Chemo-radiation, sarcopenia and Testosterone supplementation

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Doctors, my 68 years old father has been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. He’s scheduled for 5 weeks of chemo-radiation therapy, 5 days per week.

He has been diabetic since his 40th year. He has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (1.6 mg/dl serum creatinine against a reference range of 0.7 - 1.4 mg/dl). Which led to the urologist reducing his dietary protein to 25 gm/day. This led him to become significantly sarcopenic, weighing 65kg at a height of 5’6". I discussed with the doctor and he allowed the protein consumption up to 65gm/day.

I taught him free squats (30 per day) since last month or so before he was diagnosed with cancer. I regret not getting him under the bar much earlier, when I had a chance.

BBM video on sarcopenia states that it is one of the factors that contribute to mortality in post chemo-radiation, even when cancer has regressed. I understand that Testosterone supplementation does increase the base amount of muscle mass one carries. So, I wanted to ask you if it is a practical idea to provide testosterone or similar anabolic supplementation through his chemo-radiation therapy phase.

2

At the current time, we do not recommend testosterone therapy in the absence of clinical hypogonadism.

3

Austin, any general recommendation you can suggest to help my father cope up better with the therapy and possible surgery that might follow?

4

I’d recommend consuming as much protein as his doctors feel is safe for him, training to build strength and muscle mass (and remaining as active as possible even when not training), and building a strong social support system. If he has fears, anxiety/depression, or other psychological issues, pursuing counseling and/or psychotherapy may be of benefit as well.

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5

Thanks, Austin. My dad’s nephrologist recommended the same. Ramping up protein intake, keep training and continue in a positive state of mind.