Testosterone Supplementation/ HR and Others

You know, the stuff you women say we men have too much of. LOL. Well, my last test says I don't have enough (:
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Testosterone (Test) levels were taken 2-3 times during treatment and always right up in normal range -- 400 if I remember correctly. For that reason I was very suprised when one year post treatment the Test was 191. Normal range 260-1000.

1) Does anyone know if treatment could cause such a drop in Test levels? Anyone experience this after treatment?

2) Anyone on Test supplementation. What was your Test before and after, and how is it going? Any side effects? Benefits?

3) Any risks to the liver for Test treatment? What about prostate as I have BPH.

4) What about the heart as I have some cardiovascular issues. I would think that Test might help build more lean body mass and get rid of some of that abdominal fat associated with elevated triglicerides (triglycerides), etc.

5) Should I wait and re-test (don't know if test fluctuates up and down or if it just heads South) or should I make some sort of decision based on these numbers. Also, any other tests to take that might be helpful.

Thanks for any help.

-- Jim

[WillPower]

Were your blood tests of "free testosterone" levels? There are two different tests.  The "free" level is the most important.  Al

[sfbaygirl]

I was talking to my gyn about testoterone the other day. Since the libido in lots of treaters seems to really suffer on tx, it would make sence that something happens to the test. during tx. We decided to see what happens after tx to add a supplement, if I need one. Women need the testosterone too!

[jmjm530]

Thanks for the heads-up!

Here's the complete profile:

Total: 191   (low)     (Normal range 260-1000)
Free:  26.2  (low)     (normal range 50-210)
%Free: 1.4   (normal)  (normal range 1-2.6%)

[mikesimon]

See: http://www.natap.org/2005/HCV/062005_02.htm

".....In summary, we found that treatment with recombinant interferon alfa-2b in male patients with chronic hepatitis C is associated with functional androgen deficiency. This decline in testosterone is partially linked to therapy-induced symptoms of libido loss and may be due to direct effects of interferon on the gonads or effects on hypothalamic regulatory centers. However, there is an even stronger correlation between symptoms of sexual arousal disorder and interferon-induced depression in these patients....."

Mike

[jmjm530]

Thanks Mike. I did see this study but apparently have blocked it out. Will bring it to my doc's attention. As to the "sexual arousal disorder", being single, I confess not having the opportunity to test that one out in some time although a recent upward blip in my social life may answer that one soon.

How do you think this one will fly: "Honey, don't be upset...it's not you, it's not even me, it's the d*mn inteferon". LOL.  

Be well,

-- Jim

[mikesimon]

There is more than one way to skin ..... you know. You'll figure out what to say and do when the time is right. Mike

[jmjm530]

Thanks for that bit of wisdom, but I'm sailing into new territory here, and not sure if I really want to bring up the Hep C treatment thing at this point of the relationship. Of course, maybe I have nothing to worry about and when the time comes things will be like before,  but frankly don't feel that ole' raw energy these days. Maybe some of the ladies have thoughts how to approach a situation like this.

-- Jim

[sfbaygirl]

You think the ladies here have more libido and know what to do? Nah, I think you need to go and check it out though instead of speculating that it will be all bad. If you find the right partner, things should be good. I think worrying too much about it doesn't help.

I just talked to a shrink who I mentioned testoterone discussed here to. He said that lavender oil can reduce your testosterone! I asked him, what guy uses lavender oil anyway? LOL

Hopefully this won't continue to be a problem for me after tx, but from the reports from posters it does seem to be one after tx. I KNOW that the drugs have an effect now, but wish there were some studies about the effects afterwards.

[Myown]

I would just discuss general stuff, talk about your marathon running and all the health stuff you've been involved in for years and then mention..."ya know what shocked me?? My doctor told me my testosterone is very low. (This conversation is only if you think the time is very near to 'doing it.'hehe)

Then say "I hate to get so personal,' but my doctor wasn't able to give me an answer as to whether this would effect my sex life.'

Your testosterone level could have been fine last month and all was well with your ex-girlfriend for all she knows. Stating it the way I mentioned, you are not revealing when your last sexual encounter was (incase you didn't want to disclose that) and your letting her know that IF you do have a problem, its not 'her,' and also that with testosterone supplemetation the problem should resolve, if in fact you do have a problem.

A women likes a man who is honest about things that bother them and in this instance you would be honest, but not revealing it all at the same time. She will probably let you know about her intestinal worms that slip out at times then too,then lol Sorry couldn't resist.ha!

You'll be fine.

[jmjm530]

Thanks guys. I'll be revealing my sex secrets over at the thread Kitty started in "Hepatitis Neighborhood" LOL.

[Myown]

lol hahaha!!!!!! We can't wait.ha!

[ladybug52]

Ever heard of Maxifirm?? Don't know if it works but as a friend, I'll order some, use my husband as a guinea pig and let you know!:)

[Cindy10]

"guinea pig", lol that was cute.

[jmjm530]

No, but I just ordered "Jenna" the blow up Cupie Doll to practice on. If she looks anything like her picture, my real-life interest may be out the door. Don't think I'd need Maxifirm or any aids with with her as I paidd ten bucks xtra for the built-in recorder option. All Jenna is able to say is "you're the best". For most men, that sounds good even coming from a dummy.

-- Jim

[Cindy10]

LMAO!!!!

[Hepatitis Researcher]

Sorry, I am in the middle of a big project right now for a few days, not even minutes to respond. Then on to a meeting all next week. Testosterone levels and replacement therapy are  very important topics. You remember, we started to discuss it once already. I will come back to you on this.

