Am I gonna get Gyno? R my hormones at optimal levels? Resources?

[JohnTr]

This may be a little bit off topic but the doctors in here might know the answers.

Ok, I would say that I DONT have Gyno.  I am worried that I might develop it.  So what do I do?  I am in South East Asia.  Also, I am middle aged.  Are my hormones not running at optimal levels?  Which tests can I take to find out?  What can I do if my hormones are not running at optimal levels?
Why do I think I may be getting Gyno?  My nipples are a little bit more sensitive than they used to be and my breasts feel warm and its fairly regularly.

Other than that, I have really taking a lot of weight on over the last few months in what appears to be weight gain and mild pseudogyno.

I attached pictures.

Let me give you some background:

Age:  36

According to this site:
http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/male_breast/gynecomastia_symptoms.htm

Here is how I measure it up:

No puffy nipples, no folds, no large gland, gland is soft and fat is firm, the chest has only been like this probably a year, no discharge, but I get teased about being fat and women would grab my chest on occaision.  I no longer like having my shirt off.


I was seeing an alternative MD (ie western medicine docto who has a nontypical practice) joint and tendon problems and chronic fatigue syndrome last January.  Its really been sort of a mystery illness.  He wondered if I was getting enough testosterone.  He basically said my body was really top heavy.  I have a very very apple shaped body and huge chest cavity.  He tested me for Testosterone and I was mid-range but not optimal range.  But that was back before I had these warm sensations in my chest.  He has a lot of background in Mens issues like getting enough testosterone.  I believe he wanted me to me to take small doses supplements of clomiphene…or perhaps something spelled similarly.  He said that would help me lose weight.  As some of you already know that clomiphene is an anti-estrogen drug that has been proven to decrease gyno although its not as effective as tamoxiphen citrate.  I forget the dosage…every three days.  He gave me a bottle.  I took it a couple times.      

My guy friends have also mentioned that I have man boobs too.  One of my buddies said, “when you lift like you do and then all of sudden stop, you can get them.”  And Girls have grabbed me too, but I am out here in South East Asia now and women are really flat chested.  Which brings me to some other points—First doctors out here suck.  Secondly, prohormones, anabolic steroids, anti-estrogen pills are all over the counter.  Yeah, you can actually buy a syringe full of steroids over the counter.  So that is available to work with if they can correct any problem.  Let it be known, that I have never altered my body with prohormones and steroids.  

All this attention to my chest has made me self-conscious and insecure.  I dont think its that big a deal but everyone pokes fun every chance that they get.  WTF.

When I got to SE Asia, I stopped taking propecia and I had been taking it for 10 years and I started drinking more.  I wonder if beer and ceasing propecia has change my hormonal balance.  

Am I gonna get Gyno? R my hormones at optimal levels? What tests to take?  What is available to me?  Resources?  What can I do to get my hormones at the right balance and at optimal levels?

Thanks.

[ddh]

Well, to be really blunt, you just look like a guy who has put on a bit of weight and is a bit out of shape.

I'd suggest stopping all the supplements and drugs, cut back on the drinking, and start exercising more.

Even so, your chest does not look remotely like a woman's.

[JohnTr]

Hey, I agree with you.  I just look fat and I seem to be taking it on in the upper body more this time.  (that is what I said in my post...I dont have any symptoms other than some weight gain and more sensitivities in the chest)

My question was never whether I had gyno...I feel comfortable that I dont have it. 

I am concerned I might get gyno though...  and I had a few other questions denoted with the "?" symbol.

[Paa_Paw]

If I got it right; you are unexpectedly gaining weight and have concerns about "tingling" in the chest/breast area. You also said your Testosterone level was checked but did not mention any other hormones.

Balancing the hormones is a delicate job that requires regular lab checks by a specialist (an Endocrinologist) who has experience in dealing with male fertility issues. The reason that the specialist is needed is that the hormones do not work singly but in concert with others.

[Dr. Cruise]

A consultation with your primary care doctor is a good place to start.  That said, whether or not you have gynecomastia, maintaining an ideal body weight is optimal.