1. < Prostate Cancer

Testosterone- confused

Posted by zmarkv @zmarkv, 1 day ago

I have been off of ADT for well over a year now. Testosterone is coming up but extremely slowly (65 ng/dl). I understand that part (I’m 71). What I am confused about is the Free Testosterone (Direct) level suddenly spiking from low 3 months ago to being flagged as high this week (18.3 pg/ml).
Any insight? Thanks!

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web265 | @web265 | 1 day ago

No real insight just what I've seen on myself. I did two years of ADT and my T is coming back albeit a bit slow. My understanding is the free (or fun as I like to call it) testosterone should be a percentage of the total.

Depending on which study, expert, book, website you use, it should look a bit like this...
A typical total testosterone level in adult men is 300–1,000 ng/dL. Within this range, free testosterone would be approximately 3–30 ng/dL (or 1–3% of the total)

Luckily for you, you're way above normal there. 28(ish)% It could be different things. Testing anomolies, diet, you're just lucky....

I think the diffrence in rate of rise is different in different age groups, I'm a little younger at 63 now, my understanding is that the longer you were on the drugs the slower the T recovery may be as well. My free to total ratio was 26.67% at my first blood test after quitting the drugs. (3, 0.8, 26.67%) .

I stopped taking ADT about a year ago now and my total, free, percentage looks like this, 192, 3.5, 1.82% putting me in the very low normal ratio although my testosterone is returning slowly as well. It's shown an increase every test since, just annoying slow on the rise. I'm just hoping the rise continues! (all kinds of puns intended) 🙂

Best of Luck to you!

REPLY
1 reply
ecurb | @ecurb | 17 hours ago
In reply to @web265 "No real insight just what I've seen on myself. I did two years of ADT and..." + (show)
@web265

No real insight just what I've seen on myself. I did two years of ADT and my T is coming back albeit a bit slow. My understanding is the free (or fun as I like to call it) testosterone should be a percentage of the total.

Depending on which study, expert, book, website you use, it should look a bit like this...
A typical total testosterone level in adult men is 300–1,000 ng/dL. Within this range, free testosterone would be approximately 3–30 ng/dL (or 1–3% of the total)

Luckily for you, you're way above normal there. 28(ish)% It could be different things. Testing anomolies, diet, you're just lucky....

I think the diffrence in rate of rise is different in different age groups, I'm a little younger at 63 now, my understanding is that the longer you were on the drugs the slower the T recovery may be as well. My free to total ratio was 26.67% at my first blood test after quitting the drugs. (3, 0.8, 26.67%) .

I stopped taking ADT about a year ago now and my total, free, percentage looks like this, 192, 3.5, 1.82% putting me in the very low normal ratio although my testosterone is returning slowly as well. It's shown an increase every test since, just annoying slow on the rise. I'm just hoping the rise continues! (all kinds of puns intended) 🙂

Best of Luck to you!

Jump to this post

Please tell me how long you had to put up with SIDE EFFECTS, after stopping ADT? It’s been almost 4 months now for me, I dislike the chronic fatigue- too tired to wash a car outside unless I nap.

REPLY
2 replies
web265 | @web265 | 15 hours ago
In reply to @ecurb "Please tell me how long you had to put up with SIDE EFFECTS, after stopping ADT?..." + (show)
@ecurb

Please tell me how long you had to put up with SIDE EFFECTS, after stopping ADT? It’s been almost 4 months now for me, I dislike the chronic fatigue- too tired to wash a car outside unless I nap.

Jump to this post

The biggest thing for me was the hot flashes, I'm still getting them occaisionaly, no where near as often or intense as when on the meds.

I never had fatigue like you are describing from ADT. During the radiation I did but after that it subsided. While on Orgovyx I could muster energy to do pretty much anything I wanted but I was usually ready for a nap in the afternoon, anywhere between 20-60 minutes would do it.

I had joint pain as well, but that went away quickly.

REPLY
1 reply
ecurb | @ecurb | 14 hours ago
In reply to @web265 "The biggest thing for me was the hot flashes, I'm still getting them occaisionaly, no where..." + (show)
@web265

The biggest thing for me was the hot flashes, I'm still getting them occaisionaly, no where near as often or intense as when on the meds.

I never had fatigue like you are describing from ADT. During the radiation I did but after that it subsided. While on Orgovyx I could muster energy to do pretty much anything I wanted but I was usually ready for a nap in the afternoon, anywhere between 20-60 minutes would do it.

I had joint pain as well, but that went away quickly.

Jump to this post

Thanks for that info. We’re opposites. Minimal hot flashes, just tiredness. You were on the best med. Orgovyx

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1 reply
zmarkv | @zmarkv | 5 hours ago
In reply to @ecurb "Please tell me how long you had to put up with SIDE EFFECTS, after stopping ADT?..." + (show)
@ecurb

Please tell me how long you had to put up with SIDE EFFECTS, after stopping ADT? It’s been almost 4 months now for me, I dislike the chronic fatigue- too tired to wash a car outside unless I nap.

Jump to this post

It’s been well over a year now. I understand age and time on it are factors concerning testosterone recovery. Sorry about your trials.

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ketter1 | @ketter1 | 2 hours ago

I am also confused. I have seen two physicians since my main urologist retired. I originally sought advice from him for a testosterone replacement since my FSH & LH had risen and my T was very low. One thing led to another with repeat T & free T, MRIs, and one transperineal Biopsy. No Ca found but the PSA is still slightly elevated. My question is can I start some T? The two new physicians differ in their advice. One says never to T. The other says T will not cause the initiation of new Ca. and I should enjoy life and follow the PSA. I'm 76 and in good health. What says the group?

REPLY
heavyphil | @heavyphil | 2 hours ago
In reply to @ecurb "Thanks for that info. We’re opposites. Minimal hot flashes, just tiredness. You were on the best..." + (show)
@ecurb

Thanks for that info. We’re opposites. Minimal hot flashes, just tiredness. You were on the best med. Orgovyx

Jump to this post

I was on Orgovyx as well for 6 months, and even after being off for 3 months I still have fatigue.
I don’t worry about it and just push through it; it sucks, but what about THIS doesn’t?😖

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