I don't get it.  Isn't it worth a try to just have a simple testosterone level blood test and prove once and for all that it has any value to you or not?

We look and search for something concrete that might help, but no one(except one or two of us) pays any attention to this information.

Why?

Here's a quote transferred from another post of mine from Laurie:

Donna, this is gaining recognition, and you're right - it's a simple blood test.

The "original" study I think you're referring to is this one:  Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

There are others:  
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

And this:

The Autonomic Nervous System, by By Otto Appenzeller, P. J. Vinken, G. W. Bruyn:  Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or .

"The prevalence of cluster headache in males, and the fact that it is extremely rare in the pre-adolescent period, indicates that sex hormones might also be involved in the pathogenetic mechanism.  Testosterone levels have been reported to be normal or low during the cluster headache period (Leone and Bussoni 1993).  Total, free and carrier protein-bound testosterone levels were significantly diminished only in chronic cluster headache patients whose basal and peak FSH levels were significantly increased (Murialdo et al. 1989).  In addtion, a significant reduction of the 24-h integrated mean testosterone level (mesor) and in acrophase delay were found in cluster headache patients.  It was suggested that the stress of the attack caused elevated cortisol levels tand that this, in turn, would reduce testosterone levels (Facchinetti et al. 1986)."


There is an intricate connection between all the chemicals that are being identified as having a role in cluster headaches, especially as regards serotonin, melatonin and testosterone.  Makes sense given the role of the hypothalamus in controlling brain functions related to all of these things.

A very interesting read:  "Melatonin Keeps the Timing Right," by Abraham Kryger, MD, DMD.  It discusses the relationship between melatonin, serotonin, testosterone and other issues of the endocrine system: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

And here's another by Bob Johnson

Headache. 2006 Jun;46(6):925-33.  

Testosterone replacement therapy for treatment refractory cluster headache.

Stillman MJ.

Objectives.-To describe the clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of cluster headache patients whose headaches responded to testosterone replacement therapy. Background.-Current evidence points to hypothalamic dysfunction, with increased metabolic hyperactivity in the region of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, as being important in the genesis of cluster headaches. This is clinically borne out in the circadian and diurnal behavior of these headaches. For years it has been recognized that male cluster headache patients appear overmasculinized. Recent neuroendocrine and sleep studies now point to an association between gonadotropin and corticotropin levels and hypothalamically entrained pineal secretion of melatonin. Results.-Seven male and 2 female patients, seen between July 2004 and February 2005, and between the ages of 32 and 56, are reported with histories of treatment resistant cluster headaches accompanied by borderline low or low serum testosterone levels. The patients failed to respond to individually tailored medical regimens, including melatonin doses of 12 mg a day or higher, high flow oxygen, maximally tolerated verapamil, antiepileptic agents, and parenteral serotonin agonists. Seven of the 9 patients met 2004 International Classification for the Diagnosis of Headache criteria for chronic cluster headaches; the other 2 patients had episodic cluster headaches of several months duration. After neurological and physical examination all patients had laboratory investigations including fasting lipid panel, PSA (where indicated), LH, FSH, and testosterone levels (both free and total). All 9 patients demonstrated either abnormally low or low, normal testosterone levels. After supplementation with either pure testosterone in 5 of 7 male patients or combination testosterone/estrogen therapy in both female patients, the patients achieved cluster headache freedom for the first 24 hours. Four male chronic cluster patients, all with abnormally low testosterone levels, achieved remission. Conclusions.-Abnormal testosterone levels in patients with episodic or chronic cluster headaches refractory to maximal medical management may predict a therapeutic response to testosterone replacement therapy. In the described cases, diurnal variation of attacks, a seasonal cluster pattern, and previous, transient responsiveness to melatonin therapy pointed to the hypothalamus as the site of neurological dysfunction. Prospective studies pairing hormone levels and polysomnographic data are needed.

PMID: 16732838  

Paul, I've been anxiously watching for a post from you....glad you and your dad are following up on it.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if hormone replacement therapy helps the 7 out of 10 people who prove to have an imbalance, as the above research claims?

