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  1. #1
    Sharkarm is offline New Member
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    Androgel question

    Hi, I have been on 7 pumps of Androgel since August, and my testosterone levels went from230 to 337.

    I went to the endo, had a more complete blood test done, and it came back normal except with a high insulin level (27) and the doctor said it should be around 6. She gave me metformin to bring the levels down, she said the high levels prevented my T levels from rising. She also gave me Androgel 1.62%, four pumps.

    My question is, does it make any sense to split the doses once in the morning, and then again in the afternoon? I am trying to get the best absorption possible.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    kelkel's Avatar
    kelkel is offline HRT Specialist ~ AR-Platinum Elite-Hall of Famer ~ No Source Checks
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    Not really. Apply in the morning and let it mimic your natural rise and fall of T levels. You can increase absorption by applying moisturizer/sunscreen and hour or so after application. It's right in the product insert for 1.62 gel. One member here had great success using dmso to enhance absorption.

    I'm not familiar with her insulin concept but having used agel I would think your levels should be higher. Always test 24 hrs after application and be consistent with that. It will allow you to know your "trough" level. Speak to her about adding in HCG .

    Welcome to the forum and be sure to read all the stickies at the top.

  3. #3
    DaRoq is offline Junior Member
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    You might be able to get better absorption with the 1.62% because it's less gel and you won't have to apply it as thick. Not sure if splitting the dose makes sense unless the 4 pumps is still too much. Personally, I need the shoulders, upper arms & abdomen for 4 pumps. You should also consider exfoliating the application sites if you aren't doing so already. I've been scrubbing with a boar bristle bath brush every morning before applying. I also sometimes apply lotion on top of the gel because it's been shown to increase testosterone levels by 14-17%. Someone here has also suggested that a product called DMSO increases absorption up to 4x! That would mean for every 81mg/day you'd absorb 32.4mg (vs 8.1mg), or 226.8mg/wk. I'll probably only try the DMSO if 4 pumps doesn't get me to where I want to be.


    *Looks like I unintentionally posted redundant information after kelkel.
    Last edited by DaRoq; 02-12-2012 at 12:23 PM.

  4. #4
    Sharkarm is offline New Member
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    Thanks. Is DMSO legal, if so where can you get it?

  5. #5
    Viking13 is offline Associate Member
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    Yes it's legal. I got mine at tractor supply in the vet section for horses.

  6. #6
    DaRoq is offline Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sharkarm View Post
    Thanks. Is DMSO legal, if so where can you get it?
    I found it in a 70% gel at a number of places, including Sears.com, Amazon.com, and other online Vitamin/Supplement stores. There's also a 90% that they sell for pets. I've read that 70-90% is the most effective for skin application, with higher strengths dropping in performance1.

    1Maya Muir, DMSO: Many Uses, Much Controversy

  7. #7
    HRTstudent's Avatar
    HRTstudent is offline HRT Specialist ~ Knowledgeable Member
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    Take it in 1 daily dose. Androgel 1.62 is pretty easy to apply, and even 4 pumps is not much gel. Plus it readily dries.

  8. #8
    Sharkarm is offline New Member
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    Thanks for the input. I picked up some DMSO and was wondering do I put this on before I put the Androgel on?

  9. #9
    kelkel's Avatar
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    Personally I would treat it the same way the insert states to apply moisturizer. Although one member here said he does it within minutes of agel application.

  10. #10
    HRTstudent's Avatar
    HRTstudent is offline HRT Specialist ~ Knowledgeable Member
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    Personallly I don't do the DMSO. If youre under the care of a professional and trying to figure things out, my personal opinion is I would rather get the right pharmaceutical rather than use the wrong pharmaceutical but correct it with something over-the-counter.

    You have options other than androgel afterall. If all gels failed and you did not want to inject or possibly opt for Nebido then and only then would I worry about DMSO.

    As far as your question goes, I doubt it matters much when you do the DMSO whether it's 1 hour or right away. I'd probably do right away just because then it's done. Can't always rub yourself down when you're out living .

  11. #11
    lovbyts's Avatar
    lovbyts is offline Knowledgeable Member
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    I put on the androgel first then the DMSO.

    Remember it's best to do it after a shower and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before and after application.

  12. #12
    HRTstudent's Avatar
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    Always best after a shower (dry off first). That's a good point. Ever since starting androgel I shower so much I think I'm drying my skin out sometimes lol. I was never a 2 shower a day type of person before.

    Also, I scrub vigorously with a luffe and apply to non-hairy areas.

  13. #13
    Sharkarm is offline New Member
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    Does having a white film on skin after applying the Androgel mean poor absobtion? I have been trying the skin moisturizer and it goes away after applying the lotion.

  14. #14
    kelkel's Avatar
    kelkel is offline HRT Specialist ~ AR-Platinum Elite-Hall of Famer ~ No Source Checks
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    No. Your normal.

  15. #15
    HRTstudent's Avatar
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    The white film is normal. Its probably just dried up transdermal carrier.

  16. #16
    zaggahamma's Avatar
    zaggahamma is offline Mr. Moderation
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    Saw my first androgel commercial today on tv...it was talking about its new and improved 1.62 ...seen low t commercials before but never specific products..anyone else see?

  17. #17
    GFA
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    I had the same problems when I tried androgel . Just didnt abosorb it (T went up 50 points).

    I switched to injections.

  18. #18
    zaggahamma's Avatar
    zaggahamma is offline Mr. Moderation
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    Quote Originally Posted by GFA View Post
    I had the same problems when I tried androgel . Just didnt abosorb it (T went up 50 points).

    I switched to injections.
    does that mean u saw the commercial or no

  19. #19
    HRTstudent's Avatar
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    lol...

    I didn't see the commercial but I could see why they advertise it... my insurance gets billed something like 800 dollars to fill my Rx for androgel !

  20. #20
    zaggahamma's Avatar
    zaggahamma is offline Mr. Moderation
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    Quote Originally Posted by hrt View Post
    lol...

    I didn't see the commercial but I could see why they advertise it... my insurance gets billed something like 800 dollars to fill my Rx for androgel!
    yeh u know their makin gajillions on that stuff

  21. #21
    GFA
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    Na didnt see commercial. Funny my insurance will cover super expensive androgel but not my T injections at $80 a vial. Go figure.

    My endo wrote me a script for like 6 months I think. When I filled the prescription they gave me like 10 bottles. I think I still have 6 bottles on my shelf.

  22. #22
    HRTstudent's Avatar
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    lol...

    I didn't see the commercial but I could see why they advertise it... my insurance gets billed something like 800 dollars to fill my Rx for androgel !

  23. #23
    caltiy is offline New Member
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    just wondering.If u just use this androgel and u have never used anything else and your not trying to get huge.
    Will u see any good results at all or is it just not worth it.Im just trying to get a bit of a boost.

  24. #24
    Vettester is offline Banned
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  25. #25
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    If u go into to the ass profile section of the forum and read the insulin posting , you will see the relationship of t and insulin ..

  26. #26
    zaggahamma's Avatar
    zaggahamma is offline Mr. Moderation
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    [QUOTE=vetteman08;5994738][/QUOTE
    He made a HUGE debut

  27. #27
    Vettester is offline Banned
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    [QUOTE=jpkman;5994783]
    Quote Originally Posted by vetteman08 View Post
    [/QUOTE
    He made a HUGE debut
    The New Member Sticky must be out of order. I'll have Admin send it in for repair.

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