Update Since Pituitary Tumor False Alarm/Restarting TRT/Question Also

[gpetersmarck]

Hi All...sorry for the delay with my update. Quick recap:

I had stopped TRT because I was misdiagnosed with a pituitary tumor. For that thread info, please see here:

http://forums.steroid.com/hormone-re...ext-steps.html

I ended up not going back to my doctor because he would only prescribe the gel and not go back to injections. In short, his rational was flawed and confirmed so by a follow up call I had with the endocrinologist I saw from the University of Michigan who I saw during the tumor time. Unfortunately that endocrinologist could not see me on an ongoing basis because his specialty is seeing patients who do have tumors.

I made the decision to go see my first doctor who originally prescribed the testosterone cypionate injections. He moved his practice two hours away which sounds far but comfort level was there and we are talking about health here. I went and reconnected with him and so glad I chose this path. He did initial bloodwork and simultaneously got me back prescribed on the weekly testosterone cypionate injections. The next steps are:

- Recheck my blood levels in six weeks from first appointment and make any necessary adjustments. I look forward to posting those results here prior to my follow up with him - I am so thankful to have the resources here to best inform me/provide relevant knowledge for these appointments.

- I was also going to talk to him and begin HCG at that time. It was recommended here that I begin that right away with testosterone. My doctor was open to it although not sure if that made the most sense because I am not at a stage in my life where I plan on having more children. Can anyone explain one more time the value of HCG if there isn't a need for family planning in the future?

Lastly, on a side but somewhat related topic - can anyone provide a link that will summarize the recommended blood work a woman in her 40s should have performed? I had a reference before but can no longer locate it; my sister is wanting the info to be better prepared when telling her general doctor which blood work she would like done - just for her overall health/wellness/hormone levels/etc.

Thanks again for this forum/resource!

[kelkel]

Glad you're doing well gpete! So my question is, without reviewing the original thread, if it's not a tumor then what is it?
HCG would be a great addition to your protocol. It's not so much about having kids, it's about keeping your testicals functioning. Personally, I like the idea of functioning testicals. There's many more benefits than that, main thing is it mimics LH and there are LH receptors throughout your body. Read the sticky thread at the top of the forum and google Dr. Crisler's HCG Update or Vergels. Take that to your doc.

[OingoBoingo]

I was also going to talk to him and begin HCG at that time. It was recommended here that I begin that right away with testosterone. My doctor was open to it although not sure if that made the most sense because I am not at a stage in my life where I plan on having more children. Can anyone explain one more time the value of HCG if there isn't a need for family planning in the future?

I wanted to include hCG in my protocol because I didn't want the boys to atrophy and wanted to do what I can to "backfill" the hormone pathways and maintain Pregnenolone production.

The idea was new to my doctor and he wasn't exactly keen on it, but telling him I wanted to maintain my fertility (even though I have no plans for children in the foreseeable future) sealed the deal.

[gpetersmarck]

Thank you for the replies. The false diagnosis for the pituitary tumor occurred because:

- Prolactin levels were elevated but in the 30-35ng range with normal being 2-18ng. This elevation did trigger the exploratory MRI which came back saying a 3mm tumor.
- Both Endo and Brain Surgeon from U of M agreed that the MRI was misread and just how my pituitary gland developed prior to birth. The endo went into much greater scientific detail as to why it was misread but it went over my head. They said it isn't super uncommon when they get referrals dealing with such small tumors, etc.

If it would be helpful, I can post the summary letter from the endo here - it was super thorough and I really am thankful how much time then spent with me.

I will move forward with requesting HCG when I see my doctor to review the 6 week blood work follow up - around mid May, Thanks again!

[gpetersmarck]

Oh, one ore follow up - the endo did have my macroprolactin levels measured to confirm their findings and those results came back in line with normal.

[kelkel]

I'd love to see the summary letter. PM me if you don't want to post it.