Testosterone

[michelle]

Hi David

I have a question that I hope you can help me with.

My sons testosterone is low. He has been on deflazacort since he was 8 1/2 years old. He is now 13 1/2 and still on deflazacort. He stopped walking when he was 12 1/2. I have read about using anabolic steroids to bring up his testosterone. He has not gone into puberty because of the deflazacort. My questions are:Have you heard of using the anabolic steroid with the deflazacort?
Will the anabolic steroid cancel out the benefits of the deflazacort( lungs, arm strength, heart function which are all good on my son at this time) ?

Thanks Michelle

[David Feder]

Michelle: this is a very important and difficult question. I don't have confidence about this theme. In 2000 we traveled to USA for an evaluation in a famous clinic. We had two questions: about the delay of puberty and use of testosterone and about the heel cord surgery. After one day of evaluation and after expense more than US$ 1,400 we return to Brazil without any conclusive answer. After this my wife decided to study in profundity muscular dystrophy by herself and now she have the better experience in muscular dystrophy in Brazil. I will ask her opinion and I will post the answer as soon as possible. Testosterone was used in DMD in early '70 without effect to treat the disease. Oxandrolone another anabolic steroid have some effect to increase muscle mass and increase muscle strength; there are few studies with oxandrolone. I don't see any study with deflazacort and oxandrolone or testosterone combined. In general boys with DMD worse in puberty and the delay of puberty could be helpful to keep muscle force. As you can see we must analyse several aspects to decide the use of anabolic steroids combined with deflazacort. I will discuss this question with my wife and I will post more informations.
David

[michelle]

Hi David
Thank you for your help.
I have more questions. Since your son didnt use testosterone or anabolic steroids did he finally go into puberty on his own?
Will the boys on deflazacort finally go into puberty?

Michelle

[David Feder]

Michelle: boys under deflazacort therapy goes to puberty as my son. The drug delay and don't block the puberty. I discuss about this theme with my wife and she agree with me. Testosterone can delay osteoporosis and increase body mass but the big increase of height in puberty can worsen muscle force. The puberty is a very important phase of teen boys and girls. They compare his own body with others. I think that a good explanation can make the boys understand the delay of puberty.
We can hear others parents about this difficult problem.
David

[michelle]

Thanks David

OK, now my question is why is my sons testosterone level low. He is 13 1/2 and on Deflazacort. Can he be just late to go into puberty?

How old was your son when he started to go into puberty?

My son no longer walks so if his height increases will it still be a problem for him?

Thanks Michelle

[David Feder]

Thanks David

Michelle: testosterone increase in puberty; the level is low until he don't go to puberty. I am not sure about the date of puberty of my son but I think that was after 16 yr old. The increase of his height it's no problem when the boy stop walk. I think that testosterone is available in patch and injetable.
David

[michelle]

Thanks again david.

I think I will look into the anabolic steroid for my son.

Michelle