Testosterone Therapy and Prostate Cancer

I have been mulling over my lack of energy and other things for quite a while and giving full credence for it to the effects of my IMRT and MET radiation. In doing some reading I came across articles describing the effects of low testosterone. I even took a few online test to see if my symptoms met the match of low T.

It was during this research that I came across one of the most interesting articles that I have ever read. One that until recently has been flying in the face of accepted beliefs in the relationship of testosterone levels and PCa.

I thought this was a subject that could be well addressed and discussed here given the extent of the research and experience that exist with you guys. It is sure to raise questions and some lively debate.

Also, I have an appointment with my PCP today. She is with my team at MD Anderson and deals exclusively with the general health of cancer patients. I plan to open discussions with her and also request a T level blood test.

Here are just two of the articles I found. The first is the article that created the interest in me to do further research on the subject and the Dr. behind it. The second is the most recent I found, dated June 2010.

It appears the link I put here first takes you to a page that says the article is no longer available. So I am modifying the instructions on how to find it.

Enter "Destroying the Myth about Testosterone Replacement and Prostate Cancer", in your search engine, I use Dogpile. One of the references will come up with a link to the article at lef.org. This link should take you directly to the article. This one is the in depth article on the studies I was referring to. I know it is a hassle to get it this way, but it well worth the trouble.

www.aolhealth.com/2010/06/04/testosterone-therapy-and-prostate-cancer

I look forward to your comments and discussion. I value the education and experience of you all.

Sonny

Aspen,

I fully understand the effects of HT and PCa. What these findings are saying to me is that it may be possible for me to be treated for low T and enjoy a higher level of Quality of Life, without pouring gas on a smoldering fire.

It is the relationship of T levels and the propensity for PCa that comes into discussion here foremost. Secondarily, it is the possibility of experiencing QoL and being able to live with PCa without making it worse.

Thank you for your input,

Sonny

Zufus,

I was hoping to hear from you on this. You are one of the guys here on HW who have an extreme grasp on things PCa related and express you thoughts and ideas with clarity. The fact that you did not immediately dismiss this possibility gives it some credence.

I called the author's office and had a really good discussion with one of his staff. I was invited to write a letter to the Dr. and detail my travels on the PCa path. I also questioned if the doctor was at present treating any individuals for low T who had been previously treated for PCa. He told me that after receiving my letter and questions I would most likely receive a call from the doctor himself to discuss it in further detail.

Don't get me wrong, I do not want to put myself in harm's way, but if I can improve my QoL without putting myself at greater risk of exploding PCa complications, I might seriously consider exploring low T treatment further. That is of course provided that the blood work shows that I do indeed have low T levels.

I am just trying to get a handle on things that I have been experiencing for a few years and have manifested themselves lately.

Thank you for taking the time to weigh in,

Sonny

Thanks Sonny between your journey and your wifes, it is amazing you have composure about all these issues and processes, it would be easy to drop some superlative words. I think if one is the proper canidate for using "t" cream or injections, a low level to start off may not be all that problematic for some, then maybe could be increased if psa is not much effected. But that is my s.w.a.g. (guess) on the limited info I remember from that PCa seminar on this.
I am sure we will be all ears to hear more on this.

read this:   www.ustoowichita.org/pdf/TESTOSTORONE%20REPLACEMENT%20THERAPY.pdf

 (LINK is inop so Google:  Dr. Leibowitz testostorone replacement or such)

Find that link at Google and others and read more one this.

Zufus, you are right on about taking this very gently from the beginning. Not only in any dosages if T level proves to be low, but in beginning this in the first place. There are a lot of questions out there and definitive answers may be hard to come by.

David, your input is always valuable. You have more knowledge on radiation and side effects than any 10 of us combined on this board. And that is something I am saddened to say. Man you need to catch a break!

BTW to all. I discussed this with both my PCP and my Rad Onco today. The PCP ordered up the blood work and I stopped by to see the vampires in training on my way out.

I asked the Rad Onco if he knew of Dr. Morgantaler and his work, he admitted not. I discussed the nature of his work with him and he became very interested. He said he would review the articles and studies and we would talk about it further next week when I see him at the finish of my radiation. I will know the T levels tomorrow afternoon.

If the T levels come back as normal I am back to square one in trying to figure out some of the things I am and have been experiencing. I.E. loss of muscle mass, low stamina, loss of weight, mood swings, sleep issues and so on.

Of course I could write it all off to dealing with cancer in our family for 5 years now. But that would be taking the easy way. I really want to know where all of this is coming from. I want a definitive answer if it is possible.

Thanks for the input,

Sonny

Hey Sonny....I've been swimming in these waters for a while now, too. All the symptoms you post and a few others. My surgeon and local uro wouldn't even talk about T replacement until I was a year out from surgery because of conventional thinking, and just for the fact that it was a moot point to go there until a string of undetectable PSA's were registered. So now at 18 months, I still feel like crap. However, through persistence, I've been diagnosed with low ferritin (iron), low-average B-12, low Vitamin D-3, low-average zinc, and low-average testosterone (330's)...........the game plan we all agreed on was to get all the nutrients humming again, and see how I felt on all levels. Then, at 2 years, provided the undetectable PSA continued, we'd have the come-to-Jesus discussion about T supplementation. There are so many things it could be-----slow recovery from surgery, thyroid levels, depression, testosterone...and all can be interelated. I would suggest getting some of the above markers established for a baseline, and then make a plan. I'd be interested to see if any of your doctors brings these things up. Most of mine, including 2 endocrinlogists and a gastroenterologist, did not. Fortunately, my GP and another health professional were outside-the-box thinkers.................keep us posted on this, and I'll so the same.

Arnie in DE

I was on testosterone replacement therapy for 15 or so years before I got prostate cancer. My uno/surgeon was dead set against TRT after surgery saying that it is like pouring gasoline on a fire.

So I stopped the testosterone injections and inside of four months I was a basket case. No energy, no libido and deep depression to the point that I locked up all my guns to avoid suicide. I couldn't work, I couldn't carry on a conversation and about all I could do was to stare at the wall between crying spells.

After a raucous meeting with my uro/surgeon in which he maintained his no T position, I found another urologist that was willing to let me resume the shots. He said that the dicision to resume was mine to make being aware of the risk I was taking. He also considered my Pca stats which are listed below.

I resumed TRT taking 2 ml of testosterone cyponate every two weeks. Withing a week of the first shot I was feeling a lot better and have done well every since including wining a battle with lung cancer.

TRT after Pca (lots of acronyms) is not for everyone. I had to weigh quality of life vs risk of recuring cancer. At my age, QOL wins every time.

Jim