So a few weeks ago my doctor gets my my annual blood work results in. Apparently they check for everything from your cholesterol/blood glucose to like STDs, Liver diseases,etc. Anyways, I was told that evrything is ok except that I have slightly high cholesterol, and that my testosterone is low.

When I asked him to specify about the Test. lvl he said that mine is at 7, when it should be around 25 to 30 (don't know what units). Now I have to take bi-weekly IM shots of 200mg Testosterone Proprionate.

So obviously I asked him why it is so low, and he told me that generally ANY male person who takes opiates, can see a reduction in their test production. Apparently this varies greatly from person to person, and based on the amount of opiates being consumed. Now needless to say, this was news to me seeing as I've been on opiates daily for over 3 years now, and this is the first I've heard of it. According to my doc, after 5 weeks, I should experience elevated mood, energy, sex drive etc. It has been 3 weeks and I'm already feeling a bit more "energetic", and generally feeling better than I was. Dunno whether its the shots, or if its just psychosomatic.

This brings me to my question: To any other guys on opiates, have any of you ever heard of this before? or has anyone else been prescribed Testosterone because of their opiate use and the resulting low hormone levels?

I'm curious to see how many knew people about this already, and also how many people are going to ask their doctor to check their Test. levels now.

well I would have your doctor, since he is willing to put you test. Put you on test enanthate or cypionate because of the longer acting test.this way you might only need a shot every two weeks. Propionate its a fast acting test and is out of the system in 3-4 days. As for the opiots everyone is different I know that when I used to take some for back pain I wasn't that strong in the gym but

I guess i missed your question i think it would degrade your natural test production down. I know that alcohol does but also your age is a factor.

also wearing underware will do this. LOL

Very interesting, I can see how this would be very possible. When I was using opiates I found a decreased muscle-mass feeling in general, even when working out. It takes me even now, twice as long and twice as hard in the gym to gain the strength others recoup in half the time. I always thought it was just my body type and genetics, but I was a wrestler/mma fighter back in the day and would have huge gains naturally very quickly. Now, it could be age, but I'm going to go get tested in the next few weeks and will report back, because I sweat like a pig in the gym for a lonnnng time and if I have low test scores, I might be able to recover faster and get what I put in.

I know that some benzo/hypnotic drugs lower test or raise estrogen levels in males, especially rozerem (sleep med, not hypnotic, but estrogen levels). I would assume any chemical that promotes dopamine could possibly lower testosterone levels over time.

GOOD POST!

Also I found this olllld post of mine here a long time ago that has a little bit to do with this, at least in the exploration of test as a tool in recovery as well. Here is the link and text I wrote a few years ago.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=63133&nfid=nl

Disrupting Brain's Stress System Intensifies Opiate Withdrawal
Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News
Article Date: 20 Feb 2007 - 18:00 PST


Avoiding the severe pain, nausea, agitation, sweats and other symptoms of opiate withdrawal are among the many reasons addicts are motivated to continue taking drugs. Now, researchers have found that disrupting the brain's stress-response mechanism exacerbates behavioral withdrawal symptoms in mice, and that giving the mice the hormone corticosterone alleviates those symptoms. The researchers said their findings suggest new approaches to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Angelo Contarino of Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2 and colleagues published their findings in the journal Neuron, published by Cell Press.

In their studies, the researchers mimicked the pattern of opiate addiction and withdrawal in mice that were genetically deficient in a receptor called CRF1. Receptors are proteins on the cell surface that trigger reactions in the cell when activated. CRF1 is a trigger for the corticotrophin-releasing factor system in the brain and is an essential protein for coping with stressful events. In mimicking addiction and withdrawal, the researchers gave the mice increasing doses of morphine and then stopped morphine administration to induce withdrawal symptoms.

The researchers found that the CRF1-deficient mice showed more severe and prolonged behavioral symptoms of withdrawal - such as jumping and "wet dog shaking" - when compared with normal mice as had been shown previously. Similarly, when the researchers administered a drug that blocks the receptor in normal mice, they saw the same aggravating effects.

