Testosterone Levels

adman
adman Member Posts: 336
in Kidney Cancer #1 
My urologist recently diagnosed me with 'Low T' and is suggesting I take Testosterone supplements. 
Does anyone have any experience or information on the pros and cons of this, and specifically, from the perspective of having cancer and kidney cancer. 
Risks?
etc?

Thanks. 
M

Comments

  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476
    #2
    A FEW

    The most importtant risk is a slighyly higher risk for prostats cancer ,your doctor will probably be doing psa tests more often

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #3
    Limelife50 said:

    A FEW

    The most importtant risk is a slighyly higher risk for prostats cancer ,your doctor will probably be doing psa tests more often

    Weight gain

    Mike, having seen your response to your namesake, it occurred to me to wonder whether you may have hit upon a clue to your weight gain problem.  Hormone imbalances can have dramatic effects on body-wieght.  Googling produced innumerable sites on the subject, among which I thought this might be of interest:

    http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/oct2010_Low-Testosterone-Promotes-Abdominal-Obesity-Aging-Men_01.htm

     

     

     

  • Matt5
    Matt5 Member Posts: 3
    #4
    Testosterone replacement therapy
    I've been on TRT for14 years post seminoma ( testicular cancer ) and will continue for life. I have continued TRT since partial nephrectomy in August.with no adverse effects and am advised there are zero contraindications whatsoever for those diagnosed with RCC . Low testosterone levels if prolonged can cause cardiac issues, osteoporosis as well as libido issues. There are various forms of TRT : patch, gel, buccal and injection . The injection lasts 3 months : but be warned it's a deep intramuscular injection into the buttock . I started with the injection : couldn't sit down for days , very , very, painful. Once was enough ! Capsules are oil based and can cause loose motions if you are prone to tummy upsets. Gel and patch most convenient. There is a theoretical risk of an increased risk of prostate issues but you will be taking TRT to take levels back to normal . You will be monitored at least annually as well. These issues are seen in those bodybuilders who abuse TRT , not in those taking therapeutic doses.
  • adman
    adman Member Posts: 336
    #5
    Texas_wedge said:

    Weight gain

    Mike, having seen your response to your namesake, it occurred to me to wonder whether you may have hit upon a clue to your weight gain problem.  Hormone imbalances can have dramatic effects on body-wieght.  Googling produced innumerable sites on the subject, among which I thought this might be of interest:

    http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/oct2010_Low-Testosterone-Promotes-Abdominal-Obesity-Aging-Men_01.htm

     

     

     

    Yes, you are correct...

    My Dr spoke to me about that issue when we met. He said that with my T score of 316, a bump in my level to 500-800 would help with the 10-20 'spare tire' issue.

    Still deciding on what I will do....

     

    Thanks.

  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476
    #6
    Texas_wedge said:

    Weight gain

    Mike, having seen your response to your namesake, it occurred to me to wonder whether you may have hit upon a clue to your weight gain problem.  Hormone imbalances can have dramatic effects on body-wieght.  Googling produced innumerable sites on the subject, among which I thought this might be of interest:

    http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/oct2010_Low-Testosterone-Promotes-Abdominal-Obesity-Aging-Men_01.htm

     

     

     

    Hi Texas

    Again you have hit on something,lowT can have an effect on weight gain hence people who are overweight have a higher incidence rate of low T with normal ranges between 200 and 800.I had mine checked about 4 weeks ago and mine was around 300 a little on the low side  ,so this might also have explained why i had been complaining for a while about feeling fatigued.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #7
    Testosterone Replacement

    A few years back (before my kidney cancer), my doctor thought low testosterone might be an issue for me having trouble losing weight and he had me use the gel. While using the gel, he tested my level to try and boost it up. He wasn't successful in getting it to go up. (My tests showed in the normal range, but at the low end. The range is really large.)

    Every couple of months I had to take a 2-3 week break. He told me that this was necessary, because the testes can lose the ability to make testosterone if I stayed on the gel too long. It seems, there's a feedback system in place similar to blood sugar, and your testes stop producing if your body is getting it from somewhere else.

    He never could get my level to go up. He wanted to give me shots of something that he said would definitely increase my T level. At that point I went to see an endocrinologist who tested me and said to stop listening to my doctor. That my T level was normal and not to worry about it. He said my doctor didn't know what he was talking about! I changed doctors at that point.

    Todd

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