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Anyone had success regaining muscle strength with low testosterone?
I had Lupron and radiation treatment for Gleason 7 prostate cancer,
PSA is now <0.04. But my testosterone level is 157. Very very low. And my GP says that there's not much I can do to recover the level. I will be 78 soon.
I am seriously fatigued. I have lost muscle mass. My fitness level is very low. I get exhausted very very easily.
Has anyone had success regaining muscle strength and fitness with very low testosterone levels?
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You want to be careful. Testosterone is what feeds the cancer. The reason you were given the Lupron is to stop producing testosterone. Talk to your oncologist.
I’ve heard that TRT is sometimes given after Lupron if the body has trouble generating Testosterone after ADT, like Lupron. It’s my understanding that intermittent ADT has been shown to be preferable over not allowing Testosterone to return, for various reasons. But I agree with coordinating with all your health care providers.
I am well aware how Lupron works it chemically castrates you. I would rather die a slow death then take Lupron again. Testosterone is an important part of your biochemistry and there are consequences to suppressing it .
The concept of castrating you to save you from prostate cancer was brought to us by Dr. Huggins in the early 1950 and he got a Nobel prize for .
Thus, the misconception was born that testosterone was the cause and/or accelerant of all prostate cancers.
Did you know that most people that develop prostate cancer had low T. Interesting that castration resistant prostate cancer is killed by high doses of testosterone.
I have spent dozens of hours reading and watching seminars on testosterone cancer and found that my doctors knew very little about the subject.
Certainly if the Cancer has moved beyond the prostate, you are high risk or the cancer is active and untreated you should not take testosterone.
TRT has brought back a quality of life that was taken away from me on Lupron.
Just because your doctor tells you something does not make it right.
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4 ReactionsMine was hesitant but I agreed to taking a PSA every three months. After doing a lot of research I realized my Urologist was clueless about the subject. There are a number of videos on youtube of doctors seminars on TRT and prostate cancer.
What amazed me was my doctor advised me that Lupron had has nothing to do with my weakness or trouble walking.
TRT has given me back my quality of life. I have lost 60 lbs and exercise regularly and am healthier than when I was 30.
I find the results are worth the risk for me.
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4 ReactionsI detected my cancer early. 1 out 12 samples 3+3 . I had it removed rather than worry about it. Post surgery margins were clean. 3 years after surgery with no PSA and clean pet scan, I had my testosterone checked due to fatigue. I was 420. I wanted to bump it up but my urologist refused. My PA at family office agreed if I signed a waiver. I use the cream. Testosterone runs about 700. I feel better, I am stronger, my mood is healthy. I still have ED and continence issues but I feel good. I get PSA checked every 3 months. I am 72. Surgery was Feb2020.
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2 ReactionsI am 67 and inject 1 ml every week to 10 days. What surprises me is they do not give you a testosterones test before prostate cancer treatment. I if you have had your prostate removed and your PSA is below .2 I think it would be pretty low risk for you
My original T test I came back at 520 and my Urologists thought that is just fine. I brought her copies of trials and studies that were done and she refused to even look at them so I found a new doctor.
I am glad you found TRT and it is working for you, I think it is worth the risk not to be fatigued all the time.
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3 ReactionsI'm 64 now, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 (with 4+3) 7 gleason score. 12 cores taken and 8 with low grade and 4 with high grade cancer. Chose Brachytherapy due to my age and cancer was within the prostate. Pre surgery my PSA was 10.7, Post surgery is was 1. One year post surgery, my PSA started to climb. Tested every 3 months at 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, 3.4, 4.2, 7.9. As it was continuing to climb, I was sent for a PSMA PET Scan. I was told the prostate was ok but the cancer cells had spread to my lower lymph nodes which was making the PSA rise. Prostate cancer is now Stage 4, and not curable. I was given 5 sessions of MSK Precise Radiation as well as two - 4 month shots of Lupron. I have just finished the 8 months of Lupron. I have gained about 30 lbs while on Lupron and look forward to dropping this weight now that the treatment is done. PSA and T are both not detectable on my latest test. Time will tell if this treatment will help long term. Muscle mass has dropped and strength especially low in my legs. And OMG - the hot flashes still suck!
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4 Reactions@steve4566, a belated welcome. It must've been a shock to see the PSA rise so soon after surgery. Here are a couple of related topics that might offer helpful tips re getting rid of unwanted weight and rebuilding muscle mass.
- No testosterone on Lupron, can I build muscle strength by working out?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/no-testosterone-and-ability-to-build-strength/
- Weight gain: How do you control weight gain on hormone therapy?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weight-gain-4/
I always say, choose activities you enjoy doing. What activities do you do to build (slowly) the strength in your legs and build muscle mass?
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2 Reactionshbp,
I am also Gleason 9. I had SBRT 5 session treatment at UCLA by Amar Kishan April 1 - April 18, 2024. Orgovyx for 12 months. Stopped almost 3 months ago. My PSA was 0.02 and Testosterone was 45 on May 15,2025. My oncologist at UCLA is Dr Mathew Rettig.
Can you tell me who is your doctor and nutritionist at UCLA?
Thank You
Ava11. I am in the end stage of an Erleada clinical trial and Robert Reiter MD is the clinical trial director and I see him or others that he directs me to. My primarily and surgeon is Nick Donin who I now see every 6 months. I don’t have an oncologist and my treatment started 41 months ago with Erleada for one year and surgery. My PSA is still undetectable and I am thankful for that.