Testicular cancer

[MinnesotaMike]

Back in 2000 I was diagnosed with Testicular cancer. With many screenings I can say that I am still cancer free after 15 years. Trouble is I have never been able to get my Testosterone levels back to the level they need to be. I am 52 and have been using Axiron. My last test was about a month ago and my overall test. was 250. I feel horrible,hurt everywhere,and have low sexual desire. I am going back to injections to try and raise my levels. Until I came across your website I never knew anywhere near enough about therapy and what all it entails. Just would like to thank you for putting this out there and would gladly take any advice that you would offer!
Thanks again,
Mike

 

[Tom Larabee]

Congrats on being Cancer free Mike and welcome to ExcelMale

 

[Gene Devine]

Hi Mike, everything you need to learn is here for you.

As you learned, injections are far superior for getting levels up to a nice youthful healthy level.

Learn why you need HCG and why you need to monitor estrogen and hematocrit labs.

You'll get better as you empower yourself with knowledge.

Gene

 

[James]

Mike - As a fellow cancer survivor, welcome to Excel male!

 

[MinnesotaMike]

Thanks for the welcome! I am really new to this and am trying to absorb it all.Don't know what HCG is but will learn. As for the Estrogen tracking, I feel it may have always been high since I have had "man boobs" most of my life.

 

[MinnesotaMike]

Thanks! Congrats on surviving James

 

[hdrider]

Welcome, Mike.

My advice would be to learn all you can here, and if you are going forward with TRT, go with a clinic and doc that specializes in it. Don't mess around with generalist doctors. There are a lot of hacks out there.

Some of the top TRT clinics are surprisingly inexpensive, and associated with compounding pharmacies that can save you tons of money on meds compared to using a traditional pharmacy.

 

[MinnesotaMike]

Thanks hrider. I have been going with my diabetes dr. But his expertise is clearly not in the field of testosterone replacement therapy. I will probably go back to my urologist or cancer doctor and get advice from them.

 

[James]

I have had "man boobs" most of my life.

I've been there too Mike, I had gynecomastia surgery several years ago with great results!

 

[hdrider]

There are folks here that likely know far more about TRT than your local docs.

Look into Defy medical for your treatment. I just started with them and have been happy so far as are many others here.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Back in 2000 I was diagnosed with Testicular cancer. With many screenings I can say that I am still cancer free after 15 years. Trouble is I have never been able to get my Testosterone levels back to the level they need to be. I am 52 and have been using Axiron. My last test was about a month ago and my overall test. was 250. I feel horrible,hurt everywhere,and have low sexual desire. I am going back to injections to try and raise my levels. Until I came across your website I never knew anywhere near enough about therapy and what all it entails. Just would like to thank you for putting this out there and would gladly take any advice that you would offer!
Thanks again,
Mike

Do you have recent lab work to share? Other than the total testosterone level you referenced?

 

[MinnesotaMike]

Do you have recent lab work to share? Other than the total testosterone level you referenced?

Not sure what type of lab work you are referring to. The Diabetes Dr. i go to only does the overall Testosterone test.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Not sure what type of lab work you are referring to. The Diabetes Dr. i go to only does the overall Testosterone test.

Total testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, estradiol (sensitive assay), CBC, psa, thyroid panel, and cortisol are the labs that, at a minimum, are monitored during testosterone therapy. Many of us self-test through Discountedlabs.com on a consistent basis as we have found that being personally responsible for our health is a key to TRT success.

 

[Tom Larabee]

Mike - See this thread, this describes a typical set of lab work and gives you more details on the why's of each lab test:
https://www.excelmale.com/forum/sho...e-and-During-Testosterone-Replacement-Therapy

 

[James]

Mike - They're referring to:
Total Test
Free Test
E2 (sensitive or enhanced)
SHBG
LH & FSH
Thyroid
DHEA
Prolactin
CBC
PSA
kidney/liver
Check out the sticky threads. Tons of good stuff there.

 

[MinnesotaMike]

I appreciate all of the info and will definitely check on all of it!!! I live in Savannah Ga., do any of you have an idea of where I could find a specialist? Or how to go about it?

 

[James]

Many here will say defy medical out of Tampa I believe. I've talked with them and they gave me the impression they are very knowledgeable, but I go to a local men's health clinic really close to my house. Check out defy, or your local urologist or testosterone clinic. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions as you'd be shocked to hear the difference in opinion and knowledge level with these doctors.

 

[James]

Your general doc is usually a poor candidate (in most cases), to put you on the right protocol and properly monitor your treatment. Your otolaryngologist and dermatologist would also be bad candidates. I know, bad joke!

 

[ERO]

Definitely agree with James. Doing TRT with a GP or any doc that does not specialize in TRT is typically worse than living with Low T un-treated. Like many of us here, I am quite happy using Defy Medical. You don't have to travel there, all work is done by phone and email and most importantly, they know what they are doing. An added benefit is they have good pricing. I am not affiliated with them at all - Just a happy customer.

 

[Vince]

Mike I agree with James and ERO. I saw three different endocrinologist and two clinics before deciding on Defy Medical. I find them easy to work with.