TESTOSTERONE SUPPLEMENTATION AFTER RADIATION AND FIRMAGON

Clevelandguy said:

Bad Idea?

Hi Artie,

If it was me I would not risk the cancer return by starting testosterone.  Like Vasco said most people take drugs to get rid of the testosterone and thus weaken the cancer.  Don't know if you took it as a precaution but you surely don't want to awake the bandit.

just my 2c worth.........

Dave 3+4

I would agree but there is also a danger to your health with low testoterone.So I am in a quandry as to what to do.

VascodaGama said:

TRT

Hi Artie,

I would like to know details about your present status,  PSA histology, and the reasons that took you to inquire about TRT. This subject of your thread has been discussed here before by some survivors but the experiences in taking testosterone supplements were little shared. I have exchanged opinions with PCa survivor Rakendra, who claimed to take steroids for his body building performance. You can try contacting him via the csn e-mail or follow his story in my link below. 

Taking steroids goes against the principles of the hormonal treatment which purposes involve deprivation of the testosterone by inducing castration. In fact the majority of PCa survivors also think that taking testosterone supplements may awaken the bandit back into action. In any case, there is no prove that such is true. Some specialists treating the low testosterone (urologists, endocrinologists, or sexologists) argue that low testosterone promote the initiation of the cancer. These guys prescribe testosterone products, such as patches, topical gels, and injections, to their patients in spite of knowing that they have/had PCa.

From a fewer number of trials researchers found that prostate cancer  reacts differently depending on the type of the testosterone. Cancer promotion seems to be linked more to endogenous testosterone (produced by the testis) than to exogenous testosterone (injected). There are several articles and videos on the matter. 

In your shoes I would consult a specialist before taking anything but you can try it if that improves your quality of life. 

https://csn.cancer.org/node/264453 https://csn.cancer.org/node/292304

https://csn.cancer.org/node/264909 https://csn.cancer.org/node/212885

https://player.vimeo.com/video/290595630

Best wishes 

VGama

 

Do you know anybody who was treated for prostate cancer and they took TRT to raise their tstosterone?

lighterwood67 said:

More studies needed

Whether testosterone therapy is safe for men with a history of prostate cancer is still an open question. More studies are needed to understand the connection. Would be nice if you could find some folks similar to your case and find out how they did with testosterone supplements. Good luck on your journey.

 

You r right on the pointSome docs say ok and even recommend taking the testoterone and other docs say its ike pouing gasoline on a fire.

SV said:

I went back on TRT five years

I went back on TRT five years after RP with no detectable PSA. Then, five years being back on TRT my PSA came roaring back to life going from .01 to 2.0 in eighteen months. A year ago I started two 90 shots of Lurpon with two months of Proton. Getting back to normal now but I don't know about risking TRT again.

Why did u go start TRT.I My testoterone is only 28 and I am tired.hoping TRT would give me better quality of life but do't want to risk cancer coming back.You said PSA came roaring back but did cancer come back.How long did it take Lupron and Proton to get your PSA to normal?Did the cancer come back and what did u do to treat it?How low was your testoterone?Where did u get the TRT?Thanks for your help.

Old Salt said:

Not SV

but he explained in his (January 6) post that his prostate was removed. Hence, if his PSA came 'roaring back', it means that the cancer had metastasized.

Thanks Old Salt So what is one to do with Testoterone level 28?Cancer is gone but quality of life is also gone.Tired al the time.

Old Salt said:

Artie

A  (very) relevant review was cited on another prostate cancer site:

Testosterone Therapy After Prostate Cancer Treatment: A Review of Literature - ScienceDirect

Do you know of others that took TRT?

SPOKE TO DR  FROM SYLVESTOR AND HE WAS AGAINST ME TAKING TESTOTERONE.HE SAID IT COULD REACTIVATE CANCER.HE SAID U COULD LEAD NORMAL LIFE WITH LOW TSTOTERONE.HE AGRRED WITH MY UROLOGIST FROM NORTHSHORE.IT APPEARS THIS IS HOTLY DEBATED ISSUE.DR FROM HARVARD CLAIMS ITS OK TO TAKE BUT ACKNOWLEDGES ITS DEBATABLE AND THERE R RISKS.I WILL LIVE WITH IT AS IT IS NOT WORTH TAKIING THE RISK OF THE CANCER COMING BACK.