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Androgel Caused Testosterone To Drop And Estrogen To Rise. Had Breast Enlargement, Belly Fat And Low Libido. Should I Take Arimidex?

Posted on Mon, 1 Oct 2012

Question: yes please advise. i just went to my endocrinologist and he read my lab report from my second opinion consult with an internist. I was taking androgel but everytime I took 2.5 grams or more my testoterone level would drop and my estogen level would increase, last reading 257 testoterone 181 estrogen. Last rerading not on testosterone was 332 testoterone and less than 50 estrogen. The second opinion internist thought I should take arimidiex 1mg 3x a week and 200mg of compounded testteorne which is 4x what I was taking in andgroel pump. My endocrinolgist replied well before using testoterone I had normal testoterone level and normal estrogen. Because I have some mild breast enlargement, belly fat, and low libido androgel was prescribed. The endocrinologist did think the internits idea of using test. and arimidex to lower testoterone is solid but I face side effects that can be bad. I told him having used arimidx just one week, I get spiking of libido which lessens in time, have serious joint paint, and feel depressed. He said "well this really isn't my area maybe you should see a specialist in endo with more arimidex experience." I felt passed off and rejected here. He told me i can just see "this internist" but she does not do thyroid meds so I owuld have to see the endo anyway. So should I see a diffeerent endo, the same endo as now, the internist.?? And should I take arimidex? and is this dose correct?? and finally how long would I need to take it since the side effects are not nice?? Please be specific I need help with this.
ps the purpose of the arimidex and test. compound was to lower estrogen and increase testoterone, do I need to do this what should i do, i was just taking thyroid meds and androgel, cytomel does make me nervouse but levoxyl makes me depressed, arimidex definitely boosts libido but makes me depressed

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (29 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Sorry for the delay in replying to you. I have posted your query to our Endocrinologist. I will be receiving the answer soon.

Kindly be patient with us, we will send you the specialist opinion as soon as we receive it.

I regret the inconvenience.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (2 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thank you for posting your query.

Tamoxifen an estrogen antagonist, anastrozole (Arimidex) an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole and dihydrotestosterone have been used for gynaecomastia (breast enlargement).

If gynaecomastia (breast enlargement) is the primary problem I would only use Arimidex 1mg/d.

Androgel can only be used for short term in a patient with loss of libido if his hormonal parameters like testosterone and bioavailable testosterone are normal.

Androgel used for whatever purpose can increase breast enlargement if given alone. This can be prevented to some extent by combining with aromatase inhibitor like anastrozole. This is probably the reason for prescribing Arimidex with Androgel in your case. However, this is not an established way of treatment. There is very limited experience with the combination treatment you are presently on.

I wouldn't recommend Androgel for belly fat and breast enlargement. If libido was the primary reason for prescription and your testosterone levels were normal before treatment, then the treatment has to be for short duration like 6 months. Likewise Arimidex will also be for the same duration.

Regarding the co-prescription of Arimidex and its dosage, it is your physician's personal preference and I have nothing against it nor do I feel there is any harm in taking the treatment for short duration like 6 months.

Whether you can continue to see the same endocrinologist or not is a diffcult question to answer without knowing the doctor himself and without knowing the complete details of the case from a doctor's perspective rather than from a patient's perspective.

I think you will need to stop both androgel and Arimidex after this short period and reevaluation of your hormonal parameters will have to be done.

Hope I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Shanthi E (3 hours later)

Ok thank you much, the arimidex was for breast elargment only so short term arimidexuse only seems appropriate. I did want to ask what to do for the belly fat, I take levoxyl 25mcg and cytomel 5mcg, I have a tsh of 1.41, good energy, but a ravenous appetite-is there something I can do here with the thyroid meds to improve weight. I already diet and work out. Maybe it is the cytomel increasing the appetite let me know and thanks again for such a a big help. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (20 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks again,

There is nothing much you can do with thyroid medications as the TSH levels are adequate.

Cytomel 5mg wouldn't increase appetite significantly. So do not worry.

Belly fat can be addressed by your Endocrinologist with weight loss pills. They are quite effective. If belly is the only problem then you can also consider liposuction.
As it is difficult to give any concrete suggestion without seeing the patient in person, your endocrinologist will be able to suggest you the appropriate treatment for belly fat. You can discuss about these options with him/her.

Hope I answered all your questions. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Wish you Good Health.

Regards

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad