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?

[Ronin6]

Test Name                       Result   Units Reference Range
Testosterone                        252    ng/dL 250-1100
Testosterone Free                      40.8 Low pg/mL 46.0-224.0
Testosterone Free+ Weakly Bound  80.4 Low  ng/dL 110.0-575.0
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin      24    nmol/L 8-48
Albumin                                      4.3    gm/dL 3.6-5.1

Ok, above is the test results from my last blood draw. I am a 38 y/o male that is active (to a point). I have had a vasectamy, deployed 5 times in 5 years, being treated for PTSD, insomia, anger issues and cluster migraines. I see my doctor next week and I would like to walk in there and be able to speak smartly about this, but I am totally confused. I've visited a few websites and it just gets worse. Can someone please point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Ronin

[RANDO88]

The best site that I have found dealing with low testosterone is by Dr. E. Barry Gordon @ www.thehiddendisease.com. Well worth a look. Thank you Ronin for your service and best wishes!!

[Tom3260]

I'm 51, 186, 5'11" and here's what i take:

ovamid 25mg
HCG .15ml

results as of 4-26-11

testosterone level - 1186

BTW, GF is 29.

[Mykel352003]

I'm a 43 yr old male veteran and I have been experiencing severe fatigue from which I believe is from low levels of testosterone. I had a lab done about a year ago that showed it to be 241, I brought this to my doctor's attention recently as the symptoms have been getting extremely worse lately. She had a new lab drawn and they came back at 148.00! The VA however says that this is within their normal range which they use 132-813 as "normal." How can that possibly be when everything I read says if you are below 250 and showing the symptoms and even below 350, especially at my age, that you should seek treatment asap? I am mentally foggy, constantly tired and falling asleep sitting up in a well lighted office, and my sex drive is in the tank!  Any suggestions?

[Jarhed01]

I am 28 year old male.  My T count came back at 288.  My Doc says its in the normal range.  She said Normal is from 170 or so to 700.  Since I’m only 28 shouldn’t my count be higher?  I asked it the normal range was for my age group and she said no there are no age groups, everyone is in the same group.  I don’t think its fair that a 28 year old mail is in the same group as an 80 year old man.

Any suggestions?

[Real_Truth]

Look guys, let's be realistic.  How is it that most of us in our mid-40's have T levels around 300 +/-?  Could it be because that is normal?  I could argue such.  The functions of the human body are well known and us guys do peak hormonally in our early 20's because that is generally the age we would reproduce based on evolution.  Society has changed now that but evolution hasn't caught up yet.  If we decide we need to flood our system with testosterone again, that will bring its own set of issues.  It is psychologically and physically addictive.  Who wants to quit and feel castrated while waiting on the testes to start up again, and at a potentially lower rate of testosterone production than before?  Yes, there will be roid rage episodes, count on it, the emotions do not function normally when on test, period.  Yes, hair will thin and balls will shrink, among other less than desirable side effects.  The face will look different, and not better.  More muscle and less fat is perhaps the only silver lining I can come up with.  This synthetic drug wreaks havoc on our body and the placebo affect might be the only real reason we think we need it.  

I for one have given up alcohol and everything mind-altering, including caffeine.  I use my mind to control my diet and exercise.  I'm not against growth hormone on occasion.  I feel incredible and it shows in my actions.  I get involved in life and work hard, travel and I feel incredible.  I've been tempted to take this easy route of testosterone injections to get higher.  But, the same could be said for Xanax or Jack Daniels.  I know from past experience that the results will be the same, an addiction that takes over and destroys my life and I ain't having it.  Good luck, all.  I came to present a different opinion, hope it sinks in.