Still low....Any ideas?

[Brickhouse]

I started my Testo-Gel 8 weeks ago due to low test. We work in different figures here in the UK but the average for my age is 8.6 - 35. When I started Testo-Gel my levels were 10.7 so on the low side! 8 weeks later and they are 12.5.....I was thinking they should be up in the 18's by now? Any ideas on this?

Also.....Does anyone know how long Testo-Gel stays in the system? I am currently using 1 tube (5g tube=50mg Test) per day

[sirupate]

Generally, the gels use testosterone having a very short half-life...as in a few days or less. If you stopped the gel, I'd guess it would be out of your system within a week. It sounds like you either are not using enough of the gel, or you don't absorb it well. Some guys don't absorb well and you will find a lot of them here. There are 1%, 1.62% and 2% gels. The higher percent of testosterone requires less gel applied to have the same effect. I am not familiar with Testo-Gel as to how strong it is.

It sounds like your doctor needs to get more gel on you, or allow you to do the injections. Keep us posted as to how things turn out.

[SEOINAGE]

I don't have experience with gel, but if you are low there can be two things, not absorbing or dose is just not high enough, so I guess dose depends on how well you absorb. Doc should either offer to increase dose or change products. Did you not use testogel the day before your blood draw? or the day of? Also are you feeling any better? Is that total test numbers? whats your free at? My first doc only checked total, new one checks free as well which is pretty important.

[kelkel]

Brick was your draw 24hrs after application?

[GFA]

Gels suck for many people, including myself. I used androgel 1% 6 pumps a day and it did jack for my test levels.

[J DIESEL3]

Brick the dose you are using is pretty low...

When i used the 1% I used 2 tubes of the 5g 50mg every day and still my total t was only 364!

If you really want to use the gel or don't have a choice ask your doc. to up the dose.Just be sure to wait 24 hours after your dose to get a draw done.Oh and keep the gel away from the area where they draw your blood as well.

I believe it only lasts a few days in your system,sirupate has the same thoughts on the half life i do.

[ecdysone]

Brick the dose you are using is pretty low...

People often quote a figure of 10% for the amount of test the average person absorbs from a gel.

So that would equate to 5mg of test per day which is probably half or slightly more of what the average guy produces - assuming you have shut down most of your natural production (a big assumption since your test level is so low) and are not using HCG .

It is also possible that much of the applied test is being metabolized to DHT, which could only be verified with a lab test.

So yes, you may need to double the amount used.

[Brickhouse]

Thanks guys. So it may not be enough? Would this explain the still lack of sexual desire and tiredness? Testo-Gel is the only TRT they will prescribe me. I could ask about upping it but doubt very much they will. Last time they did not even tell me what my E2 levels were but eventually found out. Once I found out I asked the Dr for the ranges and he said he did not know. I then called the labs and asked them, they said they were not aloud to tell me, then I tried the Urologist who said it did not matter about E2 levels and that if I was concerned about E2 levels I would need to see a Gynecologist as Urology does not cover estrogen.....Honestly, the people I am seeing are terrible.

[SEOINAGE]

Wow, new doc time. I made that step and am happy so far. I go to an integrative medicine center kind of place.

[sirupate]

Thanks guys. So it may not be enough? Would this explain the still lack of sexual desire and tiredness? Testo-Gel is the only TRT they will prescribe me. I could ask about upping it but doubt very much they will. Last time they did not even tell me what my E2 levels were but eventually found out. Once I found out I asked the Dr for the ranges and he said he did not know. I then called the labs and asked them, they said they were not aloud to tell me, then I tried the Urologist who said it did not matter about E2 levels and that if I was concerned about E2 levels I would need to see a Gynecologist as Urology does not cover estrogen.....Honestly, the people I am seeing are terrible.

The UK doctors seem even worse than ours in the States. If you are on gel, E2 may be an issue, but it is less likely than if you are injecting. The relatively even daily dosing with the gel doesn't tend to spike E2 like happens with big weekly injections. Still, you can have an E2 issue, as we are all different.

If you have the option of trying another doctor, I would do that. Men do have E2 levels and the levels are very important to our health. I do need to say that my endo. dismissed the possibility that E2 needed to be monitored...so we don't always have it so good in the States either.