Hypogonadism Support Group
Hypogonadism is a medical term for a defect of the reproductive system that results in lack of function of the gonads. The gonads have two functions: to produce hormones, activin and to produce gametes. Deficiency of sex hormones can result in defective primary or secondary sexual development, or withdrawal effects (e.g., premature menopause) in adults. Defective egg or...
Since heart surgery and femoral aorta replacement surgery in '11 I've been at a zero energy level, gained 30 lbs when I WAS in pretty good shape for being 54 at the time...good enough shape I could walk for miles, go camping far out in the woods by myself for days at a time, etc. Since heart failure which lead to the surgery(quad bypass) I knew there would be a period of recuperation and rehab, but it's been over three years now and my energy level is still zero. Like I said, I've gained weight, developed man boobs, which at one time the right one had a tender lump but my Dr, even after feeling it and agreeing that she felt it as well, failed to even write a note about it or make any further attempt at trying to find out what was going on. I'm moody all the time, currently on the extreme side of depression, my sleep patterns are non existent etc.,...basically I have ALL the classic symptoms of low T. I had a blood test done about a week ago and the results were back in a day saying in the email from my Dr. that my level was at 371, well within the "normal" range of 348 to 1197! I'm taking oxycodone for neuropathy that somehow came about after the heart surgery and while still in hospital, and no explaination for that, but I digress. IF the chart and testing procedures used by, what is right now to me, an anonymous lab somewhere(I live in a VERY rural county) are correct, in my opinion is that being 23 points within the "normal" range is still low. We can't obviously go back in time and know what my actual and real T levels were prior to the heart event, but if it was(and most likely was) higher than the 371 they say I have I STILL want to at least give some type of treatment a chance to see if it does in fact get rid of a LOT of my issues. I eat healthy, take multi vitamins, a B complex as well, 500mg of C daily, but because of the neuropathy and no energy, exercise is simply not gonna happen. I TRIED to have a garden this year for the first time since surgery, and after a friend got it tilled up for me, I had enough energy and enthusiasm and concentration to get the seeds planted and that was the end of that. I can't look and see ANYthing that I planted unless I get right in the weed patch and look. Still my Dr insist it's not my testosterone that's causing my problems. Somebody, ANYBODY have any suggestions or know of a way to get the proper help?? There are very few Dr's in this county, I sold my truck after surgery because I didn't think I'd ever be able to drive it again(but I found out about a year later that I'm fine to drive) but on disability I have a better chance of being hit by an asteroid than being able to save up and get another small truck. I need some SERIOUS help and have no idea where to turn to get any, so I'm hoping beyond hope that I can find some help here. Thanks for letting me bend your ears, but I'm desperate to be back to some state of MY normal, not just a number on a chart.
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
I went through KIND of the same thing. I was a healthy, active runner until I did six months of chemo in 2012...zero exercise for six months!
A few weeks after the chemo, I was back to running 2-3 miles again, but could NOT get past that point no matter what. Even two years later, my sleep was erratic, traded a lot of muscle for fat, low energy, erection problems, etc.
Then I heard a story about the effects of low testosterone on NPR, and had that ah-ha moment! My doc wasn't convinced, but agreed to test me...my T came in at 120 (normal range for his test was 241-827). He did one more test a week later to confirm...134.
So he put me on weekly injections of 100mg Testosterone, which he later upped to 125mg. It took a few weeks, but the results were dramatic. I had a lot more energy, and was running 6-7 miles without too much difficulty. Mood improved. Sense of well-being improved. Sleeping better. A lot of things improved. My last T test came in at 548, and he's happy with that level so we'll keep it there. It was definitely a game changer.
Here's the rub: jacking your T level up too high can cause heart problems, so I can understand your doc being a little cautious. That being said, it's your life, and I see no harm in trying a small dose for a while and see if it helps.
I'm sure you know this, but exercise will do wonders for your sleep and energy levels also. You've gotta get it somehow.
If your doc is a jerk about it, you might consider seeing an Endocrinologist (low T is their specialty), if that's an option; or maybe just switching docs.
Again, it's your life. Tell your doc you want to try it, and insist that he explain why not. That relationship should be a two-way street; not your doc dictating to you.
I know, you're in a rural area where the care is limited, so you might have to get creative, but I'll tell you...it's worth a try. :-)