Good news??? i hope

**1_Grendel** · 02-06-2012, 06:56 PM

Ok I think this is good news but would like some opinions please.

I don’t have the full blood work up the Dr. did not make a copy of it for me; sorry.

The numbers that he talked about besides my cholesterol, weight (doing great) and BP was just my T Level.

44 male
Original T level that put me on 1% androgel was 171
Weight 220
5’11”

Today the DR. said I was at 1071 (yaaa)

He said that was a good, high level and was not worried.

I did not tell him that I was using DMSO.

Last year without the DMSO and my first Blood test on androgel showed me at 241 T level (ya I know huge increase).

Ok I am happy that I fell better and I just need to tell people that know what is going on. My work outs are good and I am know wondering if I even need to add anything else to the mix like 100/200/300 Test E as a blast or anything else. My goal is to get into shape lose BF and fell better.

Like I said I am looking for opinions though I have been here and reading the post for over a year I am still very new.

**kelkel** · 02-06-2012, 08:37 PM

Congrats Grendel. I'm curious about the major difference in T level and if it was only relative to the enhanced absorption capabilities of the dmso or other criteria. Note that moisturizer or suntan lotion will also improve absorption and are listed on the agel 1.62% insert as doing so.

Were both tests taken "pre-application" of the transdermal? In otherwords, 24 hours after the last application. It would also be good to start obtaining copies of all labs yourself. Labcorp is now on-line and you can receive an email notification when results are ready, then just log in and obtain them. It would really be good to see complete BW. Serum T is not as important as Free or Bio Available. SHBG/Albumin and E2 also if you can post them up.

**1_Grendel** · 02-06-2012, 09:41 PM

Thanks

The Blood test was taken 2-3 hours after application no other products were used but the DMSO. I have seen the Dr. orders for the BT and he doesnt ask for anything more than the total T. I have read here were the other numbers are also important but right now I am financially restricted to what the Dr. wants to test for, the extra $$ to get my own test is not in my near future. I will look into the online thing for my test results with the lab i am sent to.

I was worried that the Dr. may cut me off if my T level raised to high because of the added DMSO but I really am elated that he didn’t (I really was worried). Don’t know how to put it but I was worried to say the least but I also wanted to know what my actual medicated T level was.

I am guessing that with your question about the time period after application to when the blood was taken may be a large factor in the high score?

**lovbyts** · 02-07-2012, 02:59 AM

Where did you hear about the DMSO? I have been talking about that for quite some time here when people ask about how to get this or that to absorb better. I figured it should bump the absorption rate up at least 4x with gel. Are you using DMSO gel or liquid? I use both.

**zaggahamma** · 02-07-2012, 08:19 AM

i saw body fat loss and muscle/strength gain on the gel when i first started trt but switched to injections quite soon after and continued the transformation and pretty much had a new body in 6 months...so i guess i cant say you cant primarily use gel alone and meet your goals...
how long have you been on test gel?

**kelkel** · 02-07-2012, 09:19 AM

When I was on agel I always did my bw first thing in the a.m., 24 hrs after application. Logic is you will then know your "trough" level. I did do one test about 6 hrs after application and noted an upswing of around 300 or so. Main thing is to be consistent so you can gauge your results as well as consistency of absorption. If possible get your DHT level tested also.

**DaRoq** · 02-07-2012, 09:53 AM

Has anyone tried 24 Hour Urine tests? Dr. Crisler seems to suggest that it's the proper assay for those on a transdermal regimen. I have no idea what the test consists of, but if that would be a better evaluation method, then I'm going to ask my doctor.

**kelkel** · 02-07-2012, 02:32 PM

Labcorp does them. Crisler likes the Rhein method. Reported to be very accurate and will give a picture of your production over a 24 hr period instead of the snapshot in time from a normal bw draw.

**1_Grendel** · 02-07-2012, 07:10 PM

Lovbyts i read a lot here and post very little i found out about DMSO here. Some people love it others dont. I thought i would give it a try after i did other research on it and i use the liquid in the glass bottle. I have been using it for about 8 months.

ipkman i have been on the gel for about 1 year i started it a month into that transformation contest that was done here. People have said i look better, i have lost weight and i think fat. The main thing that i like is the way i feel and think/attitude, when i was at 171 T level i did not realize how low my mood was. I am still working off the belly fat, i work out 4-5 days a week and have completely changed up my diet (leaner) all thanks to that challenge and the personal help i got; I see bad carbs everywhere i go now

I have increased strength quite a bit but dont know how much can be attributed to the Gel vs hitting the gym hard with a plan. I appreciate the feed back.

**ecdysone** · 02-08-2012, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

If possible get your DHT level tested also.

This is more than just excellent advice!

**HRTstudent** · 02-08-2012, 09:26 PM

When you add the DMSO, do you mean that you pop the top off the androgel ? Because I have the 1.62 and the cap seems to be made that it cannot be removed at all.

**kelkel** · 02-08-2012, 09:51 PM

HRT you would not add it to the agel. You would treat it in the same fashion as moisturizer and apply topically.

**HRTstudent** · 02-08-2012, 10:21 PM

Very interesting....

Are there any threads about this more in depth? I seem to be absorbing androgel quite poorly as per my bloodwork...

**1_Grendel** · 02-09-2012, 01:11 AM

hrt: i will apply the gel and thoroughly rub it into the skin i will then apply the DMSO and thoroughly rub it into the skin; not all that much i have not measured but i would guess just a few cc's. The info that i picked up from here is that you want the DMSO in the glass bottle; some use the gel. i have not tried the gel yet this is due to me liking the liquid and that the gel seems more expensive than the liquid. I believe i read here that the DMSO will absorb the chemicals/properties in the plastic bottles. Do some Google searches on the stuff and see if you are ok with the good and bad that you will read.
hope this helps

**1_Grendel** · 02-09-2012, 01:17 AM

kelkel and ecdysone: thanks i looked up what DHT is. The Dr. has me on a standing order to see him every 3 months i will ask him to explain the DHT test.

kelkel, ecdysone, Are you thinking that the level of my T test may be a problem and the DHT test will show/indicate there may be a problem

**kelkel** · 02-09-2012, 09:37 AM

Need to know your free/bio T levels. Serum total is not that important. Transdermals are known to raise DHT levels so you should keep an eye on it. I'm speaking from personal experience on that particular topic. When I was on agel my dht level went through the roof. Switched to injections and in a month it dropped into a high normal range, exactly where I want it. DHT is the most active androgen in the body and Test converts to DHT everywhere in the body (except muscle) via the 5AR enzyme.

**steroid.com 1** · 02-09-2012, 09:46 AM

DMSO is really not recommended as it's very difficult to measure uptake consistency.

It can also increase DHT to very high levels as well.

I see nothing on E2 levels.

Is the OP on any type of AI?

How are the testicles holding up?