Testostrone Gel-Anyone used?

[Artista]

I go to a good doctor and I wanted to run all the labs and see my numbers. (Comprehensive yearly physical/labs) Turns out my testosterone is low and estrogen up. No major noticable symptoms at all other than some recent urges to decorate and hang up curtains.

Slight fatigue lately so this could be the issue.

He gave me a Rx for testostrone which I took thinking to fill it, since it would help me make some gains in the gym. Yeah it lowers sperm count but since I am not looking to have kids anytime soon, if ever, I do not care.

Thoughts? Anyone do the gel before?

 

[shadow_k]

Gel testostrone? really most be snake oil

Edit: made a idoit out of myself duh!

not commonly used in the UK or ever used mostly injection or tablet is given
most common side affect will be hairloss if taking testosterone therapy

if you want quick results injection is your best option

 

[alkemyst]

Gel testostrone? really most be snake oil

/facepalm.

OP, the gel is really a last resort if needles bother you or if you are on a very low dose.

gels are also not good for those that sweat a lot or shower after application.

Usually with HRT they will prescribe HCG and an estrogen blocker along with it.

What dosages are you recommended?

 

[Artista]

I will have to look up the dose when I get home. I am supposed to rub on one tube a day. He gave me some coupons and stuff. I did ask about estrogen blocker and that he said was second line in standard of care.

That doesn't make sense to me because my body could be making all the testosterone it needs but then converts it to estrogen. So like you, Alkemyst, say I think he should prescribe a estrogen blocker.

Like I say I have no symptoms at all, sex drive is great, no man boobs, fairly lean, etc. Just a little belly fat but not much. (Beer, pizza and wings-Which are now off the list of accepted eats.)

Perhaps this is why I have slight fatigue and cannot make gains in gym?

 

[alkemyst]

Testosterone is a major key element in a man's total well-being. Low-T can affect brain function, cause high blood pressure/heart disease, fat gain and definitely affects energy.

I am looking at doing a stack with 200mg testosterone cypionate, 100mg Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca-Durabolin), 0.5ml HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (10,000 IU/10ml) and then the estrogen blocker Anastrozole (Arimidex) After 8 weeks, I stop the Deca. It's going to help my shoulder recovery right now though.

The downside is these all add up to about $40 a week.

***edited to clarify dosages and actual compounds***

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Doesn't your test production go down naturally as you age? What exactly is considered low?

I think usually you'd only be using an estrogen blocker/serm after your body's shut down and you've cycled off your aas. You should have it on hand in case you get some bad side effects like puffy nips. Also wouldn't you need to take some support supps for increased bp, liver toxicity, etc?

Your doctor sounds kind of sketchy.

 

[alkemyst]

Testosterone production goes down with age...at 16, it's like 700-800 as normal. Then 50 points or so a decade lower becomes 'normal'.

However; docs are beginning to disagree that 'normal' is ok.

When you get down below 400, bad mojo starts to happen in men...normal is like mid 300 to 1600. Below 300 and you will definitely have a lot of issues, many of which rarely get diagnosed properly as a hormone issue.

We aren't talking 'bodybuilder' doses here. They probably cycle what I would be doing in 10 weeks in a few days. What works for them in terms of e-blockers and the like don't work the same on long-term therapy.

As you are getting testosterone via external methods, your body's own production drops (and secondary affects like testicle atrophy take place).

HCG can counter a lot of this as it tells your body to keep making T and your nuts stay normal.

The Deca is a proven steroid that is helpful in joint injury recovery especially in pain mitigation.

The e-blocker is at low dose as well.

There is not a lot of danger to liver / kidneys (even which orals at this dose, however; orals esterize a lot). Blood pressure tends to improve in many, but you have to get check ups with this since it's easy to go too high if you just try to guess at doses. Also prostate function must be tracked as limiting testosterone is the most effective method once one gets diagnosed with prostate cancer and testosterone therapy is a major contradiction to treatment of it.

This is a common prescription. Saying the doc sounds sketchy shows one's inexperience in it much like the second poster's belief that hormone gels are snake oil.

 

[Pantlegz]

What sort of doctor do you see to get tested? I've been thinking of getting my levels checked, mostly just to make sure everything is ok.

 

[alkemyst]

Any doctor can test you. It's a standard fasting blood test where a full spectrum is looked at. However, you'd probably be better off going to a doctor that does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) from the start as most primary care docs are just going to look at the 'normal ranges' on things. Another key factor is free-test in the blood. Levels below 9 are very bad.

For HRT recommendations, I saw a cardiologist that added it to his practice when he found how it was helping his patients with their heart conditions.

A lot of men even in their 30's are benefiting from it even.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Testosterone production goes down with age...at 16, it's like 700-800 as normal. Then 50 points or so a decade lower becomes 'normal'.

However; docs are beginning to disagree that 'normal' is ok.

When you get down below 400, bad mojo starts to happen in men...normal is like mid 300 to 1600. Below 300 and you will definitely have a lot of issues, many of which rarely get diagnosed properly as a hormone issue.

We aren't talking 'bodybuilder' doses here. They probably cycle what I would be doing in 10 weeks in a few days. What works for them in terms of e-blockers and the like don't work the same on long-term therapy.

As you are getting testosterone via external methods, you bodie's own production drops (and secondary affects like testicle atrophy take place).

HCG can counter a lot of this as it tells your body to keep making T and your nuts stay normal.

The Deca is a proven steroid that is helpful in joint injury recovery especially in pain mitigation.

The e-blocker is at low dose as well.

