It looks like I may have gotten a reason for my fatigue and lack of energy. Two blood tests showed a very low testosterone level. My doc hasn't prescribed anything yet and I think she wants to think about my diabetes as a complication. The online info on andoderm patches and andogel has a bunch of warnings for diabetics: lowers glucose, increases hemotocrit (can screw up test strip readings) and edema (now that's just what I need - more water weight.)
Perhaps I'd be better with getting a testosterone shot every 2 weeks.
Anyone with info on this, please let me know.
Tom
Handybear
07-29-2008, 01:21 AM
I have low testosterone. I use androgel. I tried the patches and since I am hairy (hence the bear in my screen name) they tended to fall off. The gel works amazingly well. You apply it once in the morning. It is possible that you numbers will improve with its use. Just remember to keep testing. I have never had a hypo, but everyone is different.
My fatigue issues are a thing of the past.
Good Luck.
BrianSCohen
07-29-2008, 05:40 AM
OK, so here is my story. About three years ago, I was prescribed statins in response to my increased triglyceride levels. I won't go into how the details, but for me statins and cholesterol treatment was a disaster. It turns out cholesterol is the basic building block of hormones including testosterone. I had a raft of symptoms, I was basically dying and I was really depressed about it. I got fat, I slept 14 hours a day, etc. After a year of tests, they discovered I had low levels.
I was prescribed Androgel and it did succeed in bringing my testosterone levels back up. But, it had side effects. My doctors had little competence. They did not understand cycleing or the need to treat some of the side effects. I ended up with elevated hematocrit (> 55%) and blood pressure spikes. Obviously at that time I was started on further drugs for the blood pressure. I never had glucose problems.
Finally, I hypothesized that it was the cholesterol medication causing my problems and asked to cycle off. My doctors refused, claiming that I would die immediately if my cholesterol went out of control. I fired my doctor, I saw a cardiologist hoping for some sense. The cardiologist turned out to be a lipidolgist. I sent him a registered letter, claiming harm from his prescribed medication, and finally I got some concurrence to try. Within a week I was better. Now, more than a year after the cholesterol episode, I still have some lingering issues from the cholesterol medication, but I am off the Androgel, my hematocrit is mostly within range and I don't have the blood pressure spikes. My testosterone level, while reduced, is in the mid range.
I learned a lot from this adventure although it was in hindsite really an exercise in stupidity. Diabetics and low testosterone go hand in hand. There is strong evidence of this. It is not known what the causal relationships is. There is strong evidence that raising your testosterone back to "normal" levels has some measurable benefits, although there are some risks that need to be managed. I only used Androgel, although I am familiar with other forms. There are ways that you can more naturally raise your levels. You can weight train and employ anaerobic exercise. Eat plenty of proper fats, keeping your cholesterol levels normal. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, get plenty of sleep.
Having low testosterone is not just something that will make you depressed. It will take years off your life. Be sure you have examined potential causes of your low testosterone, such as abnormally low cholesterol and addressed those issues first. My insurance company sent me a suggestion that I get my bone density measured. Yes, it causes loss of bone mass, even at my age of 48. Best of luck. Let us know how it all goes.