What’s the deal with Testo levels?

[Hostage46]

Prostatectomy in May 2020. A year later did salvage radiation after a PSA rise. Radiation seems to have done the job. PSA declining ever since and is holding at .006 since Aug 2024. So far so good.

Now riddle me this… I started paying attention to Testo levels in 2019. Doc commented that TRT was worth considering… then the PC thing popped up so I put it on the back burner.

On my latest visit to the Urologist we discussed TRT, which would be a topical application, and closely monitored. Starting with a blood test… which came in this AM and lo and behold, a “normal” level of 467. I looked back into the Laborp history and these are the past levels.

Any thoughts on what could drive this most recent bump? The only thing I can think of is that I’ve recently begun weight training . Nothing drastic, 2 or 3 times a week since February.

I’m not complaining, if all I need to do is get my sorry ass back in shape, all the better!

- [ ] 4/4/2025 -467

- [ ] 11/21/2024-256

- [ ] 4/29/2024-272

- [ ] 7/11/2023-368

- [ ] 11/03/2021-306

- [ ] 7/28/2021-350

- [ ] 12/30/2019-383

- [ ] 7/15/2019-232

[Hobierat]

you don’t show your age on your bio which would be a factor. But assuming 300-500 is normal for your age if you’re not taking T supplements. Testing at the same time , preferably early AM at the same time when testing. Working out regularly with adequate recovery , healthy diet , and healthy BMI will all contribute. Workouts will help but a rise of 100-150 T is possible but in MHO doubtful, but I’d say take the Win and enjoy it. JJ

[Mgtd]

Like others in the exercise, diet change, crowd I support you. At almost 80 two months after completing my ADT treatment my PSA was in the 250 range and now it is in the 700 range. In my opinion both aerobic and cardio are helping with the return of T and with the SE from radiation and ADT.

Of course this a unscientific trial of one so your results may vary.

[Don_1213]

Your T never got to the "cratered" level. Your age possibly has something to do with that. I'm closing in on 80... (a year and a month or two away..) Mine was OK for a while after finishing ADT, hanging out in the mid-high 300 levels - but then for no particular reason it cratered (my GP's term) down in the 100's. And it showed no sign of recovery.

The problem with low T is it feeds on itself. The lack of it prevents muscle building with exercise, and limits the desire (or willpower) to even get very serious about it.

Your lowest number is your first number - I assume shortly after treatments were completed. Your T showed a nice recovery after that into what's considered a normal range (for men > 50). You then had two lower readings (less than 300) in 2024 - but not into the range where hypogonadism is considered.,... still almost normal. And a nice rise in the latest one.

If I had those numbers I could save a lot of money on TRT. I suspect I'd be fairly happy with them. I went on TRT after my T went below 200 and stayed there over almost a year. That was after having healthy levels for several years after treatment was finished.

YMMV - but right now - I wouldn't question your latest results, I'd celebrate them. Good'on you! Enjoy good health - T certainly has a serious role in that.

[Hostage46]

Thanks for the follow up gents. I’m 63, and all things considered it was a nice “suprise” for a change.

I’ll stick with the gym and see where it goes

Dan in Dallas

[ManuteBol1]

I am 54. I had my first T test ever done in Nov 2023, right before my prostatectomy. Came back around 275. No symptoms that I had really ever noticed. Had more T tests done at the same time uPSA tests after surgery in the first half of 2024. They ranged from 235 to 265. In July 2024, I began working out with weights a lot and running as well. Hadn’t lifted weights in years until then. My urologist has talked to me about getting low-T therapy but didn’t really push it because of my supposed lack of symptoms. Then, I went and saw the Men’s Health urologist in their office in Aug 2024. He did another T test and it came back at 345, which was a good jump. Rightly or wrongly, I doid attribute that to an increased exercise regimen. However, the next T test n Oct came back at 262, so my theory was shot for the time being. In any event, those will be my last T tests for a while, unless I recur with cancer.

[Mgtd in reply to ManuteBol1]

Time of day you take the test has an impact on T. Suggest early AM as best time.