Impotence Support - 53 yr. old testosterone test

Author

53 yr. old testosterone test

crooner

2005-05-18, 9:02 am

Hi group,I've been VERY depressed for about 3 mos. and SOMEWHAT
depressed for years, I'm talking don't care what the house looks like,
dishes in sink for months, grass 2 ft. high, I only pay bills at the
last minute, eat every 12 hours (usually soup) and watch tv and grieve
for the woman that broke up with me 3ms. ago, and often cry, and don't
interact with anyone.

I've self analysed my situation and realise that the problem is NOT my
ex. but conditions that existed long before I met her 9 mos. ago, and
it's not normal for another person to be the answer to ones well being.

I've been on anti-depressants on and off for 10 years, I've been taking
wellbutrinxl for 4 weeks with no improvement, and a good friend shared
that he was like me for years, and and finally found out that his
testosterone was way low due to his pituitary gland not functioning.

He's on the testosterone patches and it has made him a new man! ,and he
suggested I get tested just to see if possibly that could be my
problem. We share similar history, in last 10 years one horrible trauma
after another, (2 sons that almost died) relatives dying in my home,
separating from my wife, girlfriend dying, chronic back pain for years,
from a work injury, taking a lot of soma, vicodiene, and sitting home
on state disability for a year, and as I understand, this knd of
lifestyle can cause your testosterone to deplete.

I had a blood draw and I thought they knew what I was looking for, but
all they tested was for simple test. level,(no free level)
My level was 440,and the dr,.said this was fine,because the high would
be 800, and the low 200,. I said that to my understanding , the high
was1200? Anyway, they are going to test again, and I told them (from
reading your posts) that I wanted them to test for testosterone, free
testosterone, and estradiol and cortisol level and free t3 and t4
thyroid levels.

Do you that are knowledgeable of this area, think I'm on the right
track?

He also switched me to lexapro to see if that helps, I know I need
therapy to deal with the loss of my love (as I know you can't be
dependent on another person to supply you with normal well being, (but I
haven't been normal for longer than I can remember) By this I mean have
no hobbies or men friends I interact with, so I smothered my wonderful
girlfriend, because I made her the key to my happiness and she felt she
couldn't make me happy because she has 4 kids and didn't feel she could
give enough to me.

Well,now that I've poured out the drama , does anyone think I'm taking
the right path? (just to find out or eliminate the possability)? Any
input will be appreciated, (and I know most of this is off topic)

Joe D.

2005-05-18, 9:02 am

Your symptoms could indicate either clinical depression or a
hormonal problem. Both conditions can produce roughly
the same symptoms, so it's hard to differentiate.

The reference range for total T varies from lab to lab.
On a ref range of 200-800, 440 is 40% into the ref range.

However on a ref range of 300-1200, 440 is only 16% into
the ref range. That's why comparing the number to the
ref range is vital.

It's important to have your prolactin level measured, as
high prolactin can also cause these symptoms even if
T is normal.

Likewise low thyroid is often associated with depression.

If your thyroid and/or testosterone levels are within the
ref range but low for your age, and if you've been
unresponsive to several antidepressants, it's worth
augmenting antidepressants with hormone therapy.

This isn't a fringe or exotic approach, but is well documented
and often used.

Often psychiatrists will prescribe a low dose of synthroid
to depression patients who don't respond to antidepressants.

Getting a balanced diet, regular rest and exercise, and using alcohol
and caffeine only in moderation can also help.

Anoni Moose

2005-05-18, 5:50 pm

Joe D. wrote:

> The reference range for total T varies from lab to lab.
> On a ref range of 200-800, 440 is 40% into the ref range.

In "my" lab, the range is age dependent. For over 50,
high end was about 800 (mine was 680, and I'm on TRT).
For the younger the high end is substantially higher.

Just passed over the "boundary" not long ago, same
as crooner. :-)

Mike