Gynecomastia after Orchiectomy

[Daddyboo]

I knew that there was a chance to get gynecomastia after my bilateral Orchiectomy. But as it stands right now, my breast tissue is growing mor than a little. I just wonder how many others have this problem and when it will stop.

[Scott]

Are you receiving testosterone replacement therapy?

[Daddyboo]

Yes, T level is low 300's But still there is growth.

[Scott]

You may want to read the personal story at the Gynecomastia link from this page.

[Daddyboo]

thanks

Thanks for scaring the beejeevees out of me.

[Scott]

Sorry, I didn't mean to do that! Have you found out anything more about your own situation?

[Michael112]

Have you had your E2 levels checked? and I am asuming your on patches or a gel, they aromatase(turn into estrogens) more then injections, gynecomastia is most likely caused by too much estrogen particularly Estriadol(E2), if your E2 is high >30. you can take a natural suppliment called DIM, or you can take arimidex to lower it, if your E2 is in normal range, you can take nolvadex to help.
If you are suffering from gynecomastia then your doctor doesnt know what he is doing, if you want furthur help I can point you in the right direction.

[johnseed]

5 years later

I am 5 years plus past orchiectomy, and I would have to say that all in all I don't have any indications of low testoterone.

Still, having read Scott's link, should I get my testosterone levels checked? I have never had this done, before or after TC so I would have nothing to compare to.

Any thoughts?

JS

[Michael112]

Well if longterm health issues wernt an issue I would say not really unless you wanted to, but because low T has more to it then just general wellbeing, then theres no reason not to.

The best thing to go by would be the optimal level wich is about 650-800ng/dl.
If it is below that then you could consider HRT if you like, it depends on your age, someone at the age of 50 would be expected to be at around 500ng/dl someone at the age of 16 would be expected to be at 800.
Asuming your within range but low, even if you do decide to start HRT it would involve going against your doctors advice and finding a doctor who is willing to treat you, it takes some looking around. My Urologist has mentioned in every letter written to other doctors that I am "concerned about my Testosterone level wich is normal" I dont know why he has mentioned that as I know everything that gets written down on these papers has to have some significance, I think he is asking the doctors to reassure me my levels are normal because he knows I have anxiety issues.
Every doctor I have mentioned it to, GP, Urologist, Hospital doctor, medical oncologist, Have all said my levels are normal, one doctor said its dangerous(certainly not true, this doctor also mentioned it would send my testosterone too high ).
You need to really want HRT, or feel like you need it.

Come to think of it, the way these doctors are trying to talk me out of HRT its taking the credability out of them trying to talk me into radiotherapy.

[Scott]

The best thing to go by would be the optimal level wich is about 650-800ng/dl.

Michael, I'm curious what source says this is the optimal level. It's the high end of what I usually see listed as the normal range.

[Michael112]

Dr John Crisler aims for that level, the Upper limit is usually 1000ng/dl.

[Scott]

I think that qualifies as testosterone supplementation rather than replacement. There's a difference.

[Michael112]

You cant break it off into supplimentation or replacement, doing supplimentation would just be a dodgy protocol.
What happens with HRT is the pituary gland shuts down or comes close to it and in turn the testicles shrink, if you were doing a small dose of Testosterone it would just cause less shrinkage, but could still result in infertility if you dont suppliment with HCG. I have heard of cases where low doses of creams has actually lowered the total testosterone level, It isnt exacly simple but basicly natural testosterone production works by the pituary gland in the brain telling the testicles to produce sperm and testosterone and there is some feedback loop that gets broken when you start HRT, so if you are using too low of a dose it actually lowers it, probly simular to the way bodybuilders end up how there natural test level is lower then the original level for 2-6 months after a 2 month cycle. Not the best explanation but hope it shows the possibility.
Basicly as long as the testosterone level is kept in range there is no more danger of using a low dose as there is a higher dose. Testosterone has to be kept in range so you dont get side effects like elevated liver enzymes, high blood pressure, elevated estrogen and what not, HCG is used regardless.

Another reason HCG is used, is because LH(pituary hormone responsable for testosterone production) wich gets lowered dramaticly on HRT also works on receptors in other parts of the body for other hormones, so even someone who is bilateral would still need HCG.

[TCLEFT]

Michael,
Did you mean HGH? Just an FYI if you did.
http://www.preventcancer.com/patients/med_avoid/hgh.htm

[Michael112]

Nah Human chorionic gonadotropin, it is a hormone derived from women where it is created in large amounts during pregnancy, when used in men it simulates(not to be confused with stimulate) LH(and FSH?) production, when taking it though your bHCG(a cancer marker) will be high, although bHCG is shown to be high in some cancers, supplimenting with it has no effect on cancer.

I am not surprised HGH increases cancer risk, when taken in large amounts it causes hypertrophy in every cell of the body, you see bodybuilders with huge torsos, big noses, big ears, all out of proportion, it grows everything including your internal organs, so naturally it would increase a tumour growth.