inkjunkie
Well-Known Member
....nuts. @greymouser7
Would you kindly thank you Dad for me....again....
I would like to start with an apology....as this is rather long.
I finally got into see an Endocrinologist, the doc that specializes in hormones. I have been on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for a while now. When I took my first injection the Doug of old returned. All I could do was think about sex, and I was back to not being able to sit still, I had so much drive that I needed to be doing things...the effect was a bit short lived. Prior to my first injection my "T" levels were damn near off the bottom of the chart. After the first injection my "T" levels were damn near off the high end of the chart.
In time my energy levels dropped, as did my "T" numbers. My doc doubled the dose. This time no big energy spike.
During my last visit with my Rheumatologist the doc looked at my my most recent lab work. He told us that my Hemoglobin level is dangerously high, and that it is most likely due to my Testosterone Replacement Therapy. He referred me to see an Endocrinologist.
Finally got to see the endo on Friday.Doc took one look at my med list, in particular the dose of Testosterone I was on and immediately became concerned. He questioned if what I wrote was correct. Still not convinced had his staff call the pharmacy to verify it. He asked how long I have been on this dose. He informed us that based on the length of time I have been on this dose that it is very likely that my body has completely stopped production of Testosterone. He also said that there is no medical reason for me to be on such a high dose.
He looked at my Hemoglobin level from most recent blood test and said that I have a very serious problem. The level is high enough that I am at and extreme risk for a major coronary event and/or stroke.
He advised me to drink water, lots of it. He said not just the "8 glasses a day" recommendation but more like as much as I physically can.
When we asked what can be done to lower the Hemoglobin he said that depending on how high it is a few things are going to happen. If it is as high as it was on my last test he will be stopping the testosterone injections. May also send me to Cancer Care Northwest, apparently they can perform a procedure that removes the excessive Hemoglobin.
Doc also told us that the deck is really stacked against me in regards to my testosterone problems.
1. Age lowers testosterone. I will 52 in April so....
2. Opioids lower testosterone. I have no choice but to be on them. Without them I can not even get out of bed.
3. Excessive fat lowers testosterone. I am obese so...
4. Sleep apnea lowers testosterone. While back a member here started a post claiming that the "whole sleep study?cpap machine thing was a bunch of BS and just a way to scam money from the insurance companies and us" you may want to do some actual research. There were several members who sided with him...so if any of you that sided with this member you may want do some research...just saying. During my sleep study I had 50 "apneas" in under 25 minutes. Some folks think that because they don't snore they can't possibly have sleep apnea. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE!!
5. Insomnia also lowers testosterone. One of the tag alongs to being bi-polar is Insomnia.
Not a day goes by that I don't look at the business end of a handgun and give it some serious thought...that this is a way out of my effing nightmare. But I also have accepted the fact that this is the "hand I was dealt"....and I need to simply play this hand out.
But this latest "nut shot" is making me very depressed. Ernie can see it. I am starting to crawl back into my shell....again......this sucks...
Again, I apologize for the length....I have very little doubt in mind that many members here have grown tired of what some may feel chronic complaining, to those folks I do apologize...and sincerely hope that you or any of your loved ones are never in this spot....
Would you kindly thank you Dad for me....again....
I would like to start with an apology....as this is rather long.
I finally got into see an Endocrinologist, the doc that specializes in hormones. I have been on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for a while now. When I took my first injection the Doug of old returned. All I could do was think about sex, and I was back to not being able to sit still, I had so much drive that I needed to be doing things...the effect was a bit short lived. Prior to my first injection my "T" levels were damn near off the bottom of the chart. After the first injection my "T" levels were damn near off the high end of the chart.
In time my energy levels dropped, as did my "T" numbers. My doc doubled the dose. This time no big energy spike.
During my last visit with my Rheumatologist the doc looked at my my most recent lab work. He told us that my Hemoglobin level is dangerously high, and that it is most likely due to my Testosterone Replacement Therapy. He referred me to see an Endocrinologist.
Finally got to see the endo on Friday.Doc took one look at my med list, in particular the dose of Testosterone I was on and immediately became concerned. He questioned if what I wrote was correct. Still not convinced had his staff call the pharmacy to verify it. He asked how long I have been on this dose. He informed us that based on the length of time I have been on this dose that it is very likely that my body has completely stopped production of Testosterone. He also said that there is no medical reason for me to be on such a high dose.
He looked at my Hemoglobin level from most recent blood test and said that I have a very serious problem. The level is high enough that I am at and extreme risk for a major coronary event and/or stroke.
He advised me to drink water, lots of it. He said not just the "8 glasses a day" recommendation but more like as much as I physically can.
When we asked what can be done to lower the Hemoglobin he said that depending on how high it is a few things are going to happen. If it is as high as it was on my last test he will be stopping the testosterone injections. May also send me to Cancer Care Northwest, apparently they can perform a procedure that removes the excessive Hemoglobin.
Doc also told us that the deck is really stacked against me in regards to my testosterone problems.
1. Age lowers testosterone. I will 52 in April so....
2. Opioids lower testosterone. I have no choice but to be on them. Without them I can not even get out of bed.
3. Excessive fat lowers testosterone. I am obese so...
4. Sleep apnea lowers testosterone. While back a member here started a post claiming that the "whole sleep study?cpap machine thing was a bunch of BS and just a way to scam money from the insurance companies and us" you may want to do some actual research. There were several members who sided with him...so if any of you that sided with this member you may want do some research...just saying. During my sleep study I had 50 "apneas" in under 25 minutes. Some folks think that because they don't snore they can't possibly have sleep apnea. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE!!
5. Insomnia also lowers testosterone. One of the tag alongs to being bi-polar is Insomnia.
Not a day goes by that I don't look at the business end of a handgun and give it some serious thought...that this is a way out of my effing nightmare. But I also have accepted the fact that this is the "hand I was dealt"....and I need to simply play this hand out.
But this latest "nut shot" is making me very depressed. Ernie can see it. I am starting to crawl back into my shell....again......this sucks...
Again, I apologize for the length....I have very little doubt in mind that many members here have grown tired of what some may feel chronic complaining, to those folks I do apologize...and sincerely hope that you or any of your loved ones are never in this spot....
