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opiates and testosterone

MeDieViL

MeDieViL

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i have read about opiates lowering the ammount of testosterone, i'm wondering if this decrease is significant and could it have a bad effect on muscle gains?

thx
 
It is dose-dependent, but yes, opioids taken consistently can result in something resembling hypogonadism.

My tests levels increased over 3 fold after getting off a large amount methadone. Obviously such decreases are more than sufficient to significantly reduce muscular gains and cause changes in body composition.

This is probably not ADD material...
 
negrogesic said:
This is probably not ADD material...
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well, i was also looking for references because id also like to know if testosteron is lowered after opiates are out of your blood, or do test levels increase because of tolerance so endorphins have less of an effect (not talking about withdrawal)
 
Naturally occurring opiates (endorphins) diminish testosterone levels by inhibiting both hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing hormone production and testicular testosterone synthesis. Heroin addicts treated with a single daily dose of methadone and nonaddicts receiving continuous intrathecal opioids quickly develop low luteinizing hormone and total testosterone levels. A similar pattern was sought in men consuming commonly prescribed oral opioids. Free testosterone (FT), total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E(2)), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in 54 community-dwelling outpatient men consuming oral sustained-action dosage forms of opioids several times daily for control of nonmalignant pain. Hormone levels were related to the opioid consumed, dosage and dosage form, nonopioid medication use, and several personal characteristics and were compared with the hormone analyses of 27 similar men consuming no opioids. Hormone levels averaged much lower in opioid users than in control subjects in a dose-related pattern (P < .0001 for all comparisons). FT, TT, and E(2) levels were subnormal in 56%, 74%, and 74%, respectively, of opioid consumers. Forty-eight men (89%) exhibited subnormal levels of either FT or E(2). Either TT or E(2) level was subnormal in all 28 men consuming the equivalent of 100 mg of methadone daily and in 19 of 26 (73%) consuming smaller opioid doses. Eighty-seven percent (39 of 45) of opioid-ingesting men who reported normal erectile function before opioid use reported severe erectile dysfunction or diminished libido after beginning their opioid therapy. Commonly prescribed opioids in sustained-action dosage forms usually produce subnormal sex hormone levels, which may contribute to a diminished quality of life for many patients with painful chronic illness.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...ez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
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Basically, hypogonadism is more common/pronounced with the longer acting oral opioids, particularly methadone, but can still occur with drugs like heroin. However, there is a relatively low incidence of hypogonadism with drugs like buprenorphine, but I would imagine this could also be dose-dependent.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between hypogonadism and long-term administration of high-dose methadone. METHODS: We present a case of a 47-year-old man with a history of heroin use and treatment with high doses of methadone (130 mg/day), who complained of gynecomastia and impotence. Baseline levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), plasma testosterone, and prolactin were determined, and then the response of gonadotropin levels to stimulation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was examined at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes. RESULTS: Basal values of testosterone, LH, and FSH were below normal levels, whereas prolactin was normal. After administration of GnRH, the patient had a suboptimal increase in LH levels and lack of a response of FSH. When the daily dose of methadone was decreased to 40 mg, the patient's libido returned, and LH, FSH, and testosterone levels increased. CONCLUSION: These findings could indicate the presence of (1) a direct effect of methadone on the hypothalamus that leads to an alteration in normal gonadotropin pulse patterns, or (2) a selective effect of methadone on the anterior pituitary that alters its response to GnRH, with either mechanism leading to a reversible, dose-related depression of testosterone levels. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...ez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
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I experienced a rebound effect after getting off methadone, and currently both my plasma and unbound testosterone levels are very high.
 
I have regular blood tests, and have always returned 'normal' values for testosterone after prolonged opiate/opioid use.

I have a feeling that the following may have more to do with your complaint: here

See page 7, 7.3 Immune System Effects.

If your immune system is bad, you will not make good gains.

That said, it only looks like mother morphine and I guess dia-morphine are the only ones you should be worried about.
 
