Return of Armpit Odor - Yikes!!!

[JohnInTheMiddle]

For almost two years, I (and others! 😃) have noticed the absence of male armpit odor. Attributable to full ADT (for metastatic PCa) and suppression of testosterone. (I'm on Triplet Therapy.) This morning I was surprised to notice odor for the first time since diagnosis. Due shortly for blood panel including PSA. However, I have never had a testosterone test, that I recall. Could the return of odor suggest the return of testosterone? I'm actually "very concerned" . . .

[Gearhead]

I'd be concerned too. But I hope this isn't a forewarning of ADT failure. So good luck. Let us know what your blood tests show.

[London441]

You should have had your testosterone measured along with PSA from the beginning of treatment.

[JohnInTheMiddle in reply to London441]

Very good question! Up here I don't think it's SOC to get big T tested - because? I don't know - I recall a doctor saying something about "PSA is all we need"?

What's a good argument then for Testosterone testing alongside PSA testing, in other words that incrementally improves PCa decision-making?

By the way pleased to report no odor thus morning 😃! I've been exercising very little for several weeks after another "exercise crash" (I'm trying to figure out "over-training). I'm getting the sense of one's body as homeostatic and wondering about whether this exercise pause might have been a cause of a T spike. The good news is I'm back to exercising , but with a better schedule.

[London441]

Measuring T before starting ADT and while on it is important for a number of reasons. If it’s true that is isn’t SOC in Canada that is unfortunate, and I would be surprised. Maybe some other Canadians can shed light on this.

[JohnInTheMiddle in reply to London441]

Thanks London. Off the top of your head do you have a few reasons why ongoing testosterone testing is helpful?

[London441 in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

For chronic disease maybe not helpful past a certain point, I’m not a doctor. Certainly at baseline it is, since at that time you often don’t know if you’re going to be attempting curative treatment or not.

If you are, it’s to determine where you’re heading from down to castrate level, in case you are ever trying to recover it when the ADT course ends. In that space, to manage T recovery expectations, watching it against PSA for possible recurrence, and estimate suppression’s cause of side effects along the way.

Ongoing to make sure the ADT is working, and/or an indicator of castrate resistance, to watch it in case of a vacation.

[Seasid in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

My RO only tested for PSA and everytime he asked me if I am still on ADT. I just show him the pathology request form and ask him to write down testosterone in addition to PSA.

It is good for traceability and reduces paranoia. He asked me when my prostate SBRT recently failed if I was on ADT all the time. I was and it is visible from the test results. If you are serious about the work what you are doing you should order all the relevant tests.

[garyjp9 in reply to London441]

My US med onc likewise refused to test for T when checking my PSA while on ADT, and now that I have stopped the ADT, he still will only check T every 6 months! So, you are not alone, John.

[Eugmn]

I too have had a similar situation. I have been on ADT for over six years. My body odor went away shortly after I started. I noticed that I started having body odor again about 7 to 8 months ago. I have had my testosterone checked regularly. My testosterone is still the same since I started ADT.

[j-o-h-n]

The* _______________________ army is looking for guys like you for their "SECRET HANDS UP SURRENDER STINK BRIGADE"....

Note:* To prevent bias on my part, fill in the name of the ethnic army of your choice.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 01/09/2024 12:13 PM EST

[Yzinger]

does anyone know the letters on a blood test that show the test numbers? I have my printout from last blood lab test but I don't know which one is for test.

[MoonRocket in reply to Yzinger]

I'm not following...

[Yzinger in reply to MoonRocket]

fair lol.....you know how we have on blood test reports CBC, LDL, PSA, THR etc....what is the one that is showing testosterone?

[MoonRocket in reply to Yzinger]

My test just has total testosterone.

That's the usual test, there is also free testosterone but when on ADT, Total Testosterone is what matters.