[Guest]

I'm writing in hopes of finding an answer for my husband. He is seeing an Endocrinologist who has tested his Testosterone level several times. It always comes back extreamly low. He has tried the injection, patch, and gell. None of these are raising his blood levels. Still not sure why.
He has a couple of question. First, he doesn't have any dysfunction. Is that normal when your levels are so low.
Secondly, all of the medications seem to cause him to feel somewhat depressed. Has anyone else had the same reactions to the testosterone meds?

[Guest]

Something's not right. A very low testosterone level is either due to a pituitary problem (not enough luteinizing hormone or LH) or a testicle problem. Usually, they just check the testosterone level, LH and something called Prolactin. If the LH is very high or the Prolactin, then it's a pituitary problem and they do brain scans looking for some kind of tiny tumor in the pituitary gland. If that's OK, then they assume it's a testicular problem.

The problem with a low testosterone is usually a loss of sexual interest. Other problems including mood swings, hot flashes, loss of appetite, depression,and trouble sleeping are common.

It's not reasonable that neither the testosterone shots, gels or patches are working to increase his testosterone level and particularly that they make him feel depressed. All the medical literature I can find on this subject says that testosterone supplements, when used correctly for low hormone levels, makes men feel better!

First, I would clarify what is going on and how long a trial of these testosterone supplements is needed before retesting.

Second, if this continues, I would get another medical opinion and see a different endocrinologist.

By the way, you should know that testosterone supplementation usually causes a decrease in sperm count and may cause male infertility.


[quote] I'm writing in hopes of finding an answer for my husband. He is seeing an Endocrinologist who has tested his Testosterone level several times... [/quote]

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. He has had an MRI of the pituitary and it came back OK.

I guess he does have the symptoms of loss of interest, mood swings, some depression but not much, and some trouble sleeping.

We can't figure out why the levels are staying low and mostly why he feels worse with taking the medication.

I don't know if this makes any difference or not, but he is litterally addicted to exercise. When I say this, I'm talking about MANY hours daily of exercise.

He also has suddenly had a problem with his thyroid at the same time the testosterone problem came about. Or at least they were both found at the same time.

His Dr used to work out with him, so she knows how much he does. She has told him to decrease his exercise to try to heal the thyroid problem. He is on medication for that as well. He was taking twice the amount he should be taking when he first saw her. He still wasn't absorbing it and his thyroid level was still abnormal. She took him off that dose and now has him on what she thought was the correct dose. He started to improve after the first blood test, but now is back to it not working. Now she is talking about removing the thyroid.

I don't know if there is a connection between the two of them or not.

His main concern is how he feels worse after taking the testosterone. He already feels bad enough without the med making him feel worse.
[quote] Something's not right. A very low testosterone level is either due to a pituitary problem (not enough luteinizing hormone or LH) or a testicle problem... [/quote]

[Guest]

A more rapid than normal metabolic rate may account for some of the difficulty in maintaining the testosterone level. The most reliable way to get the drug is by an injection which is absorbed directly without going through the liver or digestive tract. Once the thyroid is properly managed, it should be easier to handle the variations in testosterone level.
[quote] Thanks for your reply. He has had an MRI of the pituitary and it came back OK... [/quote]