This subject matter is very personal. I’ve taken a bit of time to sit back and think about whether I really want to open up about this on my blog but I think it is important that I do.
As I wrote in one of my previous posts I’ve been a bit unwell recently. At the time I figured that everything that was going on was due to my mental health issues. The symptoms seemed to fit the bill and my doctor was sure that was it. Don’t get me wrong here – I still have a mental illness and the symptoms still relate to that in some way. It’s just that things changed recently.
About a month ago I felt a pain in my right breast. At first I figured this was some bruising or some such weird pain that was easily pushed aside. I only ever felt it when I was laying on my stomach so I thought perhaps it was just the way I was laying. Yet over the weeks that followed the pain got worse day by day. Now even if I bump it against something it can hurt. It’s not excruciating but certainly something to be concerned about.
So I did like most men wouldn’t do and I went to the doctor. We chatted about all the symptoms she poked and prodded and what not and she diagnosed something that I had never heard of. Gynecomastia. In basic layman terms, the tissue around my breasts was inflamed and sore, which is what can happen to boys during puberty. Apparently men on steriods have this issue as well. So off for some blood tests and an ultrasound to rule out any other causes like breast cancer. Don’t forget men of the world that you have to be just as careful about breast cancer.
Blood results are back and the reason has been identified. I have very low levels of Testosterone. Very. Low. I’m sure some men may be thinking at this point “am I really a man if I don’t have testosterone?” when they hear such a result. Personally I’m just relieved to have some idea of what is going on with my body.
If you check out this link to the Wikipedia article section it shows you what effect testosterone has on the human body regardless of gender. My bloods also showed irregular red blood cell levels and glucose levels, which could both be due to this. My recent weight gain above my regular set weight point, my lethargy, disinterest in the world in general and the exacerbation of my mental health issues could all be related to this one hormone. It makes you realise just how finely balanced the human body is and how easy it is to screw it all up.
I have to have some further blood tests next week and then if that confirms the findings I’ll be able to get some form of supplement to treat the symptoms. it is likely due to me taking my anti depressants as there is a link between drugs that affect the brain and hormone levels. I won’t be going off them because they are too important for me right now but we’ll see what the doctor has to say.
Why am I sharing this with you?
I want men of the world to realise how important it is to listen to their bodies. it is important to go to the doctor when they are feeling unwell or if something strange is going on. Normally I wouldn’t have bothered but it was only because it was in the breast area and I was concerned it might be something really bad that I went. I don’t consider gynecomastia to be that bad but I would never have found out about my testosterone levels otherwise. And I’d still be sitting here feeling like shit and not knowing why.
It is also important to remember that just because I’m fat there aren’t medical issues to that are the reason I’m feeling sluggish, tired, disinterested or whatever else. I’d suggest that people get things checked out and get it sorted. It probably helps that we’ve found an awesome doctor recently, but make the effort to find one because it is worth it.
Men of the world: Don’t feel ashamed to talk about health issues, especially issues to do with your “manliness” or whatever. Get it checked and get it fixed and you might be feeling better in no time.
Now after all that, I could use a snooze…