Re: 24 year old with testosterone problems

[Guest guest]

Hi pwl_tc and welcome,

Prednisone is some strong stuff you said you did one cycle was your liver tested

before taking this here are the sides of it.

==================================

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of prednisone and other corticosteroids range from

mild annoyances to serious, irreversible damage, and they occur more frequently

with higher doses and more prolonged treatment. Side effects include retention

of sodium (salt) and fluid, weight gain, high blood pressure, loss of potassium,

headache and muscle weakness. Prednisone also causes puffiness of the face (moon

face), growth of facial hair, thinning and easy bruising of the skin, impaired

wound healing, glaucoma, cataracts, ulcers in the stomach and duodenum,

worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, rounding of the upper back ( " buffalo

hump " ), obesity, retardation of growth in children, convulsions, and psychiatric

disturbances. The psychiatric disturbances include depression, euphoria,

insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and even psychotic behavior.

Prednisone suppresses the immune system and, therefore, increases the frequency

or severity of infections and decreases the effectiveness of vaccines and

antibiotics. Prednisone may cause osteoporosis that results in fractures of

bones. Patients taking long-term prednisone often receive supplements of calcium

and vitamin D to counteract the effects on bones. Calcium and vitamin D probably

are not enough, however, and treatment with bisphosphonates such as alendronate

(Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel) may be necessary. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)

also is effective. The development of osteoporosis and the need for treatment

can be monitored using bone density scans.

Prolonged use of prednisone and other corticosteroids causes the adrenal glands

to atrophy (shrink) and stop producing the body's natural corticosteroid,

cortisol. If prednisone is abruptly withdrawn after prolonged use, the adrenal

glands are unable to produce enough cortisol to compensate for the withdrawal,

and symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency (adrenal crisis) may occur. These

symptoms include nausea, vomiting and shock. Therefore, prednisone should be

discontinued gradually so that the adrenal glands have time to recover and

resume production of cortisol. Until the glands fully recover, it may be

necessary to treat patients who have recently discontinued corticosteroids with

a short course of corticosteroids during times of stress (infection, surgery,

etc.), times when corticosteroids are particularly important to the body.

A serious complication of long-term use of corticosteroids is aseptic necrosis

of the hip joints. Aseptic necrosis is a condition in which there is death and

degeneration of the hip bone. It is a painful condition that ultimately can lead

to the need for surgical replacement of the hip. Aseptic necrosis also has been

reported in the knee joints. The estimated incidence of aseptic necrosis among

long-term users of corticosteroids is 3-4%. Patients taking corticosteroids who

develop pain in the hips or knees should report the pain to their doctors

promptly.

--------------------------------------------------------

Here is a link about it and weight gain.

http://ibdcrohns.about.com/od/prednisone/f/predweight.htm

It is possible that your taking this Prednisone shut down your Pituitary from

making Hormones you need to test them all.

The following study found men with with rheumatoid arthritis and low

testosterone, who take prednisone, may be predisposed to other

diseases.

?Male patients with RA taking low doses of prednisone have lower

testosterone and gonadotropin levels, suggesting that prednisone may

suppress the hypothalmic-pituitary-testicular axis. Since testosterone

affects immune function as well as bone and muscle metabolism,

androgen deficiency in some men with RA may predispose these patients

to more severe disease and to increased complications of steroid

therapy such as myopathy and osteoporosis.?

This is not the first time I have seen this you need a Dr. that is dam good at

Hormones I don't know this Dr. he is just one Dr. someone here seen.

If I were you I would ask my Family Dr. if he will work with Dr. over the

phone to test and treat you. www.allthingsmale.com if you go to his site also

read TRT: A Recipe for Success in this are labs you need and why.

Co-Moderator

Phil

> From: pwl_tc <pwl_tc@...>

> Subject: 24 year old with testosterone problems

>

> Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010, 7:33 PM

> I need some advice. I am actually

> kind of desperate at this point. A year ago I was a

> relatively healthy athletic 23 year old. Then, I took a one

> month cycle of prednisone (for an autoimmune skin

> condition), and it triggered all sorts of endocrinological

> problems. About a month after the cycle was done, my

> thighs(knees up to waist) doubled in size and cellulite

> started to form all over them. The rest of my body was

> perfectly normal though. I thought it was merely a transient

> effect, but 10 months later and lots of work in the gym, it

> was still there and getting worse.

