Induced Hypogonadism?! Hello meso.

[zossima]

Hello,

I’ve been checking this site regularly for 1 year now but never participated much, I would like to share my condition and possibly get some constructive opinions.

I've been diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism by an andrologist. I have all the typical symptoms (Low libido; extreme fatigue, weakness, depression, ED, difficulty thinking) and during this last year my life has been a living hell. I'm sure many of you can understand. Otherwise I’m a healthy 28 year guy.

This all happened after taking 1mg/day of finasteride for 10 months.

My baseline Total testosterone was 906ng/dl (241 - 827) (before taking Finasteride)

While i was on finasteride i experienced slight reduction in libido and erection strength and paradoxly a significant increase in muscle strength and stamina.
I wasn't happy taking the pill, so i stopped.

after stopping i experience full blown symptoms of hypogonadism i could barely get out of bed, for 1 week I didn't.

6 weeks after stopping i got some blood work done in the same lab i did my total testosterone:

May 2009
Total Testosterone: 470ng/dl (241 - 827) (half the Testosterone i had)
Free Testosterone: 9.5pg/ml (9 - 47) (borderline low)
E2: 10 pg/ml (<30)
LH 5,73 mUI/ml (2.1 - 17)
FSH: 2,9
SHBG: 30 nMoL/L



around August 2009 did new tests, only measured:
TT: 800ng/dl
SHBG: 46 nMol/l


My doc told my TT went up but only because of an increase in SHBG and not due to increase of testicular output and that probably meant my Free T still remained low and since that is the fraction of T that exerts biological effects it would be normal for me to continue with symptoms.

I asked him why did the SHBG increased, he answered that it was a normal and healthy response during induced hypogonadism, it helps testicular function and stimulation. (By reducing the negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary I guess)

He told me i should wait 18 months, if i wasn't feeling ok by then i should return so that we could discuss treatment options.

I've waited 13months, and I’m better from all symptoms but far from feeling 100%, I’ve been experiencing ups and downs, some days are better then others, but the next day isn't always better then the last! Are these ups and downs a normal experience during HPTA recovery?

I try to avoid this condition from affecting my life to much, but it's impossible, I can't enjoy anything and I’m half the man i was, mentally, physically and sexually.

Thanks.

sry for the bad english, not my native tongue.

 

[chemman]

Hello and welcome. Another finasteride user with secondary hypogonadism. One saving grace that you have is that your HPTA appears to have been very strong prior to finasteride usage.

Ups and downs are completely normal and expected in this journey. I myself am also challenged with secondary hypogonadism (not from finasteride, from stress and OTC testosterone boosters), and I can tell you from experience that I have some days where I think I can feel myself pulling through and then a few days later I am back to feeling terrible. I am sure that this mirrors your experience.

Have you considered using a SERM to restart your HPTA? Clomid and nolvadex, if tolerable, can be excellent drugs for reversing this condition. 18 months is way too long to just wait it out. You might as well try clomid and/or nolvadex.

Reference ranges for SHBG would be helpful. Also, you should be making judgements off of free testosterone, so make sure to keep getting that tested, but I'm sure that you already know this.

Good luck.

 

[CubbieBlue]

Hello and welcome. Another finasteride user with secondary hypogonadism. One saving grace that you have is that your HPTA appears to have been very strong prior to finasteride usage.

Ups and downs are completely normal and expected in this journey. I myself am also challenged with secondary hypogonadism (not from finasteride, from stress and OTC testosterone boosters), and I can tell you from experience that I have some days where I think I can feel myself pulling through and then a few days later I am back to feeling terrible. I am sure that this mirrors your experience.

Have you considered using a SERM to restart your HPTA? Clomid and nolvadex, if tolerable, can be excellent drugs for reversing this condition. 18 months is way too long to just wait it out. You might as well try clomid and/or nolvadex.

Reference ranges for SHBG would be helpful. Also, you should be making judgements off of free testosterone, so make sure to keep getting that tested, but I'm sure that you already know this.

Good luck.

Does your andrologist have experience treating finasteride guys? If not see someone who does.

