Test results for an 18 year old

[meeshellwakeop]

So I've been having some ED problems for a while, but I finally broke down and talked to my doctor just last week. Blood test results came back- my total testosterone levels measured at 235 (range was something like 241- 820). I still have to get a few more tests done and possibly speak with an endocrinologist.

I know that that number is only barely outside the normal range, but how low is it for an average 18 y/o? Since I am (at least somewhat) symptomatic, is it low enough for me to ask my doctor about HRT/TRT?

In the absence of treatment, will my t levels naturally rise as I reach my 20's?

Any other help would be greatly appreciated

[zkt]

The normal range encompasses ~98 % of the population. "235" puts you in the bottom few percent of the population. Normal for the population is (820-241)/2= 380. Quest Diagnostic` Lab
normal range is 260-1000. Applyig yur score of 235 to this range puts you even lowrer. The thing poeple dont seem to understand it that the reference range is not linear. In other words, if the ref rangeis0-100, obviously the average is 50. A score of 25 isnt half of normal is really 15% of normal.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PR_and_NCE.gif
Im beginning to think s lot of doctors have forgotten this.
In addition the wide range of total T scores that encompass the normal range ie. 222-1000 indicates a lot of variability between individuals. Contrast this with thenormal range of glucose (70-110) for instance. The narrow normal range indicates that everyone is about the same as far as serum glucose goes. Bottom line is that you have to take the raw ttal T score with a grain of salt and look at the individual and his symptoms as well.

[pmgamer18]

ZKT is on the mark your levels are in the normal range but for a man 100 yrs. old. You do need to find out why before treating this if you go on TRT with out knowing why you may never feel your best on treatment. Go to Dr. John's site and read TRT: A Recipe for Success and in this are the tests you need and why.
http://www.allthingsmale.com/publications.html
For the Thyroid tests get this.
* TSH
* Free T4 and Free T3 (note the word “free”)
* Thyroid Antibodies (anti-TPO and TgAb. YOU NEED BOTH.)
* Ferritin (and do stress FERRITIN, not just RBC)
* Adrenals Cortisol levels (but we strongly recommend saliva tests, not the one time blood test your doctor will do.

You are too dam young to be on TRT for life make sure you find out why. It can be over training, eating to much SOY, Stress an infection or damage to your testis. If you fix what is wrong your levels will go back up.
Here is a link about reading tests and Dr.'s I feel for get this. And to many times tell someone they are ok there in the normal range.
http://www.intelligencetest.com/stan-deviation.htm