Sounds like they’re both going and so many questions

[Chippy17]

Hi, first time post here, was hoping for some advice and answers. I’m 39 years old in Australia and feel lucky for the healthcare benefits but don’t have health insurance. My story is I’ve always had an abnormally large left tested and smaller right, felt some minor change in left and got it checked out. Turns out my left is 2 testes joined together (has been since birth) and has a large tumour. My right apparently doesn’t work and also has small tumour. My urologist wants to take right one out and do a biopsy while I’m under on the left and if not cancerous will just remove tumour, otherwise will remove also. Waking up without either is playing on my mind and the thought of hormone therapy scares me. I am concerned as sex has always been a massive part of my life, and am wondering how things work if this happens? How much drive and ability will I have? What are the physical changes I should prepare for if I need to do hormone replacement therapy? What are the best products? What are the pros and cons of having implants I think it would help my ego. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Davepet]

Well, you may be surprised to hear this, but things really don't change much without testicles. TRT sometimes can take a bit to get the right product & dosage, but once that's done everything pretty much works the same. I didn't get implants but by all means get them if you think it will help. Lots of guys do. TRT products in Australia are different than here. I have been on 3 different topical gels and now on self injections. There are advantages & disadvantages to each. Hopfully one of ojur Australian members can pop in & tell what's available over there.

Dave

[Chippy17]

Thanks Dave, that’s reassuring, what are the physical changes I can expect? Read somewhere hair loss and weight gain also a higher voice pitch?

[Kiwi]

Hey Chippy - we do have a good health system here and are looked after fairly well, a bit ****ty you might loose both at once but like Dave has said with Testosterone (T) replacement all will be good and you will may be better than before, you T levels may currently be compromised. I would seek a T level test - its a simple blood test taken in the morning.

For you
* have a think about prosthetics - we have silicon based ones here - they also match sizes, can go in when they come out
* you need to be lined up with and Endocrinologist for the T replacement Management - Younger and Male is my recommendation - if you are in Brisbane I have a good guy here.
* in terms of T replacement we have a few options TestoGel which is a daily gel application to the back., Reandron 1000 which is a long term injection - norm is 12 weekly but it took a while and I have been on 9 weekly for a number of years. These two options would be the best here, with the Reandron the set and forget less fuss option (Under $40 on PBS).

[Davepet]

Read somewhere hair loss and weight gain also a higher voice pitch?

All nonsense as long as you keep you keep your testosterone levels within a normal range. Keep in mind, of course that hair loss & weight gain are not uncommon as men age, but higher voice? That is determined by the size of your voicebox and your vocal cords, pretty sure none of that can change at this point of your life.

Dave

[Chippy17]

Thanks guys, had my t level done it was 11 something I think, below range of 12-30. I have a very deep voice so probs not an issue! I’m in melbourne kiwi... the trt seems quite reasonably priced I’ll have to find an endo...

[Kiwi]

you will need a referral - the Urologist should assist - will be seeing my guy in 2 weeks If I remember I will ask him re a recomendation - but you should be fixed up by then

[Mike]

I'm not sure who you are seeing in Melbourne but it may be worth reaching out to Dr. Guy Toner and seeing if he has any recommendations as far as a second opinion. He is a well respected testicular cancer expert as a medical oncologist and I am sure has urology specialists that he works with. His contact information is on our friend's at the TCRC site at: http://thetcrc.org/experts.html

Mike

[Chippy17]

Thanks Mike, I’m seeing dr Hami Zagar at prostate cancer centre, I’ll look into it, 2nd opinion couldn’t hurt. Appreciate the help everyone, cheers.

[Kiwi]

make that 11 for the T is **** - I feel good around the 20 mark but we are all different.

[Chippy17]

Quick update, both removed yesterday, seminoma in one, waiting for full biopsy but docs seem confident that should be the end of it. Have to wait a week before I can do t therapy. Feel ok all things considered, woke with an erection this morning which was a relief, hope that’s a good sign...

[Davepet]

WHY do you have to wait a WEEK? That is absolute BS. There is absolutely NO reason for this & if your doc thinks there is, you need to find a new doc. He/she is incompetent.YOU HAVE NO NUTS, OF COURSE YOU NEED TRT, & asap. Don't take sh!t from the doc, the often try to avoid the Rx because it is a controlled substance & can cause problems for them. If your doc cares one twit about you, he/she will start TRT BEFORE the I/O, not wait a week after & "hope you are still OK" without any testosterone. This is unbelievable....

[Chippy17]

I agree Dave, they wanted me to wait a month, not sure if that was for availability but I pushed and week was best they’d do. I’ll ring around today and try and get it started today, thanks for your help

[Davepet]

Why did they want to wait a month? They must have given a reason?

[Chippy17]

No reason, not sure they understand my want for haste, spoke to the urologist today and basically to get the drugs cheap/subsidised my t levels need to be under 8, and takes few days to leave the body, doing bloods/t tests tomorrow and see endo on Monday. Seems ridiculous I need to prove low levels when I have no nuts but that’s the kind of bureaucratic bull**** we love over here. Is there any truth to t replacement increasing artery hardening or heart attack risk?