help needed - australia

[NAR]

I saw an endocrinologist a week ago. my T  levels are around 11.8 - 12.7 (340 - 366). the endocrinologist basically did not listen to me and I felt shut down and was more interested in my glucose intolerance than my testosterone.

I feel as though I am arguing with my doctor as well as he does not see that I have a problem and not to believe everything you read on the net. after seeing them my mood has been sent even lower.

does anyone have any suggestions of where to go??? I am at a total loss as what to do next...

[PeakT]

Sorry to hear about the struggles.  My first comment is that this is very ignorant on your endocrinologist's part (with all due respect).  Testosterone is one factor that govern insulin levels and is a risk factor for diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome.  If you have low testosterone like yours, you are very likely to struggle even more significantly with blood sugar control issues.

See these links:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Testosterone_Insulin

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Testosterone_Diabetes

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Testosterone_Metabolic_Syndrome

Now, that said, your doctor is doing the right thing by emphasizing the importance of lasering on blood glucose and insulin.  What symptoms are you having?  Why is he concerned?

Also, I have an important question:  are you overweight?  I'm asking because low T and the above are classic signs of extra pounds.

By the way, PM me and I'll send you my testosterone book as it has several sections covering the testosterone/insulin issues and some of the studies that discuss this (at levels right around where you are at).

[NAR]

Since the end of may I have dropped from 107 kg (235lb) down to 93kg (204lb) by diet and exercise. I am just over 6'1". My blood sugar IS under control for now. In early May I was diagnosed as being glucose intolerant after having a high reading taken while in hospital for mental health issues.
My Gp is happy with these levels, it was just the endocrinologist focused heavily on these as I was just a couple of points off having T2 diabetes. I am having no symptoms from the sugar levels. The endocrinologist also put me on diabex - I dont really know why.

[PeakT]

Gotcha.  Well, congrats on the positive changes to weight and exercise. 

Okay, another important question:  are you still cutting back on calories to lose weight? 

[NAR]

yes, am still on diet, restriting carb intake

[PeakT]

yes, am still on diet, restriting carb intake

This will (likely) strongly reduce your testosterone, depending on how much below baseline you are going.

[NAR]

So hat is why it has dropped from 12.8 to 11.8 over the last tree months...

[PeakT]

So hat is why it has dropped from 12.8 to 11.8 over the last tree months...

When did you start dieting?  How long ago I mean?

[makingsteel]

Govt healthcare says it all.

[NAR]

I changed my diet in late may as I was carrying too much weight, and to help with the glucose intolerance.
I feel I have always had low levels, and have recently found out that my father also suffers from low libido. Is it hereditary???

[NAR]

can anyone in Australia (Sydney or Brisbane areas) suggest a specialist to see that is not conservative and could help???

[PeakT]

I changed my diet in late may as I was carrying too much weight, and to help with the glucose intolerance.

Okay, well correct me if I am thinking about this wrong, but the 12.8 occurred after you started cutting calories, right?  That means your baseline could be above 12.8. 

I should add that you can't really go by one reading.  Testosterone does vary quite a bit and I sometimes think the labs aren't perfect either.

I feel I have always had low levels, and have recently found out that my father also suffers from low libido. Is it hereditary???

Testosterone is a huge factor in libido as you probably know from personal research and poking around my site.  But it is certainly not the only factor.  Almost any weak link in your personal health can affect it significantly, including immune-issues, poor nutrition, sleep disorders, stress, thyroid function, Vitamin D, being overweight, depression, medications and on and on. 

I am not saying those apply to you.  But I'm saying you have to start digging one-by-one and steadily working on your health.  Your body is essentially a very complex race car and you have to learn how to manage it and understand it as best you can.  Get good docs and medical experts to help you and read a ton as the docs are certainly not always perfect as you can tell from poking around this forum!

So, to answer your questions: 

1.  Your low testosterone may be related to a) a reduction in calories from dieting and b) being overweight.  This may substantially improve over time as you lose weight and then restore baseline calorie levels.  There is no way to know for sure except to try it.

2.  It is almost for sure not heriditary.  Many, many studies have examined native peoples who live disease free (from all our chronic conditions) but then begin to live a Western lifestyle and their health starts to rapidly degenerate.  It could be some weird mutation, but studies show that it is unlikely.

3.  Your libido is undoubtedly being affected by your lowish testosterone but could be affected by many other factors as well.  Start building up your general health and libido will follow:  it's another great barometer (like erections) of overall health and well-being.