Their is not a lot of danger to liver / kidneys (even which orals at this dose, however; orals esterize a lot). Blood pressure tends to improve in many, but you have to get check ups with this since it's easy to go too high if you just try to guess at doses. Also prostate function must be tracked as limiting testosterone is the most effective method once one gets diagnosed with prostate cancer and testosterone therapy is a major contradiction to treatment of it.

This is a common prescription. Saying the doc sounds sketchy shows one's inexperience in it much like the second poster's belief that hormone gels are snake oil.

Definitely not experienced in it. What you posted makes sense. I guess sketchy sounds hasty. In the context of "normal" vs bodybuilder it sounds reasonable.

 

[CPA]

i used to take the testosterone precursor Andro Gel several years ago. then they took it off the market. It made a big difference, but it also certainly changed my mood/behavior and not for the better. But that was in a normal, healthy male. If you're low and using prescription products at the levels the docs advise, then you should be good.

 

[SilthDraeth]

I am 31, had my levels tested. I have had several sports injuries over the years, have become a bit obese, but until last few months still had super good sex drive. Sex drive was low, so I got tested.

My paperwork says normal is 320-1180 something like that. My levels where down to 380.

My doctor prescribed me some as well.

Though I order mine tomorrow. Anyways, my doc said, ignore any instructions they give you on where to put the cream and put it on the underside, ie body side of your arms, not outside of them. That part of most people's arms is still soft skin like baby skin. Where as other parts of skin are sun exposed and tougher.

Anyways, I don't see why you shouldn't do it, if doc prescribed it.

 

[Sust]

Good initial read.
Makes me wonder if I should be looking into this more in depressed outpatients... OP, how much did this fancy testosterone testing cost you and how much did it cost the insurance company?
PM me if youre not comfortable mentioning that in public.

 

[MustISO]

I had mine checked as part of my yearly physical. It was low but I don't have any baseline's to go back to for a history. Doc thought it was fine since it was in range, just on the low end of the scale.

 

[alkemyst]

Good initial read.
Makes me wonder if I should be looking into this more in depressed outpatients... OP, how much did this fancy testosterone testing cost you and how much did it cost the insurance company?
PM me if youre not comfortable mentioning that in public.

It's not much different in cost to a normal glucose/fasting test.

Cost me nothing. The Dr. visit was $100 as he doesn't take insurance.

The meds are $395 for ten weeks.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Pantlegz, my urologist tested me. I have kidney stones now and then, and spoke to the doc about my T levels, and got the blood work done.

But urologist wouldn't treat based on my levels, my primary care doc, called me up after seeing results and recommended treatment.

 

[ussfletcher]

Isn't the gel ridiculously expensive compared to the injections?

 

[alkemyst]

Isn't the gel ridiculously expensive compared to the injections?

Gels run about double what injections do. It really comes down to what one is comfortable with and whether their insurance is covering it.

Many insurance companies will cover testosterone. However things like the HCG and e-blockers, they look at as vanity / cosmetic / unproven still.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

What are the symptoms of low t-levels? How long does treatment last? After 10 weeks your test production stabilizes or do you have to resume treatment after a certain period of time?

 

[SilthDraeth]

My gel costs like 67 a tube. I am told that tube should last me a month, but not 100% on that.

 

[alkemyst]

What are the symptoms of low t-levels? How long does treatment last? After 10 weeks your test production stabilizes or do you have to resume treatment after a certain period of time?

Pretty much not feeling like you are a teenager anymore physically. That's the major signs. However, we aren't immortal either.

As far as what happens after 10 weeks, is a matter of what your test results show and what you are happy with.

Many continue it. Sometimes the levels of the hormones are switched.

Sadly, most insurances don't cover this long term so it's out of pocket for the most part.

To the chumps that bitch about this not being a medical need, but just cosmetic...help them find their mortality quicker. You will also find much of the time those idiots don't even have insurance to begin with.

 

[Cstefan]

/facepalm.

OP, the gel is really a last resort if needles bother you or if you are on a very low dose.

gels are also not good for those that sweat a lot or shower after application.

Usually with HRT they will prescribe HCG and an estrogen blocker along with it.

What dosages are you recommended?

The chances of finding a doctor to do the Test HCG Arimidex combo are slim. Going to a life extension clinic and paying them insane cash will get it.

Gel is overpriced crap. Injection is the only sure delivery method. A doctor will blindly tell you 200mg once every two weeks is a good shot interval and it is not. 100 Once a week is better and 50 every other or third day is very good.

Also a bottle of 200mg/ml 10ml bottle is about 70$ lasting several months. I pay $5 per bottle with insurance.

 

[alkemyst]

The chances of finding a doctor to do the Test HCG Arimidex combo are slim. Going to a life extension clinic and paying them insane cash will get it.

Gel is overpriced crap. Injection is the only sure delivery method. A doctor will blindly tell you 200mg once every two weeks is a good shot interval and it is not. 100 Once a week is better and 50 every other or third day is very good.

Also a bottle of 200mg/ml 10ml bottle is about 70$ lasting several months. I pay $5 per bottle with insurance.

I really don't think you understand this game. Life Extension Clinics usually prescribe much more expensive treatments.

Life Extension <> Life Enjoyment.

Being you say you are in the sticks in NC no less says a lot on your perception.

 

[Cstefan]

Its not a lack of understanding, as I obviously clearly stated you will pay for getting what you want. Not sure where you are coming from.

 

[alkemyst]

Its not a lack of understanding, as I obviously clearly stated you will pay for getting what you want. Not sure where you are coming from.

your experience and stating this is the way the world works.