Is increased PSA associated with Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides?

[2Sox]

I'm researching this question in earnest as my PSA has increased to 6.3 in recent months and the only thing that I have changed in my protocol is the addition of Semorelin and Ipamorelin - 100mcg each - two to three times daily. The only other thing that has changed is that I'm year older. (I'm in my mid sixties). It was below 4.0 for a very long time previously. In fact, it jumped from 4.0 last month to 6.3 in one month. Ultrasound shows no abnormalities - no nodules. Will be going for an MRI with contrast soon.

I'd be very interested in any insight you all would have on this. Thanks.

[jimmyinkedup]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...84349003,d.cWc

No it shouldnt

[2Sox]

Thanks, Jimmy. I'm in the process of digesting this article - which at first glance seems to have inconsistencies. From my experience this is nothing new for such articles.

For example, the very first sentence of the abstract states: Epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk for prostate carcinoma in men with serum IGF-I in the upper part of the age-related reference range. Certain GHRPs are know to cause an increase in IGF-1 level. Later on this is contradicted. Go figure. Still reading.....

[kelkel]

2Sox why not stop for a brief period of time and re-test?

[2Sox]

2Sox why not stop for a brief period of time and re-test?

That's the plan. Great minds think alike. ;-)

[bass]

that's a big jump 2Sox, and it makes no sense! usually if there is something wrong it goes up very gradually, maybe 0.2-0.5 every 1-2 months. its could be a flaw in the test or just ejaculated 5 minutes before the test! haha! are there any new symptoms? frequent urination, pain, difficulty urinating, thinner stream, etc...

[2Sox]

It sure is a big jump - to me. But my wife who is a PA said it's not unusual at all. There are PSA "spikes". But theses spikes come from things that we know about: Sex a few hours before, bike riding, etc. But in my case none of this happened. Nevertheless, I've been racking my brain and scouring the net to find any logical explanation. These are some new things that may or may not have influenced this: Had the tail end of the flu when bloods were taken. Was living on Robitussin and took a Vicodin for a few nights to stop the coughing. Sometimes take Chlortrimiton - a mild antihistamine (Benedryl is too strong for me) to help me sleep.

Yes I do have new symptoms: I've been peeing better than I ever have in years! And I feel great. I try to keep the sex down to 4 or 5 times a week. (Kidding)

[bass]

LOL, your last comment is a good indicator that you probably fine. and hell yea all that shit will have some impact on all levels. also not all tests are accurate, so you never know. are you planning to do the another test soon?

[bass]

and BTW, at your age those levels are considered good, the question is why the sudden jump. hopefully its just a fluke!

[BallSak]

I would say test again to get a consistent number. Then stop the peps for a month and test again and see for sure.

I think lab errors and fluctuations occur more than we think.

On my last set of labs my free T dropped down to 9 (200mg/week protocol). My doc said to try a different lab next time, no way that is accurate.

[Iron Mind]

PSA should only be handy for monitoring a treatment for an already diagnosed prostate carcinoma. Yeah, of course if you're PSA is sky high it might indicate that you're having a prostate carcinoma, but when your PSA is just slightly higher than normal or not alarming high and you're not having any symptoms you should be fine, I suppose.

I think an rectal prostate exam (DRE was it called, right?) will be more helpful than PSA for such an diagnosis or simple check-up.

[kelkel]

Bass, whatever you do please don't post a "Self DRE video"

[bass]

haha where is your mind at Kel?! I never mentioned DRE! can even one do self DRE? why don't you give it a try and report back! but don't post a video please!

[BallSak]

Something tells me kel has sleight of hand in such matters?

[2Sox]

Yes, as I indicated above, the plan is to stop the peptides for a month or two. And I agree that this could merely be lab error and that's why I'll be requesting my bloods be sent to another lab when I see my urologist in two weeks. I'll also be visiting my original TRT doctor soon and I'll have bloods done with his lab as well.

And Iron's suggestion about a DRE is a good one. My wife had the same suggestion and said an experienced urologist would be able to detect any anomalies if present. I never got one from my present urologist or his PA who never even saw my privates in the over two years I've been to his office! That was left to the sonogram technician. Nice lady. ;-)

I just have a gut feeling that there is nothing at all going on here. I'm aware that this is completely unscientific but that's how I feel. It wouldn't do me any good to worry anyway.

@Iron: Your comment about a high PSA indicating carcinoma is inaccurate. Men with low PSAs have had cancer as often as men who have had high PSAs. This test is merely a guideline for follow up testing. Kel posted a good link about this recently.

[2Sox]

HA! I was so busy writing my post I missed posts #12, 13 and 14. Gotta love it. ;-)

[Iron Mind]

@ 2Sox. Yeah you're right. I should have mentioned that even people with low PSA could have a prostate carcinoma. Should have stated that more clear.

[kelkel]

Just read this 2Sox:

The Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Prostate-S... : Medicine

[2Sox]

Just read this 2Sox:

The Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Prostate-S... : Medicine

Good read. Thanks, Kel. This paragraph is central:

Early studies suggested that the administration of testosterone could promote prostate cancer growth,10,11 and later studies showed that reducing androgen levels to the castrate range reduced prostate cancer growth.9 These data led to the supposition that raising serum testosterone levels with replacement therapy could cause an occult prostate tumor to grow into an aggressive lesion.13 Current data, however, indicate that variations of testosterone levels within the physiological range have little, if any, impact on prostate cancer growth, a low testosterone level may be associated with a high-risk for developing prostate cancer, and that normal testosterone levels play a protective role against prostate cancer.13,14,31–33

And the last sentence in the conclusion bears out other research:

however, based on evidence in the literature it does not appear that the risk of prostate cancer is affected by testosterone replacement therapy.

