Total Testosterone dropped from 14.5 → 12.8 nmol/L over 6 months. Symptoms despite training 5–6x/week. Worth further workup?
Looking for some insight before I go back to my doctor.
I’ve had two morning blood tests (same time of day, both fasted):
14.5 nmol/L
12.8 nmol/L (most recent, ~6 months later)
Reference range: 8.4 – 28.8 nmol/L
So both are technically “normal,” but I’m trying to understand if this could still be contributing to symptoms.
Symptoms / concerns:
Low energy
Brain fog
Slow recovery at times
Very slow or minimal visible muscle gain
Strength increases, but physique changes are barely noticeable
Training / lifestyle:
Lifting 5–6x/week (progressive overload)
High-protein intake (~160–190g/day)
Calories generally controlled
~7 hours sleep per night
Consistent training adherence
Context:
Before both tests, I had gone ~6–8 weeks without my usual supplements. Normally I take:
Vitamin D3 + K2
Magnesium
Zinc
Omega-3
Multivitamin
B-complex
I’ve since resumed them.
What I’m trying to figure out:
Would total testosterone in the 12–15 nmol/L range realistically explain these symptoms, or is it more likely I should be investigating other factors?
I’m considering asking for:
Free testosterone
SHBG
LH / FSH
Estradiol (E2)
Prolactin
Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)
Vitamin D, B12
Ferritin / iron
Cortisol
For anyone who’s sat in a similar range—did deeper testing actually reveal anything, or was testosterone not the limiting factor?