>

> I forced my internist to test me for hormone problems

> (test, estrogen, cortisol, thyroid). My TSH came back 6.45

> -- hypothyroid(and probably hashimoto's since my mom and

> brother have it). My test was 370 and total estrogen (not

> estradiol) was 54 which is apparently normal. He gave me

> some levothyroxine and said my test levels were fine despite

> my feminine body fat distribution.

>

> I ignored him and made an appointment with an endo, who I

> saw a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, he said that

> despite my symptoms (he even observed that I'm storing a lot

> of fat in my chest), if I come in the low normal range when

> he tests me, he will not treat me for T/E imbalances. He

> then proceeded to interrogate me about steroid use and

> pretty much implied that I just wanted testosterone as a

> sports enhancer; I just want a normal life again where I

> don't look like a 40 year old woman.

>

> I am still waiting for blood work I did with him, but he

> is clearly not going to help me. What is worse, I've

> developed problems producing ejaculate these past couple of

> weeks. My semen volume is slowly becoming non existent. I am

> depressed and have absolutely no energy.

>

> I live in the Dallas/FortWorth area and saw an endo listed

> on this site: Aronoff. Does anybody have more

> information on him? Do you think he would be able to help

> me? Am I correct in assuming that I have some T/E imbalance

> causing the thighs,hip to store fat and form cellulite?

>

> I want to thank those who have taken the time to read my

> long message. I appreciate it and any advice is greatly

> welcomed.

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would suggest keeping the pressure on the doctor that prescribed the

prednosone. I only did 7 days worth and while I felt great for the first couple

of days, after that I was glad to get off it and get some sleep.

Predsosone can cause all kinds of trouble, especially an entire month cycle.

did you taper off it gradually? If you just stopped taking it, some of the

effects you are having would be caused by that.

Your numbers are low, for your age they are crazy low. your estrogen is also

high, which may be causing some of the trouble too.

You also have a hypothyroid reading, which may be causing everything else to be

out of wack.

Something that might be helpful is to concentrate your complaints on the things

that the doctors are ok with treating.

The ED, fertility issues(tell him you want to have childrn and you can't

maintain an erection to produce good Christian children) Also your libido

should be missing at your numbers.

I started having hot flashes with Test under 300, due to a reaction to a high

blood pressure med. My complaint about my beard and body hair not growing

anymore also helped.

Also keep challenging the questions about steroid use, and ask him what he needs

in order to trust that you have never done them. people do shop for them from

doctors. Also, if you have been going to see him for a while, ask him if he has

noticed any indications that you have used them siince you started seeing him.

You also might want to check to see if your skin condition is ever treated with

anabolic agents, instead of prednosone(which is has terrible side effects)

>

> I need some advice. I am actually kind of desperate at this point. A year ago

I was a relatively healthy athletic 23 year old. Then, I took a one month cycle

of prednisone (for an autoimmune skin condition), and it triggered all sorts of

endocrinological problems. About a month after the cycle was done, my

thighs(knees up to waist) doubled in size and cellulite started to form all over

them. The rest of my body was perfectly normal though. I thought it was merely a

transient effect, but 10 months later and lots of work in the gym, it was still

there and getting worse.

>

> I forced my internist to test me for hormone problems (test, estrogen,

cortisol, thyroid). My TSH came back 6.45 -- hypothyroid(and probably

hashimoto's since my mom and brother have it). My test was 370 and total

estrogen (not estradiol) was 54 which is apparently normal. He gave me some

levothyroxine and said my test levels were fine despite my feminine body fat

distribution.

>

> I ignored him and made an appointment with an endo, who I saw a couple of

weeks ago. Unfortunately, he said that despite my symptoms (he even observed

that I'm storing a lot of fat in my chest), if I come in the low normal range

when he tests me, he will not treat me for T/E imbalances. He then proceeded to

interrogate me about steroid use and pretty much implied that I just wanted

testosterone as a sports enhancer; I just want a normal life again where I don't

look like a 40 year old woman.

