Testosterone levels

[Katiahead]

Hi. Is a testosterone level of 11.2 in a blood test a concern. My gp says no but symptoms are fatigue, muscle loss, low sex drive, brain fog and anxiety. They said no to trt but interested if this is low level or if the nhs won't fund the treatment unless they have to. Thanks

[Healthyguy1]

Unfortunately getting most Dr's to agree test is low is extremely difficult and unless extremely low most won't. Usually here in the states of you go to a wellness center they will prescribe TRT if numbers are low. Usually bands are so big that gives them their out and they aren't designed for individuals just the "average" person. Hope that helps a little, it's just been my experience

[Katiahead in reply to Healthyguy1]

I think it's the same for the UK. The band here is 8 to 29 but apparently 11 is average. They go straight for the anti depressant option and not hormonal for men. Thanks for replying.

[Healthyguy1 in reply to Katiahead]

No problem at all. I hope you can find a Dr that will be willing to actually help. It's a shame it's so hard to fix a known issue. Best of luck!

[Transalp in reply to Katiahead]

I would do the Optimale full blood test so you can see your prolactin, SHBG, thyroid FT3 etc and then you can decide from there what the next stages are.

[LondonB]

mine was also really low. I pay for testogel myself, costs ca £100 per month but has eliminated the symptoms you describe.

Small independent pharmacies find it easier to source provided you have a prescription.

And fyi antidepressants can also cause ED and loss of libido from what I understand.

[userotc]

Aged 67, my dad increased his from 13 (22% through range) to 17 (42%) solely by a nutrition and lifestyle eg weight training, protocol . No drugs.

Yours could be low for many reasons, for example weight gain/obesity?

So my suggestion would be not to see a doctor that may or may not prescribe a drug but to see a qualified Nutritional Therapist to aid weight loss (if needed) or improve T via nutrition and lifestyle. I can provide relevant links - just ask.

[Norwich1 Moderator]

I had no problems getting my T tested by my GP It was 5 and immediate referral to a specialist endocrinologist. The latter is really necessary so that the cause of the low level can be ascertained. One of the options can be a tumour in the pituitary gland. It is also necessary to determine the levels of other hormone precursors I had an MRI and there was no pituitary tumour but the gland was slightly smaller than it should have been and was causing the problem only with my testosterone (all other levels were good). I was diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism and am on 11 weekly Testosterone injections - all free!