Hypogonadism and Military Enlistment

[Guest guest]

Hey,

I am treated for secondary hypogonadism. First was on clomid for

about four months, and since have been on HCG (w/ a small dose of

test/week).

In any case, I really want to serve in the Army. Actually, I would

like to apply to enlist to go to Officer Candidate School.

In all honesty, the only thing holding me back is my medical treatment.

I don't know how to handle this. I assume that if I need daily HCG

shots, that would be disqualifying (since insulin therapy for diabetes

disqualifies). I dont know how they would deal with biweekly T shots,

but I dont want to go on test. anyway. So I guess my only option is

clomid again (which did work, but just OK-probably because it raised

estrgoen?). I dont have a problem going back to that while in the

Army since it is a worthwhile sacrifice, but I wonder if they will

recognize that as a legit medical treatement. After all, at least in

basic training, you have to get your meds re-prescribed by an army

doc. I suppose I could get my current doctor, who is awesome, to

explain my diagnosis, etc and that clomid would keep my system optimal

and am otherwise healthy, but I really fear that they would pretty

much " deny " this treatment and then I am legally bound to be in the

army for like four years.

In short, I really want to serve in the Army. But I ALSO really don't

want to discontinue treatment (even if it has to be clomid alone)

because it has made a profound impact on my life.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone has any insight into this

situation, particularly if you served in the military (armyguy?).

Thanks a ton!

[Guest guest]

clomid was a " test " at first- took 100 mg a day for six weeks

t levels went from 300 or so to 900, and free t from below normal

range to the top of it

then i continued for another month or two on 50 mg a day and T even

went up further (to like 1100)

my endo didnt monitor E, and Lh went from like 1.5 to 9 or 11

incidentally, i feel much better on my current treatment

Dr mentioned that this is often the case with clomid alone

(raises labs but his patients dont " feel it " ---in any case, it WAS

better than nothing

any thoughts on the army thing though?

i kind of want to ask if i can continue the hcg but I suspect that is

not possible (it does seem a bit difficult if one is in Iraq or

anywher e else in the field, daily injections and the stuff needs to

be refrigerated)...but do you think they would approve of the clomid?

this sucks because it is such a contrast:

I LOVE the idea of serving as an officer in the Army but HATE the

thought of not being in control of my own medical treatment (not that

you necessarily are anyway since you go through docs, but if one is

not knowledgeable you can always move on...not so much in the army i

guess)

HELP! what should i do?

In , " mfb178 " <mfb178@y...> wrote:

>

> How much clomid were you taking a day for 4 months ? What were your

> T,E and LH before the Clomid and after. If Clomid raised your LH

> did it go back to below normal when you discontinued it and how long

> did it take to go back below normal

>

>

> > Hey,

> > I am treated for secondary hypogonadism. First was on clomid for

> > about four months, and since have been on HCG (w/ a small dose of

> > test/week).

> > In any case, I really want to serve in the Army. Actually, I would

> > like to apply to enlist to go to Officer Candidate School.

> > In all honesty, the only thing holding me back is my medical

> treatment.

> > I don't know how to handle this. I assume that if I need daily HCG

> > shots, that would be disqualifying (since insulin therapy for

> diabetes

> > disqualifies). I dont know how they would deal with biweekly T

> shots,

> > but I dont want to go on test. anyway. So I guess my only option is

> > clomid again (which did work, but just OK-probably because it raised

> > estrgoen?). I dont have a problem going back to that while in the

> > Army since it is a worthwhile sacrifice, but I wonder if they will

> > recognize that as a legit medical treatement. After all, at least

> in

> > basic training, you have to get your meds re-prescribed by an army

> > doc. I suppose I could get my current doctor, who is awesome, to

> > explain my diagnosis, etc and that clomid would keep my system

> optimal

> > and am otherwise healthy, but I really fear that they would pretty

> > much " deny " this treatment and then I am legally bound to be in the

> > army for like four years.

> > In short, I really want to serve in the Army. But I ALSO really

> don't

> > want to discontinue treatment (even if it has to be clomid alone)

> > because it has made a profound impact on my life.

> > I guess I am just wondering if anyone has any insight into this

> > situation, particularly if you served in the military (armyguy?).

> > Thanks a ton!

[Guest guest]

Temo16,

I served a short time in the Navy as an officer about 10 years ago.

I received an honorable medical discharge due to my health

problems. As part of my officers training (NROTC), I served

overseas during a couple of summers while attending college. I got

very sick from a tropical illness and EBV infection that almost

killed me. My health was never the same after that, and I ended up

losing my military career because of it. About a year and a half ago

I lost my civilian career as well due to the same health problems.

They have slowly gotten worse over the years.

Knowing what we know today my secondary hypogonadism probably played

a large part in my health problems, but it was undiagnosed at the

time (it seems now that the infection damaged my hypothalamus). The

military doctors didn't test for it, even though I had a lot of the

symptoms. I don't think they knew anything about it. They tested

for thyroid problems but not pituitary or testosterone problems. I

didn't know anything about it at the time, so I didn't know to ask to

be tested.

I understand your desire to serve. It was a longtime dream of mine

to be an officer and pilot. I am not sure what the military's policy

is as far as our condition goes. If you live near an army base you

could try to contact their hospital and talk to a doc there. Who

knows, you may find out that our condition is disqualifing and then

you wouldn't have to worry about the conflict in your mind anymore.

You could have peace in that you investigated the possibility and it

just didn't work out. Or you could try to arrange to have your

physical before you signed any papers - not sure if they would do

that or not.

I guess I would be very careful. In my experience military and VA

docs can be very good at treating typical illness and injury, but

when it comes to poorly understood conditions like ours, they seem to

fall far short. And you are right in that the military " owns " you -

you would have to abide by whatever their doctors decided.

Military life is also very stressful when you are perfectly healthy.

Trying to serve while living with a chronic health condition would be

extremely stressful, i would think. But everyone is different.

Do you have symptoms at all? I ask because if you have any of the

typical symptoms (fatigue, inability to concentrate, etc), your

condition has the potential to put yourself or others at risk. Going

to the navy docs and admitting I had some health problems that were

getting to be too much for me was one of the hardest things I ever

had to do, but I take solace in the fact that I may have saved lives

by doing so.

If you are feeling fine and haven't had symptoms in a long time I

would say investigate the possibilities if you really want to take

the risks. But keep in mind all the risks I mentioned. And you also

may be limited in your choice of duties due to having to be on

injections or medication (not that your choice always matters in duty

assignment - it is usually the last thing they consider). And the

army docs might decide to change your treatment and then you might be

screwed.

I don't mean to be negative, but I wanted to try to paint a realistic

picture for you. Your desire to serve is honorable, but a decision

in your case not to would be honorable as well - you would be putting

your concerns for others over your own concerns.

Mark

[Guest guest]

I just reread your post. If you didn't do as well on clomid, I would

definitely rule that out as an option - you have to be at your best

to deal with the physical and mental stresses of military life. Any

impairment will end up putting you in a bad situation. You might do

like I did and push yourself until you got in very bad shape.

Therefore, if you don't want to go back on T (don't blame you if HCG

is working well) and you know that daily shots are disqualifying ( i

would imagine that they are), then I think your question is

answered. Even if you got in, most military docs are extremely

conventional and would be likely to make you go back on T.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Phil makes good points. Keep in mind that there are many ways to

serve your country besides the military.

Mark