>

> I am still waiting for blood work I did with him, but he is clearly not going

to help me. What is worse, I've developed problems producing ejaculate these

past couple of weeks. My semen volume is slowly becoming non existent. I am

depressed and have absolutely no energy.

>

> I live in the Dallas/FortWorth area and saw an endo listed on this site:

Aronoff. Does anybody have more information on him? Do you think he

would be able to help me? Am I correct in assuming that I have some T/E

imbalance causing the thighs,hip to store fat and form cellulite?

>

> I want to thank those who have taken the time to read my long message. I

appreciate it and any advice is greatly welcomed.

>

[Guest guest]

I saw another endo at that place - endocrineassociatesdallas.com - they are

F***ing useless. Don't waste your time and money.

I am currently seeing a doctor Lois up in Plano - 972-612-0231. He is at

the S/W corner of Independence and Spring Creek. Not perfect, but he does listen

and is open to learning. He has come a long way since I first went to him.

He is on TRT himself so he does understand.

Hope this helps.

Ihor

>

> I need some advice. I am actually kind of desperate at this point. A year ago

I was a relatively healthy athletic 23 year old. Then, I took a one month cycle

of prednisone (for an autoimmune skin condition), and it triggered all sorts of

endocrinological problems. About a month after the cycle was done, my

thighs(knees up to waist) doubled in size and cellulite started to form all over

them. The rest of my body was perfectly normal though. I thought it was merely a

transient effect, but 10 months later and lots of work in the gym, it was still

there and getting worse.

>

> I forced my internist to test me for hormone problems (test, estrogen,

cortisol, thyroid). My TSH came back 6.45 -- hypothyroid(and probably

hashimoto's since my mom and brother have it). My test was 370 and total

estrogen (not estradiol) was 54 which is apparently normal. He gave me some

levothyroxine and said my test levels were fine despite my feminine body fat

distribution.

>

> I ignored him and made an appointment with an endo, who I saw a couple of

weeks ago. Unfortunately, he said that despite my symptoms (he even observed

that I'm storing a lot of fat in my chest), if I come in the low normal range

when he tests me, he will not treat me for T/E imbalances. He then proceeded to

interrogate me about steroid use and pretty much implied that I just wanted

testosterone as a sports enhancer; I just want a normal life again where I don't

look like a 40 year old woman.

>

> I am still waiting for blood work I did with him, but he is clearly not going

to help me. What is worse, I've developed problems producing ejaculate these

past couple of weeks. My semen volume is slowly becoming non existent. I am

depressed and have absolutely no energy.

>

> I live in the Dallas/FortWorth area and saw an endo listed on this site:

Aronoff. Does anybody have more information on him? Do you think he

would be able to help me? Am I correct in assuming that I have some T/E

imbalance causing the thighs,hip to store fat and form cellulite?

>

> I want to thank those who have taken the time to read my long message. I

appreciate it and any advice is greatly welcomed.

>

[Guest guest]

Maybe this dr. would work with Dr.J on your behalf. He'd probably learn

something along the way as well.

> >

> > I need some advice. I am actually kind of desperate at this point. A year

ago I was a relatively healthy athletic 23 year old. Then, I took a one month

cycle of prednisone (for an autoimmune skin condition), and it triggered all

sorts of endocrinological problems. About a month after the cycle was done, my

thighs(knees up to waist) doubled in size and cellulite started to form all over

them. The rest of my body was perfectly normal though. I thought it was merely a

transient effect, but 10 months later and lots of work in the gym, it was still

there and getting worse.

> >

> > I forced my internist to test me for hormone problems (test, estrogen,

cortisol, thyroid). My TSH came back 6.45 -- hypothyroid(and probably

hashimoto's since my mom and brother have it). My test was 370 and total

estrogen (not estradiol) was 54 which is apparently normal. He gave me some

levothyroxine and said my test levels were fine despite my feminine body fat

distribution.

> >

> > I ignored him and made an appointment with an endo, who I saw a couple of

weeks ago. Unfortunately, he said that despite my symptoms (he even observed

that I'm storing a lot of fat in my chest), if I come in the low normal range

when he tests me, he will not treat me for T/E imbalances. He then proceeded to

interrogate me about steroid use and pretty much implied that I just wanted

testosterone as a sports enhancer; I just want a normal life again where I don't

look like a 40 year old woman.