It makes sense. Desire for sex on opiates is zilch, but of course we know that dopamine is very active. The only other neurochemical factor in sexual desire is testosterone. Theirs also the common side effect of weight loss with opioids.
 
Yes HRT hormone replacement therapy,Have a blood test then see how high or low your natural test levels are? If low then your doc ight refer you to a specialist or prescribe some test-e or sus every 3 weeks i mean 1 shot once every 2-3 weeks..!!
 
chainsawr said:
Is their any commonly accepted treatment for low testosterone levels while on long-term opiate treatment?
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The most important thing is REGULAR and TOUGH excersize. Just nodding off on the couch all day is like castrating yourself. Do not overtain yourself though, and get adequate sleep. Meditation, some stress, and sexual activity are also important.

As for diet, eat lots of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflouer). Foods high in good cholesterol, Monounsaturated fats, and EFA's. Be sure to also get all your vitamin C.

For supplements, OCCASIONALLY take DHEA W/RESVERATROL. DHEA converts to Testosterone in the body, and the resveratrol prevents testosterone breakdown with added powerful antioxidant protection. Other good supplements are quercetin, Saw palmetto, Chrysin, and tribulus terrestris.
 
chainsawr said:
Is their any commonly accepted treatment for low testosterone levels while on long-term opiate treatment?
Click to expand...

HRT. You do not even have to have low levels.

My doctor has offered me treatment even though I am in the normal range.

Serum Testosterone 18.3 nmol/L (Range 6-30)

I guess it depend on how worried your are about your problem. Just talk to your doctor about it.

I ride 100km a week and swim on the weekends.
 
^^^What do you get testosterone injections 1 shot every 2-3 weeks or the gel,patches,or gel caps?
 
at 50 yrs of age ,and after 20 years of daily and continued opiate use,i inject testosterone in my leg q 2weeks.
theoretically my levels hould improve. low testosterone in men leaves
them vulnerable to osteoporosis. however,increasing your testosterone also increases your cancer risk..... but whaddya gonna do?:\
 
caizar said:
^^^What do you get testosterone injections 1 shot every 2-3 weeks or the gel,patches,or gel caps?
Click to expand...

It was offered as a gel or a shot.

I have put that card up my sleeve for a later date however, as my test levels are pretty good atm.

opiatedlife: What were your levels before you started supplementing your test?
 
Hypogonadism (aka low test) is the reason people supplement with HRT.

It is just a side effect of using opiates long term. But it is worth it in my book.

And no, your balls should not shrink unless you are using off label.
 
nabollocks said:
Hypogonadism (aka low test) is the reason people supplement with HRT.

It is just a side effect of using opiates long term. But it is worth it in my book.

And no, your balls should not shrink unless you are using off label.
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As you supplement with testosterone shots, you will shut down your own production which will result in testicular shrinkage. I injected 100mg/wk and my nads are mush. I am now trying to get my own production back. Time will tell and I will probably have production soon. I hope. LOL.
 
Well ive been on various opiates/opioids (mostly morphine but also hydromorphone, oxycodone, codeine and fentanyl) for about 4 years now for chronic pain as well as pleasure. In my experience ive been able to make the same muscular gains while on opiates then off them. I can still pack on muscle just as fast as before i started taking opiates but i find eating right is harder.

I eat more junk food as opposed to healthy food while on opiates and especially morphine because of the cravings for sugary and fatty foods i get. So ya opiates actually make me gain weight as opposed to getting thinner which is not that uncommon from what ive seen.

Also they don't dampen my sex drive at all though they do make it harder to get off if im really high especially if im just going solo :\ . If im with a girl i can last a long time and i could last a long time before so this is one side effect that is somewhat annoying.

So i don't get much if any typical low testosterone effects from opiate use. Unless i get fucked out of my eye balls on opiates and lay around nodding all day but how can you tell at that point then really?
 
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