The “try guys”, a foursome of 20-somethings who produce short factual videos for buzzfeed, got their T scores checked for a report on male attractiveness.

If this is your first foray into testosterone let me explain these scores.

The numbers on the right are total T scores (including T that is bound to other hormones, and those un-bound) They are measured in ng/dl, which is the standard american measurement unit for T.

The lowest three in the chart, Ned, Zach and Keith have clinically low testosterone, “hypogonadism” because their scores are under 270 ng/dl. However most doctors wouldn’t prescribe testosterone replacement therapy, unless these scores appeared in a morning test, when T is at it’s peak.

Were the tests accurate?

But, Mod Masc, what if these tests weren’t done in the morning, they surely can’t still be accurate?!

Testosterone varies greatly during the day. It peaks in the morning and drops in the evening. However the most complimentary studies show this variance is roughly 27% for healthy men [1]. Meaning, your T in the morning at it’s highest, is 27% higher than your T at it’s lowest in the evening.

Let’s say for the sake of argument that this test was done in the evening when T was at it’s lowest. That means that the maximum T output for Ned would be 269 ng/dl. Still outside the normal range and inside the diagnosis of Hypogonadism.

Feel free to add 27% onto all their scores, and you’ll see that no matter when this test was taken they have significantly lower T than they should for their age (see below).

Also they had doctors supervision for the tests so I imagine he would’ve pushed toward an early morning test. Who fuckin’ knows tho tbh, hollywood doctors you know?

Eugene is inside the normal range, and therefore is unlikely to be diagnosed with hypogonadism. However, if the test is accurate Eugene is most probably experiencing some symptoms of low testosterone, which include reduced muscle mass, anxiety/depression, fertility issues, irregular sex drive, low self confidence, even though he’s classed as normal and would be refused treatment.

The reason I say this is because when compared with another reference chart, his score is considerably lower than average for his age, even though it’s inside the doctors range:

So What is Causing This Low Testosterone in the Try Guys?

Causes of low T can range from pituitary tumours, testicular damage or malnutrition. These are conditions that interfere with the HPA Axis (Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal) e.g part of the endocrine system. However, what are the chances that all four of these have these rare conditions and then assembled, without knowing, into a four man group?

The uncomfortable truth

These are average men. According to some studies there has been a decline in T in western men for the past 50 years. The guys aren’t outliers.

The simple explanation as to why they have lower T than average is this:

Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Lifestyle. Diet Stress Lifestyle Pollution Self Image Mental State Tests were done late in the day. One might have a tumour

You could reverse these guys scores in six months, If one has a tumour they need surgery or TRT tho.

Stay tuned to find out what’s pushing T scores down and how to combat it.

J Clin Pharmacol July 1, 2000 vol. 40 no. 7 731-738, “Modeling of circadian testosterone in healthy men and hypogonadal men”