1. < Men's Health

False testosterone reading?

Posted by adanthalion @adanthalion, May 13 8:53pm

Yes, I have dealt with low-t levels for several years now. I was on therapy for it for many of them. But, then my provider stopped covering it, I also have hypothyroidism, which I take levothyroxine for, and a micro-adenoma on my pituitary gland that has remained at the same size since I was first diagnosed as having it, although it’s been a few years since my last MRI. Anyway, the last two times my t levels were tested they came back at being 50 percent higher than all previous results. But, the thing is I have had no change in my energy levels and can’t gain any muscle mass. The last time my levels were this higher prior to these last two readings was when I was on testosterone therapy, during which time I had far more energy and could actually gain a little muscle mass. But, since I can’t now, despite the much higher readings of my last 2 testosterone tests, could it be something is causing a false reading to turn up? But, if not, then why do I feel just as tired as I did before, and can’t gain any muscle mass no matter how much I exercise?

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vincescs | @vincescs | May 14 11:06am

After having 3 testosterone blood tests over the course of 5 weeks I have very little confidence in the reliability or accuracy of the results generated by Labcorp. My test results, in order, were 292, 686, and 458. All blood draws were completed before 10 am, and there had been no changes to the dosing for my testosterone replacement therapy using topical gel. The 292 and 686 results were actually generated only 1 week apart, and I noticed no difference in how I felt over that time period. The only explanation I can come up with is laboratory testing variability.

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adanthalion | @adanthalion | May 14 11:43am

Thank you for your response. I’m sorry to hear about your own troubles with testing.

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Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | May 15 7:22am

@adanthalion - Welcome to Mayo Connect. This is a great place to seek new ideas and to share thoughts with others in a similar situation.

I have had countless testosterone blood tests over the years and have never encountered a false high or false low reading. But your concerns are valid. Have you discussed these variable readings with your PCP or urologist?

You didn't mention your age but I have found (I'm knocking on 72...) that producing outcomes like gaining muscle mass or solving low energy are different than when I was 62 or 52 or - you get the point. Said another way - there's more to gaining muscle mass and having high energy than "just" your T levels.

I'd suggest developing a strategy. First, discuss your exact concerns with your PCP and/or urologist. Discuss your inability to rebuild muscle mass despite your increased T levels. Discuss if a T re-test might put that area of concern to rest. Research on-line to uncover other possible causations or avenues for investigation. And at all times, appreciate you must be your own best advocate in personal health matters.

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2 replies
adanthalion | @adanthalion | May 16 1:17am
In reply to @upstatephil "@adanthalion - Welcome to Mayo Connect. This is a great place to seek new ideas and..." + (show)
@upstatephil

@adanthalion - Welcome to Mayo Connect. This is a great place to seek new ideas and to share thoughts with others in a similar situation.

I have had countless testosterone blood tests over the years and have never encountered a false high or false low reading. But your concerns are valid. Have you discussed these variable readings with your PCP or urologist?

You didn't mention your age but I have found (I'm knocking on 72...) that producing outcomes like gaining muscle mass or solving low energy are different than when I was 62 or 52 or - you get the point. Said another way - there's more to gaining muscle mass and having high energy than "just" your T levels.

I'd suggest developing a strategy. First, discuss your exact concerns with your PCP and/or urologist. Discuss your inability to rebuild muscle mass despite your increased T levels. Discuss if a T re-test might put that area of concern to rest. Research on-line to uncover other possible causations or avenues for investigation. And at all times, appreciate you must be your own best advocate in personal health matters.

Jump to this post

Thanks, I appreciate your advice, and will certainly consider all of it. I'm 57. Be well.

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tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 16 1:05pm
In reply to @upstatephil "@adanthalion - Welcome to Mayo Connect. This is a great place to seek new ideas and..." + (show)
@upstatephil

@adanthalion - Welcome to Mayo Connect. This is a great place to seek new ideas and to share thoughts with others in a similar situation.

I have had countless testosterone blood tests over the years and have never encountered a false high or false low reading. But your concerns are valid. Have you discussed these variable readings with your PCP or urologist?

You didn't mention your age but I have found (I'm knocking on 72...) that producing outcomes like gaining muscle mass or solving low energy are different than when I was 62 or 52 or - you get the point. Said another way - there's more to gaining muscle mass and having high energy than "just" your T levels.

I'd suggest developing a strategy. First, discuss your exact concerns with your PCP and/or urologist. Discuss your inability to rebuild muscle mass despite your increased T levels. Discuss if a T re-test might put that area of concern to rest. Research on-line to uncover other possible causations or avenues for investigation. And at all times, appreciate you must be your own best advocate in personal health matters.

Jump to this post

Had to jump in. 78 year old with a T 1010 total and 6 free T.
My pcp couldn’t explain how this is possible. I take nothing.
At the risk of insulting anyone’s intelligence, free T is all that matters!
Go from there.
Again you may know this you must get at least 100mg of protein daily. Depending on age and weight some serious lifters do 3 times that.
In recovery from back issues but have put on 5 lb of good weight , can see it in the arms especially. Use the TUT method. Time under tension.
Every move is 1 set minimum 40 seconds to 90 max.
Do 5 sets total rows, bench, curls, Squats and over head pull overs. Do
Bear planks 90 seconds. The whole workout is 15-20 mins. Very intense great anaerobic cardio.
Pick a weight or resistance you can do s-l-o-w-l-y for 41-60 seconds. TuT time under tension. Less is more for us old guys. Recovery is slower, only do this twice a week. I prefer bands but weights or cables work. Eat real food fruits nuts meat and whey protein shakes help. Good luck
Tony

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1 reply
Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | May 17 8:56am

@tony1946 - Good morning. You are not insulting anyone's intelligence with your comments! Far from it. You should be congratulated for your great efforts to maintain and grow muscle mass into your late 70's. Pretty great, I think.

