blood test question

[clb1]

I have been on hrt for about 6 mo. When I first got tested my total test was 132. Dr started me on 5 g of androgel . He then retested me about 2 mo later and total test was 385. He still said that was 2 low he then doubled the dose to 10 gr per day and retested 6 wks later. my level then was 768 total. I cant remember the free test levels then. About a wk before I got my most recent test I developed a nasty skin rash. and did not use the gel for about a wk before my blood was drawn. to my shock my dr today told me that my total level was only 88. But my free test was 2.5. Is a wk of not using the gel enough to drop the levels of test this low. or am I looking at someother issue. the doc thought that not using it for a wk could lower it that much. thks alot for any help

[Mobligator]

I have been on hrt for about 6 mo. When I first got tested my total test was 132. Dr started me on 5 g of androgel. He then retested me about 2 mo later and total test was 385. He still said that was 2 low he then doubled the dose to 10 gr per day and retested 6 wks later. my level then was 768 total. I cant remember the free test levels then. About a wk before I got my most recent test I developed a nasty skin rash. and did not use the gel for about a wk before my blood was drawn. to my shock my dr today told me that my total level was only 88. But my free test was 2.5. Is a wk of not using the gel enough to drop the levels of test this low. or am I looking at someother issue. the doc thought that not using it for a wk could lower it that much. thks alot for any help

According to the flyer that comes with your androgel , which is the same info given in the PDR, when you stop taking it after reaching steady state serum testostosterone levels, it remains in the normal range for 24- 48 hours at which time it then returns to pretreatment level. What happened when you were taking the Gel, your body quit making its natural test, (which you said was 132) and your levels from the Gel dropped to 88. Sounds just about right. You might want to suggest to your doc to give you an Rx for injectable test.

[balin]

This is copied from the androgel insert

"When AndroGel™ treatment is discontinued after achieving
steady state, serum testosterone levels remain in the normal
range for 24 to 48 hours but return to their pretreatment levels
by the fifth day after the last application."

As Mobligator said your own T levels were down supressed by the gel you were taking.

[Kale]

Get off that gel shit and get onto injectable Test at 100mg per week. You will not look back

[zaggahamma]

yes...normal to have happened...i did the same thing on similar doses of androgel and total test dropped in half of PRETREATMENT levels when i was tested after not applying for a few days

I think my skin was starting to redden from the ED applications also...good luck man...all good advice