Consistenly Low T

[Apache]

Good threads here, here's the deal:

For the past 6 months, I've gotten blood work every 2 months. Testosterone is hovering between 200 and 250 each time. I do have the hot flashes and fatigue. I need to check on the other symptoms - what are they?

The Dr. is recommending a Testosterone patch.

Any input here? I don't want to take anything if not necessary. Somewhere I read that injections were better than the alternatives.

help.

[MRM]

Most doctors now recommend gels like Androgel or Testim over injections or the patch, I believe. I take Testim and it works well. I cannot comment on the patch, but with the gels, you apply after showering (usually in the morning) on dry skin. It mimics the body's natural production, which is highest in the morning and slowly declines over a day, I think.

If your testosterone is low, you will want to be treated. Chronically low levels will lead to mood swings, hot flashes like you are having, and even osteoperosis and higher risks of heart disease, besides the sexual side effects.

[Fish]

Hi Apache:

MRM filled you in on some of the other side effects of low T. I have been off T completely for a couple of weeks due to elevated liver enzymes. The hot flashes stopped after about a week - probably as T levels went to zero. Being over emotional has become a problem.

Testim gel worked fairly well for me, only occasional hot flashes and mood swings while using it. Keeping the patch stuck can be problem if you are hairy or sweat a lot. I also agree with MRM on the gel being closer to natural.

Your levels are definitely at the bottom of the normal range and below normal depending on what reference range you look at. I bet you'd feel better with some T replacement. If you start at the lowest dose available, you shouldn't have any side effects.

Best wishes.

[IowaBrian]

One thing to remember is that replacement T can lower sperm count so if that is a concern you will want to talk to the doctor to maybe freeze some of the swimmers before you start. (My doc said it will or could go to zero while on T) Maybe if you come off of it it will go back up but if it is low I don't think you would want to go off of it?? Just a thought
Brian

[Apache]

Hey everyone, thanks for the input.

I'd say my biggest side effect are occasional hot flashes and somewhat moody (but that is normal for me). I've also noticed a lot of abdominal fat, which I read can be from low T, which is very annoying. Incidentally, I'm going to get my sperm count checked (first time since end of chemo Rx Sep 2005) this Friday and then will decide what to do.

All, I guess once you go on something like Testim gel, are there any side effects to stopping it in the future? My thought is to try it out and then stop it if I don't feel better.

IowaBrian, I didn't know that about lowering sperm. From my grand intuition, I thought that replacement T would probably stimulate sperm production. that's very interesting.

[IowaBrian]

I thought the same thing about sperm count how would it lower it but the the URO stated that it can shut down your natural production and thus shut down your sperm as well here is a link to take a look at.

http://testosterone.drugs.com/

This is for men and women so some side effects won't apply
Brian

[Michael112]

Some more side effects are depression(dopamine deficiency??) dificulty getting out of bed in the morning, slight tremors unlike parkinsons, it feels like its comming from the inside of you(hard to explain), anxiety, iratability, loss of muscle mass, gynomastia, lowered immune system, social anxiety(not being confident). Reduced reaction time, outbursts of anger, chronic fatigue, learning difficulties, memory problems, increased risk of diabetes and obesity, Increase risk of stroke and increased risk of cancer(from unbalanced estrogens actions).

TRT shouldnt cause low sperm count when done right(using HCG suplimentation to stop testicles from shrinking if needed), check out this thread on another forum, for good TRT/HRT you need to run a barrage of tests.

http://forum.mesomorphosis.com/mens-health-forum/what-lab-test-should-134245684.html

http://forum.mesomorphosis.com/mens-health-forum/dangers-of-trt-134239658.html

also check out http://forum.mesomorphosis.com/attac...uccess-trt.doc(need to sign up to download that.)

The risks of low T fair outweight the risks of HRT, HRT when done right has no negative consequences.

[mrb1980]

Trt

Apache,

Good to hear from you. I had VERY low testosterone (about 30 vs. 900 a year or so before surgery) after my I/O and chemo. I had about 20 hot flashes a day, I was tired, and I couldn't concentrate at all. My endocrinologist put me on Testim, then I switched to 5 g/day Androgel since Testim made my back really sticky. My testosterone zoomed back up in the 800-900 range, making me (and my wife) very happy.

I think if you start TRT (Testim or Androgel), then stop, you will probably go back to the hot flashes and emotional stuff. I think you should try using the gel and see what happens. Like I said, Androgel has worked great for me. Testim also worked, but my shirt would stick to my skin all day, very annoying.

Also, a friend of mine has weekly testosterone injections, he says they work fine. I saw enough needles during chemo, so I decided against that route.