Low Testosterone

I had my testosterone level checked by my rehab doctor and it was very low. 100 when 300 is normal . He said it could involve something pushing on my pituitary gland or other things. Anybody have any experience with this?

Hi Jon,

Welcome to the PC & Low T club. I'm sorry your here but you came to the RIGHT place, please stick around!

I am one of the guys who was diognosed with hypogonadizm. I read your 4 other posts and it looks like you were diognosed w/ PC but did not have any treatment yet. It would be helpful if you wrote more info about yourself such as your PSA & Gleason score. Like your Doc explained, there can be many causes for having low T and they may or may not find the cause. Through research and talking to lots of guys who had or have PC and low T online, I have come to the concusion that my radical prostatectomy caused such a trama to my testicles that now they do not produce T anymore. I'm not a Doctor and may be totally wrong but I didn't have a problem untill after my surgery and I have met others who have exactly the same history and problems as me. There are several means of  testosterone replacement theropy such as gels or shots but most doctors don't like prescribing it for anyone with a history of prostate cancer. Opinions are starting to change but most still thing giving you T replacement is like thowing gasoline on fire. You can see by my history below, I've been on TRT for over 2 years and my PSA is still zero but I went to many urologists, endocronologists and regular family doctors who said NO before I finally found one who said its your life and if you want to take the chance of getting the PC back vs quality of life issues then it was my choice. Swimom is our "T" mentor here on this site. She helped me and others tremendously "back when" and I'm sure she will chime in soon but it would greatly help if you gave us more info.  Good luck brother. I'll help you w/ any questions if I can.

Your Friend,

Pete      

Hey Jon,

I was on testosterone replacement therapy (shots) for 10 years prior to getting prostate cancer. My urologist/surgeon is one of the "gas on the fire" guys and refused to let me us TRT after surgery. My T level dropped to 48 and I had lots of problems so I found a urologist who prescribed T shots for me again. I am two years out from an open prostatectomy and all my PSA tests have been 0.00.

Hypogonadism (ugly word) is devastating to some men. I had the usual hot flashes, muscle weakness and loss of libido plus I had a deep depression that nearly cost me my life. As soon as I took a T shot, all the symptoms disappeared.

Like Pete said, you have to weigh the risks against the quality of life you are experiencing and decide if the risk is worth the reward. We all react differently and urologists need to understand that Their "one size fits all" approach didn't work for me. Find a urologist who will listen to you. They are hard to find but its your life that's on the line so keep looking.

Good luck,

Jim

Man! What I wouldnt give to feel a testosterone rush. My wife would like it too I'm sure. Someone needs to design a testosreone replacement therapy that is non Pca flammable

I had a t-level problem but solved it by the application of a topical testosterone cream. This cream is formulated to apply to the scrotum which, apparently, increases takeup of the hormone.

I used to use AndroGel but it was very expensive, I ended up with a skin rash and had real problems spreading it on my back (as you would), didn't want the wife to do it for me because of the fear of her getting a dose as well and I stunk like a distillery.

These days I can get very good t-levels for $100 every 2 months and I don't need a prescription. The cream is imported from Australia and I have not had any problems getting it.

Pete,

I thinking about starting T therapy but I'm concerned that I'll stop producing T naturally all together.  Is this a possible side effect?  Can you tell me how the T gels make you feel?

Thanks,

Rob

Pete,

Thanks for your response...it was very informative.

Hi guys,

I am in desperate need of help. I am 26, and a former pro athlete. I have gone through 5 years of rehabilitation to get back playing rugby league but the past year has been so tough, I am luck I am still here. I have constant dizziness, loss of balance, slurred speech, loss of vision, nausia, constantly catching illnesses, shrunk genitals, headrushes etc etc etc. These have been every day for a year and so bad that I am often in bed for days. They are there constanly 24 hours a day, and I am beside myself. The only reason I have kept going is the chance I may play again.

I have been treated by anxiety teams, phsychologists, doctors, everything! I've had brain scans, blood tests, and am in and out of the doctor's every day. One finding is that me testosterone leves are very, very low. I have had thins before, but none of the physical side effects I have explained. I used testogel a few years back, but was taken off it when my levels were normal again. Crazy, I know! Anyway I have had 2 jags and am to get them every 3 months, but have noticed no difference. If anything I'm worse.

Different people are blaming anxiety and depression, but I know my body and something is far from right. It may sound crazy, but the symptoms are so bad that I often feel I am dying. Could this be low testosterone still. My life has gone from being a pro athlete with many friends and a love for life to being trapped in my room unable to function at all and with noone giving me answers. Please can anybody help? Things have been so bad that I accidently tok an overdose of painkillers and nearly died. The only way I have been surviving is the opiate based painkillers. I need my life back, and pray someone can confirm it could be the testosterone. I don't know where to turn. I haven't spoken to friends in months, I can't see my girlfriend as I can't perform sexually and my health is deteriorating every day.

Anyone, I am desperate and any response would mean the world to me, and could give me some hope I really really need.

Thankyou,

Tom

 

If you google "Low T", you will find lots of advertising websites from pharmaceutical companies, such as Solvay Pharmaceuticals, who make Androgel. To my point of view, testosterone supplementation in order to have more engergy seems crazy. I guess it makes sense if you are a professional baseball player and want to set the major league home run record, or are a cyclist who's out to win the Tour de France and you are willing to pay any price and risk your health to acheive your goal.

Testosterone makes prostate tissue grow. Drugs like Avodart treat BPH by blocking the effects of testosterone by preventing its conversion to the active form, DHT. Testosterone makes most prostate cancer cells grow, and Lupron treats prostate cancer by lowering testosterone levels.

For decades women were put on hormone replacement therapy after menopause, until it was discovered that it was bad for them. When HRT fell out of favor, the number of new diagnoses of breast cancer fell within a year or two. See http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/137915.php

Would testosterone replacement increase the risk of a younger man eventually developing prostate cancer or BPH? Would it increase the risk of recurrence in someone who's had treated prostate cancer and has a few lingering cells left behind? Would pharmaceutical companies actually promote the use of a treatment in order to create a new market for their products and make some money without adequate evidence that the treatment is really safe over the long term? Well, what do you think?

yet another person in the Low-T club...

33 yrs old that is is pretty good shape with level of 105 and going through depression as well
What came first the Low T or depression? Chicken or the egg...??

Didn't think much of it initially, but fatigue was getting the best of me.. Not supposed to go to sleep at 6pm and wake up the next morning still tired.

Started out on androgel, but didn't seem to absorb well (also had a nice pink sunburn the summer)
I have been taking shots the last 3 months and stll not quite sure if I feel 100%

Wish I could find somebody in DFW area that was expert in the Low T and the depression.
Seems like one doc will knows about one but not the other.