Androgel (5g) vs HGH (Better of the two?)

[Kryptonite_10]

Question for the senior guys on here.

I'm new to the forum but have been doing some reading/research and I'm looking for some 'real-life' experience and feedback as it relates to Androgel (5g) and HGH (Human Growth Hormone). I just got some blood work done to check 'Total Testosterone' and it came back 1.8 (which is on the low side). The chart the doctor had given indicates a normal range for male would be 2.8 - 8.0 (seems like quite a wide range). Anyway, the doctor wants to give me a prescription of Androgel (5g patch) to start (guess that doc. just playing it safe which is fine). I actually, went for the blood test to meet the requirement needed to proceed with the Oasis Longevity & Rejuvenation Institute's hormone deficiency program. I was interested in their HGH program. So, my question is this:

1) I obviously want to increase my testosterone levels to assist me both physically and mentally. Insurance will cover the Androgel patch which is a definate plus! But will the patch actually give me REAL RESULTS in terms of both mood and physical muslce size?

2) Or, should I skip the local doctor recommendation of the Androgel patch (5g) and submit my paper work to Oasis and just go for the HGH program? Again, I'm looking for 'real-results' mentally and physically. What can I truely expect from the patch vs HGH therapy?

Oh, one last thing. I would love to continue to compete in a 'Natural Bodybuilding' show later this year. Just wondering if these options show up as positive in steriod testing? From what I've read HGH probably won't show up because very few organization have the means to test for it.

Any help would be appreciated. Especially, from those who have gone down this road.

P.S. Yes, that's me in the pic (just did a show a few weeks ago) and looking to put a little size on over the next few months.

Thank you in advance,
Kryptonite 10

[Ufa]

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[balin]

I used androgel when I first started hrt and did feel better and added a little more size, mostly regained some muscle that I had a few years earlier most likely. HGH wouldnt show up in a blood test. And the test should be ok as long as you keep it in the "normal" ranges.

[Kryptonite_10]

Thank you for the feedback 'Ufa' & 'balin'. I was kind of leaning toward just going with Oasis right out of the gate.

Thanks again...

[Teabagger]

I would not use a "patch". If you go with Androgel you will most likely want to be at 10 grams per day. Only about 10% of the test from the gel gets to your bloodstream, giving you about 10 mg per day. Seeing as how a healthy young male produces about 7 mg test per day, you will be slightly over normal, or supranormal as they say. I'm on 10 gram per day of Androgel and am doing ok. It does supply the most stable level, you have less ups and downs than with the injectible tests which equates to potentially fewer sides. I have not used Oasis but have talked to them and they sound like they have their stuff together. It all boils down to preferance and cost. You have to compare. I get the Androgel from my Uro and insurance pays. I use gensci hgh from china. I'm satisfied with both. I have supplemented my androgel with test C for a short run. Just my 2 cents...good luck...and keep growing.

[UpstateNY]

I was using Androgel and found that I had less ups and downs but didn't get near the results I have with injections. To combat the sign wave action, my Dr cut the dose in half and doubled the frequency. I now take 1/2 ml every 5 days . My free and total test shot up from off the bottom of the chart to 1018 (1ml/ once per wk). I feel great and the only negative side effect is I seem to be more suseptable to acne if I drink any alcohol or eat any chocolate. I can live with that.

[Ufa]

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[Kryptonite_10]

Decided to go with the HGH program based on what I've read and all the feedback I've received. Thanks everyone! Will be starting the program next week some time. It's more costly then going with a straight testosterone program but I think long term it will be worth it. Hopefully, I can recoop some of the cost from my insurance provider (Cigna - OPEN ACCESS PLUS ) but I'll have to submit the paper work myself. If anyone has any experience with Cigna and doing an HGH program through Oasis let me know. Would love to be able to cover some of this by my insurance.

[john5]

bro that would be wrong to compete in a natural bb contest , im sure others do it , but its just wrong!

if you wanna compete you know where you should be doing it, dont take away from someones hard work naturaly by cheating him!

[Kryptonite_10]

Feedback noted. Thanks guys.

[Ufa]

edit.

[Kryptonite_10]

Update: In regard to Cigna (OPEN ACCESS PLUS) and having my insurance pick up some of the cost. NO LUCK! Cigna told me that since it's 'self administered injections' that they would only cover it if I was using an 'IN NETWORK' Dr. being used (Oasis is 'Out of Network') so they won't cover.

Thought I would just offer others my experience since I went back and forth with Cigna with the paper work only to find out they don't cover it anyway.

[Mobligator]

john, I think it is a personal decision. One could argue that you are cheating life by being a little stronger than the other guy. Getting the girl. Movie stars,
to old people are just trying to stay as healthy as they can. This to me is
much better than smoking and drinking and eating junk food.

I'll second that!

[Spyke]

HGH and test are like apples and oranges.

If you have low test levels, you need to be on test to correct that. Adding some hgh to a test program may be something to look at later. My doc will only put me on hgh if my hgh levels are low.