Testosterone Question

[dj_quinn]

Hello lads, I am a seminoma survivor in Ireland with a question about fatigue and testosterone. I am 44 now, and had late stage 3 seminoma 8 years ago. I had 5 rounds of chemo and have never felt the same energy level after this. I was very active before, and now I struggle to bring myself to the gym 1-2 a week, and I tire very easily. I thought I would get over this, but I haven't. I also get tired early in the evenings and feel lathargic a lot of the time. Could this be a testosterone deficiancy? Or is it something else? I actaully was put on an ant-depressent by my doctor, a low dose, but it hasn't helped the energy level. Has anyone else had experience with these symptoms?


Regards,

DJ

[nickohs]

Hi DJ,

Yes, your symptoms are indicative of Testosterone Deficiency. Ask your doctor to test Serum Testosterone, LH and FSH and Prolactin.

This should be sufficient to diagnose the problem.

I hope it helps

Nick

[Michael112]

Who doesnt agree its really silly that among TC survivors so many are underdiagnosed for hypogonadism?

This guy told his doc he had low energy and he got put on an anti-depressent instead of TRT when it should of been obvious what the problem is.
I just learnt today that all women who lose an ovary have an option to go on HRT. My mates GF was told when she went in for surgery for PCOS that theres a chance she might lose an ovary and if the case would need HRT, infact all women with PCOS get offered BCP as a form of HRT before an official diagnosis.

[anne]

Doctors do not prescribe anti depressants just because you are tired. Usually it is because of a variety of factors - some which cumulate in constant anger or shutting oneself away from people. So while low testostrone may be an issue with you - I really think that it is necessary to seperate the need for anti depressants from the low energy issue. Getting a test done will sort all of this out for you. And perhaps then you can start to isolate your two issues - if that is indeed the case. Good luck.

[Michael112]

Doctors do not prescribe anti depressants just because you are tired. Usually it is because of a variety of factors - some which cumulate in constant anger or shutting oneself away from people. So while low testostrone may be an issue with you - I really think that it is necessary to seperate the need for anti depressants from the low energy issue. Getting a test done will sort all of this out for you. And perhaps then you can start to isolate your two issues - if that is indeed the case. Good luck.

The thing is symptoms of low T for some people can apear as depression very easily for a doctor, so it makes things hard, I guess the only way to know is to taper off the ADs and go on TRT and see if there is an improvement.

[RealDeal]

I think these Doctor's don't pay enough attention to low Testosterone in TC patients.I got a test done over a year ago from My Doctor and it was at 222 or 232 and the Doctor told me that was fine.I saw a chart that men 35-44 have an average Testosterone level around 670??I was diagnosed with TC about 7 years ago.My Anxiety and Deppression levels have increased dramatically since.I have decided to get my levels tested again.I hope that I do not have to get HRT but I realize the risks of having low Testosterone can be very severe and life threatening.The problem is going to a Doctor who understands what TC survivor's face.

[RealDeal]

Dj,

Yes, very well could be. 8 years ago, while it was a known issue, many Doctors "neglected" to measure baseline testosterone, let alone address it.

Chemo can disturb the "balance of hormones" and if you can , it may be well worth your while to see a Endocrinologist, and have it all checked.

It could very well be your issue.

R

The problem is that an Endocrinologist might be as same as the Doctor's who treat the Cancer.I can't say that for sure because I have never been to one before.I just get the feeling that even a low Testosterone level in the 200's still might not convince a Endocrinolist that low Testosterone can pose major problem's later in life.

[JamesC]

Hello lads, I am a seminoma survivor in Ireland with a question about fatigue and testosterone. I am 44 now, and had late stage 3 seminoma 8 years ago. I had 5 rounds of chemo and have never felt the same energy level after this. I was very active before, and now I struggle to bring myself to the gym 1-2 a week, and I tire very easily. I thought I would get over this, but I haven't. I also get tired early in the evenings and feel lathargic a lot of the time. Could this be a testosterone deficiancy? Or is it something else? I actaully was put on an ant-depressent by my doctor, a low dose, but it hasn't helped the energy level. Has anyone else had experience with these symptoms?


Regards,

DJ

My MD told me that my symptoms sounded like mental depression but she said that knowing me as well as she did she thought this was unlikely. Thank God she checked my Testosterone and solved the real problem. Life is 1000x better on HRT then off it. *For me anyway. She warned me that I might say "WOW" when I went on Androgel. She was sure right.