Thank you for the info. I will follow the Doctors recommendations for now but based on my research I would tend to agree with you. I think it may be a good idea to see what my T looks like right before the next injection and then right after it to see how it varies.
Are you using mono-therapy? There does not seem to be a whole lot of information anywhere regards to this. I have been all over the web looking. Though there appears to be some success.
Two years ago almost to the month I had blood work done and that is when I had a FBG of 126 and an A1C of 6.0 I am overweight and have been for most of my life so my Dr told me to reduce the carbs so that was why I went to low carbs. I didn't eat many sugar laden foods but I used to drink a TON of fruit juices. I probably consumed 300 to 500 carbs some days in fruit juice!
Before this we ate mostly organic fruits, veggies and meats/dairy.
I have not posted any of my history here but here are some details from a post I made on another forum.
I just turned 45. I have been married to a beautiful and wonderful wife for 18 years.
16 years ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. I went through 6 cycles of ABVD (6 months, twice per month). Remission soon after treatments began. I had bleomycin toxicity mid way through treatments and it was stopped. Also have some peripheral neurapathy from the vinblastine.
I dealt with panic attacks shortly after my treatment ended. They were quite severe at times and I was placed on Paxil which helped...for a time. Then I started to have sexual side effects and after about 6 to 8 months on Paxil I weened myself off and started taking a natural alternative which worked well for years until I also got myself off of it.
Had been fine for a couple years but as time has gone on I could feel my sex drive reducing. I figured this was the stress of life. Recently lost many family members including my Dad who died suddenly. Each major event seemed to have a little more impact on the sexual department.
About two years ago. I started to occasionally have issues with erections. They would be softer. I have never really had issues with endurance etc. Not every time and it seemed to be only occasionally. My ejaculate (the sperm) seems much thicker and gelatinous. My climaxes have changed too. Some times they just don't feel right. Not a powerful, and some times it's near impossible to climax. This past year it seems to be getting worse though so I decided it was time to see a doctor about it. I suspected low-t. I went to a urologist and discussed with him the above. I had blood work done and it came back 328 (300 to ... normal) The pituitary tests all came back normal so he doesn't suspect issues with that end of things. He now wants
me to use natesto 3 times per day for about a month and then have another check up.
Also, Last year I had a check up and my blood glucose was slightly elevated and my A1C was also slightly elevated. I decided I should cut back on the carbs (I ate about 400 to 500 per day - mostly juice) I went on low carb February of 2014 and within a few months lost over 40lbs. To this day I continue low carb ( I typically eat about 20 to 30 carbs per day or even less) but I have hit a brick wall and pretty much nothing I do can break through it. I wanted to lose another 15 to 20lbs before I was satisfied with my weight loss. My A1C has not budged and my fasting BG, while it has not returned to normal has lowered some. I check my blood on a regular basis and I do not believe that I am a full blown diabetic. Most readings after eating quickly fall to normal levels.
So, the reason why I am posting this. I talked with the Doc last night about this. I am not sure that I want to do the testosterone replacement route just yet. Maybe some more testing since I have only had a single test and it was low (tested at 8:45am) Also, while I am pretty sure that my condition with regards to low-t is from the chemotherapy...Perhaps there is another reason?
Also, I believe my main issues are with ED, penis sensitivity and maintaining erections. But lately I have been having lots of short term memory problems etc. And for years I have not been as sharp as I used to be mentally. I feel like I am in a fog mentally. But I figured this was because of the chemo. But maybe it isn't maybe it's been the test slowly decreasing and getting worse? Or perhaps all of the above is also because of the use of the Paxil. I have heard that long term effects are similar to what I am experiencing sexually.
Quite frankly, I have never been one to take medicine. I rarely drink. And reading the side effects of the test replacement scare the hell out of me. LOL I figure once you get on this train you are on it for the long haul. Certainly not something to take lightly and should be thought about carefully.
(Sorry about the formatting below!!!)
Late November, 2015
testosterone , serum 328 348-1197 ng/dL
lh 2.4 1.7-8.6 mIU/mL
fsh 2.6 1.5-12.4 mIU/mL
prostate specific ag, serum 0.5 0.0-4.0 ng/mL
The Prolacin is 15.2 The range is 4 to 15.2
The Estradiol was 9.1 The normal range is 7.6-42.6
Janurary 2016
Thyroid Function.
triiodothyronine, free, serum
2.9 pg/mL 2.0-4.4 completed Not applicable 01/10/2016
thyroxine, serum, free
1.19 ng/dL 0.82-1.77 completed Not applicable 01/10/2016
thyroid stimulating hormone, serum
4.470 u[iU]/mL 0.450-4.500 completed Not applicable
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]hemoglobin a1c[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]5.9[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]4.8-5.6[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]%[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]lh[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]4.2[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]1.7-8.6[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]mIU/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]prolactin[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]10.6[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]4.0-15.2[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"] ng/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]estosterone, serum[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]289[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]348-1197[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]free testosterone(direct)[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]5.8[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]6.8-21.5[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]pg/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]glucose, serum[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]104[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]65-99[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Feb 4, 2016
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]vitamin b12[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]762[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]211-946[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]pg/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]t4,free(direct)[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]1.11[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]0.82-1.77[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]dhea-sulfate[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]180.5[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]71.6-375.4[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ug/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]Reverse t3, serum[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]16.0[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]9.2-24.1[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]vitamin d, 25-hydroxy[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]28.1[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]30.0-100.0[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]thyroglobulin antibody[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]1.1[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]0.0-0.9[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]IU/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]estrogens, total[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]110[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]40-115[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]pg/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ferritin, serum[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]480[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]30-400[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]thyroid peroxidase (tpo) ab[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]38[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]0-34[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]IU/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]glucose, serum[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]115[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]65-99[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]mg/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]pregnenolone, ms[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]20[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]prostate specific ag, serum[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]0.7[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]0.0-4.0[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]dihydrotestosterone[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]28[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]cortisol[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]18.6[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]See Comments[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ug/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]tsh[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]3.390[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]0.450-4.500[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]uIU/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]insulin[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]11.3[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]2.6-24.9[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]uIU/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]testosterone, serum[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]327[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]348-1197[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]testosterone,free[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]7.72[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]5.00-21.00[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/dL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]lh[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]2.3[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]1.7-8.6[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]mIU/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: ccrItemText"]fsh[/TD]
[TD="class: LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: LabCorpCCRItemText"]3.4[/TD]
[TD="class: LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: LabCorpCCRItemText"]1.5-12.4[/TD]
[TD="class: ccrItemText"]mIU/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]prolactin[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]7.8[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]4.0-15.2[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]ng/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: c650 CCRLabResultSubtable"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]estradiol[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]16.1[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"][/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow LabCorpCCRItemText"]7.6-42.6[/TD]
[TD="class: alternatingRow ccrItemText"]pg/mL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
