Does everyone need hormone replacement after orchiectomy?

[mstlyn]

Tammy,
Thank you for this post- It is a topic that I intend to study in the future. One mistake I made was not having my testosterone levels checked pre IO- in fact I've never had it checked. I think that sometimes getting correct readings can be difficult. I remember something about testosterone actually bonds with certain proteins that are manufactured by other glands. Not all testosterone is useful to the body...
Either way, I'm sure Anthony will be fine- I do not have decreased sex drive or other symptons usually associated with low testosterone. However I am concerned about late term osteoporosis, and other health issues.

Should the oncologist be checking testosterone levels since he is the doctor that is handling Anthonys health issues right now? Is this something we should be asking him to do?

My concerns are, will he grow breasts?

Maybe it's a silly question? Is this a concern that other men have?

Tammy

[Michael112]

I would prepare to take action for after 10 months, gyno(breast buds) requires surgery if its been there for over a year, if its been there for less, nolvadex can take care of it, from what Scott has been saying, I am sure it would go away but personally if I was in his shoes I would run a course of nolvadex to try speed recovery, which you would haveto try get at an anti-aging clinic.

[huckchef]

I Would Give It Some Time And See If It Gets Better. If A Baseline Testosterone Wasn't Taken Pre-orchiectomy Than He'll Need To Judge For Himself If He Needs Replacement. Alot Will Be Determined By His Feelings And Changes In His Body, Moods, Energy Levels, Sexual Function, Etc..
I Never Had A Baseline Done Before But I Don't Know If It Would Of Been Accurate Considering The Circumstances Of The Tumors I Had So I Have Had To Just Rely On My Body Telling Me And Watching For Symptoms.
Dont Always Assume That The Other Testicle Will Produce The Difference. It Can..... But Keep An Eye On It!
Thoughts And Prayers,
Brian

[Already Bald]

My son asked his oncologist about his symptoms. Breast tenderness, and he feels lumps when he presses on them. I assume these are breast buds.

He does not have breasts like a woman, but there is an obvious change. He used to be completely flat and now there is a bit of growth. Hard to explain really.

His oncologist said that the other testicle will grow more and start to make up for the testosterone that has been lost since surgery, and that there is no need for injections or anything.

I won't just assume that he knows what he is talking about.

Can anyone help us out with this one?

Tammy,
Thank you for this post- It is a topic that I intend to study in the future. One mistake I made was not having my testosterone levels checked pre IO- in fact I've never had it checked. I think that sometimes getting correct readings can be difficult. I remember something about testosterone actually bonds with certain proteins that are manufactured by other glands. Not all testosterone is useful to the body...
Either way, I'm sure Anthony will be fine- I do not have decreased sex drive or other symptons usually associated with low testosterone. However I am concerned about late term osteoporosis, and other health issues.

[Scott]

I had the same experience after my orchiectomy, and I was worried about it and discussed it with my urologist. It didn't last.

[mstlyn]

My son asked his oncologist about his symptoms. Breast tenderness, and he feels lumps when he presses on them. I assume these are breast buds.

He does not have breasts like a woman, but there is an obvious change. He used to be completely flat and now there is a bit of growth. Hard to explain really.

His oncologist said that the other testicle will grow more and start to make up for the testosterone that has been lost since surgery, and that there is no need for injections or anything.

I won't just assume that he knows what he is talking about.

Can anyone help us out with this one?