33 and Feeling Low

#1 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 01:04 PM

I can't pin it down when it started, but it seems to have been going on for a while. I have very little desire for sex w/my wife, I am always tired, a lot more irritable, and when I DO have sex, my erections never last long. I decided to go see a Urologist. He sent me for a blood test and I just got the results, but I have yet to see the Dr. again b/c my appt. is next week. The results were as follows: FSH - 3.3 (1.6 - 8.0 mIU/mL reference) LH - 6.5 (1.5 - 9.3 mIU/mL reference) Prolactin - 7.3 (2.0 - 18.0 ng/mL reference) Testosterone, Total - 132 (241 - 827 ng/dL reference) Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 11 (7 - 50 nmol/L reference) I am not a doctor, but I can easily see my testosterone is LOW. Should I be worried about anything (i.e. causes of low testosterone) and what should I be asking the Urologist next week?

#2 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 01:04 PM

Hi Michael, Your testosterone is definitely low and you are a bit young for it to be entirely age relate (although not out of the question.) You will want to ask the doctor to explain the other causes of low testosterone and what kind of tests he can do to eliminate them. With such a complex chain of events leading to a normal testosterone level, many problems or interruptions along the process can lead to sub-normal levels in men at any age. If there are diseases or negative conditions involving the testes, hypothalamus, pituitary gland or genetic material, the resulting state is called hypogonadism. A variety of conditions can cause low testosterone besides aging: The testicles may be damaged, especially the Leydig cells, during sports or from other physical trauma. A case of mumps after puberty can cause an inflammation of the testes that interferes with testosterone and sperm production. Radiation treatment or chemotherapy can have a negative effect on the Leydig cells. Testicular or pituitary tumors can also have an impact on the testosterone level. HIV/AIDs and other serious viral infections can inflict damage on the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus or the testes. Genetic conditions such as Klinefelter's, Kallmann's and Prader-Willi syndromes and myotonic dystrophy all can have a negative impact on testosterone production. Vasectomy may damage the Leydig cells and lead to early andropause. In addition, many lifestyle habits affect the way testosterone is produced. A diet high in meat and poultry may expose a man to hormones used in meat production that act like estrogen in the body. Estrogen is a potent inhibitor of testosterone production as are prolonged periods of high stress. Mild to moderately intense physical stress, as in casual sports and sexual intercourse, may actually boost testosterone production. Alcohol consumption, on the other hand, has been proven to have a strong negative impact on testosterone levels. Beer, which contains plant estrogens, is particularly toxic to the testes. As we all know, the testes are very heat sensitive so switching from jockey shorts and tight jeans to boxers and loose pants may raise the testosterone level. Sorry to give you such a long laundry list but you can think about each of these and raise questions about any of them that might hit home for you. Good luck.

#3 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 01:04 PM

Michael, my numbers were similar to yours, but even lower. Since I'm only 47, my primary sent me for an MRI, where they found a pituitary tumor. I'm not suggesting that your low T may be caused by the same thing, but it is worth checking out, as the wellness editor suggests above. If it is a pituitary tumor, they are 99% of the time benign (great news!), but still need to be removed, as they continue to grow. Mine was fairly large, which caused excess compression on the pituitary gland, causing permanent damage. So, I'll be on testosterone replacement for the rest of my life. But the good news is that there is replacement today for any hormone that the pituitary ["master"] gland controls. Also, good news, is the method or tumor removal (transphenoidal - through the nose) - no more craniotomies. I know this might sound scary, but let me assure you, as one that has been through it, it really is not as bad as it sounds. The way my neurologist put it to me was this: if you're going to have a brain tumor, THIS is the kind you want. BTW, pitutary macroadenomas account for about 15% of all brain tumors. Again, this may not be your problem, so don't get all worked up about it. But just talk to your doctor and get it checked out. Good luck.