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

Not trying to high jack a thread and I was refered here by 2sox . These are the things that have been going on with me ?

My PSA was normal before beginning TRT ? And since I started in Oct of 2012 it has been on the rise ? It stayed about 6 for a couple of years . I had it tested this past Jan 12th 2015 and it was 14+ I know that is danger zone and the Dr. said

" This could be due to your Testosterone supplements that you take and may relate to prostate enlargement . But prostate cancer is also a possibility . My feeling is you should stop hormone supplements until you can be properly evaluated which may include a prostate biopsy."

I have my private MD Dr. that scripts me the TRT and does BW. The VA Dr. that suggested this does my physicals has always been negative TRT as in never even necessary . I wondered why I should stop taking the Testosterone to have my prostate evaluated and a biopsy done ? Would the biopsy not show positive for cancer on or off Testosterone ?

Would Tren cause PSA to be higher than just Testosterone ?

Another thing that I had not even consider. After reading what 2SOX stated I would almost garaunrtee the pepiteds caused my hugh spine to 14+ ? I was on Frag & PT - 141 when activities planned about 3 x's a week & Semorlin & Impromil & CJC 1295 - w/o DAC , GHPR II Also MT-II . Another thing that the MD said was stop the Testosterone until evelauted ? I have stopped all peptides except MT-ii and have been sick so no PT-141 ? I am not going to do Chemo I have seen to many healthy ppl go to shit on Chemo and still not get well ? Unlell there are other treatments Why even follow up ? I have had 2 Dr. say get a folow up if you remember when mine hit 6+ above my normal reading of 4 by the Dr. prescribing my TRT and he did not suggest coming off TRT just follow up ?

Oh I see a biospy is not my 1st opition ? Thanks for that !

[2Sox]

Buzz,

I didn't say that the peptides are the cause of my PSA rise. I just guessed that this may be the cause because this is the ONLY thing that changed in the weeks leading up to my last blood test. So I stopped all peptides in preparation for my next blood tests.

Also, I wouldn't suggest you listen to your doctor about stopping TRT at this time. It won't make a difference and you'll feel like shit. If you can tolerate a slight decrease in dose, you may want to do that - for no other reason than T makes cancers grow faster. But at this point, I'd just advise you concentrate on the things that were suggested to you on the other thread. And yes, whether or not you are on OR off T, and IF you had cancer, it wouldn't make a difference. It would still show up in a biopsy.

Refresh our memories: What had you been taking Chemo for?

I'd suggest you copy and paste your post to the other thread- and just delete your post here - so we can keep track of your concerns better and stay on subject.

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

Buzz,

I didn't say that the peptides are the cause of my PSA rise. I just guessed that this may be the cause because this is the ONLY thing that changed in the weeks leading up to my last blood test. So I stopped all peptides in preparation for my next blood tests.

Also, I wouldn't suggest you listen to your doctor about stopping TRT at this time. It won't make a difference and you'll feel like shit. If you can tolerate a slight decrease in dose, you may want to do that - for no other reason than T makes cancers grow faster. But at this point, I'd just advise you concentrate on the things that were suggested to you on the other thread. And yes, whether or not you are on OR off T, and IF you had cancer, it wouldn't make a difference. It would still show up in a biopsy.

Refresh our memories: What had you been taking Chemo for?

I'd suggest you copy and paste your post to the other thread- and just delete your post here - so we can keep track of your concerns better and stay on subject.

Thanks ! lol another member suggested that I post here because there was an on going discussion ? I have never had Chemo I have seen 4 friends and only 1 improved and the hell they went through to improve was awful and they were never 100% again ? I am of the mindset ? Without TRT my life really sucked and if I had a choice of stopping TRT and taking Cheemo . I would just as soon checkout early I am 140% Disabled VA and civilian and the gym and proper nutrition and , lol chasing women is really all I have to live for ?

So if that was taken away I just as soon not be here ! Life is good now but I would trade 5 years of normal life as opposed to go back to the life I had before TRT ! TRT was more than an improvement in life style it was a new life for me

[2Sox]

Some very good news. My PSA came back at 3.11. A different lab did this (the previous from Labcorp) but this from a 6.3 is clearly lab error.

And my MRI - with and without contrast - came back completely normal for a man of my age. All this speaks volumes about the dependability of the PSA test - or lack thereof.

[kelkel]

Wow. Very happy to hear this 2Sox! Breath easy!

[2Sox]

Wow. Very happy to hear this 2Sox! Breath easy!

Thanks, Kel. Feeling better already.

As you recall, I halted all GHRPs several weeks before the above tests (last week). I started again a couple of days after. It would be impossible to say if there is any connection between this and my PSA - but I'd be curious anyway.

[kelkel]

It would. I have a buddy who's psa ranges wildly and has for some time. He's had every test known to man done and nothing's ever found.
My TSH acts this way every now and then even though all other numbers stay in a good range. Who knows!

[Beethoven]

2Sox I'm very glad to hear it. That's one of those things that bring the biggest of men to tears. I'll have one for you tonight.

[2Sox]

2Sox I'm very glad to hear it. That's one of those things that bring the biggest of men to tears. I'll have one for you tonight.

Thanks for the sentiment, B. Just give me a small, yay.