I just copied the main part of the thread and faxed it to my dr and requested a blood test.

Have not turned this particular stone over before.  Might as well give it a shot.

Thanks

ChefChris wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2008 at 3:00pm:



This is the first sensible post i have seen from you Chris, since i have joined the family. I think you have raised some very good points and i thank you for that.

Definately some sort of chemical or hormonal (what really is the difference...i certainly do not know...i am in road construction!) is at least partly responsible for CH.

Many report relief with mushrooms, and as you ask It would be nice to see some research done on this.

As far as the that so many talk about on this forum, there is no way in hell that in a remission, I would ever in my life tempt fate with a sip of any alcohol for the fear of beginning another cycle! You guys are nuts! or your abortives work too well.

....and as fas as the other day goes I will not comment since i have nothing positive to contribute!

cheers
Paul

I have an appointment with my neuro on the 12th, and I will discuss this with him. I am working up a list of pertinent question to be prepared. I am having a lot of problems with my C6-7 partially ruptured disk and suspect it to be related to my extremely active CH attacks lately. I will have him do a blood test to check my T level also.

I can be pretty pig headed from time to time but this is a what can it hurt scenario worth checking.

yeah, i got a link to that site my 1st day.  i dont remember the site answering my questions. maybe i need to read again.

Au Contraire, madame, it does hurt- my wallet!     I'm very interested in the hormone thing, but I found out today it will cost me upwards of $200, and I'm broke as a spoke.  Maybe when insurance kicks in next year. 

And to Chris420- yeah, the site is not too well organized, so you have to really dig around, but there are a lot of links to other sites that have more technical medical info.

Update;  Dr. office called today to set up appointment for this friday to review results of full hormone blood workup and next action plan.

No charge $ for any of these tests or any doctors appointments in Canada (just high taxes   haha)

Will report more Friday.

Thank you for taking this all important step, guys.  I wish a few gals were interested in the testing also.  Maybe some will be.

I'm proud of you for stepping forward for the cause.  If nothing comes of it, at least we tried.  If it proves to be valuable.........WOW.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Donna  

Quote:

Knowing him like I do, I'd say he'd do it no problem. Heck, I've had mine checked before as previously stated but I may have it done again...never know. Worst that can happen is he says "it's normal".

B

Back from the Dr. and this is getting more interesting.
Both testosterone tests show my levels to be low.
So, now the Dr. is going to prescribe hormone replacement, but not until i take a PSA test which he had me do today while i was at the office (this is one test that for some strange reason is not covered by our universal health system so $30). When the results come back showing that i do not have prostrate cancer (well lets hope not) then he is able to start testosterone treatment...in this case he says not using the patch, since much better results and body absorption and control using gel that is just rubbed onto the arms!
He then plans on monitoring the testosterone levels as well as the headaches until remission arrives whether sooner or later.....then taper off preventers and continue with hormone monitorring ( there may be a hormone level spike after coming off meds which along with the headaches themselves may partially be responsible for supressing the hormone levels) and then achieve a safe remission hormone level and then see when and if ( doesn't that sound wonderful) and at what intensity and frequency the CH return at before meds are reintroduced...prehaps O2 may again work if hormones are stable...who knows!
Another chapter in my personal CH research begins. Thankyou to this forum and those on here that have kept this idea alive so that i may have a chance to explore this avenue, especially Donna and Dennis.
Paul

Atta Girl Kelly!!

In my case, it was also testosterone that I believe to be the culpret. I had too much for a female.......so we can't let that door unopened and just have the estrogen checked. (I don't know if docs today check for just one without checking all possibilities).

I'm anxious, as I'm sure we all in this thread are, to hear others' results.

mezza wrote on Dec 4^th, 2008 at 7:19pm:


Kelly, I have to find the reference(s), but I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly: if you're out of cycle, you're likely to have normal hormone levels.  It's when you're in cycle that they're out of whack.  I'll see if I can find that (though if insurance covers it probably a good idea to get tested anyway)....

Laurie