Am I a good candidate for TRT?

[Dean407]

Hi Folks,

I'm 43yrs old and had testicular cancer when I was 21; I lost one testical. I'm fairly active with running and crossfit like workouts at a great gym. I noticed my mood and ambition being down the last year or so. I moved and got a new Doctor. In doing blood work I asked for a Testosterone level check. He agreed without hesitation.

Well, I got my labs back and I was distressed to see my Testosterone level was 315.

There is a little asterisk next to it to indicate it is below normal levels.

This makes sense in retrospect. I haven't had much oomph in general for over a year+. I'm single and never go out, haven't been on a date in over a year.

The Doctor mentioned if the Testosterone came back low, he'd have to do another blood test to confirm.

I'll have the Doctor's visit Thursday to get a physical and discuss the blood labs.

So, do I seem like a good candidate for TRT?

It seems to me, that I am, but you know how Doctors can be very gun shy on this stuff. Hoping he "gets it" and will go forward with TRT if the next blood test shows low as well.

Thanks,

Dean

 

[methos]

Sounds to me like you should look further into it. I had a similar story. In the gym 5 days a week for 25 years, athlete, etc. Mood started fading, had to push harder and harder to do what I considered my normal lifestyle etc. Just be smart about it. Low dosages, monitor bloodworm frequently until you find your balance.

 

[Megatron28]

Yes, you are in hypogonadal range. As your doc said, you need to confirm the result. You also need to check LH, FSH and Prolactin. This will help tell you if the cause is related to your testicles not working right or your pituitary not working right.

Don't let your doc put you on gels or pellets or creams. Injections are by the most effective method and they are the cheapest too. Along with no risk of transfer to the women and children in your life (as there is with gels/creams).

Good luck and keep us posted on what you find out. Let us know if you have more questions.

Here is some good reading to get you started.

http://www.steroidology.com/forum/testosterone-replacement-therapy/662394-basic-trt-overview.html

 

[MBB]

Definitely get a full set of labs and try to find out why you are hypogonadal, but you may well be in need of TRT.

 

[Dean407]

Thanks, folks. I'll see what the doc thinks on Thursday and report back.

 

[Dean407]

Well, I saw the Doctor today. He's totally fine with doing TRT. I have another blood test scheduled for Monday morning. He actually wanted me to do labs on the spot at 11AM, and I know the test is usually lower, but I didn't have time.

He has a few patients on TRT, but he does the gel. I told him I want to do injections because it's cheaper and insurance may possibly cover it vs the gel. He didn't seem to have a problem with it. I suspect even if it comes back a bit higher within normal range, if I still want to go ahead with TRT he'd do it.

I was all ready for a bit of a fight, but he actually started suggesting it before I did. So, that's cool. Upwards and onwards!

 

[jozifp103]

good for you man. Just do your own research on trt protocols because there's more to it than just injecting test and ALOT of docs really aren't all that educated on proper protocols. keep your estro in check. your doc sounds like a pretty cool guy hopefully he will be willing to prescribe an AI if needed.

 

[THE-DET-OAK]

yes great candidate, check out IMT if you haven't.

 

[Dean407]

What is IMT?

Yeah, based on my dealings with him, he doesn't seem very well versed in treatment.

I checked my insurance drugs online and Depo-Testosterone IS included as a Tier 3 drug- just means I pay $40/mo. It also listed First Testosterone .02%, but I want the shots. When I mentioned I wanted the shots because insurance covers it more then the gel, he seemed surprised and said "It's covered by insurance??" So, it seems like I can pick up some knowledge and pass it on to him. I hope insurance does cover it if he follows through.

 

[Dean407]

I forgot to add that the labs he's doing tomorrow are FSH, LH, Prolactin, Testosterone and PSA Screen (at my request). He also threw in an HIV 1/2/O Antibodies which he didn't mention. That threw me a a bit, but I guess he wants to cover all the bases.

Is that ample hormone labs to get a base before I start?

Thx!

Dean

 

[Megatron28]

I forgot to add that the labs he's doing tomorrow are FSH, LH, Prolactin, Testosterone and PSA Screen (at my request). He also threw in an HIV 1/2/O Antibodies which he didn't mention. That threw me a a bit, but I guess he wants to cover all the bases.

