Anyone else have their testosterone destroyed from HIV??

[TakingItDeep]

I got it at 21, was diagnosed at 30 (it was a non reported sexual assault with a vicious flu after it so I can pinpoint it) and when I tested positive I had barely above the acceptable limit for test and was “just a coincidence”. The doctor said it was “very low but normal”. I then moved and at 38 I had essentially none in me. I started taking testosterone shots after and my new doc said it’s all directly due to testosterone. 
 

is this a regular thing others are dealing with? I’m 43 now and everyone I meet says no LOL

[phillygwm]

I'm neg, certainly not an expert, but have never heard of it. 

So why am I responding?  I also have Low T.  In my case, I had an early dx of prostate cancer (I was 45,) was treated with radiation, and it crashed right around that time.  I also thought there was a correlation between the two events but docs told me there wasn't.  What DID happen was I got depressed.  Nothing clinically diagnosed or treated, just an "OMG I'm worried I'm going to die and I'll never get an erection again."  Not necessarily in that order.   None of that, thankfully, came to pass.  However, with that depression came about 40 pounds.  Docs told me there was likely a correlation there.

Over the last couple years, I'm down 40 lbs.  My T is still low -- and I'm still not skinny! -- but it's better than it was 10-12 years ago.  There's also a noticeable change to my sex drive.  So even if T isn't directly related to HIV, some other conditions which came along concurrently MAY be related.

[BBBxCumDumpster]

I have read that HIV can in fact be partly responsible for lowe testosterone.  When I asked my doctor, a fairly new and young doctor, he said he didn't really know what the level should be for my age. That's when I begin to wonder if an HIV doctor is the best primary care doc for mature men.  I'm  undetectable,  and other numbers are good, so maybe a doctor who's specialty is in aging men would be better.   Anyway, I have been trying to increase my testosterone naturally.   My next results will tell me if it's working.   I do however notice in various situations the dwindling stock of testosterone.  

Those of you who have been prescribed testosterone therapy, what was the threshold, the magic number or symptom?

[ellentonboy]

I don't know if my testosterone was destroyed by HIV, but my 12 T cells and a viral load over a million got my doctor to write me multiple cycles of testosterone.  He felt being 175 lbs, being tall, and having those kind of numbers warranted him writing me the scripts.  

I can tell you this, testosterone supplements have pros and cons.  I never got angry or violent, but I did have some sleep issues, always felt warm and would be somewhat "manic", is that the word?  Example:  I would get online and buy things I really didn't need nor could afford.

I have a 12 week cycle sitting in front of me right now. I decided to put it off till after the end of the holiday season, all these Christmas sales would become very tempting after a few injections.  

People have tried to shame me about my use of testosterone and other similar items.  My defense has always been that they were written by a doctor and filled by a reputable pharmacy.  This was not some doctor who just wanted to make money off of me, he was my Infectious Disease Specialist and because of him I am alive today. 

[Erik62]

There is a multitude of issues that can cause low Testosterone. Whether HIV causes it, or not, the doctor needs to find out why it is low. 

    I had rectal CA in 2002, treated with surgery, chemo & Radiation 😥😢. Radiotherapy CAUSED low T. It also shrivelled my best friends (hence being a total bottom), destroyed my bone production (left & right total hip & right shoulder replacements), both knees & left shoulder to come. Thank GOD for our National Health Care. Low T will also have a negative effect on multiple systems that help in our daily / quality of life. 

    I lost ALL body hair (a total freak out) 😱😭, & with no seedlings OR hair, depression went into negative😫😤😡 numbers. I was only 39yrs old.

    Doctor prescribed a gel T replacement - Testagel 12.5mg in 1.25mg of gel. Applied to abdominal or thighs. This worked wonders. Certainly better than needles stuck in my arse (LoL😖🍆). My body hair has returned & my Osteoporosis (caused by radiation therapy) is no longer an issue. From 2002 to 2024 my sex life was ZERO 😱😭 & it is only now, 2024, that any desire has returned. 

    Discuss with your doctor & any tests will show your T (NO, NOT Tina 🙄🤣) levels & replacement therapy as required. 

    PLEASE, DO NOT go messing around with any "Granny" treatments. Your life is to valuable. I am in Australia 🇦🇺, so names or generic products may vary by country. 

[Naruto]

23 hours ago, BBBxCumDumpster said:

I have been trying to increase my testosterone naturally. 

What have you been trying?

[Erik62]

3 hours ago, Naruto said:

What have you been trying?

Even if you are trying to raise T levels, using natural products, you STILL NEED to do so with your GP's input. 

    As you don't list any other medications being used (natural or manufactured) there is always a REALLY BIG CHANCE of negative drug interactions. It may just be an itchy rash, upset stomach OR it may put you onto life support, facing permanent brain damage or death. 

    Doing anything without professional or experienced input is simply NOT WORTH risking your life. 

[BBBxCumDumpster]

11 hours ago, Naruto said:

What have you been trying?

I've been doing resistance training, taking Vitamin D supplement. (Prescribed by my docor.) I'm also taking  an Ashwagandha supplement.  This I haven't discussed with my GP but will do so Tuesday when I see him.

[TakingItDeep]

Thank you for all your responses! I also asked this of a HIV health group I belong to and many many people also incurred the same issue. Some peoples doctor said it was HIV itself and some doctors said it was the meds fault. I’ve been tested for every form of cancer, had the MRIs to look at things inside me ect. It’s just “extremely low”. 
 

Since mid 2020 I’ve been on 200 mg of test every 14 days and it made a world of difference, and 2 months ago I moved up to 200 mg a week and I feel amazing and am essentially a walking erection which has its positives and negatives hahaha. 
 

thanks for all the replies, I’ve basically been with this group since I was diagnosed and this group taught me my life wasn’t ending so…..thanks all!

[NYBBGUY58]

About 25 years ago, I was prescribed testosterone shots after I had multiple negative reactions to some of the early HIV meds, so it was only indirectly caused by HIV. Apparently it's clear if it's a definite causal relationship:

[think before following links] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7990869/

There are other articles that clearly state it's a known complication if you run a Google search. If you're one particular medications, check out what the known side effects are.

In other words, I dunno. Sorry not to be of more assistance.

[TakingItDeep]

2 minutes ago, NYBBGUY58 said:

About 25 years ago, I was prescribed testosterone shots after I had multiple negative reactions to some of the early HIV meds, so it was only indirectly caused by HIV. Apparently it's clear if it's a definite causal relationship:

[think before following links] [think before following links] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7990869/

There are other articles that clearly state it's a known complication if you run a Google search. If you're one particular medications, check out what the known side effects are.

In other words, I dunno. Sorry not to be of more assistance.

I’ve seen some results after searches of it but I had never known a single person who suffered and was curious how much it occurred in the real world. Apparently a good amount!