#82841 10-25-2008 12:41 PM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 | Finally saw an endocrinologist.
Found low testosterone and TSH.
He thought that low TSH is ok, because the other thyroid levels were ok, but started testosterone injections 100ml every 2 weeks with a recheck exam in 3 months than changed to 14 weeks. Had 3 injections so far.
I don't feel much of a difference in fatigue, etc.
Is 12-14 weeks ok to recheck or should it be sooner?
How long does it normally take for hormone levels to increase.
Last edited by trt; 10-25-2008 12:41 PM.
Dx 10/06 Adenoid Cystic carcinoma; Stage I. Soft palate/minor salivary glands.
Tx surgery 11/06 Tomotherapy (targeted IMRT) 3/07
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | I use the Androderm patches daily for testosterone, it is simple and works well. What a change in my lean body mass after a few months of those and going to the club. The synthroid is also simple pills. It took about one month for all things to get balanced and now I have it checked every year.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | My Doc checks my thyroid (Via TSH) semi-annually, however it's almost invariably off, so we do a couple of rounds of 'change dose and come back in a month'. Interestingly, I have been from zero to 85 on TSH in a few months and really didn't feel much difference (some of the symptoms are the same on both ends of the scale).
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 | After starting the Androderm, how long did they wait to check your hormone levels via blood tests (1 month). Did you notice a difference immediately. What was the target testosterone level?
Does the androderm cause any rashes or other skin problems?
Did you also try Androgel.
Dx 10/06 Adenoid Cystic carcinoma; Stage I. Soft palate/minor salivary glands.
Tx surgery 11/06 Tomotherapy (targeted IMRT) 3/07
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | The patch is easier to use than the cream. I noticed a difference in 30 days, and one year later have only adjusted my levels one time. I was floored to find originally 8 years out from treatment that my testosterone levels where in the toilet. I mean the family jewels are a long way away from my area of radiation. But the pituitary is the master and commander gland, and it was near enough to scatter radiation from treatments to go south. That throws off all your hormone levels.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 | has anyone here used injections successfully? What was the final dosage?
I noticed that the typical dosage is 200ml per 2 weeks, yet I am getting 100 every 2 weeks.
Last edited by trt; 10-26-2008 08:18 PM.
Dx 10/06 Adenoid Cystic carcinoma; Stage I. Soft palate/minor salivary glands.
Tx surgery 11/06 Tomotherapy (targeted IMRT) 3/07
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 | anyone experiencing headaches, dizziness or flu like symptoms?
Dx 10/06 Adenoid Cystic carcinoma; Stage I. Soft palate/minor salivary glands.
Tx surgery 11/06 Tomotherapy (targeted IMRT) 3/07
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Dizziness is a common after effect of tx.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I also felt dizzy for a long while after Tx and I noticed more when I was walking up or down stairs where I often felt I was about to miss a stair or when I turned my head quickly. Don't notice it now.
Never had the other 2 though.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 149 | I was not dizzy after the 1st injection. I think I started feeling it after the 3rd.
I've been sick for about a month. First I had headaches and throat pain/swelling. Antibiotics for 5 days reduced the throat problems. Headaches remained. Swab test was negative for bacteria in throat and nose.
Then dizziness set in after about 5 weeks.
I don't know if I caught a bug (virus) or if these are side effects of injections.
Are there fewer side effects with patches and gels than with injections. Should I switch to them.
Last edited by trt; 10-28-2008 08:52 AM.
Dx 10/06 Adenoid Cystic carcinoma; Stage I. Soft palate/minor salivary glands.
Tx surgery 11/06 Tomotherapy (targeted IMRT) 3/07
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