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Androgel 1.6% causing PSA level to rise

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Posted 9/24/2013 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am 41 years old and after being on Androgel 1.6% for almost a year due to Low-T, I have recently been diagnosed with an elevated PSA (4.6) and prostate cancer.  I'm beginning to wonder if the Androgel maybe the root of my problems.  Anyone else have similar circumstances?

GC

Gleason 6(3+3) and PSA of 4.6

Posted 9/24/2013 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GC,
It is difficult to tell given the information provided. Testosterone never has been proven to cause prostate cancer. In all probability you had a small cancer lesion before starting Androgel. The increase in testosterone could have increased your PSA and that was a red flag that precipitated a biopsy that found the lesion.

In a previous thread here there is more information about two existing prostate cancer models that might interest you:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2855290

In your other thread I think that your doctor is proceeding cautiously to ensure the best path for you once the more extensive biopsy excludes more aggressive disease.

Wish you the best outcome.

RalphV
Posted 9/25/2013 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with ralf-I've never seen testosterone defined as a "cause". However testosterone drives prostate cancer--kinda the general concept of hormone therapy which is to basically diminish testosterone. I would not be angry about using the androgel as it turns out that it saved your life
Posted 9/25/2013 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
The Androgel aggravated a problem you already had...What might have been a very slow growing indolent cancer has been energized into something more threatening...

One only has to read the published warnings that come with all the testosterone supplements to realize there are serious risks involved in using these products....
Posted 9/25/2013 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
GC Gleason 6,

I too had very low T levels prior to my Dx and was doing testosterone replacement. For years I was having injections and then switched to Androgel. Then the world came crashing down when I was diagnosed. I was told to immediately stop testosterone.

After two surgeries, four blood treatments, androgen deprivation (Lupron and Cassadex) and eight weeks of daily intensive radiation, my T level was an amazing 3!

I just met with my radiologist oncologist and he gave me his blessing to start testosterone replacement. The current thinking and research has shown that once that cell receptors are saturated with Testosterone and it's by product, dyhydrotestosterone at a T level of 70. Remember normal T level for men is between 600-800.

So your T replacement did assist in increasing the cancer cells. It was in my case and the fact that I also consumed too much of Omega 3 oil everyday. So if your normal T was above 70 (and I assume it was) the testosterone that you replaced had no effect because what your body was producing every day was enough to facilitate the increase in your PSA.

Don't beat yourself up. I was diagnosed at a Gleason 8 and got promoted to a G9 after surgery. I had no time or energy to spend worrying about the past and used the energy to research and educate myself about what lay ahead of me. Time also spent meeting with urologists and radiologists to try and help me make the important decision of having surgery or brachatherpy.

Sorry you have joined our exclusive club but we are all here to help you threw this journey.

Best regards
Posted 9/25/2013 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
My husband was getting testosterone as well, but through a different delivery system. Three surgeons told him that the T was his guardian angel and allowed the cancer to be found very early. He was also a 3+3 and a psa of 4.5.

He had Da Vinci surgery and his three month psa was 0.

You most likely had the cancer in you. I know this sounds strange, but be thankful that the androgel let it be found very early instead of slowly growing in you till it was much further advanced.
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