It's cool. I've had a lot of problems finding a good doctor, so identify. In fact, the doctor I saw just previous to this one was really really bad. Finally finding one who is taking me seriously is an enormous relief.Originally Posted by TheSpoonyBard
As for me...
Well, I'm partway through weekly shot #8 now, and nothing has really changed. The unusually hard erections I was sometimes getting for a while have gone away. The nipple soreness comes and goes. That's... about it. That's the only thing I'm positive it's done other than give me a sore bum one day a week.
I'm able to do tests whenever starting next week, so I guess we'll see. My doctor was awesome and ordered a large battery of tests, along with the question "anything else you want to look at?" I told him I wanted to look at estrogens and he agreed that was a good idea... but then I realized there's a difference between "total estrogens," which he marked, and "estradiol," which he didn't. I'll call before I get bloodwork to ask if he doesn't mind me checking that other box since I meant to ask for it.
So I'm interested to see what happens here. There are a few possibilities at this point:
1) For some reason the shots are not sufficient and test is still low.
2) Estradiol proves to be high.
3) Both are in check and we consider driving down prolactin, since that was slightly high.
4) None of the above, investigate thyroid issues further.
I thought I had ruled out thyroid problems in the past, but the doctor was suspicious that there might be something there if the testosterone does not work (which he felt was a possible outcome). Looking more into thyroid stuff, I've found that some of my past levels were actually out of the recommended "normal" range by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. However, the results in general are kind of topsy-turvy and seem to contradict one another. I can post them if anyone is interested/aware of thyroid stuff.
I learned since then that elevated prolactin is one indication of hypothyroid. That's very interesting to me since I am not aware of anything else other than a tumor that should be making this high in a man, and a tumor is unlikely after my MRI showed none.
I know a couple people who have tested "normal" on thyroid tests but have felt a billion times better after finding a doctor who will treat them for hypothyroid anyway. I'm glad I have a doctor who seems willing to give things a shot.
If it turns out to be a thyroid thing, that would actually be great. Much simpler to treat. So testosterone not doing much MAY be a blessing in disguise. I guess time will tell.
That's it for now. Will keep you all posted.
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