Hey Gang,

I've been in Testosterone since 2008 when I was diagnosed with low T and Osteopenia. The last couple of years my blood work has shown high testosterone even though my dose has been cut to 600mg per week via injection. My results this time was 1191 ng/dL

This has my endocrinologist wondering if I need to be on Testosterone at all. I pointed out that my balls have shrunk and shouldn't be making any. He said it is coming from somewhere as my dose is so small now.

It is possible my balls are still producing, or started producing again after years?

For now I'm going to go down to 400mg and see what the next tests show.

Any ideas?

Adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce small amounts of testosterone.

Thanks, yeah I'm aware of the adrenal glands, but I don't get the impression that is what my Endocrinologist is thinking.

I'm just wondering if there is a chart or information about what and injection amount should do to you blood work numbers. Like 600mg is for 200 bump on a blood test..or something

Not sure if they would have anything, since most of their readers are presumably more interested in going the other direction, but you might look on the "transfeminine science" website as they do a lot of heavy work in translating 'scientistese' into 'human' language, w/ emphasis on trans related science... The stuff I've seen has been aimed at those doing M->F, I don't know if they have anything for those doing F->M... However even if you don't see anything, it might be worth reaching out to the mods there as they may be able to point you at a good reference source.

Just as a thought, not sure if there is any medical accuracy to it, but my recollection is that the part of the testicle that actually produces T is fairly small, so just because your balls have shrunk doesn't necessarily mean that part is dead... I forget (if you ever said, and your profile doesn't say) why they shrank; did you do injections, if so, of what?... It might be worth asking your doctor if there is any reason to do ultrasound or other testing on them to see how / if they are at all functional.... If it turns out they are, that leads to the question of what to do about it, but that is a separate discussion...

WheelyFixed

Thanks, I'll check that out.

I just exchanged messages with my Endo about this. He think its possible because I've lost a lot of weight since 2008 that my body may be producing the T on it's own. I asked about the adrenals, but he said the body. He reiterated that I'm only taking a very small dose of it now.

I'm going to go off and see if I have negative effects, no effects, or positive ones like my balls expanding again.

I know the main purpose of the site in losing balls or T, but I've also found it a good men's site where you can post anything and be supported.

Wolf-Pup (imported) wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 12:43 pm Thanks, I'll check that out.

I just exchanged messages with my Endo about this. He think its possible because I've lost a lot of weight since 2008 that my body may be producing the T on it's own. I asked about the adrenals, but he said the body. He reiterated that I'm only taking a very small dose of it now.

I'm going to go off and see if I have negative effects, no effects, or positive ones like my balls expanding again.

I know the main purpose of the site in losing balls or T, but I've also found it a good men's site where you can post anything and be supported.

Sounds reasonable... I am not wanting to tell you what you should do in re: keeping or getting rid of balls etc.... More on the order of doing the support side of the question. I agree that outside of politics, this is a great site for pretty much any sort of male support...

Oh, I'm keeping the balls, that's never been part of the equation for me. I originally came to the site, the old site from the old Usenet news groups and found the subject interesting. I've learned a lot of things the last couple of decade or however long I've been coming here

My own endocrine issues came much later. However I learned I lot about it from the site and when I went on T I went with injectable for reasons I don't remember anymore.

Wolf-Pup (imported) wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 1:48 pm Oh, I'm keeping the balls, that's never been part of the equation for me. I originally came to the site, the old site from the old Usenet news groups and found the subject interesting. I've learned a lot of things the last couple of decade or however long I've been coming here

My own endocrine issues came much later. However I learned I lot about it from the site and when I went on T I went with injectable for reasons I don't remember anymore.

Certainly seems reasonable... We certainly don't want to encourage anyone to get rid of balls unless they REALLY want to... You had mentioned them having shrunk earlier in the thread, and at least around here, that usually means someone was doing something intentional to them - but I shouldn't jump to conclusions....

Given that you haven't done that sort of thing, it seems much more possible to me that they have decided to get back on the job - no idea about how / why....

WheelyFixed

I've been on Testosterone since 2008. I had/have hypothryroidism which led to hypogonadism aka low testosterone. When you go on T your body stops producing it in the testicles and they shut down, and shrink. In that respect it is just like chemical castration.

Thanks to the EA I'll know what to look out for if I don't produce it properly and show signs of if my body isn't making it.

Wolf-Pup (imported) wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 8:32 pm I've been on Testosterone since 2008. I had/have hypothryroidism which led to hypogonadism aka low testosterone. When you go on T your body stops producing it in the testicles and they shut down, and shrink. In that respect it is just like chemical castration.

Thanks to the EA I'll know what to look out for if I don't produce it properly and show signs of if my body isn't making it.

Makes sense, thanks for the explanation... Certainly sounds to me like it would be possible for them to start back up given that background.

I am mildly concerned (even though my doctor doesn't seem to be) that I don't seem to be producing T, or at least not detectable (<12ng/dL) amounts... My T level dropped after my injury, which is common w/SCI, so they put me on supplemental T, but I still seemed to be producing some as the supplemental dose was supposedly only about 1/2 what they said was normally used to go from zero to low normal... When I first started this journey, they had me stop the supplemental T for a month, and I tested at about 150ng/dL, which is about half of normal... Then I did the Lupron chemical which dropped me to undetectable, and it's been that way since... Leaves me wondering what happened to my adrenals...

WheelyFixed