No testosterone on Lupron, can I build muscle strength by working out?

We are all different. I am 76, gleason 9 CR aggressive, advanced PC. I was in lupron and Erleada 6 months before RP and then 6 months after. None of that was terrible but I felt a bit worse than normal. My T dropped to 9, after the first 13 months then 24, then and now T 93. I have been off of all meds for 9 months got low T , PSA .01 and feeling generally great and sincerely thankful for the excellent care at UCLA. I am now on a veggie only diet per doctors instructions I have not had the terrible side effects from meds and I am hopeful. My doctor has advised that PC will not kill me and I suspect that he said that as he knows about my traffic and freeways in LA!

I am 86.

I stopped Lupron in August of last year (2022).

I had my latest testosterone reading last week.

It has so far returned only to a reading of 164.

I am too weak to safely walk to the store anymore.

I assume that younger men will regain their testosterone more quickly.

Hi Jimbo,
I would definitely consult with a Urologist or Endocrinologist and speak to them about “TRT!”
If your Total Testosterone is at 162 you are below the minimum range of normal. Even at that, men who are at the level of 200 -250 doesn’t mean they have sufficient levels of “T” in their body. “T” directly affects bone strength, your muscles, Libido, overall mood and psychological well-being.
The intended goal is to find and get to the levels of “T” that cause you to feel your best.
For instance, you may need to be at the levels of 450-500 to feel your best.
The only way to know this is to start “TRT” while being followed and monitored with quarterly blood tests with your Urologist or Endocrinologist as they need to look at other blood markets which can change while doing “TRT!”
The bottom line: Your body and psychological well being will tell you how much better you’re feeling while on “TRT!”
It’s not the Fountain of Youth nor is it intended to be.
Its most basic function is to replace the “T” you’ve lost through the aging process and bring you back up into the normal ranges.
It has nothing to do with taking more “T” than necessary to accomplish the above. “the same “T” levels for men at the same age still affect each man differently.
One needs to try different levels of “T” to see where he feels the best. There are also several or more delivery options for “TRT!
I suggest you do some personal research on the subject to educate yourself and then proceed from there.
You’ve got nothing to lose except the experience of “feeling better!”
Best wishes and good luck,
Phil

I know there is controversy with TRT treatment for men with prostate cancer. Are your physicians recommending this or advising to proceed with caution?

Hello, thank you for your question concerning me returning to “TRT” 6 months following my “RALP!” Unlike most Prostate Cancer Patients, I was utilizing “TRT” the past 12 years to help address my HYPOGONADISM and the CFS/ME and FIBROMYALGIA I had been debilitated from for the past 32 years.
My “T” levels are disastrously low and register from 20-90 when not utilizing my “TRT!”
I simply can not function in life with “T” levels that low. I am mostly home confined and bedridden a substantial period of time. Frankly, I am not able to live any kind of rewarding lifestyle or anything close to it. Having already lived that nightmare for 20+ years in the past, there was no way possible that I would go back to existing on that minimalistic existence again.
As a result, continuing with “TRT” is much more required in my life than most men. That’s without considering Cancer in the equation. The Prostate Cancer wasn’t diagnosed until August of 2023.
Of course, treating the Prostate Cancer became paramount and the number one medical concern as of August, 2023.
I did a lot of research regarding men on “TRT” and Prostate Cancer, It became evidently clear that I would have to discontinue my “TRT” while I actively had Prostate Cancer and for at least 5-6 months after my surgery and removal of my Prostate where it had been determined that 100% of my cancer was located. While you still have cancer in your body, any “TRT” will feed the cancer cells and grow your cancer. Of course, this is a very easy decision to make in order to give yourself the best opportunity to rid yourself of the cancer and required by my surgeon during and following a successful “Radical Prostatectomy!” (Which I did)!
There is nowhere near the level of concern or controversy there used to be regarding the resumption of “TRT” following a successful surgery when the surgery lab reports determine that all of the detectable cancer is gone, my PSA is and remains undetectable at < 0.014 at 6 months following my surgery,
I am maintaining a “Total T” level of about 500-550 on my “TRT!”
I discovered that the initial and almost “ONLY” research was done in the 1940’s on rats and the amount of documented research and information to support the rather flimsy assertion surrounding the so called danger of “TRT” was very inconsequential.
The main reason that it even became controversial was because no more research was ever done on the subject until many many years later.
Hence, we now have substantial research and patient cohorts and numerous other studies that simply rebuke the old, out of date and formerly considered “controversial” decisions regarding “TRT” and previous Prostate Cancer patients.
First and foremost, if a patient no longer has any detectable cancer cells then there’s no more cancer cells to get fed by the Testosterone! Furthermore, if you have removed the primary organ responsible for manufacturing the PSA in your body, there’s very little PSA left in your body and no “machine” left to continue manufacturing it. Again, I am very similar or practically identical to a man who has never had any Prostate Cancer. As of today, I am at no higher risk for developing Prostate Cancer than any man on “TRT” who’s never had Prostate Cancer. FACT: you either have detectable Prostate Cancer cells or you don’t!
And just like any other Prostate Cancer patient, there’s absolutely no guarantee than some of the undetected cells along with some of the still cancerous cells did not escape into the Prostate Bed during the surgery.
Additionally, the so called “controversy” has lost so much attention and prior belief that many surgeons are placing their former Prostate Cancer patients on “TRT” to assist them to have a better and quicker recovery from the surgery and a better overall post surgical outcome.
There are lots of accredited articles to read on the subject and the consensus isn’t even close anymore. There and has been overwhelming support for the use of “TRT” for post Radical Prostatectomy patients then there used to be a long time ago. Additionally, if so many men were not having the favorable results they are they would discontinue this treatment protocol.
Frankly, it makes a lot more sense to make one’s decision from considerably lots more research, up to date and current findings to support one’s decision than the old, out dated and horribly incomplete single study done in 1942.
Again, all of this is easily accessed in numerous studies from the mid to late 1990’s to the current 2023!
Lastly, like any and all Prostate Cancer patients should be doing on their list of followup care is getting blood tests at least every 3 months following their surgery and to keep informed about their current PSA levels Testosterone,( Total & Free) and other important markers whether you’re on “TSA” or not.
I had all of my tests done the day following my surgery and for every months since. They all continue to be excellent.
My HEMATOCRIT has risen which is a normal side effect of “TRT” having nothing to do with a case of previous Prostate Cancer.
THE TRUTH FOR ALL PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS, ( Past & Current)
There is NO CURE for Prostate Cancer! You are currently either in remission or you are not!
I certainly hope to stay in remission the rest of my life but there are NO GUARANTEES regardless of continuing to utilize “TRT” or NOT! I will continue to check all of my important levels and markers to assess the current status of remission.
Just like any other cancer patient, if my cancer returns at any time I will look at my available options and the best way, (for me) and my doctors, surgeon, oncologist etc to address it. That’s all that any patient can do.
Lastly, all PC Patients have a 30% to 40% chance of their cancer returning within or up to the first 5 years following treatment. That includes surgery or radiation. Frankly, I don’t find those odds very encouraging but they are what they are. However, for patients that chose the surgery option first……they still have the option of going to radiation to fight the cancer should it come back.
NOT SO……..for patients who chose the radiation as their initial treatment to eradicate their cancer. I like the ability to have a 2nd option if ever needed.
I’ve coined the following phrase regarding all types of cancer. Please feel free to use it if it resonates with you.

