Testosterone Levels - What do these mean?

[birosypalm (imported)]

Here are my testosterone levels:

Testosterone - Total = 233 ng/dL

Testosterone - % Free Testosterone = 1.91%

Testosterone - Free = 44.5 pg/ml

Can you please help me understand what these mean and how will they help me decide what to do. I really appreciate all of your comments. Hal

[randy (imported)]

Here are my testosterone levels:

Testosterone - Total = 233 ng/dL

Testosterone - % Free Testosterone = 1.91%

Testosterone - Free = 44.5 pg/ml

Can you please help me understand what these mean and how will they help me decide what to do. I really appreciate all of your comments. Hal

Some might say differently but 300-1000 ng/dL is the normal range for a male. If you explained your desires for the future, we could better help you decide where to go from here.

Why did you have your testosterone levels checked ?

[Testman (imported)]

The real normal range is 750-1200ng/dl of blood. So your level is low. The free testosterone is what has not been bound by protein. It's more potent than the bound is. Generally, it seems most physicians ignore the free reading and only go on the total.

[Riverwind (imported)]

When I was first checked I had been on Androcur for about 4 months, my level was 30. two months after castration it did not register at all.

River

[birosypalm (imported)]

Thank you those who replied to my post.

Can you tell me what effects the low testosterone levels are producing? For some reason, I can't explain why, I find the ideas of castration and penis removal very exciting. I've often wondered over the years what I'd be like without any penis or testacles - absolutely nothing at all.

I first became in this (I think) when I first read about Christine Jeorgensen, who, as you know, had a sex change operation when I was very young.

Sharing your experiences and thoughts with me would be so much appreciated and maybe help me to understand what and whom I am - really.

Thank you.

Hal

[raymar2020 (imported)]

Testosterone levels decrease in most men as they age. Truthfully , even at 60 your level is low. I carry a very low level and always have, but then i always had testicular issues. My system is used to that low level, as it has never known anything else.

Your T level likely has very little to do with your thoughts regarding emasulation or castration, they are rooted in some other thought process.

Trying to understand desires or fantasies , is a whole divison of therapy. Your thoughts may be motivated somewhat by the knowledge you have acquired in life, or from childhood experiences.

As for you T levels, you would be ahead to get them boosted a bit , if you are not in an issue for prostate problems. Don't go wild, and try for a 1200 count, but getting to 350-400 would be healthier for you, especially if you are sexually active.

Ray

[cordonone (imported)]

Here are my testosterone levels:

Testosterone - Total = 233 ng/dL

Testosterone - % Free Testosterone = 1.91%

Testosterone - Free = 44.5 pg/ml

Can you please help me understand what these mean and how will they help me decide what to do. I really appreciate all of your comments. Hal

As others have pointed out, your Total level is below the normal range. The normal range is defined differently, often depending on the lab doing the test. The typical range for a younger guy is from around 300 ng/dl to around 1,100; for someone over 60, its 300 or so to 750 or so. Your Free Testosterone, which many think is more important to look at, is at the low end of normal, which typically begins around 40.0pg/ml.

The most important thing is how you feel. Some men are comfortable at the lower end of "normal," others feel best at the higher end. Your non-testicular endocrine glands produce testosterone as well, usually 30--50 ng/dl.

[Hash (imported)]

Low testosterone causes most males to feel somewhat weaker, more lethargic, tired, difficulty with erections, and estrogen increases, which I suspect has happened to you. You might have already experienced some breast growth, I did when my testosterone got around 225. I think the estrogen might be causing you to have increased desires for castration & penectomy. Some will disagree with me about this, but I've been around a while and the evidence shows that high estrogen levels can cause men to turn against their own sex and desire female anatomy. I think you're have these desires to remove your genitals for that specific reason.

[ukeunuch (imported)]

Its not just the lab that takes the test, or the age of the patient, but also the country. I if I took a testosterone test and they took two vials, sent one to America and the other was done in England the tests would have differnt results.

The scale used in the Uk was based on men in the north east in the 1960's

1) Its 40 years out of date.

2) The results differ from which part of the country you are.

3) There were no hormones in our recycled water that we have today.

4) How can you decide when formulating a scale that every man tested is 'normal' whatever that is? Then relate a mean average to age.:-\

[birosypalm (imported)]

I see what you are saying. Had not considered it, so, thank you very much for your input.

Hal

[bobbie (imported)]

There seems to be very many different ways to measure testosterone. You need to know what is the range for the test you were given. Just asking what your number means is almost impossible to decode. In all of my test results the range of normal was given. So I knew what was in range and what was not. Some test results may even give the range for female levels.

You need to know all of the number from the doctor. There are also several different test that are taken to measure the testosterone. Each of those test have a different range of numbers. If you look at on of those numbers it could look like you are at castration levels. It is best to get a copy of the test results to see just what test you are talking about. Also what the normal range for the test should be.

