I came close to a stand-up fight with Endocrinology over testosterone replacement therapy. My testosterone level was almost zero two years ago and I was suffering from endless chest infections and nasty colds during the autumn and winter. Endocrinology refused treatment at first based on the knowledge that I had had prostate cancer, despite the fact that I no longer had a prostate and my PSA had been unmeasurable for about five years.. Eventually I managed to get a second opinion from a urology specialist and Endocrinology, reluctantly, gave in and I was put on TRT via a gel sprayed on each morning.
Unfortunately, now my red cell count has gone up, and as this is a possible side-effect of TRT, Endocrinology are saying "There, we told you TRT was not good for you" and cut my prescribed dose. This year, I have had the mother and father of coughs, colds and chest issues together with significant fatigue. Whether that is a result of cutting down the TRT level, I don't know, but....
During the dispute with Endocrinology, I found several research papers casting considerable doubt on the established assumption that there was a direct connection between testosterone and prostate cancer. Specialists, however, don't appear to have read any such research.
Tony
TURP then LRP in 2009/2010. Lots of leakage but PSA < 0.1 AMS-800 Artificial Sphincter activated 2015. |
User
Going back some years following RT, my Testosterone was low and I asked the treating hospital about Testosterone replacement therapy. I was told that it was not recommended so I left it at that.
Barry |
User
Thanks to all for the replies. I will see what my doctors say on next regular visit. They seem very coy about the low T. I guess
they don't want the survival rates to go down. Time I had it out with them.
Otto
User
I feel after a two year journey that I understand most things about prostate cancer. However I was on TRT and had been for two years when my psa hit 15 and I was referred to urology. I was not taken off TRT until my psa hit 27 , even though I was 48 yrs old at the time. My wife and I distinctly remember our Uro saying that the latest findings disassociated Testosterone with causing prostate cancer. Indeed it was suggested T could protect the prostate. However virtually all HT robs the body of T as it is known to fuel the advance of PCa and so must be reduced or disguised. I just don't get this ??? I too have seen many papers saying that existing thoughts are flawed re T and PCa.
Confused !!
User
Hi Otto. Reading your posts re low/no T, I am just wondering how things are going one year on?
If you click to my profile, you should see a post from me that outlines a very similar situation.
Hope to hear from you.
Regards
Paul