Can you have normal testosterone but a low sperm count?

[Amyflood246]

Hi, is it possible to have normal testosterone levels but a low sperm count or if your sperm count is low is your testosterone always low too? Thanks

[CJohns]

Hey - my partner had a sperm count of 3million (desired result was 15 million), and later blood tests showed his testosterone levels were normal (I was adamant they’d be low). So I’m not sure if there’s a relationship between the two, but we never looked into it any further xx

[Amyflood246 in reply to CJohns]

Hi thanks for replying to me, did you find out the reason for your husbands low sperm count of you don’t mind me asking? Was it due to hormones? Xx

[CJohns in reply to Amyflood246]

No, the nhs were never interested in looking into the reasons behind our issues 🙄. Just explained it could be due to testicles not dropping quick enough in early childhood or perhaps hereditary, but never a conclusion. His sperm count (along with low morphology and motility) was actually a 1 million count about 6-8 weeks before the 3mil test, and cutting out alcohol and caffeine seemed to massively improve it xx

[Rollercoastersmiles]

Hi Amyflood246. It is possible to have low sperm count and normal testosterone levels. My husband has ‘very severe oligiospermia’ due to undescended testicles as an infant but normal testosterone levels. Our consultant explained it to us at the time when we were going through the results but can’t remember what she said.

[Amyflood246 in reply to Rollercoastersmiles]

Hi and thanks for replying, do undescended testicles effect your hormone levels? Xx

[Rollercoastersmiles in reply to Amyflood246]

Nope. His testosterone levels are normal. But sperm count is low. Is MFI an issue for you guys?

[Redsequin]

Yes. Definitely. My husband has normal testosterone levels but a low sperm count.

[Amyflood246 in reply to Redsequin]

Hi and thanks for replying, if you don’t mind me asking what’s the reason for the low sperm count? Xx

[Redsequin in reply to Amyflood246]

We don't know still! He has low count, morphology, and motility but it's definitely not down to lifestyle, he eats healthily and doesn't drink or smoke, or age, he's only 32. Tests also showed no chromosomal issues. He will be seeing a specialist for ultrasound etc. soon. In the meantime, we're doing ICSI. x

[Amyflood246 in reply to Redsequin]

Oh how strange! Are all his other hormone tests normal? Xx

[Redsequin in reply to Amyflood246]

Yes, all normal. It might be genetic: his uncle had to do IVF for male factor infertility and so did another close male family member. Or it could be he grew up in Africa and had malaria and various other diseases that could possibly affect fertility long-term? So mysterious and I think quite heartbreaking for him.

[Amyflood246]

Oh god don’t get me started on the nhs they just aren’t interested are they! It’s good that lifestyle changes improved it though. Hope you got the outcome that you wished for in the end xx

[PinkPanther1234]

Hi Amy, yes that is possible. My husband has low sperm count/morphology, motility can also be variable. His hormone test results were fine, the urologist actually said his testosterone level was good (on the higher side of normal) x

[Rain415]

Hi Amy

My husband had 'borderline low' (11 million) sperm count and low morphology. His GP referred him to the urologist it was bit of a wait but found out he had a varicocele but his testosterone levels were normal. He then was booked in to remove the varicocele.

Procieve max and lifestyle changes did help improve his count after 6 months to 24 million. X