26 y/o Male - Low testosterone + FH - Hormone Problems Message Board

suryc83 · 11-01-2009, 08:09 PM

I had my physical about a month ago and told my doctor about my extremely low libido, general fatigue, and what seemed to be mild depression. I had been training for a marathon so I attributed the lack of sex drive to the training. During this time I also experienced a great deal of muscle and strength loss (I lift weights daily). After the marathon I still had very low libido, began feeling "down in the dumps" much more than usual, and was still unable to make strength gains in the weight room.

The doctor had my T levels tested and the levels were low (I do not know my number off hand). As a result he had my LH, FSH, (possibly another hormone but cannot remember). My LH came back at a 1.1 so he referred me to a endrincologist. Apparently the other tests were normal but I do not have the #s.

I met with the endrincologist today and he did a physical exam and ordered an MRI (pituitary gland) as well as a blood test for prolactin.

Obviously this is all new to me and I have no idea what to expect. I am worried not only about the financial burden all these tests will place on me but also worried about my overall health. I am extremely fit and healthy otherwise but I don't feel normal at all going through this at such a young age.

Is there anyone out there that has gone through something similar that can help me understand what I should expect? How unusual is this for someone my age?? Thanks.

sdpineo · 11-02-2009, 06:45 PM

I am 34 and was recently sent to an endocronologist and had to take the same tests as well.(They can be pricey depending on your insurance) ....All my tests came back negative accept for the low testosterone levels.I now use Andro Gel.. I dont really feel any difference.. I need to go back to get retested.

I am also wondering if its normal for en to have low test levels in their 20-30s? I thought it was something that older men typically had? .....any answers?

suryc83 · 11-09-2009, 02:46 PM

Dr. called and left a message - MRI came back normal! Guess that is good, but I have no idea what the next steps are. Obviously need to find out why the LH and consequently the T levels are low. Had Prolactin done last week - No word on those results. I just want to get to the bottom of this - I feel like I am too young to have low T levels. Not to mention it might make it difficult to have kids in the future.

Any ideas what else could be causing this?

brbrtsn1 · 11-12-2009, 11:05 PM

If you have low Testosterone and low LH/FSH levels then that is called secondary hypogonadism. Normally, if your testes were not producing enough testosterone (Primary hypogonadism), your LH and FSH levels would be high since they are released from the pituitary and regulated depending on how much testosterone is in your blood. In this case, it's not necessarily your testes not working properly, but your pituitary gland. You received an MRI because one of the most common causes is pituitary tumor, with prolactinoma being the most common. It could be from other things such as hypothalamitis or inflammation of the hypothalamic stalk due to unknown reasons. Either way, if you have low Testosterone and low LH and FSH, with a normal pituitary, you're going to get slapped "idiopathic secondary hypogonadism" or in layman's terms "low testosterone for no good reason".

I went through this myself about 1.5 yrs ago and I'm 34. I take 100mg testosterone injections every week. Feel brand new again. It cured my depression, energy levels and sex drive. Good luck. Keep us updated.

suryc83 · 11-15-2009, 07:24 PM

Got my first T injection tomorrow; however, I am apprehensive about this Dr saying the problem is with my testicles and not the pit or the hypothalamus. I have been dragging and have ZERO sex drive. I am healthy and fit and want to get the T injection to hopefully feel better - Got an appointment for a second opinion in a couple of weeks. I think HCG might be better than T injections. I am worried about losing fertility etc.

Here were my lab results

Total T 149
Free Testosterone 23.1
LH 1.1
Prolactin 3.8

I am really concerned with my total T level 149 seems extremely low for someone my age - I am 26 not 86