Hi,
I’m going to see a doc on Wednesday. And will hopefully have some blood tests done.
Should i be relieved if my blood comes back and tells me i have low T levels?
I have a question though - if all my hormone levels appear to be normal - then what else could be wrong with me?
Thanks,
David
That’s the million dollar question my friend.
As Jack mentioned… that’s what we’ve been trying to figure out, albeit mostly on our own since few in the medical community:
a) believe Finasteride can cause such issues
b) even if Finasteride did cause such issues, we’re told they should have resolved after discontinuation of the drug (they do for most, but not the unlucky ones like us)
c) a “normal” hormonal profile only further compounds this view in the mind of medical professionals, and we are told everything is in our heads.
d) a “normal” hormonal profile may in fact not be “normal”. If your T level is at the bottom of the range, you can still be considered “normal” despite having the level of an 80 yr old man – and feel like it.
Hence why this forum, the Finasteride Studies, and Questions & Theories sections exist… we’re trying to find answers as to how Finasteride usage might have changed things for us, inside our bodies, since despite “normal”, or even great bloodwork or after trying treatments, some may feel no different.
On the other hand, there are anecdotal reports of some guys trying treatments (ie, under Dr Shippen or Dr Crisler) and recovering, or whispers of spontaneous recoveries… but truth is we don’t really know how many other guys there are out there experiencing this, since they aren’t on this site, may not have reported it due to embarrasment, or have simply accepted things and moved on with their life.
But to find the actual root cause of all this… that is what we’d all like to know. Beyond blood tests, there is neurotransmitter testing, CT/MRIs, the possibility of genetic testing/PCR analysis for Androgen Receptor mutation, tests for 5-AR activity, and likely tests for pituitary/hypothalamus LHRH/GnRH receptor functionality… all of which I believe may elucidate on things further… not to mention a COMPLETE hormonal profile for ALL hormones within the entire steroidogenesis pathway, including ALL metabolites. If we could look at the big picture in collaboration with a medical professional, we might be able to see what’s wrong.
If there were doctors/researchers who would be willing to investigate further with us, we might have some answers. But finding them is the issue, and convincing them even more difficult. However, the Doctors section of this website provides a good first step.
On the topic of androgen receptor testing, I just want to point out that if this really is where the problem lies, it would be a congenital abnormality, and not an effect of finasteride; only something “triggered” by finasteride. It is more or less impossible for finasteride to, of its own action, induce mutations. In the prostate, it causes apoptosis, and it is only when cells begin regenerating (during processes of DNA replication), that any kind of mutation risk exists.
A congenital androgen receptor insensitivity is what you’re interested in then. Before you took finasteride, your androgen receptors had adequate affinity for androgens such that there was no problem. After finasteride, on the other hand, androgenicity was decreased just enough to no longer activate receptors adequately given the congenital androgen insensitivity. A person with normal androgen receptors would not have this problem, as the threshold androgen level would be much lower.
But this is just one speculation among many…not sure how you’d go about getting androgen receptor tests. Maybe look into genetic counceling?