Switched Gels...Disappointed...

**sirupate** · 12-16-2011, 07:04 AM

Had my periodic endo appointment a little over a week ago. My bloodwork looked sort of like this (numbers not at hand):

Total Test. 755 (200-800 range)

Free Test 27 (8-50 range..about)

PSA 1.9 (0-4 range)

So, on 6 pumps of the 1% Agel, I am near the top of the normal range for total and in the middle of the range for free test. Cool...I feel pretty good and am not unhappy with things as of now. Doctor and I discussed switching me over to the 1.62% Agel, and in fact, I think he said the 1% Agel is going away anyway. We didn't discuss dosage as my bloodwork (above) was done after my appointment.

I get a package from my pharma supplier yesterday and sure enough, it contained the 1.62% Agel. Cool, but I see that my dosage is now only 2 pumps per day. WTF? It appears that the doctor has decreased my dosage just when I was feeling pretty good again.

Does anyone know the equivilants between the 1% and the 1.62% Agel? The package insert information seems to be obscure on this question. Mathematically, I'd guess that 6 pumps of the 1% gel should be about 4 pumps of the 1.62% gel. I'm now being prescribed 2 pumps of the 1.62% gel. Again...WTF?

So, the long journey of TRT takes another twist and I am again puzzled and not especially happy.

**kelkel** · 12-16-2011, 08:16 AM

Would your doc respond well to a phone call to up the dosage to the 4 pumps? Otherwise, as you stated, your being downsized! Maybe he just doesn't realize it?

**zaggahamma** · 12-16-2011, 08:18 AM

agree with kel..i'd be on the phone asking politely wtf...i mean wth

**sirupate** · 12-16-2011, 08:56 AM

Yeah...I just called and left a message with his nurse to see if that is what he really intended. I did some more checking and my old dose was 75mg. of test and the new dose is only 40.5mgs....so it was cut in half.

If he meant to cut the dose just because I am near the top of the normal range, I'll be looking for a new doctor. May try a urologist. If that doesn't work, there is an anti-aging clinic in the area. That will be expensive, but will have a better result.

**sparverius** · 12-16-2011, 10:55 AM

I recently switched from 1% to 1.62%. My doc told me that the absorbtion rate is better with the 1.62% so you only need half as much. I think this is what the drug reps are telling the doctors. I was on 8 pumps of 1%, down to 4 of 1.62%. I know he wasn't trying to lower my effective dose. But it doesn't feel the same so I'm going to get blood work done.

This is my first post. I'll write an introduction when I get time.

**yannick35** · 12-16-2011, 10:58 AM

I started on gel had terrible side effects, pain in all my joints weakness, i call the pharmacy and they told me it was a side effect, i really hated it, plus rubbing this everyday not for me.

**zaggahamma** · 12-16-2011, 12:13 PM

800 is a stupid range btw

**kelkel** · 12-16-2011, 12:22 PM

Interesting you say that about absorption. when I was on 1% I'd feel a kind of rush about an hour or so after application. On 1.62 I did not feel that but definitely liked the levels achieved better. Except for the now high DHT issue which I'm resolving....

Welcome to the board Sparv! You'll like it here. Great people, tons of help!

Originally Posted by sparverius

I recently switched from 1% to 1.62%. My doc told me that the absorbtion rate is better with the 1.62% so you only need half as much. I think this is what the drug reps are telling the doctors. I was on 8 pumps of 1%, down to 4 of 1.62%. I know he wasn't trying to lower my effective dose. But it doesn't feel the same so I'm going to get blood work done.

This is my first post. I'll write an introduction when I get time.

**sirupate** · 12-16-2011, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by sparverius

I recently switched from 1% to 1.62%. My doc told me that the absorbtion rate is better with the 1.62% so you only need half as much. I think this is what the drug reps are telling the doctors. I was on 8 pumps of 1%, down to 4 of 1.62%. I know he wasn't trying to lower my effective dose. But it doesn't feel the same so I'm going to get blood work done.

This is my first post. I'll write an introduction when I get time.

Welcome sparv! I think the doctor did remark to me that the 1.62% should be better absorbed than the 1% gel...still...I think the drop in dosage is too much. He seems to drop my dose whenever I start to feel good. Too cautious. I'll report back when I hear from the doctor's nurse.

**Flier** · 12-18-2011, 05:08 AM

I know your PSA is within range, but I usually see it below 1.
Is it stable?

**ecsaaron** · 12-18-2011, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Flier

I know your PSA is within range, but I usually see it below 1.
Is it stable?

Me too. If it goes to 2 I would be concerned. Mine bounces a little depending on dose tweaking

**sirupate** · 12-19-2011, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by Flier

I know your PSA is within range, but I usually see it below 1.
Is it stable?

It is actually 1.39 (1.9 was not correct) and is relatively stable.

**yannick35** · 12-19-2011, 04:53 PM

I really get mad when i read stuff like this, my medical doctor told me i did not need an AI and fixed my dosage at 200mg per 7 days of test E injectable. I was starting to feel terrible again, and i had gain a lot of fat.

This weekend i went to an endo, he gave me masteron , and re arrange my protocol breaking down the injections to twice a week and more.

The medical doctor they often more then none know nothing about TRT, and the effect of testosterone in general, i have heard a lot of horror stories from people that went to see this endo and that came straight from my medical doctor, they started to feel bad at 200mg per 7 days and he upped the dosage to 400mg per week never wanting to prescrib an AI.

When that guy went to the endo he had gained 50 pounds of fat, was bloated has hell and was starting to see major signes of gyno.

Medical doctor who don't understand steroids and TRT should not venture into this pretending to know. Worst is that they are allowed to give you a prescription for this because they are medical doctors and will not be blamed if something goes wrong.