Low T count

[NAR]

I am a 43 yo and have just found out I have low T levels. I have had severe depression over the last 12 months and have no libido left. I was told it was just the medication - Edronax. I am also insulin resistant.
When I got the first Test back 12.8nmol (369) and was told that's in the normal range, but at least I was forewarned by this website. I said not really, I have T levels that are lower than the average 93 yo. I was given a second lot of tests :

Testosterone    12.7   nmol   (8.0 – 36)   (366 ng/dl)
Shbg                  43   nmol   (17-66)
Fai                     29.5%   (23.3 – 103)
Free testost.   216   pmol   (170-500)

I am a little confused how these figures relate to everything.
I have an appointment with an endocrinologist at the end of August.

[cainooo]

The weird thing is you are still considered "normal" to docs mot trying to hijack your post but try only having 2.8mmol i feel your pain my friend

[NAR]

you are right - I am considered normal, but I have lost all function in the last two weeks - I am at breaking point and dont know whether bI can last til end of August to see an endocrinologist that I dont know will see all this as a problem.

[PeakT]

This drug has a very checkered past.  If you haven't already, you should read Wiki's summary:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reboxetine

If it works for you, then that's great of course - everyone is different - but it does not appear to be better than placebo and it also appears that Pfizer may have - shock! - doctored the data somewhat. 

I have not found any references that say that this can lead to sexual dysfunction, but all the drugs that touch your neurotransmitters can do that.  So one of the first places I would look is this medication.  Just do a search on this board for the various antidepressants and you'll see many stories of how these have negatively impacted the sex life of many posters.

By the way, I'm not saying you shouldn't take the drug as severe depression is something to be taken seriously and "any port in a storm" so to speak, but "eyes wide open" as they say.

Now jumping to your testosterone.  First of all, your testosterone is on the low side and testosterone in the 300's often really affects the male brain.  Again, there are many guys on this board who can tell you that.  Now some men in the 300's seem to do okay and are symptom free, but many, many are not.  Almost every guy writing into this board with classic low T symptoms will be in the 200's and 300's.

See this link for examples of "normal" testosterone levels and you can see that you are well below the average:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Testosterone_Levels_Male

I don't know if you are in the U.S., but you can almost always find a doc that will treat you if you are the 300's with the symptoms of low testosterone.  Of course, whether or not you go on HRT (testosterone therapy) is a personal decision between you and your doctor.

Here are some VERY important points: 

1.  If you get your testosterone back up to more youthful levels - around 600 ng/dl - you will likely notice an improvement in mood.  Testosterone has a huge impact on the brain and low testosterone is associated with mood disorders and depression - something I cover in my book as you may know.  Again, that's something to discuss with you doctor, as he knows your medical history, etc.

2.  Again, hopefully you read this in my book, but low testosterone raised insulin levels and is associated with diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and insulin resistance.  PM me and I'll send you a copy if you don't have one by the way.

3.  I am not suggesting that depression can be solved with simple fixes.  However, don't discount the very significant effect that lifestyle changes can make to your depression.  When you are clinically depressed, you do not feel like doing anything, but that is the absolute worst thing you can do and let me explain why:

--Depression is associated with various nutritional deficiencies.
--Depression is associated with low omega-3's
--Depression is associated with  being sedentary

I'm not sure why, but often doctors do not even mention this fact to their patients.  So check this link out and see if any of it might apply and then discuss with your doctor:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Depression_Cures

This link may also be of interest:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Depression_Erectile_Dysfunction

CAUTION:  Discuss with your doctor before doing any change as he is supposed to be the expert in drug interactions, etc.

[NAR]

Thanks for the reply, I hadn't seen that information on roboxetine, very interesting, I also have quite a few of the sideaffects including raising my blood pressure. I hate being on it, but feel it is working - along with some lamotrigine. I just dont know where you get the idea that results have been doctored to suit the company .

As you may have guessed, I am not in the U.S., I come from the once great Land of  Australia - just North of Sydney and am trying to find the right endocrinologist.

I am putting many of the suggestion to get out of this depression, particularly regular excercise - gym three times a week but find I can only do 40 mins of cardio stuff before I almost totally collapse, My shirt is always soaked after this, another symptom/side affect. I have lost 10 kg (22lb) in the last two months, and am currently at 96kg (211) and am aiming to drop to  about 88kg (193) which is about right for my 6'2" height.

Thanks for your help

[PeakT]

I just dont know where you get the idea that results have been doctored to suit the company .

Well, if you can't trust Big Pharma, who can you trust, eh?

Let us know how it goes - I'm confident things will be much better for you in 3-6 months from now.

Also, you may be interested in this thread:

https://www.peaktestosterone.com/forum/index.php?topic=319

Notice how many others chimed in regarding depression...