Can changes in testosterone levels cause chronic prostatitis?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 30-year-old male having chronic prostatitis of unknown etiology as said by the doctor (done cultures, MRI(magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound, and digital rectal exam, but all are negative). Yet, persistently high tPSA of 9 to 12. I am trying to investigate if there are other less well-documented causes of prostatitis perhaps from a hormonal perspective. Is testosterone level a factor in chronic prostatitis?

Can you recommend some other tests to check if something is out of balance in my hormones causing prostatitis?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern. I do not know of any hormonal causes that directly cause chronic prostatitis from my experience or review of the literature. If not checked, please check for raised blood glucose levels or diabetes. If they have not been checked so far, the thyroid function - TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and Free T4 (triiodothyronine) can be checked.

If you have any symptoms like low libido or erectile dysfunction, then please check testosterone levels, SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), and albumin.

For the treatment, medicines like Finasteride or Dutasteride are commonly prescribed for chronic prostatitis. They act by preventing the conversion of testosterone to di-hydro-testosterone and may be beneficial for chronic prostatitis. Please check with your doctor or urologist and see if they would be appropriate for you.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.