Need Advice!

[zorro]

Good Evening & Happy Thanksgiving! I've been with Defy now since June or so with this protocol: Mon/Wed 500IU HCG, Tues/Fri 80mg Test Cyp, Tues/Fri 0.5mg Anastrozole / 200 DIM; then was added 5/2.5mg hydrocortisone in August because of Cortisol results. Last month the nurse reduced me to 60mg test cyp and left everything else the same due to my total getting up to 1358 (Free was 19.1) which was causing me some acne/oil issues and I was simply starting to feel bad again (not as bad as before getting on the protocol, but maybe about 50% there); she did recommend semorlien for weight gain, but my IGF-1 is already 179 and I can't justify the high cost (over 300 a month). I'm feeling ALOT better on the 60mg protocol, however, one of my initial complaints (and a big one) was my continued weight gain (I've gone from 240 to 290 in around 11 months now without changes in diet or exercise). I talked to an internist at work (I work at a hospital) about everything I'm on and the weight issue and she highly recommended I go see an endocrinologist as nobody (including my PCP) had ever tried to figure out WHY my numbers were low in the first place + only a saliva test was done for the cortisol (no ACTH response test). Today was that endo appointment, and he wants me to stop everything cold turkey so that he can re-test and evaluate me in 3 months because he believe the decision to go on T and HC were both rushed - he mentioned that the original decision (by PCP and then urologist before I started Defy) to start T wasn't valid as I only had 1 test and I was at 498 total and 3.1 free, saying that the free number isn't valid in someone that is overweight.

I'm not sure what to do - I'm very happy I feel better (less fatigue, better libido), but one of my major concerns is indeed still not addressed (the weight gain) and nothing my PCP has tried has worked (calorie counting, Belviq, Topamax, Wellbutrin) and she is basically saying I'm just obese and nothing is wrong with me (I'm 290 / 6'5").

It concerns me stopping cold turkey in order to be re-evaluated after reading other posts on here - so I'm asking all of you for some advice on what to do?

Thank you!

 

[ERO]

If you stop cold turkey you are going to feel awful. Your T levels will drop to near zero and may not recover to even your pre-TRT without a re-start protocol. Your PCP seems to think that drugs are the answer to your weight gain (Belviq, Topamax, Wellbutrin) yet he/she now wants you to stop TRT cold turkey??? This makes no sense.

If you want to stop TRT, ask Defy about a re-start protocol. Stopping cold turkey is just a bad idea.

 

[Vince Carter]

I implicitly trust Dr Saya and his medical staff. Around these parts, there's little to no endorsement of Endo's or Urologists, at least where HRT is concerned. PLease know also that those specialists and most MDs are going to go straight to all the supposed negatives of HRT as soon as you utter the words. I would absolutely email/call Defy and speak directly about your weight gain which is very curious.

How is your diet and exercise presently?

 

[CoastWatcher]

I would certainly raise the question of weight gain with the staff at Defy. At the same time, I would never stop TRT cold turkey. I know, personally know, two people who did just that and they were in a world of misery for months as they tried to sort themselves out. I am not a Defy patient, I have no vested interest in this discussion, but I know of their practices and feel that you'd be hard pressed to find more knowledgeable androgen-replacement doctors, nurses, and physician assistants.

 

[johndoesmith]

The endo wants you to stop for 3 months, and re test?

I know that defy didn't order just a total, and free testosterone test and prescribe you TRT. You need to post those full results, otherwise there's very little to discuss.

Your E2 could have been in the tank, and LH sky high, making TRT a very valid decision, but we wouldn't know that as you didn't post labs.

There isn't much more to talk about here, you seem to want us to tell you who's right, but you give us very little information.

Also, your endo said testosterone tests aren't valid in people who are overweight? that makes very little sense. You make no mention of if you're working out, or your thyroid labs. If you're lifting weights, and on a decent dose of TRT, it's entirely possible you gained a bit of muscle, even men who don't lift weights have been shown to gain several pounds of muscle on 125mg per week, add that to the increased appetite and the initial water weight gain when starting TRT and it's possible at 6'3 to gain 20-30 pounds.

 

[Vince]

The best way I know of controlling one's weight is going low carb. Learn to eat good fat and get rid of your carb addiction, it did wonders for me.

 

[lowe2sucks]

if you don't have metabolism problems its calories in = calories out. you need to eat less calories then you spend to lose fat, if thats not working something is wrong.. somethings slows down the metabolism

 

[finkelet]

Along with what everybody above shared I'd discuss a thyroid work up with Defy.

Our pituitary glands which stimulate the production of T also stimulate our thyroid. The picture of an overweight male with low T really points to possible thyroid issues as well. Again this is because our Pitutary gland may be at the root of our hormonal issues.

If your thyroid is under performing Cal in vs Cal out still applies. But your Cal out portion will be lowered as your metabolic rate is depressed.

But like everyone says, without numbers we are blind.

 

[Vince]

if you don't have metabolism problems its calories in = calories out. you need to eat less calories then you spend to lose fat, if thats not working something is wrong.. somethings slows down the metabolism

When you eat fat you actually burn more calories and become less hungry. All calories are not equal, equal calories is the old way of thinking.
Fat Burns Fat

The body needs three macronutrients for energy: Carbohydrates, protein, and fat. A gram of fat packs more than twice the energy of a gram of the other two. “When you don't have any fat in your diet its like you don't have fuel to burn calories,” Glassman says. The body requires energy to keep its metabolism properly functioning, and a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming fatty acids can boost metabolic health.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/557726-eat-fat-to-burn-fat/

 

[lowe2sucks]

i never said eating fat isnt needed. i myself try my best to get no less then 50 grams of fat from good sources

 

[Vince]

i never said eating fat isnt needed. i myself try my best to get no less then 50 grams of fat from good sources

thanks for explaining