Your Thoughts on a TRT "Holiday" To Check Levels?

Pharma / TRT Testosterone Replacement
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72 YO male, still active, work out 4-5 times a week, 5’9”, 170 lbs. I started TRT with test cyp in February, 100mg once a week, SubQ, due to low T level of 1.57, (ref 1.68-7.81). Recent labs show testosterone @ 5.35, PSA has risen from 0.57 (ref 0-4.0) to 6.01, Estradiol is 52.3 (ref 7.6-42.6). I am considering a TRT “holiday” to see if the high PSA and Estradiol normalize.

Thoughts and insights welcome.

Thanks

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How is your urination?

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I’ve been on Terazosin for BPH for many years. Night trips to pee usually average 2-3 times per night, stream is OK considering my age. Was taking Finasteride before TRT, was advised by Doc to discontinue while on TRT. My concern is PSA rising from 0.57 to 6.01. VA primary has put in a consult to Urology, have not yet received an appt date.

Thanks for reply

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For starters, check free PSA.

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Well BPH is known to raise PSA reading. Did your doc check for a urinary tract infection?

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Not sure which PSA test the VA uses, I’ll ask.

Thanks for reply

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I’ve been on BPH treatment for years with normal PSA. No symptoms of UTI, but I’ll have it checked when I get an appt with Urology Clinic.

Thanks for reply

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As far as a TRT holiday goes. My initial thought is FUCK THAT. You will go through hell. Try to avoid that.

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While recently on vacation, I went for 2 weeks without TRT with no adverse effects. What would you expect if discontinuing for a while? Please advise.

Thanks for reply

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That is interesting considering the half life of test cyp. I would expect your T to crash and you to be miserable.

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How has your experience been with the VA and TrT? Not all VA hospitals/clinics are created equal. I am in the Phx region and have had nothing but amazing experiences.

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I had been back on TRT for 2 weeks when the last labs were drawn, so the T levels were normal (5.35). Maybe I’m just lucky, but no crash when off for 2 weeks. What is the half life for Test Cyp?

Thanks for reply

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8 days

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Hi Packard8 nice to see someone in my age group here. I would not rule out a bad lab test. I’ve been with Defy for more than 2 years and they use LabCorp I have had bad lab test twice. We acted on the bad data and I got into more trouble. Now we have agreed two test before a big protocol changes.

Honestly I believe if you go off your T injections you will just feel tired and have a lack of energy. You won’t feel as strong in the gym. I don’t think you would have any kind of withdrawal like drugs.

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I have a good primary at the Tulsa VA, a younger guy who had no issues with Rx’ing TRT when my levels were below normal. I went to the San Francisco VA for the past 40 years, where many of the specialists are UCSF med school professors …excellent treatment there. Tulsa just has a VA Outpatient Clinic but I’ve had good care there. Also, the Veterans Choice Program will authorize seeing local providers if a VA appt is more than 30 days away.

Thanks for reply

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Thanks, I expect they will re-test prior to an appt with Urology, if not I’ll request it. When I went off for 2 weeks I didn’t feel much different, maybe it would catch up with me if I went off longer.

Thanks for reply

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Thanks!

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Packard my 72 Year Old Bro : ). You’re definitely Lucky Finasteride didn’t Castrate you in anyway, it has been known over the News to CHEMICALLY castrate mens Sex drive & Kill their Natural Testosterone sometimes permanently. it’s called PFS Post Finasteride Syndrome. or Propecia Syndrome. i am Glad it didn’t affect your mental well being & Sex drive brother. I just warn Guys who take that, not to take for long at all. or if they can’t at all, it’s not worth Growing Hair to lose all of that.

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Thanks Danny, after the Doc advised to discontinue when on TRT, I did google Finasteride and learned of all the nasty side effects. Thanks for posting the warning. From now on I always google any drug or supp to learn of possible down sides. It is often prescribed for older guys with BPH. The Docs should be better informed about the bad sides.

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Your estrogen tests looks to be the incorrect test, the lab ranges are a dead give away and your true estrogen level is lower than stated. Men require the LC/MS/MS method.