Nearly 3 Years Post Surgery - PSA update and a question

Greetings to all: I rarely post but visit and read on a regular basis. I am a few weeks shy of my 3 year surgery anniversary and am happy to report my PSA remains <0.1 undetectable. By grace, exercise and perseverance, I am living with my new normal. open RP surgery was my only treatment performed 7/20/10 at JHH.

I measure pads even at 3 years. This should make Worried Guy smile. I though I was a good as I could get with leaking in 2012. Leaked about 10 - 12 cc in 24 hours. More exercising plus watching how fast and when I drink and my current total leakage for 24 hours is 5 - 8 cc. So calculating that my total urine output is around 1,800 cc per 24 hours, at 8 cc per day, I am 99.6% away from continence. I use a small Tena ultra-thin regular pad to keep things under control.

ED recovery is coming along as well. Do fair to OK without external aids. Like a young adult again with 50 mg of the blue pill.

OK, my question. Again, no other treatment other than surgery. No hormonal therapy. Went to my PCP with a complaint about nipple tenderness in right breast. Feels swollen around the nipple and hurts a lot when I press on it. Dr. said it likely is gynecomastia. Did the whole nine yards of blood work including hormone levels on Mon. Called me today to say that my T level is 278. Doc said it was "within normal levels." Thyroid, pituitary all normal. So, I think my T is quite low for being 59, at 6 ft 1 in and 173 lbs. Given the predominant population of males who monitor T level especially when on hormone therapy, does anyone else think a T level of 278 is low?

Dr. is sending me to a breast surgeon for a physical exam and assessment that will include a mamogram (this is going to hurt) and possibly an ultrasound or biopsy as warranted. This should be an interesting visit. My pre-visit instructions will be printed on pink paper without a doubt.

Thanks for any insight all might provide on the T level and gynecomastia.

Mike S

Hey.
I'm thinking you are on the low end of normal T.
If I remember, 500 or so is closer to average.
I'm glad they are going to give you a mammogram. Some other hormones might also affect. Anyway, good luck with the mammogram.

Mike, it is on the low side, mine is 380, also low side. But if your energy levels are high via grace, exercise and perseverance, it ain't broke so why fix it. Even the ED seems to be on your side. Your'e golden. Gynecomastia is a known S/E of certain herbal usage, even if the usage was years ago. Am not casting any dispersions, I got my own problems.

Mike, thanks for checking in. Glad to hear you are solidly still in the Zero Club.

Does sound like your T level is low, but again, so many reasons it would vary man to man. From what you posted, doesn't sound like its having any real effect on your "love life".

All in all, I think you are doing great. Keep us in the loop, and let us know how you continue to do.

david in sc

Thanks all for the encouragement and input on my T levels. It gives me a starting point for a discussion with my PCP on the pros and cons for supplemental T, given my PC history.

Mike S