Advice on Testosterone cream

**Gator212** · 03-18-2015, 04:06 PM

Hello...this is my very first post here and would appreciate any knowledgeable input

here are my current stats

40
5'7
210 pds
21% body fat
Train 5 days a week mostly HIT and Boxing

At the first of this year I had a testosterone test and my labs came back abnormal. My score was a 217. On the report it said the range should be 300-800. My doctor had my prolactin levels tested and they were fine....I also had a MRI and no obstruction on my pituitary. She refused to prescribe any treatment for me and instead referred me to an endocrinologist. When I was contacted by them they said they couldn't see me for basically 90 days as they were booked up. I went out of my city and found a PCP with a background in metabolism who prescribed me a testosterone cream. The cream has 50mg test per pump. I was told to use 1 pump daily.

My question is this ...because of the run around i've been given i guess my confidence in my doctors has been shaken. Should I be using more/less? My goals are to just be able to stay active with my kids but also maintain my athletic lifestyle. I enjoy boxing as an amatuer and competing in grappling . Before the first of this year when I felt something was wrong I was 170ish pounds..12% body fat...and very active in training and competing.

**kelkel** · 03-18-2015, 04:17 PM

Hi Gator, by chance do you have your blood work that you can post up? Specifically LH & FSH, thyroid and cortisol? I'm very curious about the root cause of your low T and determining whether you're primary hypogonadal or something else is causing this. You've ruled out pituitary issues which is a great step. Knowing your LH and FSH levels will help to clue us in. If they're elevated when you had BW pulled and your T was low it indicates a primary issue.

Also be aware that hypothyroidism will cause hypogonadism and elevated cortisol will suppress LH levels as well. So, if you have the blood work copy please post it up. When it comes to testosterone cream I don't want to contradict your doctor and I'd suggest staying the course with what was prescribed until you receive a further diagnosis. You should be checking BW in about 4 weeks or so when on gels or creams.

**OingoBoingo** · 03-18-2015, 05:45 PM

^^^^^ Agree with kelkel.

Dr. Crisler doesn't recommend creams, and says they are not absorbed as well as gels. Gotta be a reason Big Pharma went with hydrophilic gels.

As I am concerned about Testosterone transfer, I don't think gels are appropriate for me. If you are married with children, you may want to think about it.

**Gator212** · 03-18-2015, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Hi Gator, by chance do you have your blood work that you can post up? Specifically LH & FSH, thyroid and cortisol? I'm very curious about the root cause of your low T and determining whether you're primary hypogonadal or something else is causing this. You've ruled out pituitary issues which is a great step. Knowing your LH and FSH levels will help to clue us in. If they're elevated when you had BW pulled and your T was low it indicates a primary issue.

Also be aware that hypothyroidism will cause hypogonadism and elevated cortisol will suppress LH levels as well. So, if you have the blood work copy please post it up. When it comes to testosterone cream I don't want to contradict your doctor and I'd suggest staying the course with what was prescribed until you receive a further diagnosis. You should be checking BW in about 4 weeks or so when on gels or creams.

Thank you for the help guys . Here are my test results
Luteinizing hormone-4.38
Testosterone -217
% of free testosterone-2.6
Free testosterone-56.9
Sex hormone binding globulin-18
Follicle stimulating hormone 8.0
Prolactin-7.3
Cortisol-11.76

The testosterone they gave me says 50mg/ml gel not cream ...I just assumed cream from the way it looked .

**Simon1972** · 03-19-2015, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by Gator212

Thank you for the help guys . Here are my test results
Luteinizing hormone-4.38
Testosterone -217
% of free testosterone-2.6
Free testosterone-56.9
Sex hormone binding globulin-18
Follicle stimulating hormone 8.0
Prolactin-7.3
Cortisol-11.76

The testosterone they gave me says 50mg/ml gel not cream ...I just assumed cream from the way it looked .

1. we need to range of each result, eg prolactin 7.3 ( 5-21)
2. we need to know how many mls of test you have been prescribed per day.

**Gator212** · 03-19-2015, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Simon1972

1. we need to range of each result, eg prolactin 7.3 ( 5-21)
2. we need to know how many mls of test you have been prescribed per day.

its 1 ml a day for 90 days ...i will post the ranges tonight when i get hoe and have the results in front of me again...thank you

**The Deadlifting Dog** · 03-19-2015, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Gator212

Hello...this is my very first post here and would appreciate any knowledgeable input

here are my current stats

40
5'7
210 pds
21% body fat
Train 5 days a week mostly HIT and Boxing

Before the first of this year when I felt something was wrong I was 170ish pounds..12% body fat...and very active in training and competing.

I think you should check your thyroid also.

40lbs in 3.5 months is a large gain in weight.