“Cancer is NEBULOUS at best,
SINISTER at worst and VILLAINOUS in between!”
Philip L. Snowdon
2023

Meaning……….once you have cancer you always have cancer. It’s either in remission or not!
As there is no “Best” way to treat Prostate Cancer, there is no best decision to make regarding the use or not of “TRT” for a number of considerations.
I hope to have been able to address and clarify some of your questions and I gather, (concerns) regarding “TRT” and prior Prostate Cancer patients. In addition to providing some information you may not have previously been aware of.
Like all of my Prostate Cancer friends, I wish the very best in your recovery and continued remission for the rest of your life.
GODSPEED

Thank you so much, philipsnowden.

Your ability to build strength while on Lupron will certainly be limited. I’ve been on Lupron for 17 months now. I completed 44 radiation treatments a year ago. I’ve experienced significant muscle atrophy and loss of strength. I still exercise and lift weights but it’s a battle just to maintain my strength levels. I’m 63 years old so my strength levels have been declining for some time even before the prostate cancer. I competed in weightlifting for 27 years (130+ competitions) starting at age 18. I also worked as a strength and conditioning coach at the Division I collegiate level. I reached my peak strength levels in my 30’s and maintained those into my mid 40’s without ever using any performance enhancing drugs.
I could feel a drop in testosterone levels in my mid to late 50’s and that certainly accelerated when I started the Lupron at age 62. On the bright side, earlier this year, shortly after my 63rd birthday, I returned to weightlifting competition after a 20 year hiatus and was able to set some national and international records in my age group. I didn’t feel that strong, just old and tired! But strength is relative. In summary, it will be impossible for any of us to naturally build strength to the degree we had in our youth as we reach the 4th quarter of life, but with consistent training we can maintain or at least slow down the loss of strength and muscle mass. Lupron makes that even more challenging for sure! Maintaining a decent strength level is important for me because I’m still farming and ranching full time and that requires a fair amount of physical strength and stamina. I’ve never tried the hormone replacement therapy but I’m sure that would probably allow one to increase strength levels after Lupron therapy. I’ve asked several of my doctors about that option after I finish my 2 years of Lupron and they are advising against it. But I have some other health concerns besides the cancer. I have a long history of blood clots. In fact I’ve been hospitalized twice in the last couple of months and had two thrombectomy procedures done. Also had a pulmonary embolism 3 years ago that almost killed me. Shortly after that I had a perforated colon and a couple months after that, a brain hemorrhage from an ATV/deer collision. Followed that up with 2 hip replacements. Soon after that I had two stents put in my right coronary artery. It’s been a rough couple of years! I thought things were getting better but then I was diagnosed with the prostate cancer about 18 months ago. I have to consider all of those conditions and associated risks before starting any TRT.

I am 72 yrs old, an ex fitness trainer, who had Stage 4 Radical Prostatectomy 6+ yrs ago (2018). Sorry but, you will not garner any muscle size or increase strength. But let's look at the glass as 1/2 full. While your going thru the eradication process, concentrate on keeping what you have and maintaining stamina. I've weight trained 4 days a week since this started. I have been on orgovyx for almost 2+ yrs. I haven't surfed in about 4 yrs as the stamina needed for paddling has diminished.
I recommend concentrated free weight training (machines limit ones abilities) with very little rest between your set's (say 20-30 seconds). I have good days and not so good days but I'll be damned if this damn stuff drags me down.
Stay focused. Find our true north. And meditate (or in my case I pray to my Lord) daily.
If we want a miracle, let us be the miracle.

@cliffordk, how are you doing? Have you started working out? What activities are you doing?

Yes, i have increased my work out efforts. 3 traing sessions/week, 2 yoga classes, 1 pilates class (maybe a second one), bike riding.
But the implanted testosterone pellets are not quite gone yet. I have just started Eligard. And will probably soon start Erleada. So the challenge has not yet started. I am trying to establish some good habits and routines.