Androgel and Generic Equivalents

[Zenpump]

Hey Friends,

Former old school steroid user (Deca , Anavar , Test Cyp, Winstrol ) now on TRT.

Testosterone gels such as Androgel and its generic equivalents get a really bad rap. I am 53 years old and have been on Androgel generics for over 8 years with zero side effects (ZERO). If you want to cry about dry skin then maybe testosterone isn't for you in the first place!

As far as what gel does for you let me start out by reminding that these gels are bio-equivalent testosterone. In other words, there is no difference between your natural T and the T gel (As far as I know, this T cannot be tested for on a drug test, other than overall level which would be a giveaway). Which leads me to the next point - you can get high T levels with gels! I have found that absorption is excellent if the gels are applied correctly (post-shower when pores are open, ONLY on the shoulders, etc). I have Total T levels in the 1100 range on 4 pumps a day and could go much higher with more pumps/adding in a second daily application. I have never needed an aromatase inhibitor. Could I go higher? Sure. Could I add in other drugs? Sure. But at my age this really does the trick - high sex drive, lean body, still building muscle, look 10-15 years younger than my peers. And I get my blood drawn twice per year (by Urologist) and all my numbers are normal.

I agree for 20-30 somethings there are more potent ways to get huge. However, if you're an older gentlemen that wants benefits without all the risk, the gels work. Seems to me there also would be a place for daily T from a gel to level out some weekly cycle injections for you younger bucks.

The kicker - my insurance covers it so I get the T of a 20 year old for $10 per month. You can too!

[Cylon357]

Good to hear gel is working well for you!

The knock on the gels is that they are typically 1 to 2%, not the up to 20% of compounded creams.

How does your DHT look on the gel?

Have you tried 2 pumps twice a day? The short half life of unesterfied testosterone would make that a good plan.

[almostgone]

Good to hear gel is working well for you!

The knock on the gels is that they are typically 1 to 2%, not the up to 20% of compounded creams.

How does your DHT look on the gel?

Have you tried 2 pumps twice a day? The short half life of unesterfied testosterone would make that a good plan.

Exactly.

[Zenpump]

Thanks for your response! DHT isnt tested for in the panel I get. Albumin, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, E2, FSH, Glucose, LH, Prolactin, FT4, Ft3,Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. PSA is <1. Free test, total test.
Cholesterol Normal (I take a statin). Good genetics on my hair so no worries losing anything there.

I have thought about the 2 pumps in morning and 2 pumps at night. The best time for the gels is right after a shower so I have not gone to twice daily due to not wanting to take another shower. Absorption is really low if you dont shower first (I suspect this is the reason many have been disappointed with the gels).

What is the concern with DHT? Thanks again.

[Cylon357]

Thanks for your response! DHT isnt tested for in the panel I get. Albumin, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, E2, FSH, Glucose, LH, Prolactin, FT4, Ft3,Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. PSA is <1. Free test, total test.
Cholesterol Normal (I take a statin). Good genetics on my hair so no worries losing anything there.

I have thought about the 2 pumps in morning and 2 pumps at night. The best time for the gels is right after a shower so I have not gone to twice daily due to not wanting to take another shower. Absorption is really low if you dont shower first (I suspect this is the reason many have been disappointed with the gels).

What is the concern with DHT? Thanks again.

Topicals typically convert to DHT 2 to 3 times more than injections. But, with a PSA of less than 1, I would say that isn't a problem for you.

Two questions:
1 are you on finasteride by chance? PSA that low with those total t numbers makes me wonder if you are.
2 man, what is a PSA that low like? Mine hasn't been lower that 1.9 for 20 years and lives in the 3s right now.

[Zenpump]

Topicals typically convert to DHT 2 to 3 times more than injections. But, with a PSA of less than 1, I would say that isn't a problem for you.

Two questions:
1 are you on finasteride by chance? PSA that low with those total t numbers makes me wonder if you are.
2 man, what is a PSA that low like? Mine hasn't been lower that 1.9 for 20 years and hers in the 3s right now.

No, I am not on finasteride. The doc checks PSA every 6 months. For what its worth he guages it based on percentage gain or loss from the previous test. A few times I jumped up to 1.2 and he freaked and did a bunch of other tests and threatened to reduce my dose. However, in the past 8 years this has only happened a few times and nothing ever came of it. Maybe I am just lucky. I'm sure you are but stay on top of that PSA number.

[Cylon357]

Thanks for your response! DHT isnt tested for in the panel I get. Albumin, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, E2, FSH, Glucose, LH, Prolactin, FT4, Ft3,Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. PSA is <1. Free test, total test.
Cholesterol Normal (I take a statin). Good genetics on my hair so no worries losing anything there.

I have thought about the 2 pumps in morning and 2 pumps at night. The best time for the gels is right after a shower so I have not gone to twice daily due to not wanting to take another shower. Absorption is really low if you dont shower first (I suspect this is the reason many have been disappointed with the gels).

What is the concern with DHT? Thanks again.

After 8 years, I'm assuming that LH reads close to zero. Do you know why your doc still pulls it?

[Zenpump]

After 8 years, I'm assuming that LH reads close to zero. Do you know why your doc still pulls it?

Exactly right. Not sure why he still tests, other than its probably part of a standard panel he uses.