The researchers also detected genetic changes in the brains of the mice, which indicated that the stress-response circuitry in the brain was impaired.

However, Contarino and colleagues found that giving the mice the steroid hormone corticosterone abolished the difference in withdrawal symptoms between the CRF1-deficient and normal mice. The hormone also restored the normal stress-response-related genetic activity in the brain, they found.

"The findings of the present study demonstrate that, like hyperactive stress systems, severe deficiencies in major components of the stress-responsive system may worsen the somatic reactions to drug withdrawal," the researchers concluded.

You are not alone. I have been on opiates for 15 years. My annual test picked up the same thing two years ago. I was recommended to a urologist. He found some things wrong he had to fix that I won't get into but after my level was still low. He put me on bi-monthly shots of 1.5ml and works good. I started at 1ml but wore off before next dose was do. He didn't say it was because of opiates, just all mens levels drop with age. I have been tested a ton of times but what your doc said is news to me.

I knew this but never had noticed it until I hit 50. When I worked out regularly in the gym, it seemed to counterract it. Now, I am not so sure I would go for the shots, due to what it may do To my prostate - BPH. It never ends.. One big circle jerk.

Yep, I have been on the Test. Propionate 5mL/1000mg for around 8 weeks (i think? lol)- I've been getting a 1mL/200mg IM shot, every other week. He gave me the option of one type that was "half the potency" so I needed to inject 2mL instead of 1mL to get the same bi-weekly dose of 200mg. I opted for the 200mg/mL propionate over the 100mg/mL cypionate or w/e.

After just a few shots, I'm already feeling much more like did before I was on opiates. I feel just overall- in a better mood, ready to do some physical activity, better appetite, etc. I definitely know now that I DID have defiency due to the opiate use.

After talking to other guys who go to the same Meth Clinic as me, I'd say (safely) that at least 3 out 4 guys on methadone, also require supplemental testosterone shots or pills(at my clinic, anyway). Furthur discussion with my doc about this topic confirmed once again that regular use of opiates, (esp for extended periods of time) ALMOST ALWAYS causes:
1) Testosterone deficiency in Males- amongst other side effects inc sleeplessness,
2) Major hormonal/cyclic irregulaties for women as well.

I have experienced the male-specific side effects myself (and heard from others), and have also heard a LOT of horrifying stuff from my female friends about the effects on THEIR bodies from using Oxies. Scary stuff.

Except with Enanthate you bloat up and retain a lot of water wait, so unless your obese you look kinda [censored] up, a little like the pillsbury doe boy.

He's taking this for life. I know LOTS of ppl who would LOVE to be prescribed shots of Test Prop every other day!

There is a TON of info of how high test levels (i.e. test levels of an 18 yo) are connected to less heart attacks, strokes, improved mood, etc, etc.

There is no reason a 50yo man should not have the test level of a normal 23 yo man. There is no harm in hormone replacement therapy, you just have to do it for life. But wouldn't you like to feel the vigor and aliveness that you felt when you were 18? (that was from testosterone).

Dr's will check ppl's test levels and tell them it's 'normal' depending on what 'range' it is. But this could mean your a 29 yo man and have the test level of an average 66 yo man and are in the so called 'normal' range.

IMO 'optimal' test levels are best. After I have a baby I will be taking testosterone for the health benefits alone. There are clinic's that specialize in this, they even prescribe HGC (human growth hormone).

Men's health is finally starting to just wake up to what 'womens health' has known for ages. Hormones are KEY and vital elements of life and functioning.

You want to know your total test level and your 'free' or free range test levels. All men over 30 should get this checked and guys under 30 who feel sluggish, etc should.

Test Prop works better than friggin anti depressants for some ppl lol Don't shortchange yourself, u only have one life. Get a referral to an endocrinologist who is familiar with, and open to, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) unless ur planning on having kids.

I can not WAIT until my wife gets pregnant!!!! so I can start o feel like a young man again (and the whole family benefits.

It's true unfortunately. Opiates may in fact even cause gynecomastia('man boobs').