Iron Game
Veteran
Correctly Identifying Normal Testosterone Levels
Determining the correct testosterone levels for your age, and reaching an optimal zone, can greatly increase your odds of successful treatment.
When testosterone levels are maximized; it enables the energy, strength, and motivation needed to live a full life.
But if they aren't managed properly, or your symptoms of low testosterone remain after treatment, it can lead to an alternatively frustrating experience (as I'm sure many of you can attest to).
Although the research on healthy testosterone levels has generally been scant up until this now, I was able to find a couple good studies indicating average ranges in the male population at large.
Average Testosterone Levels by Age in Men
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</tbody>Normal Testosterone Levels in Men (Non-Diabetic)
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Male Testosterone Levels in an Unhealthy Population
Depending on the lab your doctor uses, male testosterone levels typically range between 250ng/dl and 850 ng/dl.
As you may well imagine, these ranges are not set to optimal levels. They are from a cross section of men aged 20 to 80; many of whom may be sick or diseased, from a lifetime of unhealthy habits.
If your blood work arrives, and your doctor happens to refuse treatment - even though your levels are close to the bottom of the range; then a gentle reminder of what optimal health entails may be in order.
If you kindly point out, you have the T levels of a sick 80 year old (and feel like one at that); hopefully your doctor will come around.
Emphasize your Low Testosterone Symptoms
If your doctor is stubborn, or doesn't like their patients being active participants in their own healthcare - you may be better off emphasizing the symptoms more specific to low testosterone.
Noting a loss of sex drive, the development of impotence, and/or reduced muscle mass and strength; should give any knowledgeable doctor a red flag that T levels aren't on par.
Depression, fatigue, and loss of motivation are also commonly caused by low testosterone. Unfortunately, many doctors would rather prescribe an antidepressant than bring back to normal, a natural substance your body already makes.
Doctor being Stubborn? Up the Ante to Ensure Treatment
If all else fails (as sad as it may seem), play the desperation/victim card. Maybe tell him your you're at the cusp of getting fired, due to poor work performance.
Or alternatively, your wife/girlfriend has threatened to leave; over sex drive/impotence problems or recent lack of ambition.
Most doctors with a soul will come around, once you explain the seriousness of your case. And if they don't, shop around. Eventually you'll find someone who's sympathetic, as tough as that search may be.
Determining the correct testosterone levels for your age, and reaching an optimal zone, can greatly increase your odds of successful treatment.
When testosterone levels are maximized; it enables the energy, strength, and motivation needed to live a full life.
But if they aren't managed properly, or your symptoms of low testosterone remain after treatment, it can lead to an alternatively frustrating experience (as I'm sure many of you can attest to).
Although the research on healthy testosterone levels has generally been scant up until this now, I was able to find a couple good studies indicating average ranges in the male population at large.
Average Testosterone Levels by Age in Men
| Vermeulen, A. (1996). Declining Androgens with Age: An Overview. In Vermeulen, A. & Oddens, & B. J. (Eds.), Androgens and the Aging Male (pp. 3-14). New York: Parthenon Publishing. |
| Measurements in SI Units (nmol/L) |
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| Age | Number of Subjects | Total Test | Stand. Dev. | Free Test | Stand. Dev. | SHBG | Stand. Dev. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 45 | 21.38 | 5.90 | 0.428 | 0.098 | 35.5 | 8.8 |
| 35-44 | 22 | 23.14 | 7.36 | 0.356 | 0.043 | 40.1 | 7.9 |
| 45-54 | 23 | 21.02 | 7.37 | 0.314 | 0.075 | 44.6 | 8.2 |
| 55-64 | 43 | 19.49 | 6.75 | 0.288 | 0.073 | 45.5 | 8.8 |
| 65-74 | 47 | 18.15 | 6.83 | 0.239 | 0.078 | 48.7 | 14.2 |
| 75-84 | 48 | 16.32 | 5.85 | 0.207 | 0.081 | 51.0 | 22.7 |
| 85-100 | 21 | 13.05 | 4.63 | 0.186 | 0.080 | 65.9 | 22.8 |
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| Measurements in Conventional Units (ng/dl), SHBG in (nmol/L) |
