Low t?

[bex15]

Hi ladies, I'm sorry if I'm missing anything but dh just mentioned he has low T like 6 months ago with no recommended treatment and we've been TTC for 3 months which is certainly not cause for concern but the low t? Has anyone been dealt with this and/or treated? Thanks!!

[cheezee]

Welcome! This is our issue. I would definitely look into getting a SA. Low testosterone can impact sperm count. And synthetic testosterone replacement to treat the low T can cause low sperm counts as well. It is treatable with things like clomid or Hcg injections. Sperm can take 3 months to mature though so it can be a waiting game if this does turn out to be a issue for you. But with a known issue with low T I would for sure try to get a SA. Good luck!

[bex15]

Thanks ladies, I will definitely look into the SA! Do you know if a referral from the doctor who diagnosed this is needed?

[getzystark]

Dec 1, 2015 9:42:19 GMT -5 bex15 said:

Thanks ladies, I will definitely look into the SA! Do you know if a referral from the doctor who diagnosed this is needed?

My RE requires an order from the referring doc, or a urologist in order to complete a SA.

If you can, get the hand counted SA, vs. the machine counted. There's the possibility for counting artifact as dead sperm which can skew the results significantly. No biggie if you can only do the machine counted SA, just something to be aware of.

[cheezee]

Dec 1, 2015 9:42:19 GMT -5 bex15 said:

Thanks ladies, I will definitely look into the SA! Do you know if a referral from the doctor who diagnosed this is needed?

My DH was referred to a RE to do the SAs. They then send the results back to the urologist who gives us the results.

[silv3rlining]

::lurking::

DH has low t and is on injectables for it. We suspected he had low t for years. We're not sure exactly when it happened as he was put on injectibles while I was pregnant with DD. However his level was under 100 at the time of testing. He never had a SA as we were already pregnant. I wish you guys the best of luck in your TTC journey.

ETA: how low was his T that they aren't recommending treatment?

[bex15]

I really don't know how low it is, his doctor just mentioned it to him after doing blood work a while back. I need to clarify this with him but she made it sound like it wasn't a big deal so I didn't think much of it. We also weren't TTC then and I just remembered this yesterday and figured we may need to look further into it. Do you think going back to that dr. Is the best place to start as I don't have an RE? Thank you all for your responses!

[kellybenelly83]

Dec 1, 2015 11:53:31 GMT -5 bex15 said:

I really don't know how low it is, his doctor just mentioned it to him after doing blood work a while back. I need to clarify this with him but she made it sound like it wasn't a big deal so I didn't think much of it. We also weren't TTC then and I just remembered this yesterday and figured we may need to look further into it. Do you think going back to that dr. Is the best place to start as I don't have an RE? Thank you all for your responses!

Keep in mind "low" coming from a Dr that isnt a specialist might not mean much, it might be in range of normal just on the low end. Also you've only been trying for 3 months, you might want to give it another 3 before you start asking for SA. I'd ask for a copy of the bloodwork to start, and wait a little longer before making appointments.

[pismoduo]

Dec 1, 2015 11:53:31 GMT -5 bex15 said:

I really don't know how low it is, his doctor just mentioned it to him after doing blood work a while back. I need to clarify this with him but she made it sound like it wasn't a big deal so I didn't think much of it. We also weren't TTC then and I just remembered this yesterday and figured we may need to look further into it. Do you think going back to that dr. Is the best place to start as I don't have an RE? Thank you all for your responses!

Yes, I'd go back to the doctor that originally told him he had low T. She's already got the test results that showed the issue, she should easily be able to write him a referral if she thinks there's a possibility it could cause issues with low sperm count.

[bex15]

Thank you!! This information has definitely been helpful!

[silv3rlining]

Dec 1, 2015 11:57:53 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

Dec 1, 2015 11:53:31 GMT -5 bex15 said:

I really don't know how low it is, his doctor just mentioned it to him after doing blood work a while back. I need to clarify this with him but she made it sound like it wasn't a big deal so I didn't think much of it. We also weren't TTC then and I just remembered this yesterday and figured we may need to look further into it. Do you think going back to that dr. Is the best place to start as I don't have an RE? Thank you all for your responses!

Yes, I'd go back to the doctor that originally told him he had low T. She's already got the test results that showed the issue, she should easily be able to write him a referral if she thinks there's a possibility it could cause issues with low sperm count.

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I agree. Getting the actual results (from the previous Dr) would help better determine the next course of action. My guess is it was on the low end of normal hence no referral to a specialist or treatment.

[katelou]

My DH was also diagnosed with low T, although his sperm count was great. His T level was like 230 and normal is 300-1000 (not exactly sure on the upper value).

I don't think they would tell you it was low if it was 'low normal'. Tests like that are flagged as 'low' or 'high' by computers if they're out of the defined normal range, I doubt doctors even bother to look at the actual values if they aren't flagged. It could just be mildly low, but IMO even that's worth following up on.

FWIW we also learned that the T blood test is best done first thing in the morning. Testosterone levels can fluctuate during the day- they are highest in the morning and fall throughout the day. They can also fluctuate by the day and are affected by illness or stress. IMO ask for another blood test and do it first thing in the morning to see if it's still low and go from there. Good luck!