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Low T and feeling young again?

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Posted 10/2/2015 7:39 PM (GMT -5)
Did any of you take or use any type of Testosterone product for "Low T" prior to your PCa diagnosis?

I did. I asked my urologist about it and he agreed as long I was closely monitored for an uptick in PSA. After about 18 months, my PSA went up just a little and he wanted to do a biopsy before continuing. Now, in 20/20 hindsight, I wonder if this is such a bright idea? (especially at 67)

I ask this question, not to be critized personally, but perhaps to caution other males in their 60's who might be looking for the fountain of youth as I was.

Paul
Posted 10/3/2015 12:47 PM (GMT -5)
In my opinion, it seems unlikely that 18 months of testosterone would have caused your cancer. Hopefully one of the smarter folks here can weigh in would more medical-based knowledge.

So it seems that you're one month out from surgery...how are you doing at this point? Hopefully, well into a speedy recovery!
Posted 10/3/2015 1:41 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Michael. I feel good. Cath out one week after. Three Depends Shields per day. Renamed Johnson, John, but getting that chubby feeling already.

Since I was upgraded from 3+4 to G8 I have worried more. Don't really think Testosterone caused it, but halfway wonder if it might have bumped it to an 8. Doesn't really matter even if it did. I feel fortunate that my margins are all negative and there does not seem to be any further spreading. Have an appt in 3 weeks but first PSA is still 2 months off.

How long are slides kept for 2nd opinions? I assume that not covered by Medicare. Any idea how much a JH opinion would run?

Thanks again!

Paul
Posted 10/3/2015 2:03 PM (GMT -5)
Paul,

I think you've got cause and effect reversed. It is more likely that your history of low testosterone was a causal factor in your prostate cancer. That association has been noticed in many studies. It seems that sufficient testosterone plays a role in keeping healthy prostate cells healthy.

- Allen
Posted 10/3/2015 4:29 PM (GMT -5)
Allen,

I did not know that. When I asked for Testosterone, my urologist wanted to check my PSA first before agreeing. When it was a little high, he put me on Cipro and said if my PSA goes down, I might have prostatitis. It did.

He agreed to Depo shots every 2 weeks with monitoring of PSA. He explained that there are conflicting theories and that some believe that Testosterone is like pouring gasoline on a fire if you do develop PCa.

When my PSA did elevate, we did a biopsy and subsequently stopped the injections.

Thanks Allen. I suppose that's what gave me the connection.

Paul
Posted 10/3/2015 6:09 PM (GMT -5)
He sounds like a urologist after my own heart! I'm so glad he eliminated prostatitis first. T can aggravate BPH, which is another non-PC source of PSA. I think many urologists have now bought into "saturation theory"- that it doesn't take much T to saturate all the androgen receptors on the cancer cells, and anything above that has no effect - like pouring water over an already dripping wet sponge.

- Allen
Posted 10/4/2015 3:57 AM (GMT -5)
I understand that the assumed causal relationship developed from the effect that androgen deprivation therapy has on arresting cancer when testosterone levels drop to castrate level. That if removing T stops cancer, then adding T will grow it. Turns out it isn't quite that simple. My urologist is very careful about using T supplements in all cases. He doesn't want to use them for me as my T recovers from three years of ADT as it is finally coming closer to the normal range.
Posted 10/4/2015 10:01 AM (GMT -5)
Are the positive impacts of T exaggerated (a myth?) or do they exist?
This JAMA study jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2425744 did not not report a significant difference in the rates of improved overall sexual function or health-related quality of life between a placebo group and a T receiving group. However prostate-specific antigen levels increased more in the testosterone group. Could that support the "pouring gasoline on a fire if you do develop PCa" theory?
Posted 10/4/2015 10:53 AM (GMT -5)
For me, T made me feel 10 years younger, not 50. I took fewer naps, was more eager to do yard work, swim, and stay up later. I felt stronger and less fatiqued. I did not turn into a rabbit. I did not buy a convertible, or turn the radio up loud and start wearing muscle shirts! I liked the feeling, and would do it again if the doctor said it was okay. ;)

Paul
Posted 10/4/2015 11:54 AM (GMT -5)
Paul,

I know several guys in my support groups take T supplementation after their PSA has fallen to undetectable and stayed there for a while.

Gemlin, everyone responds differently to T and at different levels. T receptors are ubiquitous throughout the body, and in the brain, and occur at different levels in different men. Some believe that T supplementation may, over time, change the receptor profile, so it may require more to have the same effect. As I said above, and as is well known to most of us, PSA increasing does not necessarily mean prostate cancer; so, no, it does not support the idea of "throwing gasoline on the fire," which is a wive's tale with no support in facts.

- Allen
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