[Hepatitis Researcher]

Sorry, I am in the middle of a big project right now for a few days, not even minutes to respond. Then on to a meeting all next week. Testosterone levels and replacement therapy are  very important topics. You remember, we started to discuss it once already. I will come back to you on this.

[ladybug52]

Jenna sounds pretty sweet! Maybe I'll get my husband one for Valentines!

[sfbaygirl]

Hope you and Jenna have a nice Valentines Day! What a riot!

[GoofyDad]

For anyone missing the wit and sheer cleverness of revinere's post, let me help you out.

Over a year ago, one of our members posted to a thread running in a different medical forum about a rather sensitive and private condition. Revinere discovered that post, and hopes to embarass her by posting these little inuendos over and over.

The target if his **** and vinegar has repeatedly and   politely asked if he won't just drop it, but for some reason he can't bring himself to let go. Smitten might be one word for it. Spurned could be another. Pitiful comes to my mind.

C'mon rev, why not step into the shoes of the strong man you claim to be and just give it it up?      

[sfbaygirl]

Pretty pathetic, huh?

[GoofyDad]

Good point. Maybe I overreacted. I guess it just wears thin after a while.

On the other hand - my experiences from Junior HS suggest that when someone is trading off the embarassment of others, bringing light of day to the hush-hush issue generally serves to disarm it. It's kinda like opening the curtains to arrest the growth of a fungus.

[worrywartwife]

Okay-This is embarassing and hard to ask. My husband just completed treatment last week. Although he did have desire occasionally, his flag didn't go all the way to the top of the mast. We coped with that easily, and assumed it was due to the drugs. My question is will he come back to full function now he is off the meds, or is this a permanent change? Thanks guys-he took his last riba on Saturday, and said yesterday he already feels stronger. Best Regards, JoAnn

[Kalio1]

It does seem to take some time to fully recover after meds are stopped so I would imagine "that" issue might take some time to resolve itself too. I'd bet he will be back to his old self before long! My husband went through a period of worrying about things diminishing, didnt have an issue mind you but a friend of his did and believe it or not, suddenly HE started having a bit of a problem. His doc told him it was all in his head and to stop worrying about it so much and it would go away. I just kept telling him what a manly man he was and how I knew it was because his pal had developed a problem and sure enough, it passed. Now hes quite a bit older and still no probs.
You could discuss it with the doc and have his testosterone checked at some point if it doesn't perk up. ;)

HR mentioned in another thread that he is very busy with a big project right now so he might not be able to respond but Jm also asked HR about this subject, when he isn't so busy Im sure he will address the testosterone/HCV issue.

Congrats to him on making it through!!  

[mikesimon]

If you believe that the reference might be embarrassing why would you flesh it out "For anyone missing the wit and sheer cleverness of revinere's post..." - perhaps  adding a little fuel to the fire. Mike

[dylmar]

well said

[APKhaos]

Lets just say that my attempts to maintain pre-treatment sexual regimen during tx was a classic case of confusing ambition with ability. When things initially start going down hill, it was easy to laugh it off and put it down to the tx drugs. After a few months, both of us started to worry if things would ever get back to normal.

Good news is that having just finished week 5 post treatment, we are hitting around 8.5 on the F'ometer, and very happy about that thank you very much. Be patient, and look forward to a sexual renaissance after tx. It gives a deeper meaning to post tx celebration.

[trydold]

hi i am 45 [have the testosterone lvl of a 90 year old] as my doctors tells me 3.4 i think he siad,i am hep c positive with gino type 1 ,have had hep c for about 17 years,my doctor wants to put me on some steriod patches but i am wary because my doctors does not know much about hep i dont think ,and i have had trouble with medication he has prescibed me in the past, i am also on the methadone programme, and was wondering if any one can give me any advise or tell me some one who i can contact that knows what they are doing before i try any thing my current doctor want me to take .one other thing i live in the country so the doctors out here are really just script writer,s

thankz paul

[merryBe]

glad to see to dude....libido....that someplace in paris right??

I think replacement  therapy is safer than say viagra...with heart concerns you don't want to go there.

BPH can cause sex to become painful, as the constriction stops the free flow of semen..
the drugs there have some issues...
what I got for hubby after researching all thats out there is called Beta Sitosterol....read up on it.  It gives you the natural product known most for shrinking the prostate....
His flow has improved some, and prostate hasn't changed....one pill has like the effect of 100 tomatoes...it's the refined ingredient that works.....
OF course you need to take it regular....which hubby isn't good at.
in fact, he stopped for a few months, and his skin fungi came back (little scratchy dry flakey areas)....and left again in 3 days as soon as he went back on the Beta......
so there you go....I discovered a natural cure for at least one skin fungus!!!

side benefit..so .it cleared up a skin fungus in 3 days that hubby had had for years...and then did it again....the only cure docs had was a highly toxic to the liver anti-fungal, emphasis here on HIGHLY toxic drug.

Of course, from where I stand all the hormonal changes are controled by the pituitary...it has to send the signal to make testoterone to the gonads, or else they sit there and do nothing. Same with ovaries, both estrogen production, ovulation, and lactating are all controled by brain gland signals....so again I'm back on my "get your pituitary checked out with an IGF-1 test" soapbox.
Of course the testes naturally slow down their production as we age, but especially if you have any other endocrine stuff...like thyroid/blood sugar/adrenal anomalies then you really do want to see if the pituitary is working right.

[merryBe]

oh yeah, and the stuff also lowels cholesterol, and tends to help release fatty deposits from the prostate.  
so even if it isn't the whole solution, it's worth a look:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytosterol