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What Causes Acne On Back Area Inspite Of Being On Testosterone?

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Posted on Wed, 8 Apr 2015
Question: I hope so. 55yr old male. Started with the gym and testosterone treatments. Doing good for a while now my back has flared up bad with acne that will not go away told about Accutane; but told would lower my test. Also told about Doryx & Tetracycline. I am always tires as it is. What do you recoomend?When coming up with an answer. What dosage (mg) how many times a day. With food or not, How long do you project I will be on it.

XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I recommend clindamycin and adapalene

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. If at all you did not already know sir, the acne on your back is most probably a side effect of the testosterone supplements as they have been commonly reported. But I would also like to advice the use of a personal towel over any surface you place your back on in the gym (as these are publicly used) and bodily fluids from other individuals can cause an acne aggravation on your back.

Accutane has reported to lower testosterone levels, but this is not seen in every individual and if you wish to try it out, then you could monitor your testosterone levels for a while sir to see if accutane is causing a lowering of your levels.

Both tetracycline and doryx (with the active ingredient doxycycline) are antibiotics and are mainly used for bacterial infections. Although tetracyclines have shown good promise with acne, the main antibiotic use for acne is clindamycin.

I would recommend a topical applicant containing clindamycin and adapalene (e.g. faceclin). This is a topical ointment and should be used twice a day after washing the affected region with a mild soap and drying it. You can use it in the morning, and then again before bedtime. Try not to sweat or wash the area after application for at least an hour after application of the ointment. Can be applied anytime, nothing to do with meals sir. In my opinion, clindamycin is more effective that doryx and tetracyclines in this particular situation. But accutane will also do the job if you are willing to try it.

As for duration of use, this mainly depends on your response sir. If you see an improvement and good response, then I would recommend using it for as long as it takes to clear the acne. But if there is no improvement even after 2-3 weeks of use, then please do write back to me and I shall guide you from there.

A few other tips include:

+Drink plenty of water
+Change your clothing as soon as you set, or at the earliest
+Take a shower after your workouts
+Avoid consumption of large amounts of red meat
+Use a personal and clean towel or mat on all surfaces that you lay your back on in public places
+Avoid consumption of fried/oily/fatty food
+Do not scratch or burst any of the acne on your back

I would also like you to know sir that the acne is most probably a side effect of the testosterone, and there is a mild chance that the acne may improve or not, and even if it improves it may not completely disappear or clear until the testosterone supplements are discontinued.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (14 minutes later)
I understand. Can you please pick one of the 3 I inquired about and will follow up with other items. Not that easy to put anything on my back I can't reach.

Thanks XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
oral tablet 500 mg tetracycline for 2 weeks (at least)

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX

In that case I would choose the tetracycline which has to be taken in the following dosage for acne:

One 500 mg tablet to be taken twice a day (breakfast and dinner), immediately after food or with food for at least 2 weeks or more

Please write back to me after two weeks reporting your progress, and I shall let you know if you need to continue the medication further or not. I hope this is more suitable for you, and I also wish you a speedy and safe recovery.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (35 minutes later)
Also, told taurine as a supplement
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Taurine + vitamin B complex :)

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes taurine can be taken as a supplement but will also require vitamin B complex, as vitamin B complex (mainly B3 and B6) help in the absorption of taurine, so you can initiate both these supplements as well. But please note sir, it may take some time to clear but results should be guaranteed. :)

Best of luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (46 hours later)
One other thing. Doctor prescribed 200 shot of test a week. My blood pressure is up. From like 180/80 to 187/107 which I pulled last week. Is test raising it and how bad is that. And any recommendations,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need anti-hypertensives sir, pls speak to your doc

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Hypertension is a rare side effect of the testosterone shots. You seem to already have a raised blood pressure level and this level is indeed high, requiring management with blood pressure medications.

I would recommend the initiation of anti-hypertensive medications but only your prescribing doctor would know best as to which drugs to initiate in your specific case, as your doctor would know your background and history the best.

I doubt the testosterone shots are contributing much, and whether they are or not your blood pressure levels warrant correction with medication.

Best wishes sir.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (36 hours later)
Hypertension. Got it. Don't have insurance or doctor. What do they usually take for that? How much of a dose and how often?
Doc, Have multiple of issues; this is the last one I will take ur time up with.
Have blood in my stool for about 2-3 years now. Now everyday and getting worse.
Wife thinks bleeding ulser but my stomache feels fine. I think it is spinal bleeding.
Read that can also do it. Had shattered disc in my back for about 12 years. Finally had it taken out but have nerve dmg. Nothing crazy but annoying at times. Anyway; took a shot to the back shortly after operation. What do you think. Is loosing blood going to make me tired or have anyother affect. Is there anything I can take to ofset that? Thanks Doc.
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please do not think you are bothering me, I love hearing from you

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again Mr. XXXXXXX

Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything. My time is for all those who need my help, and so please do not ever hesitate or think that you are taking up too much of my time. I want you to always think of me every time you have any doubt or issue, I am always here to help.

As for hypertension, the fee for a consultation varies from country to country sir and in Russia the charges would be about 20-30 $, whereas, in XXXXXXX it would be about 150-200 $.

Treating hypertension depends on finding the best and most suitable drug for that particular individual and the dose accordingly sir, so I cannot really advise you on the particular medication. But if at all there is an issue with your doctor, then we can try figuring something out, but not without at least trying to meet a doctor physically sir, deal?

As for the rectal bleeding, there can be numerous causes for this again sir, and although a disc bulge or stenosis (especially in the lumbar region of the spine) are indeed possibilities, I would prefer if you would first undergo a colonoscopy and rule other causes out before assuming the spinal abnormalities to be the cause.

Yes, blood loss can result in anemia and other deficiencies that can make you feel lethargic and exhausted, so we will have to find the source of the bleed at the earliest sir. Please do write back to me with any other symptoms you have been experiencing like:

+Frequent loose stools
+Constipation
+Abdominal bloating
+Difficulty with certain types of foods (lowered tolerance)
+Bouts of diarrhea without fever
+Pain or burning sensation around lower abdominal or chest region
and others.

I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you further.

Best wishes sir.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Acne On Back Area Inspite Of Being On Testosterone?

Brief Answer: I recommend clindamycin and adapalene Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. If at all you did not already know sir, the acne on your back is most probably a side effect of the testosterone supplements as they have been commonly reported. But I would also like to advice the use of a personal towel over any surface you place your back on in the gym (as these are publicly used) and bodily fluids from other individuals can cause an acne aggravation on your back. Accutane has reported to lower testosterone levels, but this is not seen in every individual and if you wish to try it out, then you could monitor your testosterone levels for a while sir to see if accutane is causing a lowering of your levels. Both tetracycline and doryx (with the active ingredient doxycycline) are antibiotics and are mainly used for bacterial infections. Although tetracyclines have shown good promise with acne, the main antibiotic use for acne is clindamycin. I would recommend a topical applicant containing clindamycin and adapalene (e.g. faceclin). This is a topical ointment and should be used twice a day after washing the affected region with a mild soap and drying it. You can use it in the morning, and then again before bedtime. Try not to sweat or wash the area after application for at least an hour after application of the ointment. Can be applied anytime, nothing to do with meals sir. In my opinion, clindamycin is more effective that doryx and tetracyclines in this particular situation. But accutane will also do the job if you are willing to try it. As for duration of use, this mainly depends on your response sir. If you see an improvement and good response, then I would recommend using it for as long as it takes to clear the acne. But if there is no improvement even after 2-3 weeks of use, then please do write back to me and I shall guide you from there. A few other tips include: +Drink plenty of water +Change your clothing as soon as you set, or at the earliest +Take a shower after your workouts +Avoid consumption of large amounts of red meat +Use a personal and clean towel or mat on all surfaces that you lay your back on in public places +Avoid consumption of fried/oily/fatty food +Do not scratch or burst any of the acne on your back I would also like you to know sir that the acne is most probably a side effect of the testosterone, and there is a mild chance that the acne may improve or not, and even if it improves it may not completely disappear or clear until the testosterone supplements are discontinued. I hope you find my response both helpful and informative sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help. Best wishes.