Pain

[Lo_Lo1984]

I have been feeling a dull ache on the left side of groin/left lower abdomen. I have had a Varicocele Emobilization back in June 2013 which went well. Since then I still get the pain and discomfort but as frequent. I was jut recently diagnosed with Low Testosterone along with Bilateral Testicular Atrophy and Primary Hypogonadism. Still worried about the pain and discomfort though....

[solace21]

Hi,
   Don't you have your test results ?, it is always better to have a copy with you.
Since your LH levels are normal, it could mean one of the following:

1. Your T level is alright for your body type, as otherwise, the brain feedback should have raised the LH vel.
2. Since you have a moderately obese body, the estrogen level might be stabilising the LH level even thjough the T level is low.
The following references show how estrogen affects testicular volume , T level and spermatogenesis in highly obese persons :  

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15811136    
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19524225  
3. http://www.eje-online.org/content/158/5/741.full  

Even though you may not have such serious issues of high estrogen, it clearly shows that even a small reduction of estrogen in obese individuals can greatly improve the T level. You can reduce the estrogen level by moderate exercise and diet control, without going in for any medication.

Now your symptoms, basically due inadequate energy production in body cells,may be caused by any of the following:

1. Blood circulatory problems
2. Digestive issues
3. High level of stress
4. Thyroid problems
5. Blood pressure and or diabetes

and is rarely causes by T level as a primary cause.

So, it is important that you consult a general physician and get an over all health check up done to find out waht is really hurting you. Do not care for insurance since your health is finally your wealth. Unfortuantely both patients and doctors go for a quick and dirty fix for the symptoms rather than inveting their time and money to solve the root cause of the problem.

Also, since your FSH level is alright, I would guess your spermatogenesis also to be alright.
Lastly, I would also advise you consider preponing your marriage date as you are already 29 years of age.

Good luck,
Solace

  

[Lo_Lo1984]

Well I am 5' 11" I weigh 230lbs. Never had mumps, just chicken pox. As far as I can remember they've been like that. I have had the FSH & LH test done and my urologist said the levels were normal. I have never taken any steroids. I did have a friend that liked to hit people in the testicles when I was a teenager which I was one of those people they hit a couple times for laughs. I gained the 20-25lbs in the last 2yrs. Before I floated between 195-209.

[solace21]

Hi,

   By HRT, I meant Hormone Replacement Therapy.

I still feel the T level of 282 may not be that low. But it also depends up on your lab's lower limit, and how much was it? In any case, at present your testicles are still working. I feel it is better to do a semen analysis now so that, if you start on HRT, you will at least have an idea of the preHRT semen parameters. Also, have you checked your LH level and how much was it  with reference to the lab's range?  

Are you an obese person, what is your height and weight numbers? Also, do you remember having got mumps in the past, was your scrotum volume same since adolescence ? Have you taken any steroid as a part of treatment or otherwise?

Take care,

Soalce

    

[Lo_Lo1984]

I'm sorry I see I got a little redundant lol.

[Lo_Lo1984]

I'm sorry I meant since he advised me I have MOST of the symptoms of low T like low to no libido, weight gain, depression, difficulty concentrating, always feeling tired...He also diagnosed me with Primary Hypogonadism as well as the Bilateral Testicular Atrophy. He mentioned a Testicular Biopsy but he stated that's not the direction we need to go in. I had ultra sounds done last year that did not show any lumps and I do not feel any. Just don't want anyone to overlook anything. Prostate was checked too Nd he told me it was small along with having a small scrotum. My testicles do feel small esp the left one and sometimes it feels like it shrinks in size on occasion.

[Lo_Lo1984]

Okay, I'm def bringing that up with my urologist since he suggested using Axiron since I have not of the symptoms for low testosterone along with my present level being 282 and they told me normal levels are above 340. I'm not sure what HRT is though. The Axiron I am on right now is samples until my follow up visit in April. I don't have an official script yet since he orig prescribed fortesta but my insurance needs authorization for it. I def will aske of there is any other tests that can be done and bring up the random left groin/abdomen pain as well. Thanks for the luck! I def do not want in three years due to the therapy to my be able to father children.

[solace21]

Hi,
   Did you mean that your present T level is 282 and that you are advised to go for HRT? Do you have serious symptoms of low T ?
Since you are yet to start your family, my personal (not a professional) advise to you is to go for a second opinion from an endocrinologist before going for HRT. Low T is many cases is only a symptom of some deficiencies or other disease and HRT may not be the right choice for youngsters like you who are planning to start a family. Zinc deficiency and lack of execising and improper diet, for example, can lead to low T levels. And personally, I do not think the level of 282 is all that low. So, please also do a complete health check to find out if there is some other underlying health issues that causes the low T.  

Good luck,

Solace

[Lo_Lo1984]

Well I meant I get the pain but not as frequent. As far as the atrophy my urologist did say before the surgery my testicles were small but he did not state atrophy till my last visit last month. He has out me on Axiron for the time being to elevate my low testosterone since he levels came back as 282. Jut started it yesterday. I'm also worried the testosterone therapy will shrink them even more over time. I plan on starting a family in 3yrs but a lot is going through my kind about it, I will def speak with him at my follow up in April I regards to how the therapy is going to see were my levels are at and go from there.

[solace21]

Hi,
    I suppose the varicocele embolization has only been partially successful  in your case. Better to consult another urologist for an opinion.

I would still consider the bilateral atrophy to be more seriously to be followed up than the light pain you have in the groin area. Did you get this symptom defenitely after the treatment? If so, since much time has not passed, may be it is still reversible. When you meet the urologist, remember to discuss with him about the possibilities of correcting this symptom.

Solace