> >

> > I am still waiting for blood work I did with him, but he is clearly not

going to help me. What is worse, I've developed problems producing ejaculate

these past couple of weeks. My semen volume is slowly becoming non existent. I

am depressed and have absolutely no energy.

> >

> > I live in the Dallas/FortWorth area and saw an endo listed on this site:

Aronoff. Does anybody have more information on him? Do you think he

would be able to help me? Am I correct in assuming that I have some T/E

imbalance causing the thighs,hip to store fat and form cellulite?

> >

> > I want to thank those who have taken the time to read my long message. I

appreciate it and any advice is greatly welcomed.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reply, Phil. Thank you for the information and the link.

I got my test results back today. I'm not quite sure what to make of of them.

Total Testosterone 518 240-950

Free Testosterone 13 9-30

FSH 1.7 1.5-14

LH 3.5 1-9

Estradiol 16 <56

TSH 2.12 .3-5.1

These were all morning values and the testosterone values were done using an

assay at the Mayo Clinic. I had other blood work that ruled out diabetes and

pernicious anemia, which was good.

It appears that my free testosterone is on the lower end of the scale. Same with

my FSH. Could these numbers indicate a hormone problem even though my total test

is ok? I hope so, because I don't know what else would cause cellulite formation

in men. Literally, from my waist to my knees, I have the body of a 50 year old

woman who hasn't exercised in years.

It is also worth noting that my brother is hypothyroid and has low test. He is

only 18 months older than me and got diagnosed around my age.

>

> > From: pwl_tc <pwl_tc@...>

> > Subject: 24 year old with testosterone problems

> >

> > Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010, 7:33 PM

> > I need some advice. I am actually

> > kind of desperate at this point. A year ago I was a

> > relatively healthy athletic 23 year old. Then, I took a one

> > month cycle of prednisone (for an autoimmune skin

> > condition), and it triggered all sorts of endocrinological

> > problems. About a month after the cycle was done, my

> > thighs(knees up to waist) doubled in size and cellulite

> > started to form all over them. The rest of my body was

> > perfectly normal though. I thought it was merely a transient

> > effect, but 10 months later and lots of work in the gym, it

> > was still there and getting worse.

> >

> > I forced my internist to test me for hormone problems

> > (test, estrogen, cortisol, thyroid). My TSH came back 6.45

> > -- hypothyroid(and probably hashimoto's since my mom and

> > brother have it). My test was 370 and total estrogen (not

> > estradiol) was 54 which is apparently normal. He gave me

> > some levothyroxine and said my test levels were fine despite

> > my feminine body fat distribution.

> >

> > I ignored him and made an appointment with an endo, who I

> > saw a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, he said that

> > despite my symptoms (he even observed that I'm storing a lot

> > of fat in my chest), if I come in the low normal range when

> > he tests me, he will not treat me for T/E imbalances. He

> > then proceeded to interrogate me about steroid use and

> > pretty much implied that I just wanted testosterone as a

> > sports enhancer; I just want a normal life again where I

> > don't look like a 40 year old woman.

> >

> > I am still waiting for blood work I did with him, but he

> > is clearly not going to help me. What is worse, I've

> > developed problems producing ejaculate these past couple of

> > weeks. My semen volume is slowly becoming non existent. I am

> > depressed and have absolutely no energy.

> >

> > I live in the Dallas/FortWorth area and saw an endo listed

> > on this site: Aronoff. Does anybody have more

> > information on him? Do you think he would be able to help

> > me? Am I correct in assuming that I have some T/E imbalance

> > causing the thighs,hip to store fat and form cellulite?

> >

> > I want to thank those who have taken the time to read my

> > long message. I appreciate it and any advice is greatly

> > welcomed.

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

pwl_tc your Testosterone levels are below mid range still not real low. But this

does not mean for you it's not to low, you can be one of them men that when T

levels were normal you were very high. And your body can't work right at the

levels your at.

Also your Estradiol levels are very low need to see how your SHBG looks.

