Wondering About My Testosterone Levels

[newbieguy]

Got my latest lab results back today, numbers are good, cd4 is 580, cd% is 30. But I am a little concerned about my testosterone levels..They checked my levels (just routinely) and the number is 301. The doctor assured me that it was normal, but it seems a bit low to me? Also I am only 30 years old. The doctor told me not to read too much into one result, to follow up with another test on my next labs in 4 months, and see what it is then. What exactly is a "normal" testosterone range for an adult male? If my number is indeed a bit low, what can I do to boost it naturally, ie diet, etc? I try to live a healthy lifestyle overall and I am a healthy weight. Thanks for any input!

[Joe K]

Hey New,

I'm with your doctor on this one; wait for another set of tests.  One test doesn't give you anything to really go on and what you want to see are trends over a period of time.  Granted your results are on the lower end of the scale, but unless you are experiencing some kind of troubling symptoms, that may be linked, why worry?  I'm a firm believer in using test results as guidelines, that are also weighted against how I feel.

For years I had CD4s below 200, I was on meds and doing OK.  On paper, I looked like I was dying, but that was not my reality.  I caution you about getting too fixated on what the "results" say, because we all have ups and downs and a disappointing test result doesn't really mean much, unless it is affecting you, health wise.

It's great that you are monitoring your health, just don't let the "results" become all that you see.  They are just another tool, for us to use to monitor our health and assuming you trust your doctor, then you have nothing to worry about.

Joe

[forrest]

Hey Newbie,

I actually take testosterone (Axiron). I have been taking it since October 2011.  However, it took awhile before doc put me on it.  We took several tests over a period of time.  My Total Testosterone was 395, 428, 519, 407... however, the whole testosterone range is debated amongst docs. You (the doc that is) needs to look at more than just the Total Testosterone. 

While my TT was on the low end of the range but still within norm, he put me on it because for whatever reason, my Sex Hormone Binding Globulin was high. Gawd... I hope I get this right... I think it was that that was high... it meant that while my testosterone was high, it was mostly consumed by attaching to protein?  Thus, there wasn't much free testosterone available. 

Something like that... the jest of what I am trying to say though is that you have to look at more than just total testosterone. There are different variables.  And, I know my doc ALWAYS wants me to test it FIRST THING in the morning. That is when it's at it's highest.  It declines throughout the day. And, i always get it tested at the same time - 8am.

So, hopefully, for whatever it's worth - make sure your doc is looking at different numbers and not just total.  If my doc would have just looked at total, i wouldn't be on testosterone.

I have not experienced any aggression or anything from it. I went off it for a month to see if I felt different and where I was surprised was that my mood went into the crapper.  It's definitely helping my mood!!    I'm still pretty depressed with the whole hiv thing and stuff, but I'd be worse off if I weren't on T. 

Good luck!