Posted by MarkinBoston on November 17, 2000, at 11:02:44
In reply to Re: SJWort CRF Re: get a testosterone level check » MarkinBoston, posted by Maniz on November 16, 2000, at 15:43:37
First, I thought blocking testosterone aromatase conversion to estrogens made the most sense, since my LH level was low, my E2 high, and I have excess fat. In older men, gonad function declines and LH tends to be high, signaling the gonads to produce more testosterone - primary hypogonadism.
Since I was able to show (borderline) clinical need for treatment, I went the MD route with my HMO paying most of the costs. MDs just want to go the direct route and suppliment T(estosterone) and not anything fancy where they would have to catch up on reading, risk HMO payment rejection, a malpractice lawsuit, or spend more than the allocated 15 minutes for an office visit.
OK, so, its not optimal, but its a step in the right direction that will still improve my physical health, mood, energy, and motivation. And it has. Yeah, I'd lose fat quicker if my E2 was in check, but I'm still making progress with the maximum theraputic dose of Androgel. I would not be able to take that dose if I was not on blood pressure medication - it was essential. The first attempt, without it, I was at stage II hypertension and could see my arteries throbbing, so be sure to monitor bp.
If I had just taken an aromatase blocker, I'd probably have a lower testosterone level and lower E2 level and about the same progress, as a guess. I might not have needed the bp med either.
There is one good byproduct of testosterone, DHT, and I don't know if any of those agents block it. I don't want to go bald, so a reasonable level is best.
Suboptimal has still been OK. One study on giving steroids to men showed that exercise+ steroids produced the best results, 2nd was steroids and no exercise, 3rd was exercise and no steroids, and the no steroids / no exercise group worsened their lean/adipose tissue balance.
By the way, when I got my Androgel refill, I asked the pharmacist if he had seen men getting scripted for Arimidex, Clomid, or Tamoxifen, and he said he had seen a few. Unfortunately, they were busy and I couldn't ask which doctors might have written those scripts. Next time I see him I will, and hopefully he can tell me, and I can think about switching to that doctor.
poster:MarkinBoston
thread:48591
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001115/msgs/48967.html