 

[zossima]

Does your andrologist have experience treating finasteride guys? If not see someone who does.

Where i live i think this is the most knowledagble doc i can find about andrology and the effects of testosterone, he has treated a few guys, and knows that finasteride can reak havoc on your hormones. He also treats guys who lost sexual function beacause of ecstasy and amphetamines. He's an expert on Male sexual medicine. also an urologist.

Before meeting him i went to 3 diferent doctors, they were no help at all.

 

[zossima]

Hello and welcome. Another finasteride user with secondary hypogonadism. One saving grace that you have is that your HPTA appears to have been very strong prior to finasteride usage.

Ups and downs are completely normal and expected in this journey. I myself am also challenged with secondary hypogonadism (not from finasteride, from stress and OTC testosterone boosters), and I can tell you from experience that I have some days where I think I can feel myself pulling through and then a few days later I am back to feeling terrible. I am sure that this mirrors your experience.

Have you considered using a SERM to restart your HPTA? Clomid and nolvadex, if tolerable, can be excellent drugs for reversing this condition. 18 months is way too long to just wait it out. You might as well try clomid and/or nolvadex.

Reference ranges for SHBG would be helpful. Also, you should be making judgements off of free testosterone, so make sure to keep getting that tested, but I'm sure that you already know this.

Good luck.

Hello Chemman, and thank you for your welcome and response, I've been following your log, you're having some trouble with HCG, hope it works out ok for you.

It's some relief to know that someone who has not taken Finasteride and also has Secundary Hypo. is experiencing the same as me. I could have not said it better myself, "I have some days where I think I can feel myself pulling through and then a few days later I am back to feeling terrible" this is exactly what I feel like.

some days, i begin to feel human again, all my symptoms improve and i have the sensation that i'll just have to endure a few more days before returning to normal, but then after about 2 days i get worst again and sink into deep desperation that i can't really control. It's been like this for a year and i know now not to get to much exited about the ups beacause they are short lived.

I have thought about taking Tamoxifen, but i'm a little afraid of self medication, i'll definatly talk to my doc. about it, i'll set an apointment with him in july, you are right 18 monyh is too long, my live is taking a heavy hit and i'm realizing that i'll have to take action, watchfull waiting will simply take too long if it is even possible to return to 100% without treatment.

Lowest SHBG reference range is 10 and top is 110 !!! wow this a strange range.

You're right Free T. is the portion i should look to.

thanks for you response, hope you'll get better, keep us posted i'll be watching you log.

 

[jerseyfresh]

welcome and good luck just keep on livin

 

[iron.triangle]

Hello Chemman, and thank you for your welcome and response, I've been following your log, you're having some trouble with HCG, hope it works out ok for you.

It's some relief to know that someone who has not taken Finasteride and also has Secundary Hypo. is experiencing the same as me. I could have not said it better myself, "I have some days where I think I can feel myself pulling through and then a few days later I am back to feeling terrible" this is exactly what I feel like.

some days, i begin to feel human again, all my symptoms improve and i have the sensation that i'll just have to endure a few more days before returning to normal, but then after about 2 days i get worst again and sink into deep desperation that i can't really control. It's been like this for a year and i know now not to get to much exited about the ups beacause they are short lived.

I have thought about taking Tamoxifen, but i'm a little afraid of self medication, i'll definatly talk to my doc. about it, i'll set an apointment with him in july, you are right 18 monyh is too long, my live is taking a heavy hit and i'm realizing that i'll have to take action, watchfull waiting will simply take too long if it is even possible to return to 100% without treatment.

Lowest SHBG reference range is 10 and top is 110 !!! wow this a strange range.

You're right Free T. is the portion i should look to.

thanks for you response, hope you'll get better, keep us posted i'll be watching you log.

Hey zossima. Hopefully you still get this.

I also have finasteride induced secondary hypo.

I would like to hear what happened to you. What you tried and how you feel?

I wanted to do the power PCT. But first wanted to reach out to the community and guys like yourself who had the same thing as me. Who tried treatments and then haven’t posted in 7 years. I hope this means it worked and your better.

This will hopefully spell hope for myself.