As for you thyroid over 2 for TSH to me is a flag going up you need to run a

mess of Thyroid and Cortisol labs.

http://livingnetwork.co.za/hormones/adrenal-fatigue/

One test you can try for checking this is a morning basal temp test read this

link.

http://drbate.com/Ref/thyroid.html

In this link it talks about low Testosterone in men and how it effects men.

http://www.griffinmedical.com/male_hormone_modulation_therapy.html

If your SHBG levels are very high it binds up your Testosterone and your Free T

levels stay low.

Co-Moderator

Phil

> From: pwl_tc <pwl_tc@...>

> Subject: Re: 24 year old with testosterone problems

>

> Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 3:59 AM

> Thank you for your reply, Phil. Thank

> you for the information and the link.

> I got my test results back today. I'm not quite sure what

> to make of of them.

>

> Total Testosterone 518   240-950

> Free Testosterone 13  9-30

> FSH 1.7  1.5-14

> LH 3.5   1-9

> Estradiol 16  <56

> TSH 2.12  .3-5.1 

>

> These were all morning values and the testosterone values

> were done using an assay at the Mayo Clinic. I had other

> blood work that ruled out diabetes and pernicious anemia,

> which was good.

>

> It appears that my free testosterone is on the lower end of

> the scale. Same with my FSH. Could these numbers indicate a

> hormone problem even though my total test is ok? I hope so,

> because I don't know what else would cause cellulite

> formation in men. Literally, from my waist to my knees, I

> have the body of a 50 year old woman who hasn't exercised in

> years.

>

> It is also worth noting that my brother is hypothyroid and

> has low test. He is only 18 months older than me and got

> diagnosed around my age.

>

>

> >

> > > From: pwl_tc <pwl_tc@...>

> > > Subject: 24 year old with

> testosterone problems

> > >

> > > Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010, 7:33 PM

> > > I need some advice. I am actually

> > > kind of desperate at this point. A year ago I was

> a

> > > relatively healthy athletic 23 year old. Then, I

> took a one

> > > month cycle of prednisone (for an autoimmune

> skin

> > > condition), and it triggered all sorts of

> endocrinological

> > > problems. About a month after the cycle was done,

> my

> > > thighs(knees up to waist) doubled in size and

> cellulite

> > > started to form all over them. The rest of my

> body was

> > > perfectly normal though. I thought it was merely

> a transient

> > > effect, but 10 months later and lots of work in

> the gym, it

> > > was still there and getting worse.

> > >

> > > I forced my internist to test me for hormone

> problems

> > > (test, estrogen, cortisol, thyroid). My TSH came

> back 6.45

> > > -- hypothyroid(and probably hashimoto's since my

> mom and

> > > brother have it). My test was 370 and total

> estrogen (not

> > > estradiol) was 54 which is apparently normal. He

> gave me

> > > some levothyroxine and said my test levels were

> fine despite

> > > my feminine body fat distribution.

> > >

> > > I ignored him and made an appointment with an

> endo, who I

> > > saw a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, he said

> that

> > > despite my symptoms (he even observed that I'm

> storing a lot

> > > of fat in my chest), if I come in the low normal

> range when

> > > he tests me, he will not treat me for T/E

> imbalances. He

> > > then proceeded to interrogate me about steroid

> use and

> > > pretty much implied that I just wanted

> testosterone as a

> > > sports enhancer; I just want a normal life again

> where I

> > > don't look like a 40 year old woman.

> > >

> > >  I am still waiting for blood work I did

> with him, but he

> > > is clearly not going to help me. What is worse,

> I've

> > > developed problems producing ejaculate these past

> couple of

> > > weeks. My semen volume is slowly becoming non

> existent. I am

> > > depressed and have absolutely no energy.

> > >

> > > I live in the Dallas/FortWorth area and saw an

> endo listed

> > > on this site: Aronoff. Does anybody have

> more

> > > information on him? Do you think he would be able

> to help

> > > me? Am I correct in assuming that I have some T/E

> imbalance

> > > causing the thighs,hip to store fat and form

> cellulite?

> > >

> > > I want to thank those who have taken the time to

> read my

> > > long message. I appreciate it and any advice is

> greatly

> > > welcomed.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > >