New and a couple of questions

[Leroy Jenkins]

Hello. I have been reading a lot here and this is a great board with great people.

I originally thought I was having thyroid problems as it is in my genetics. Doctor did my bw and thyroid was fine but total T was 327. Some of the symptoms of low T are similar to thyroid. He gave me a shot and started me on Androgel 1.62% 2 pumps. Within a few days I felt great. I don't think it was a placebo effect as I was experiencing physical improvements as well as mental. I slowly started going back to normal and had bw a month later. My total T was 490. I felt only slightly better than before and he upped me to 3 pumps. A month later my bw showed I was down to 397? He said I need to go on injections and he will let me self administer.

My questions:
1) Is there a specific form of injectable T that is better? Perhaps my doc will give me a choice.
2) My doc does not recommend injecting in the thigh. He said it is more painful and he prefers the glute. Any thoughts? I have never injected myself but used to give my wife allergy shots. She will inject me if I cant do myself lol.

About me: 40 years old, 6', 210 lbs, about 18-20% bf, I run twice a week and lift 3 times per week.

Thanks.

[kelkel]

Did you pull your blood at the same time, each time, relative to the application of agel? That makes a difference as you will get a swing in levels during the day. It needs to be consistent if you stick with gel. you should get the bw done first thing in the a.m. prior to application so the test is 24 hours after your last application. This will show your trough level. I still use agel 1.62% x 6 pumps per day and my levels are great.

If you switch to injections T cypionate is preferred. Injections at least every 7 days as it has about a 5-7 day half-life. Glutes are the norm but a few guys here are now switching to sub Q shots. Amount of T depends on you, how you metabolize it, your doctors knowledge base, etc. Standard protocol is usually around 100mg to start. Some guys here are around 200 or so. Everyone is different and you have to find what works for you. More is not always better. It can make you feel like crap. You may also have to consider HCG to control testicular atrophy as well as an AI for Estrogen control. You need to have/post complete bloodwork as you go along to make an informed decision as to what you need. Some guys here are excellent at interpreting BW and can help you greatly. Crisler gives examples of BW that should be requested.

Make sure you read all the stickies at the top of our forum as well as Crisler's protocols. www.allthingsmale.com.

And, welcome to the forum. Keep us posted on this thread please. You'll be amazed at the help you receive.

[zaggahamma]

^what the veiney one said^

welcome

[kelkel]

they love me at labcorp and blood drives.....

[steroid.com 1]

^what the veiney one said^



welcome

^^x2

[Leroy Jenkins]

Thank you kelkel. The 327 (before Agel) and 397 (2 months on) were both in the afternoon around the same time. The 490 was in the morning one month after 2 pumps. My doc does not follow the protocol set by Dr Crisler. He is only looking at total T. It sounds like I need to tactfully educate him. He is open minded and wants to help which sounds like I am ahead of the game so far. Also, my insurance is covering so I need to stick with him.

I do know that I felt really good after getting the initial shot in his office. It took about 2 days to kick in but it was like turning on the old me. I go in next week to learn how to inject. He does bw every month until we get my levels right. I will show him Crislers protocols.

[steroid.com 1]

Did you pull your blood at the same time, each time, relative to the application of agel? That makes a difference as you will get a swing in levels during the day. It needs to be consistent if you stick with gel. you should get the bw done first thing in the a.m. prior to application so the test is 24 hours after your last application. This will show your trough level. I still use agel 1.62% x 6 pumps per day and my levels are great.

If you switch to injections T cypionate is preferred. Injections at least every 7 days as it has about a 5-7 day half-life. Glutes are the norm but a few guys here are now switching to sub Q shots. Amount of T depends on you, how you metabolize it, your doctors knowledge base, etc. Standard protocol is usually around 100mg to start. Some guys here are around 200 or so. Everyone is different and you have to find what works for you. More is not always better. It can make you feel like crap. You may also have to consider HCG to control testicular atrophy as well as an AI for Estrogen control. You need to have/post complete bloodwork as you go along to make an informed decision as to what you need. Some guys here are excellent at interpreting BW and can help you greatly. Crisler gives examples of BW that should be requested.

Make sure you read all the stickies at the top of our forum as well as Crisler's protocols. www.allthingsmale.com.

And, welcome to the forum. Keep us posted on this thread please. You'll be amazed at the help you receive.

Nice work kel.

[kelkel]

You have to go with what works. Some people just don't respond to or absorb the gels well. We are all different. It sounds like you have a doc that is willing to learn, which is a big plus. A lot of guys here go through several doctors until they find one willing to do more than slap on gel. You need to make sure you get the proper BW done, ah-la Crisler if possible. Your free T is especially important. It's what's useful to your body. You can have a very high total T level but if your free level is low, it's useless. Bio-Available T would be great to know also.

Eventually speak to him about HCG and E levels. Exogenous T will shut you down and eventually (not always) cause testicular atrophy. If he gives you a hard time about it ask him what he would do if his nuts began to shrink and there was a readily available cure for it? It's not just cosmetic, it helps complete out hormone pathways and keep you functioning. Also, like I've said a whole lot here, sign the HIPA form the next time you get bw done and have the fax you your lab work ahead of time so you can educate yourself for your doc visit and not go in "blind", so to speak.

good luck bud!