Total T : Body Size

[Ramstein II]

Does anyone have any research or input on the topic of T levels to body mass ratio? In other words, I see these charts of T levels by age group, but wouldn't T levels vary by body mass? Wouldn't a 6'4, 220 lbs guy have/need more T than a 5'9 165 lbs guy? Or no? Is there a correlation?

I'm surprised to hear from my Doc. that my total T at 569 is "at the low end of normal" for my age (30s) group. He is willing to put me on T supplementation to get me to what he considers optimum at 700-800. I'm bothered by this since I think I feel "fine." But could I feel better? I'm just wondering what difference it would make - cost / benefit analysis. I'm not ready to shut down for life. I suppose I could cycle it. But, is there any argument that we only need certain amounts of T to support our body size? I'm 200 lbs, 6 ft tall, and under 10% bodyfat and probably in the 99th percentile when it comes to upper body strength with a bench press probably around 400lbs, can do 8 chins with 90lbs attached etc... SO, i've done well with my "low end" T. I'm rambling, but does someone have input on this?

[BigAk]

Excellent question...

DO NOT TOUCH TRT..... You're fine as you are.

[musclepigg]

Do you mean lean body mass (mainly muscle)? I would think that would correlate with T moreso than weight on the scale.

You seem to be a good size. If you feel good, why bother with the TRT and risk shutdown and emotional roller coasters?

[JustOne]

Out of curiosity, whats your free or bio T, and if you got it tested IGF-1.

[Krembles]

Originally Posted by Ramstein II

Does anyone have any research or input on the topic of T levels to body mass ratio? In other words, I see these charts of T levels by age group, but wouldn't T levels vary by body mass? Wouldn't a 6'4, 220 lbs guy have/need more T than a 5'9 165 lbs guy? Or no? Is there a correlation?

I'm surprised to hear from my Doc. that my total T at 569 is "at the low end of normal" for my age (30s) group. He is willing to put me on T supplementation to get me to what he considers optimum at 700-800. I'm bothered by this since I think I feel "fine." But could I feel better? I'm just wondering what difference it would make - cost / benefit analysis. I'm not ready to shut down for life. I suppose I could cycle it. But, is there any argument that we only need certain amounts of T to support our body size? I'm 200 lbs, 6 ft tall, and under 10% bodyfat and probably in the 99th percentile when it comes to upper body strength with a bench press probably around 400lbs, can do 8 chins with 90lbs attached etc... SO, i've done well with my "low end" T. I'm rambling, but does someone have input on this?

First keep up the good work. Because we are all different and have lived differently it's
impossible to say. Remember the main thing is the amount of test in relation to estrogen.
You can have test levels of 1000 and of your estrogen level is 300. Than would not be cool.
It's all in the blood work. I've take so many blood tests it just makes me want to cry. It's
the only way to know if what you are changing is having the desired effect.

[drkinsey]

Originally Posted by Ramstein II

Does anyone have any research or input on the topic of T levels to body mass ratio? In other words, I see these charts of T levels by age group, but wouldn't T levels vary by body mass? Wouldn't a 6'4, 220 lbs guy have/need more T than a 5'9 165 lbs guy? Or no? Is there a correlation?

I'm surprised to hear from my Doc. that my total T at 569 is "at the low end of normal" for my age (30s) group. He is willing to put me on T supplementation to get me to what he considers optimum at 700-800. I'm bothered by this since I think I feel "fine." But could I feel better? I'm just wondering what difference it would make - cost / benefit analysis. I'm not ready to shut down for life. I suppose I could cycle it. But, is there any argument that we only need certain amounts of T to support our body size? I'm 200 lbs, 6 ft tall, and under 10% bodyfat and probably in the 99th percentile when it comes to upper body strength with a bench press probably around 400lbs, can do 8 chins with 90lbs attached etc... SO, i've done well with my "low end" T. I'm rambling, but does someone have input on this?

I am quite surprised that any doctor would recommend TRT for someone who has a healthy level AND does not have any symptoms commonly associated with low T - low muscle mass, weakness, fatigue, etc. It seems that this doctor, who appears to be a progessive anti-aging doctor, is practicing medicine by the numbers. My recommendation is to ignore his advice. Your levels are more than adequate. In fact, many bodybuilders have to resort to steriods to achieve the level of fitness and size you have achieved on a "modest" T level. Using TRT to increase your T 25 percent is likely to backfire. You will end up with a lower libido, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to increase your strength by 25 percent.

[brownb01]

Why were you going to the doc? Surely you have some simptions of something needing TRT or he would not have suggested it.

[Cynical Simian]

Originally Posted by brownb01

Why were you going to the doc? Surely you have some simptions of something needing TRT or he would not have suggested it.

It was probably a routine set of blood tests.

I agree with some of the other posters: if your levels aren't even close to being low, and you're doing quite well psychologically and physically, don't go anywhere near TRT.

[Ramstein II]

You guys have confirmed what I thought. Yes, he's a progressive Anti-Aging Dr. who's liberal with the hormones.

My story: I got my blood tested in July and then did a light anti-aging type cycle of Test Cyp and even some Deca (under the supervision of a different Dr.) My total T pre-cycle was 569, Free T was 11, and E was 17.

I am recovering now and will get blood drawn in the next 3-4 weeks. He said that if my levels are around what they were before my cycle, then we could talk about options of raising it with TRT, but he would certainly want me to undertand the risks. I like this Dr. better then the one I used before. I'm just surprised that he thought my levels were "low normal."

I've looked at the charts and see that I'm around the 50 percentile which would seem to be healthy. I did some interesting reading about racial difference in average T production. The explanation given was that T is produced in relation to what the body NEEDS to support it's functions, muscle mass etc... That's where my Q comes from.

After reading all the issues TRT guys have with DHT, Estrogen, SHBG, etc.... I think I'm staying natural. Overall, the light cycle I did allowed me to add some nice gains, but it probably wasn't worth it considering how much I've sat around thinking about my HPTA recovering, measuring my balls, etc... I think I just want my 569 back!

[lou123]

Originally Posted by Ramstein II

Does anyone have any research or input on the topic of T levels to body mass ratio? In other words, I see these charts of T levels by age group, but wouldn't T levels vary by body mass? Wouldn't a 6'4, 220 lbs guy have/need more T than a 5'9 165 lbs guy? Or no? Is there a correlation?

I'm surprised to hear from my Doc. that my total T at 569 is "at the low end of normal" for my age (30s) group. He is willing to put me on T supplementation to get me to what he considers optimum at 700-800. I'm bothered by this since I think I feel "fine." But could I feel better? I'm just wondering what difference it would make - cost / benefit analysis. I'm not ready to shut down for life. I suppose I could cycle it. But, is there any argument that we only need certain amounts of T to support our body size? I'm 200 lbs, 6 ft tall, and under 10% bodyfat and probably in the 99th percentile when it comes to upper body strength with a bench press probably around 400lbs, can do 8 chins with 90lbs attached etc... SO, i've done well with my "low end" T. I'm rambling, but does someone have input on this?

There is nothing low about a 569 T level for a guy in his 30's. I think it would be foolish for you to go on TRT as it will be for life most likely. What time was your blood drawn for the test ? Those tests can vary dramatically depending on time of day and how well you slept the night before.