Testosterone Information Resources

[Scott]

An excellent source of information on testosterone is Nick O'Hara Smith's Androids site.

The Testicular Cancer Resource Center also provides good information on this topic. Click here, here, and here.

[Stuart]

Sites

Scott, thank you for adding another forum. Forgiveness is better then permission, anyway.

Low Testosterone known as Andropause and happens in non Testicular Cancer men as well.

Testicular failure is called Primary Hypogonadism and when the brain (Pituitary Gland) does not sent the right signals, it's called Secondary Hypogonadism.

If need any information, I would check out these sites first.

The first being,
AACE Guidelines - update 2002
Others with good information,
Andrology Australia
And,
AndroScreen Information Center
The title belies the information it contains,
Male Menopause
And this site has good information on,
Male Hormone Tests

And our lovely better halves,
Female Hormone Test

There are several forums on the internet on TRT either in the UK or America .

There are others, but your right, Nicks site has good information and links to other sources.
Later'
2Nuts.

New Information as of 2006, two good document updates.

(Sorry, but I can no long find these two documents on the net, if you do, please PM me and I will update them.)

Guidelines for Testosterone Therapy for Androgen Deficiency Syndromes

Evaluation and Treatment of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Updated 07-01-2008 (Sorry greg, thanks)

[James]

And I must post a link to my prized resource and savior against hot flashes and regular life-style. Androgel H.R.T.

[Michael112]

Testosterone levels by age.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8324/atlbaul6.jpg

[greg_oz]

Just a quick update... it seems that the a few URLs have changed in Stuart's posting.

Updated Links:
AACE Guidelines
The AndroScreen Information Center Forum
How real is the male menopause?

[Fish]

Greg,

Thanks for posting the updated links.

[cbuysse]

Thanks Scott and to everyone else this is exactly what i was looking for when i posted my question. I just want to be armed with all the information i possibly can so that my treatment deciscion is mine once all the tests are in. Thanks!

[JamesC]

My doctor made a statement that I think is worth repeating. Labs are an important tool. But symptoms are just as important. So, if your on HRT and get labs in the "normal" range ask if they are normal for youy age group AND if they are helping you with your symptoms.

If your having trouble staying awake after dinner and your sex drive is zero? Labs be hanged. Talk to your doctor. Doctors tend to use the lowest dose of any drug that "works" and at times we have to remind them that this does not mean "lab normal on the low end" for everyone. Some men function fine there. Others.... not... It helps to have input from your significant other because I think we tend to be wired by our hormone levels and "ALL" levels feel "normal" but they are not the same.

Good luck!

[Aegletes]

My doctor made a statement that I think is worth repeating. Labs are an important tool. But symptoms are just as important. So, if your on HRT and get labs in the "normal" range ask if they are normal for youy age group AND if they are helping you with your symptoms.

This is an important point that warrants repeating. The "normal" range is very broad, so broad as to encompass vastly different lab results yet be consistent with good muscular, bone and sexual health. Furthermore, different labs use different assays yielding divergent results. All the more reason not to put to much stock in results alone.

[huckchef]

you and you only will be the judge of what's best.....don't accept anything less.

[Josh1979]

just started using Androgel

Hi guys,

last week I've been diagnosed with a 2nd primary TC, I had surgery and allready started using Androgel 5 mg. The first TC was 10 years ago and never needed further treatment. I will know more results of the PA report and bloodtests next week. Hope I dont need chemo or radiation. But i will do anything to survive. I think i will visit this forum more often in the near future to find out more about your experiences with Androgel and so on.

Grtz Josh

[dadmo]

I'm certainly glad you found us but a bit upset that you needed to. We have severalmember who are TCX2 and doing quite well. Good luck with the tests next week. I'm sure the 2 timers will jump right in with support.

[Kiwi]

For Josh - Another TC2

Hi Josh

An unfortunate welcome to the club of TC2.

My first was 7 years ago, at that time the right Testicle was removed (stage 1 Seminomia), at this time I had some ‘preventative’ radiation.

In July it was TC2 (left stage one Seminomia).

My testosterone was described as a little low but was in the lower ranges of normal.

I am in Australia so different things are available here: I started with 2 weeks of Testogel half shot that equals 25mg of testosterone and also a medication that I understand is not available in the US being Reandron – this is a long term injection that will be repeated in 6 weeks then it is anticipated to be 12 weekly after that. Well within the first two weeks my energy that has been missing for about a year was returning and libido had increased heaps (my wife said that I was not allowed another injection!) By the week I am getting more energy and I am heaps happier in my self.

I also had 2 prosthesis added, the right settled down in a couple of weeks from the operation with the Left still getting there.

I undertook some of my own research and when I seen the Urologist 2 weeks ago we looked at the ongoing options, he had consulted with both my oncologist and another guy. I was presented with an option of one shot chemo as a preventative measure but it was also stated that while this was preventative there was no hard evidence that it would reduce latter risk, this matched what I had found and I elected to run with surveillance only (this was what the recommendation was to).

Anyway each case is different so you will need to follow the advice of the medics.

Cheers

Kiwi

[Aegletes]

I'm sorry you find yourself a member of the 2x TC club, Josh. I'm sure, like most of us, you never expected this is in a million years but at least you'll see from all of us who are doing fine now that you will be OK. As regards TRT, the choices in the US are more limited than those available elsewhere (Europe, Australia, etc.) but even those limited choices offer sustainable good levels. Now if only the FDA would be a little less of a nanny when it comes to this. Reach out with questions and very best wishes for you.

[Josh1979]

tnx!

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies. Now i read and see Im not the only one with 2x TC and see how well you are doing, it makes me feel more comfortable. After a 10 year period of no trouble i thought nothing could happen to me again. I made an appointment with my oncologist because i planned to move to another country. I just wanted to be sure it would be allright to go and not have tests again. So he agreed and just wanted to do one more bloodtest before i would leave. This bloodtest saved my live. In the dark jungle of indonesia i would have died! 5 hours before surgery i wanted to store my sperm, and in 20 minutes got the bad news i allready was infertile becos of the tumor. So now here i am, 10 days after surgery and still uncertain about my future. Bloodtests will give me results in 10 more days. When the tumor-markers drop as expected.

Thanks for your support,

Kind regards,
Josh.