Testosterone Replacement Therapy vs. PSA Levels

[MisterT]

Does anyone have experience on what happened to their PSA number when they began TRT. Do creams or injections change PSA numbers more ?
How high are peoples PSA numbers when they are taking 100mg or 200 mg weakly for TRT??

 

[Mprtz]

On TRT for a year and a half, PSA was not affected - around 1.0, usually a little below. Dose 160-200mg in that time, age around 50.

Is your PSA going up? Do you have any prostate symptoms? Are you controlling E2?

 

[lucius11]

I have been on TRT for 3 years. I'm in my mid 50s. My typical dose is 200 per week. To my surprise, my PSA has been low (0.5) and it has not moved at all. Just had it tested this month ... 0.5 again. I have seen no effect from TRT.

 

[MisterT]

Don't know if PSA was up do to HRT because it was never checked until a year plis into it.. It was then at 6.9.. 6 months later using less cream it was at 5.0

I am only on 2 pumps of Androgel cream.

 

[Mprtz]

Kind of unusual not to have PSA tested pre-treatment. This is under medical supervision?
The prevalent attitude is that elevated PSA contraindicates testosterone treatment.

I'd certainly keep an eye on that PSA. I'd want to know where my E2 is also. I would personally push back on having a biopsy because of what can be set into motion. If there was no PSA test you might (!) live the rest of your life in blissful ignorance.

What's your age?

 

[Sullerson]

My PSA was done after 6 months of 200mg/week of Test-C. Came back at 0.1

 

[jozifp103]

Don't know if PSA was up do to HRT because it was never checked until a year plis into it.. It was then at 6.9.. 6 months later using less cream it was at 5.0

I am only on 2 pumps of Androgel cream.

if you are controlling estradiol, then your psa "should" not be effected.

 

[MisterT]

Doc' s I have are not smart -- don't test for nothing more than total T. Age 61 now. Had testicle torsion at 13 with one removed. Suspect I have been running on low T for years and it finally really hit at 59 with severe hot flashes all day, poor sleep, no energy, etc. Looking into maybe using shot's instead of cream on my own rather than through local doctors who obviously are not up to speed on T therory. DO propery dosed shots work better than the rub on cream. Have heard stories that rub on is not as effective and converts to estrogen quicker, etc..

 

[jozifp103]

Doc' s I have are not smart -- don't test for nothing more than total T. Age 61 now. Had testicle torsion at 13 with one removed. Suspect I have been running on low T for years and it finally really hit at 59 with severe hot flashes all day, poor sleep, no energy, etc. Looking into maybe using shot's instead of cream on my own rather than through local doctors who obviously are not up to speed on T therory. DO propery dosed shots work better than the rub on cream. Have heard stories that rub on is not as effective and converts to estrogen quicker, etc..

yes shots are superior to gels/creams. shots are the best way and the only way to go in my opinion. Demand your doc to let you inject yourself. make sure you know what you're doing though as far as dosages and managing estradiol, etc...

 

[Megatron28]

My PSA has always been around .30. It hasn't moved since being on TRT. However, I too never had it checked pre-TRT. I have never even had the doc put a digit in my rear end.

 

[pdelta]

Increases in DHT will increase PSA. Gels and creams increase DHT more than shots. It is not uncommon for PSA to increase while on TRT but it should stabilize as DHT stabilizes. Don't forget to keep an eye on E2.

 

[TRT EXPERT]

As others have said, many people experience more side effects from cream. This is in part due to increased aromatization and 5-alpha reduction taking place in the dermal layers of the skin. I would suggest you talk with your doctor about switching over to an injection, and also discuss monitoring and controlling for E2 levels. Many people find that their E2 levels are directly related to PSA levels.

Like I said, I would talk with your doctor about this. If he/she doesn't seem to be taking care of your needs, then I would suggest you find a new doctor who is more adept at treating these types of issues.

Doc' s I have are not smart -- don't test for nothing more than total T. Age 61 now. Had testicle torsion at 13 with one removed. Suspect I have been running on low T for years and it finally really hit at 59 with severe hot flashes all day, poor sleep, no energy, etc. Looking into maybe using shot's instead of cream on my own rather than through local doctors who obviously are not up to speed on T therory. DO propery dosed shots work better than the rub on cream. Have heard stories that rub on is not as effective and converts to estrogen quicker, etc..

 

[MisterT]

Thanks guys -- now if i can just find a doctor who will listen... Easy to say - hard to find. This place ain't Miami!! Last one hung it up at 61 do to insurance and reporting requirements kicking in these days. Big corps are sucking up all the docs and pushing patient through as fast as they can and only doing the basic tests because insurance won't let them do more.

Now what came first - low T or type II diabetes at 42, 6 feet, 205 lbs?? I suspect they are highly related since they are hormones - also suspect I have been low T most of my life as muscles would never respond very good to "Working Like Arnie" at age 30 (never took a drug - not that Arnie ever did...). 295lbs was all I ever achieved on the bench press and it was after years of hard work....