Testosterone recovery after ADT

Posted by scottbeammeup @scottbeammeup, Oct 16, 2024

I'm ending Orgovyx this month. I want to do whatever I can afterward to recover testosterone to my pre-ADT level of 650.

I know not to take TRT replacement therapy immediately or it will prevent my body from making testosterone naturally. Several people at my gym have recommended the following supplements for getting my T to return faster and possibly to a higher level.

Does anyone know about these: Zinc, Horny Goat Weed, DHEA. My own internet research seems to be mixed on these.

Thanks

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Profile picture for heavyphil @heavyphil

It still amazes me how “T” affects all of us SO differently! I had little annoyances while on ADT (6 months) but nothing life changing to speak of - and my T was < 5.
I lifted weights, ran, etc. Yet you, Phil, and others have had such a terrible time with T readings much higher than my measly 5. Also, my spirits actually improved on ADT and I noticed a kinder, less angry me…
But many others sink into funk and depression and it’s a terrible feeling, I am sure. If the quality of your life - yours and no one else’s - is that poor when your T is low I guess you really have no choice but to supplement.
It is scary, however, to wonder if sleeping dogs will stir but I guess you have to see what develops. Hoping the best for you,
Phil

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Hi Phil,
Thanks for your comments and input. Yes indeed, treating and managing PC is a very individual journey,
As I was sharing with everybody previously, I’ve already been dealing with some very debilitating health issues before my onset of PC. Even if you take the PC out of my equation, just trying to manage my daily living experience is a huge challenge. However, I am certainly thankful and incredibly grateful that I am no longer spending the 20+ years I did when I was home bound and bedridden. I wasn’t on “TRT” then as my “T” levels were within the normal range so there wasn’t any need to manage it. However, over time and probably due to some residual effects of my debilitating health issues etc. My “T” went down much further than usual normal due to normal aging and reduction in “T” that almost every man starts to experience after reaching age 40.
Like any other medical treatment or protocol a patient uses to increase the quality of their overall health, wellbeing and general state of health, “TRT” is just a valuable tool for me like chemotherapy or some other type of treatment another patient may choose to amplify his current treatment protocol and or another tool to supplement his care towards recovery and remission, “TRT” and pain medication are about the only two remedies that I’ve utilized which have delivered any measurable management strategies with. When I was also diagnosed with CHIARI MALFORMATION which is a congenital disease, it created some very serious neurological challenges for me. Thankfully, I was able to have a combination of neck, head and brain surgery to help correct that specific health challenge. Although it would not or could not assist me with my CFS or FM etc. By itself, it was a very beneficial procedure which measurably improved the quality of my everyday life. I just seek solutions and treatments that can potentially assist my recovery and extend my quality of life every day. I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of my own money in the earlier years trying experimental treatments and therapies. The medical profession hardly knew anything about CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME or FIBROMYALGIA in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Although they know a lot more now about what the diseases are NOT, there is still very little known about how and why people get them and how to treat it more successfully.
CFS and FM are really very much individual journeys for the patients who have to manage these diseases and everything associated with them,
When I got diagnosed with PC, I was certainly not pleased about it. However, at least I knew what I was dealing with and the medical profession had a history of evolving treatments and disease management options available which provided me with a lot more confidence in my ability to treat, manage and obtain remission with PC. I pray that I will remain in remission for the rest of my life m. As you can imagine, I already have enough on my plate to deal with.
Best wishes to you and all of our fellow PC patients as we seek a healthier life and extend our period of remission.
Kindest regards always,
Phil

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3years after adt therapy testerone 160 i fill like a vegtable.

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Profile picture for book7242 @book7242

3years after adt therapy testerone 160 i fill like a vegtable.

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Answers to these questions might help figure out solutions:

How old were you when you started ADT?

What was your testosterone level right before starting ADT?

What was the lowest yiur testosterone reached while on ADT?

How long were you on ADT?

Which ADT were you on?

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Profile picture for book7242 @book7242

3years after adt therapy testerone 160 i fill like a vegtable.

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If your PSA is undetectable or has been at its nadir for 3 years, perhaps TRT can be initiated.
Of course, it would have to be determined if you are an appropriate candidate.
I took from your post that you have been OFF ADT for the past 3 years, not still on it 3 years running.
If you are still on it, what is the reason for the lengthy duration?
Phil

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Profile picture for book7242 @book7242

3years after adt therapy testerone 160 i fill like a vegtable.

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as @brianjarvis says, the group's answers may in part depend on the questions he raises.

Recovery of one's T is a function of a variety of clinical factors...
Age
Baseline T
ADT agents
Length of systemic therapy.

So, you have more or less, "hypogonadism..!

The question, what to do?

Live with it?
TRT

The latter of course goes against the adage, "testosterone is fuel for the fire.."

Under that adage, the fact that your T is at 160 would indicate your PCa should be back, you say it's not.

My experience also casts doubt on that adage. Both times I went through systemic therapy for a defined period, my T recovered to 400+ in six months. Yet, my first vacation lasted five years, the second one is at 24 months and continues...

Yes, I felt better at 400+!

Consider discussing TRT with your medical team. If they say no, citing the adage that the fire adage, get 2nd and 3rd opinions.

Discuss to what level you are looking to achieve with TRT, 300 or below is perhaps not the goal but neither is 1000+.

If TRT is in play, discuss the monitoring plan, frequency and type of labs, consults and imaging.

Also, discuss what clinical data would constitute sufficiency to resume treatment.

The question of what that treatment is can wait until you have the clinical data on which to make that decision.

Kevin

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