53m cancer survivor with very low test and looking for advise to bump it up

[sawgrass]

Hello everyone,

I am a 53yo male, weigh 188lbs, am 5'10", rather thin build with exception of some stubborn belly fat. I was recommended to come check this site out for advice by a very cool doc.

I had cancer 3 1/2 years and the treatment was chemo and radiation. I had almost 3rd degree burns from my belly button to my testes and pretty much everything was fried. I have no libido, no energy, always fatigued, cant sleep, cant screw and just miserable. I am cancer free so I am grateful for that, but quality of life is very poor.

I do eat pretty clean, no sodas, no fast food or junk and no alcohol. I try to work out with weights 3-4 times a week but it hasnt been as consistent as I would like it.
I recently had my urologist order labs for test and my results where:
Testosterone, Serum was 244, where the reference interval is 348-1197.
Testosterone, Free, Direct was 4.8 where the reference interval was 7.2-24.0

My urologist has been telling me for some time that theres not much that can be done for me and seems a little reluctant to try any test treatment. He recommends viagra but that just give me bad headaches, lol. I see him next week to go over results but Im not holding my breath on any help there.

Obviously my numbers are very low and not where I would like them to be. I honestly have been tired for so long Im a bit desperate to try something to give me some hope and some good results for a change. My doc said to ask about HCG to try and kickstart my testes to producing some test. I may eventually need total test replacement, but would like to hear what you guys who know this stuff have to say.

In a perfect world, I would get a strong labido back, lasting energy throughout the day, a sharp focused mind thats not fogged or chemo brained, and some muscle packed on to keep it all together. Is this possible and what would you suggest for a first course of action? Thanks in advance for your help and feedback.

 

[DylanGemelli]

im not comfortable having you run anything being a cancer survivor bro... i dont want that liability and i certainly don't want to recommend you something that could back fire.. im beyond uncomfortable with that and i would think anyone that cares about you would not be recommending ped use...

 

[RickRock]

I'm with Dylan on this, and I couldn't advise you on anything based on your cancer history. You need to consult your doctor about treatments and helping you. It seems to me like TRT is what you need, but I don't know if there's any problems with you being on that. You should probably seek out another endocrinologist for proper professional medical advice to talk to about this and getting your levels where they need to be

 

[buen]

You need to find a good endocrinologist that specializes in
Men's health ....not try to self medicate

 

[ILIFT2LIVE]

First of all. Congrats on surviving the big C. That's a tough feat and I admire your resolve and courage.

That being said. It's a tough thing to just say go use some test and go get. Because so many things can happen. My father has beaten cancer twice. Or I should say has gone into remission. As you really never beat it. My fear is this. I say sure you are surviving. You are on borrowed time. So why not go for it. That's the juice head in me right. The good person in me tho says. Well you have to have your psa and other values checked all the time. You get on roids and feel great. But at the same time by essentially putting your bodies engine on nitrous. That would and or could put the growth of cancerous cells that linger to multiply exponentially. And I'd feel like a real asshole if I was the one that told you to do it which lead to complications or your death.

As far as the viagra. Don't take the recommended dose of 100mg which is too much. That's where the headaches come from. 25-50mg is plenty. And you may find that it works and you feel better about yourself.

As far as the recommendation of steroid use. I can't do it. I will say this.
Go see and endo and have your blood drawn. I know again. And let them advise you on whether or not to be on injections or cream what have you.

If approved. Then at that point do whatever you like. But at least see the doc and get all the options.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[olderbro]

Have you tried increasing your intake of vitamin D, zinc and magnesium and omega 3? If you are deficient or even have less than optimal levels it could lead to lower t. Worth a try?

And of course well done for coming through the fight with cancer. Good luck.

 

[sawgrass]

Thank you all for your honesty and encouragement. Here's why I came here and how I feel at this point. I am like a vegetable watching the world go by. With my very low test, my sex life is done, my ambition and drive is done, my energy is gone, so Im kind of left to watch the world go by and not live it, if that makes sense. Maybe I have 10 - 20 years left to just watch the world go by and wish I was a participant.
That in comparison to possibly getting a boost in test, having a sex drive again, having energy to actually take on and live in the world, even if it means only 5 - 10 years, it would be better than living 20 years just watching life go by. Does that make any sense?

I understand your point of view and will take your advise and see what my urologist says about the low test results, then look into getting an endocrinologist involved. I will post back and give an update next monday after that visit. I just want to feel like a man again with some vitality, but I understand the apprehension in giving advise that could bring on detrimental side effects due to my medical history.

Thanks again very much for your time and professionalism.

 

[drjay9051]

Hey, Sawgrass:

I just sent you a PM.

 

[buen]

let me get this straight...when you asked medical advice from a "cool doc"...instead of giving you a referral to an Endocrinologist for a work up...he recommended you come to a steriod/BB web site and said to ask about HCG to try and kickstart your testes to producing some test ??????

mmmmm....really???
It doesn't sound remotely like anything I've ever heard a medical professional ever say

 

[sawgrass]

Buen, yes my doc did give me info to endocrinologist as well as this site. I see it as very professional and going above and beyond as I haven't been this hopeful in having a chance at actually living life again in years.

For example, my urologist has told me for the last 2 years there's nothing he could do and didn't even think to offer checking my testosterone.

This cool doc may have pinpointed my problem and pointed me in the right direction for treatment. Now what if the endocrinologist says sorry nothing we can do either?

All signals point to a test problem, and if all else fails this site and all it offers is most probably my last recourse for help. I'm thankful and grateful for being turned on to this site and learning about nutrition and the importance of good strong test in my otherwise deficient body.