Re: Re: Help with suggestions and understanding

[Guest guest]

Good advice d00. I still say, gave the gel time to work. Regulating T is not a

direct science that is fast acting. If this guy has developed maladaptive

patterns of behavior, nothing T can do. That becomes a psychological aspect for

example. I would seriously continue to communicate with your doctor, WAIT on

test results and ask questions as well. No need to order expensive tests for

home use that advance researchers of hypo., would know of and how to use

properly. And home tests are EXPENSIVE and not needed if you have medical

insurance!

The tests he has had seem solid. Give the T time to effectively respond. He also

has to do his job on staying active, monitoring his negative responses or

emotions, and simply staying with the meds. He should be in here asking

questions, researching, and better understand as well.

Let him and his doc find the right TRT plan including if necessary add-ons like

HCG (which is not a requirement in every situation of low T).

Oh, not every guy will go through the " roller coaster " of bi weekly T compared

to something shorter. Every person's body is different. If the gel works great.

If he wants shots great. Doesn't matter between the two which work bests.

Clearly, studies have indicated that. A male's body will respond differently

than the next period. He can raise his T levels with the gel in time. He can

improve his well being by simply trying over the counter stuff. Or, if its more

serious an add-on that him and his doctors properly talked about that can work

best for his body.

Be careful what advice is given to new members that don't know much about this

complex biological specialty. I respect and admire the great knowledge a lot of

members here have attained, but sometimes it reads like over-kill and premature.

From: d00fu524 <calvin1564@...>

Subject: Re: Help with suggestions and understanding

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 10:56 PM

What an ordeal for both of you. It's good that your boyfriend has a

helper like you.

You mentioned his doctor switched him from biweekly injections to Androgel. I'm

curious as to why. His doc could have done more frequent injections (weekly,

every 3 days, etc.) of smaller amounts of T each time. This prevents the

" roller coaster " effect from the huge increase & decrease (as well as the

excessive estrogen) from injecting every 2 weeks. Injections tend to produce

higher testosterone levels than Androgel- which may be the solution if Androgel

isn't supplying enough (regardless of how many packs are used).

Nick mentioned some good tests to get like total testosterone & estradiol, but I

don't think LH or FSH would be that helpful here since your boyfriend had

testicular cancer. FSH & LH are used to check why the testes aren't producing

enough testosterone, but in his case it's most likely primary hypogonadism, not

secondary. (If 1) he has a dysfunctional testis or testes, or 2) one or more

isn't there any longer, hCG won't help increase testosterone production.)

Another test (which can be done without him coming off Androgel) includes

dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The results from total ( & free, if possible)

testosterone, dihydrotestosterone , & estradiol should help point to what needs

to be adjusted. You can order these for yourselves from http://www.lef.

org/Vitamins- Supplements/ Health-Well- Being/Health- 23000-1/Blood- Tests.htm

or privatemdlabs. com instead of waiting for a doctor's appt to get lab

requisitions (plus most docs don't request DHT or

estradiol for men anyway).

High estradiol/low T can make one feel lousy. Dialing them in makes a huge

difference.

~Xian

>

> Hello everyone...I joined this group on behalf of my boyfriend who has been

diagnosed with hypogonadism post testicular cancer. He recently switched from

biweekly T injections to the daily gel. I cannot believe what a mess he has

become. His energy comes in spurts, he's forgetful, unemotional, complains of

severe headaches, sometimes he cannot get out of bed and flails to find a

comfortable spot. He's angry and agitated and depressed. He is not like this

all the time but he is sicker more often than not. His libido is at zero and

sometimes I take it personal as just kissing me has become a chore. Anyways,

this is not about me because I am in it for the long haul...I just want to see

him get better. I cannot believe that doctors allow people to suffer this long

without making it a mission to help you guys. I don't think the proper levels

are being checked and I certainly feel that way too much time elapses in between

appointments. Other than

checking testosterone levels, what else should be being checked and monitored??

And has anyone ever been in this funk where you just don't want to live anymore

and finally discovered the secret formula to make everything all better??

Please advise...love to you all.

>