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| Age | Number of Subjects | Total Test | Stand. Dev. | Free Test | Stand. Dev. | SHBG | Stand. Dev. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 45 | 617 | 170 | 12.3 | 2.8 | 35.5 | 8.8 |
| 35-44 | 22 | 668 | 212 | 10.3 | 1.2 | 40.1 | 7.9 |
| 45-54 | 23 | 606 | 213 | 9.1 | 2.2 | 44.6 | 8.2 |
| 55-64 | 43 | 562 | 195 | 8.3 | 2.1 | 45.5 | 8.8 |
| 65-74 | 47 | 524 | 197 | 6.9 | 2.3 | 48.7 | 14.2 |
| 75-84 | 48 | 471 | 169 | 6.0 | 2.3 | 51.0 | 22.7 |
| 85-100 | 21 | 376 | 134 | 5.4 | 2.3 | 65.9 | 22.8 |
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| Simon, D., Nahoul, K., & Charles M.A. (1996). Sex Hormones, Aging, Ethnicity and Insulin Sensivity in Men: An Overview of the TELECOM Study. In Vermeulen, A. & Oddens, and B. J. (Eds.), Androgens and the Aging Male (pp. 85-102). New York: Parthenon Publishing. |
| Measurements in SI Units (nmol/L) |
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| Age | Number of Subjects | Mean Total Test | Stand. Dev. | Median Total Test | 5th % | 10th % | 95th % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <25 | 125 | 23.97 | 5.48 | 24.15 | 14.15 | 16.22 | 33.12 |
| 25-29 | 354 | 23.18 | 7.14 | 22.08 | 13.46 | 15.18 | 34.84 |
| 30-34 | 330 | 21.53 | 6.72 | 20.70 | 12.07 | 13.46 | 33.81 |
| 35-39 | 212 | 20.70 | 6.55 | 19.66 | 11.39 | 13.46 | 32.77 |
| 40-44 | 148 | 20.70 | 6.87 | 20.70 | 11.04 | 13.11 | 32.43 |
| 45-49 | 154 | 18.91 | 5.66 | 18.28 | 11.39 | 12.42 | 29.32 |
| 50-54 | 164 | 18.87 | 6.49 | 17.94 | 10.01 | 12.07 | 32.43 |
| 55-59 | 155 | 19.14 | 6.04 | 18.97 | 11.04 | 11.73 | 30.01 |
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| Measurements in Conventional Units (ng/dl) |
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| Age | Number of Subjects | Mean Total Test | Stand. Dev. | Median Total Test | 5th % | 10th % | 95th % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <25 | 125 | 692 | 158 | 697 | 408 | 468 | 956 |
| 25-29 | 354 | 669 | 206 | 637 | 388 | 438 | 1005 |
| 30-34 | 330 | 621 | 194 | 597 | 348 | 388 | 975 |
| 35-39 | 212 | 597 | 189 | 567 | 329 | 388 | 945 |
| 40-44 | 148 | 597 | 198 | 597 | 319 | 378 | 936 |
| 45-49 | 154 | 546 | 163 | 527 | 329 | 358 | 846 |
| 50-54 | 164 | 544 | 187 | 518 | 289 | 348 | 936 |
| 55-59 | 155 | 552 | 174 | 547 | 319 | 338 | 866 |
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Male Testosterone Levels in an Unhealthy Population
Depending on the lab your doctor uses, male testosterone levels typically range between 250ng/dl and 850 ng/dl.
As you may well imagine, these ranges are not set to optimal levels. They are from a cross section of men aged 20 to 80; many of whom may be sick or diseased, from a lifetime of unhealthy habits.
If your blood work arrives, and your doctor happens to refuse treatment - even though your levels are close to the bottom of the range; then a gentle reminder of what optimal health entails may be in order.
If you kindly point out, you have the T levels of a sick 80 year old (and feel like one at that); hopefully your doctor will come around.
Emphasize your Low Testosterone Symptoms
If your doctor is stubborn, or doesn't like their patients being active participants in their own healthcare - you may be better off emphasizing the symptoms more specific to low testosterone.
Noting a loss of sex drive, the development of impotence, and/or reduced muscle mass and strength; should give any knowledgeable doctor a red flag that T levels aren't on par.
Depression, fatigue, and loss of motivation are also commonly caused by low testosterone. Unfortunately, many doctors would rather prescribe an antidepressant than bring back to normal, a natural substance your body already makes.
Doctor being Stubborn? Up the Ante to Ensure Treatment
If all else fails (as sad as it may seem), play the desperation/victim card. Maybe tell him your you're at the cusp of getting fired, due to poor work performance.
Or alternatively, your wife/girlfriend has threatened to leave; over sex drive/impotence problems or recent lack of ambition.
Most doctors with a soul will come around, once you explain the seriousness of your case. And if they don't, shop around. Eventually you'll find someone who's sympathetic, as tough as that search may be.
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