Keep it going!

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1 reply
tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 20 9:48am
In reply to @upstatephil "@Tony1946 - Good morning. You are not insulting anyone's intelligence with your comments! Far from it...." + (show)
@upstatephil

@tony1946 - Good morning. You are not insulting anyone's intelligence with your comments! Far from it. You should be congratulated for your great efforts to maintain and grow muscle mass into your late 70's. Pretty great, I think.

Keep it going!

Jump to this post

Thanks for the kind
Words
. Giving up just doesn’t seem a way to joy.
Balance with changes as your body guided you
Tony

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laughlin1947 | @laughlin1947 | May 20 5:36pm
In reply to @tony1946 "Had to jump in. 78 year old with a T 1010 total and 6 free T...." + (show)
@tony1946

Had to jump in. 78 year old with a T 1010 total and 6 free T.
My pcp couldn’t explain how this is possible. I take nothing.
At the risk of insulting anyone’s intelligence, free T is all that matters!
Go from there.
Again you may know this you must get at least 100mg of protein daily. Depending on age and weight some serious lifters do 3 times that.
In recovery from back issues but have put on 5 lb of good weight , can see it in the arms especially. Use the TUT method. Time under tension.
Every move is 1 set minimum 40 seconds to 90 max.
Do 5 sets total rows, bench, curls, Squats and over head pull overs. Do
Bear planks 90 seconds. The whole workout is 15-20 mins. Very intense great anaerobic cardio.
Pick a weight or resistance you can do s-l-o-w-l-y for 41-60 seconds. TuT time under tension. Less is more for us old guys. Recovery is slower, only do this twice a week. I prefer bands but weights or cables work. Eat real food fruits nuts meat and whey protein shakes help. Good luck
Tony

Jump to this post

So what do you attribute your total T level of 1010 to be due to? Do you apply Androgel 1.62 to your shoulders? But the 6 free T is what is troubling me, since I am at that same number. I'm 76 years old, but no libido whatsoever, ED of course, and I'm seeing an endocrinologist next month to see what to do about a strategy to analyze my hormone levels (I still need to get the hormone level blood test) and see if they are causing my zero-libido problem. Have you had any male hormone levels tested? I work out in the gym 5 days a week for a daily 1.25 hour weight and cardio based schedule. I have one bad knee and a bad back, have lost a couple of inches in height since last year after I suffered a fractured pelvis. Getting stronger slowly but surely. You have a great intense workout, good for you! I've got to see my free T number get up into mid-range tho.

REPLY
2 replies
tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 22 6:22am
In reply to @laughlin1947 "So what do you attribute your total T level of 1010 to be due to? Do..." + (show)
@laughlin1947

So what do you attribute your total T level of 1010 to be due to? Do you apply Androgel 1.62 to your shoulders? But the 6 free T is what is troubling me, since I am at that same number. I'm 76 years old, but no libido whatsoever, ED of course, and I'm seeing an endocrinologist next month to see what to do about a strategy to analyze my hormone levels (I still need to get the hormone level blood test) and see if they are causing my zero-libido problem. Have you had any male hormone levels tested? I work out in the gym 5 days a week for a daily 1.25 hour weight and cardio based schedule. I have one bad knee and a bad back, have lost a couple of inches in height since last year after I suffered a fractured pelvis. Getting stronger slowly but surely. You have a great intense workout, good for you! I've got to see my free T number get up into mid-range tho.

Jump to this post

Hi Laughlin
Thank you for your spot on comments.
I’m taking nothing up until I discovered the ashuwanda I’m taking increases T.
Didn’t know this till 2 days ago been on it month and feel on almost always now. Supposedly creates joy, yes it does and seems to surprisingly help ED.
Have bigger fish to fry, spinal decompression coming up as I handle chronic migraines and manage 10 med that don’t mix with opioids for pain.
I pray the rosary daily upon waking and put it in his hands. If you don’t have something to support you in life
He is waiting to hear from you.
I usually don’t preach but at 78 I’ve tried everything else with no luck. Now I believe he has a plan for me and what ever it is I know it’s for my best. Really helps deal with aging and scary ailments and procedures.
Tony
Good luck I will pray for you

REPLY
tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 24 4:00pm
In reply to @laughlin1947 "So what do you attribute your total T level of 1010 to be due to? Do..." + (show)
@laughlin1947

So what do you attribute your total T level of 1010 to be due to? Do you apply Androgel 1.62 to your shoulders? But the 6 free T is what is troubling me, since I am at that same number. I'm 76 years old, but no libido whatsoever, ED of course, and I'm seeing an endocrinologist next month to see what to do about a strategy to analyze my hormone levels (I still need to get the hormone level blood test) and see if they are causing my zero-libido problem. Have you had any male hormone levels tested? I work out in the gym 5 days a week for a daily 1.25 hour weight and cardio based schedule. I have one bad knee and a bad back, have lost a couple of inches in height since last year after I suffered a fractured pelvis. Getting stronger slowly but surely. You have a great intense workout, good for you! I've got to see my free T number get up into mid-range tho.

Jump to this post

Sorry just saw your question.
I really have no idea if I use viagra I cam manage with effort otherwise not so much too much work to get there. I’m on my own in this area.
Tony
Had stroke stents hardening of the arteries at 78 I guess that how it goes. Cant take anything due to other issues.
Oh well still works occasionally .

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