEUTROPHILS
Result: 5.0
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (1.1-6.4)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: NEUTROPHILS/100 LEUKOCYTES
Result: 65.8
Units: %
Reference Range: (50-75)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: PLATELET MEAN VOLUME
Result: 10.8
Units: fL
Reference Range: (9.4-12.4)
Interpretation: --
----------------------
Test Name: PLATELETS
Result: 193
Units: K/mcL
Reference Range: (150-400)
Interpretation: --
=========================================================================


Lab Test: Testosterone~ADVIA CENTAUR
Lab Type: Chemistry/Hematology
Ordering Provider: XXX
Ordering Location: SOUTHERN NEVADA HCS
Specimen: Serum (substance)
Date/Time Collected: 10 Feb 2015 @ 0810
Collected Location: SOUTHERN NEVADA HCS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Name: TESTOSTERONE
Result: 524
Units: NG/DL
Reference Range: (241-827)
Interpretation: --
=========================================================================

 

[mike7]

Agree, let's see what your free/bio available test looks like. A variety of other components need to reviewed as well .. E2, Thyroid, Adrenals (cortisol, DHEA), D3, iron/ferritin, electrolytes, the gamut on CBC's, lipids, metabolic profile (usually find the electrolytes in a comprehensive metabolic panel).

Thanks guys. I just uploaded the rest of the blood tests in the appropriate area of the forum here:

 

[Vettester Chris]

Mike, I'm going to merge the threads together so that we keep it on one thread. With 2 of them, you will get members posting responses here, then others posting on that thread ... It will get confusing, trust me. Thanks

 

[mike7]

Thanks Chris! I was just trying to go with the forum protocol.

 

[mike7]

They used Quest for the Free T and it clocked in at 76.2 with a reference range of 46 - 224.

And total T at 524 with a range of 241 - 827.

Thoughts?

 

[mike7]

Plenty of views but no input?

 

[Hydranted]

They used Quest for the Free T and it clocked in at 76.2 with a reference range of 46 - 224.

And total T at 524 with a range of 241 - 827.

Thoughts?

Your free T is definitely low enough to be causing symptoms. At least, I'd feel like garbage at that level. Total T looks fine but that doesn't really matter all that much.

The problem is going to be receiving treatment through the VA for this. Based on what I've read from other guys, it's not going to happen with your values the way they are.

Your hormone one levels don't indicate that you've got serious condition that's causing this, but we also don't have an LH or FSH value to look at. That would be helpful.

You said that you're a disabled vet, what type of injury did you sustain? Did/do you use pain management meds? There are many medications, especially opiates, that can have a negative impact on your hormones.

 

[mike7]

I'm open to getting any and all tests and have contacted Defy to verify if the costs will be in line with my budget and I think I'm solid there.

My shoulder and knee are pretty jacked from the service. I have had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) after service where I was assaulted with a bat in 2008. MRI showed my brain bleeding and I was really out of whack for about a year. Nothing bad for meds or anything out of the ordinary, I believe. I was using prednisone about 1 month before my blood tests for some cracked ribs from BJJ.

I do have mild/moderate sleep apnea that has been treated for the past 2 yeas with CPAP and most recently a mouthguard which I much prefer.

As far as symptoms go, I believe these are the ones that affect me:

Bad mood swings, especially anger
Depression and feeling blah, nothing crazy
Reduced libido
No spontaneous erections or in the morning
Can't concentrate/focus
Memory sucks
Slight gyno
Night sweats
Can't fall asleep/stay asleep

 

[Hydranted]

TBIs have certainly been linked to hormonal imbalances, so it's possible that your issues have something to do with your assault. LH and FSH would need to be assessed to see if they have been affected.

To be honest, your testosterone values don't look like they are the result of a serious underlying problem. It's possible that they are, but you may just be one of the many guys who just have low T as a result of age, medication, diet/lifestyle, thyroid dysfunction, etc.

Have you ever had a full thyroid panel done?

 

[mike7]

TBIs have certainly been linked to hormonal imbalances, so it's possible that your issues have something to do with your assault. LH and FSH would need to be assessed to see if they have been affected.

To be honest, your testosterone values don't look like they are the result of a serious underlying problem. It's possible that they are, but you may just be one of the many guys who just have low T as a result of age, medication, diet/lifestyle, thyroid dysfunction, etc.

Have you ever had a full thyroid panel done?

The reason I'd mentioned the TBI was I'd read a few things from Dr. Mark Gordon concerning the two. Although, I don't know that much about it.

Maybe I am just starting to feel my age... A year ago my doc did a TSH test 1.770 uIU/mL range .55 - 4.78

I may not have "low T" by the numbers but I'm certainly not in the optimal range. I guess I'm wondering what that would be like at this point in time?

 

[mike7]

New labs in. Any additional info or suggestions pertaining to these numbers?


TT 523 (348 - 1197)
LH 6.0 (1.7 - 8.6 mIU/mL)
FSH 1.8 (1.5 - 12.4 mIU/mL)
Estradiol 22.7 (7.6 - 42.6 pg/mL)

 

[mike7]

FSH Levels

How concrete are FSH lab levels? As an example: FSH 1.8 (1.5 - 12.4 mIU/mL)

Does the level have to be under 1.5 to be considered low? Would this be considered low normal?

 

[Vettester Chris]

No, anything < 4.0 in my opinion is suboptimal. Below 3.0 and you are are definitely needing it addressed. This lab should be measured in conjunction with LH, where you should (in most cases) see both readings pretty close together, e.g., FSH might be 2.2 and LH could be 1.8. Both hormones are secreted in the pituitary - GnRH -> to FSH & LH.

 

[mike7]

No, anything < 4.0 in my opinion is suboptimal. Below 3.0 and you are are definitely needing it addressed. This lab should be measured in conjunction with LH, where you should (in most cases) see both readings pretty close together, e.g., FSH might be 2.2 and LH could be 1.8. Both hormones are secreted in the pituitary - GnRH -> to FSH & LH.

What about if they aren't very close together? Like this:

LH 6.0 (1.7 - 8.6 mIU/mL)

 

[Vettester Chris]

I'd run it by a good urologist and get some exams.

It's just speculation on this end, but possibly something is off balance with the sertoli and/or leydig cells in one or both of the testicles. Knowing LH is 6.0 and at 68% of the reference range, it would be good to counter that and see what the testosterone serum level is? Increased LH would imply that there is a demand for testosterone, so additional labs would help.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Mike7

I would not go on TRT with your TT value at 43 years of age. However, if we went by symptoms you seem to have hypogonadism. I would email Jasen Bruce since he is an ex marine and works with a lot of veterans with TBIs. His email is [email protected]

 

[mike7]

TT is at 523. Here's all of my labs: https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?3254-Testosterone-levels-by-age&p=15859#post15859