[birosypalm (imported)]

Thanks bobbie. Yes, when I received the test results showing my testosterone as low I was also given the "normal" values, and yes, my numbers are considerably low based on the "normal" values shown which I do not have nearby right now. Again Thank you.

Hal

[feedback (imported)]

Everyone must react differently to T levels. For me when my T levels are up near normal I have a very strong desire to get rid of my testicle and even my penis. When I keep my T levels low that urge is not nearly as strong. I must not be normal.

[leftbehind33 (imported)]

Reference ranges for total testosterone from my own labs:

Arup: 400-1080 ng/dL

Labcorp: 241-827 ng/dL

Quest: 300-1000 ng/dL

Free Testosterone:

Labcorp: 5 - 21 ng/dL

Other labs allow for a lower "floor" of total testosterone (around 200 ng/dL).

As others have said, your free T and total T are both low (though the total T may be barely above the reference range, depending on the lab). To prevent osteoporosis, anemia, and diabetes, you should talk with your doctor about going on some form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Some forms of HRT work better than others, but a good goal for testosterone would be the upper third of the reference range, if you don't seek bodily feminization.

[Woggler58 (imported)]

Reference ranges for total testosterone from my own labs:

Arup: 400-1080 ng/dL

Labcorp: 241-827 ng/dL

Quest: 300-1000 ng/dL

Free Testosterone:

Labcorp: 5 - 21 ng/dL

I get my testing at LabCorp. Last December my total T was 211 and free T was 4.0; I had poor libido and unserviceable erections. This July it's up to 259 and 5.5 and I'm experiencing some improvement but not nearly what I want.

Yes, judging a test result must be with respect to the lab's own reference ranges as given above, which I understand are set to simply include the middle 95% of all their results (two standard deviations each way from the mean value.)

Thus scoring just within the reference range limit is no sign that the result is of no further concern or that it is normal. Normal in my mind is much closer to mid-way between the reference range extremes.

[moi621 (imported)]

Best to know Your FSH value also, and YOUR Lab's normal range on this test.

FSH is a hormone from the Pituitary Gland at the base of the brain.

In men it signals for production of T. from down below.

Zero FSH means one is taking too much T.

Elevated FSH means one does not have enough T.

By looking at the FSH values, you see the effect of your T,

Physiological, relatively low / absent, or too Much T.

Just An Opinion.

Like noses, everyone has one.

Moi

[leftbehind33 (imported)]

FSH signals sperm production, so wouldn't LH be more meaningful, since the cells int the testes that produce testosterone depend on LH signaling? If it hasn't been stated already, prolactin is another pituitary hormone worth testing, as excess prolactin can lower testosterone.

Both FSH and LH values are useful (pre-testosterone replacement therapy) to know if the pituitary's activity or if excessive estrogen is blunting testosterone production, but I've never heard a low or non-existent reading of either indicated excessive testosterone therapy. Generally, the testes get lazy as soon as they figure out T is present and coming from somewhere outside, regardless of how much T is administered.

[cordonone (imported)]

When I was first checked I had been on Androcur for about 4 months, my level was 30. two months after castration it did not register at all.

River

interesting. thanks. i didn't know that medication suppressed all Testosterone production, even from the adrenal glands (for me, about 30--50 without HRT). I'm curious if there aren't negative side effects on normal adrenal functioning.

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Interestingly enough, my post castration level without TRT runs between 35 and 75. At this level I feel neutered but not without some interest in sexual matters. --FLO--

[prozac420 (imported)]

Mine was at 333 ng/dL last month, does anyone have a rough guess about how long it takes for the testosterone to metabolize out post-orchiectomy?

[bobbie (imported)]

The levels should be reaching the normal lows for you very soon if not already. Your adrenal gland will still be making some testosterone.

[Woggler58 (imported)]

Mine was at 333 ng/dL last month, does anyone have a rough guess about how long it takes for the testosterone to metabolize out post-orchiectomy?

I've read that testosterone is mostly gone within a day after removal of the testes. One med journal report on a newer method for doing the surgery reported most T was gone in two hours. Nearly all bi-lateral castrations of men are for advanced prostate cancer, where the only purpose is to eliminate nearly all of the T and thereby impair the cancer's activity and spread. Bio-identical T replacement for low natural T production (or none) needs to be applied once or twice a day, to approximate how it had been delivered naturally. Google searches will get you lots of med journal article abstracts that deal with your question.

[birosypalm (imported)]

I never thought that there would be so many caring people out there who would:

1) Understand who I am and help me with the feelings I'm having

2) Provide so much valuable information and advice and

3) Offer encouragement and support to a total stranger

To each of you I say a big "THANK YOU." I appreciate ALL of your comments very much and look forward to any others that may follow. Thank you.

That said, with my low Testosterone levels, I definitely do feel weaker, more lethargic, tired, I have difficulty with sustainable and hard erections, and perhaps estrogen increases (can this be tested in a male?). I have also experienced some breast growth and very heightened nipple sensitivity. Do you think my low testesterone and perhaps a higher level of estrogen might be causing me

to have increased desires for castration & penectomy?