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Canadian post-colon cancer recovery: low energy, hormones and next steps

9 replies5 peopleJun 21, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

Canadian man after colon cancer treatment with low energy and borderline testosterone considering TRT versus GLP-1 agonists like retatrutide

The thread follows a 51-year-old Canadian man recovering from stage 2 colon cancer who reports persistent low energy, stalled fitness progress and a testosterone reading of 11.6 nmol/L. Participants suggest starting a GLP-1 agonist first for visceral fat loss and possible survival benefit shown in recent colorectal cancer cohort data, while noting that weight reduction may raise natural testosterone. Canadian access to TRT appears more restricted than in the US, often requiring endocrinology referral, and several users stress confirming iron status and fresh labs before any hormone therapy. The original poster plans clinic and GP visits but remains undecided.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether to trial a GLP-1 agonist before pursuing TRT or to seek TRT directly through a clinic versus waiting for specialist referral

Still open

Whether TRT affects recurrence risk after colon cancer and what the next lab values will show after iron correction

Nothing here is advice.

9 replies · 5 people
RustAlder36archiveopening postJun 21

I am 51 and was in excellent health about four years ago, working out twice a day most days with one rest day a week. Then everything changed with a new career, COVID, and a colon cancer diagnosis. The tumour had been growing for years and invaded surrounding tissue, yet after surgery all 46 sampled sites came back negative and I avoided chemo, dropping my staging to 2. Six months later my diet has shifted, alcohol is out, creatine no longer works for me, and I am making zero fitness gains for the first time. At 51 my energy remains far below what I used to have.

ClearKettle55archiveJun 22

I figure starting that compound ahead of the replacement therapy makes sense for me. Shedding excess pounds could restore my self-assurance along with physical endurance. Excess tissue functions similarly to a gland by emitting chemical signals and creates drag on vitality levels. That substance can reduce accumulated internal fat along with excess fluid and swelling, resulting in a clear uptick in how I feel. It also involves fewer ongoing issues compared to the therapy. Therefore trying it first seems worthwhile to me.

CopperSignal27archiveJun 22

In Australia doctors usually advise weight loss first when testosterone is low and the patient is overweight. Starting a GLP like reta and dropping weight often raises natural testosterone so extra testosterone may not be required. Canada probably follows a similar specialist-only route. One recent study showed markedly better survival for colon cancer patients on GLP therapy, and early data on breast cancer plus preclinical work point the same way. No research exists yet on reta specifically with cancer, but it appears to match tirz and sema effects elsewhere. I would check with an expert on whether testosterone therapy influences cancer growth.

AmberTimber37archiveJun 22

I spotted a mention here about GLP1 meds along with Retatrutide and how they cut cancer chances while boosting survival odds after diagnosis. I ought to hunt down that reference since it could relate to my case.

RustAlder36archiveJun 23
↳ replying to @ClearKettle55

Thanks for replying to my question. Being new here, I'm trying to come up with some kind of strategy. People seem to disagree on the best approach. Right now my height is 183cm and weight 98kg, which isn't too bad but I'm not satisfied with it either. The scale shows my body fat percentage at 17.5, except it ran out of battery earlier and spent the day plugged in. BMI doesn't matter much since I've always thrown that calculation way off. Shedding some pounds should boost my testosterone levels, and I'm aware my current food intake is excessive. In earlier times I kept strict control over my daily intake and nutrient breakdown, so repeating that won't be an issue. Still, this extended stretch of feeling drained is unlike anything I've experienced before. Appreciate the input once more.

RustAlder36archiveJun 23
↳ replying to @CopperSignal27

Thanks for the input! Canada seems nearer to how Australia handles this than the States do. Even so, private clinics appear in plenty of towns and handle a fair amount of the therapy, with some virtual doctor services popping up too. Most physicians want readings under 8 nanomoles, and mine came back at 11.6 on the last check. Over the border a figure under 12 often works. I remember reading that GLP ties into stronger cancer results, maybe just from cutting general swelling. Testosterone draws more argument, including some disputed points about prostate effects. Fresh studies keep pushing back on older claims that the therapy could raise cancer odds. I no longer qualify for the provincial cancer service after my clear operation findings. A specialist got pulled in at one point, yet I've only spoken with my family doctor and the surgeon. A hormone expert looks like the next step, so I'll request a referral there. I also noticed some web-based routes for those same referrals. Appreciate the notes once more—plenty to weigh now.

AmberCompass48archiveJun 23

I had been planning to handle my own injections and rely solely on lab tests afterward, yet received strong pushback both in this forum and elsewhere online. It looks like involving an actual medical facility and physician is favored, although many such places appear focused mainly on profiting from patients. I've pulled away from that approach since then, even though I did my initial shot earlier in the week, and I'm still looking into everything involved. The wiki from that testosterone subreddit is what I'm going through right now. We're around the same age, and hearing about your cancer situation is unfortunate; I underwent a similar procedure recently myself.

RustAlder36archiveJun 23
↳ replying to @AmberCompass48

I appreciate the link to that discussion. Just wrapped up going through it. Tomorrow I'm on a call with the Canadian treatment place, plus seeing my regular doctor Thursday. Doubt my family physician will do much, perhaps just send me to a hormone specialist. Priority right now is getting updated bloodwork done. Previous results showed elevated RDW and low iron stores, but the rest checked out okay, even if the testosterone level is on the lower side by some standards. The clinic seems to charge for an initial chat then ongoing for the medication. I'll find out details in the coming days. Been reading around online forums for a long time, especially those focused on weight loss meds and hormone replacement. Can't rush into anything until my iron levels improve, which I'm addressing with supplements for now. Back to exercising and jogging, though energy remains an issue.

CopperSignal27archiveJun 23
↳ replying to @RustAlder36

I recall a paper looking at these GLP-1 receptor agonists in relation to colorectal cancer outcomes from a big population study. Folks using them showed overall death rates of 11.5 percent versus 20.4 percent among those who did not, with a hazard ratio of 0.58. Spread rates came in at 5.3 percent against 8.9 percent. Assuming the findings hold they point to roughly cutting both risks in half which could outperform several common cancer approaches. The backing appears firmer than what backs many add-on or herbal options at present. Given my decades of bowel inflammation yet a recent clear exam I might lean toward trying it if facing that diagnosis even though physicians will not endorse it now. You appear to get the available choices around testosterone replacement along with the access hurdles. Blocking men from this therapy draws less protest than the equivalent for women but bias and odd ideas about boosting male hormones as some kind of shortcut factor in. The clinics that stepped up to fill gaps often supply it to anyone requesting which probably overshoots in the opposite direction.

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