Is that ample hormone labs to get a base before I start?

Thx!

Dean

TSH, Vitsmin D and Estradiol would be good to check too.

IMT (Increase My T) offers TRT services. Lots of guys here use them. You will fins their ad to the right hand side of your screen.

 

[Dean407]

Hey, thanks for the reply Megatron28. I printed out your Basic TRT Overview and intend to give it to my doctor. I had Vit D done last test- it was 57.3 and i've been taking Vit D supplement gels over a year. Also had my TSH done, it was 2.340

I called my Doc's office and asked the receptionist to ask the doc if I could add Estrodiol and Free Testosterone to the test. Less then 10min later, they called and said OK. There was no "Sensitive" Estrodiol they could see. At the lab i asked the women who took my blood. She said they use LabCorp and would notate on my labs to do the sensitive version of Estrodiol. So, hopefully they go ahead and do that.

I will be able to check online for my results...probably in 2-3 days.

 

[Megatron28]

Hey, thanks for the reply Megatron28. I printed out your Basic TRT Overview and intend to give it to my doctor. I had Vit D done last test- it was 57.3 and i've been taking Vit D supplement gels over a year. Also had my TSH done, it was 2.340

I called my Doc's office and asked the receptionist to ask the doc if I could add Estrodiol and Free Testosterone to the test. Less then 10min later, they called and said OK. There was no "Sensitive" Estrodiol they could see. At the lab i asked the women who took my blood. She said they use LabCorp and would notate on my labs to do the sensitive version of Estrodiol. So, hopefully they go ahead and do that.

I will be able to check online for my results...probably in 2-3 days.

Labcorp definitely has a Sensitive Estradiol assay. You can go online an look up the lab code to give to your doc so he can order it for you.

 

[Dean407]

Yep. Wish I woulda thought of that this morning.
Test Number: 140244 CPT Code: 82670

 

[Dean407]

After being on pins and needles I logged into the online "chart" and saw my new test results. Only, several tests including the Testosterone tests are not there! :-(

I called the doctors office and the receptionist stated that not all tests are updated at once, to give it another couple days. Well, another day passed and I don't see any new results. That doesn't make sense to me. I'll call Friday morning if the testosterone (total and free) plus the Glucose isn't there.

What I did get:

ESTRADIOL (7.6 - 42.6 pg/mL) 32.8
PROLACTIN (4.0 - 15.2 ng/mL) 12.4
FSH (1.5 - 12.4 mIU/mL) 12.1
LH (1.7 - 8.6 mIU/mL) 8.1
PSA Serum 0.0 - 4.0 ng/mL 4.1

Isn't high end LH and high FSH with low testosterone "primary hypogonadism"? Or does it have to be out of range high? The one testicle I have is pretty small, and the doctor even't mentioned that in my exam.

My PSA is interesting as my Father's PSA has always ran very high, in the 7's for 20+ years, but he never had cancer, but 2 biopsies.

My Doctor wrote a little note stating that all my test results looked good except my PSA, but I don't know if he's already seen the testosterone or not?

 

[Megatron28]

Let's wait for everything to come in.

 

[Dean407]

JUSt got back my Testosterone labs:

TESTOSTERONE (348 - 1197 ng/dL) 340
Testosterone Free (6.8 - 21.5 pg/mL) 12.4

 

[Megatron28]

Yeah -- that's not good for your age. You are leaning towards Primary Hypogonadal as your LH and FSH are up there. Looks like TRT is in your future. The good news is that it is a very effective treatment and you will be feeling like a new man in no time.

Don't let your doc try to tell you that taking testosterone increases your risk of prostate cancer. That has been disproved. Just make sure you manage your Estradiol while on TRT. Estradiol is bad for your prostate.

Keep watching your PSA. Just make sure it isn't getting worse. Add some daily cialis at 5mg to your regimen.

 

[Dean407]

Do you have any links to validate that testosterone doesn't increase risk of prostate cancer?

Thanks. Hopefully speak to him tomorrow...

 

[MBB]

Do you have any links to validate that testosterone doesn't increase risk of prostate cancer?

Thanks. Hopefully speak to him tomorrow...

Do you have any links that validate that TRT increases prostate cancer risk when used properly and monitored correctly?