New to TRT...Need advice please

[mikey1979]

Hi, I am 31 years old and have been put on androgel 7.5g ed. Here is a little background. I have run many steroid cycles over the years(since 24)and about a years or so ago i decided i no longer wanted to take the risks anymore. I ran PCT extensively after stopping but over time it was very apparent that my test levels were very low! I gave it some time but the fatigue, zero sex drive, etc became too much and was taking a huge toll on my relationship and my life in general. I mentioned to my primary care doc that i thought my test levels were low and he agreed to check. About 3 months ago i went back to get the results and initially he told me everything looks fine(normal)as he also ran a full blood work up. I was stunned and asked what about my test levels?!?! He was like yea it was normal, then he looked at the sheet and said its in the normal range well low normal. he told me it was 315 or something... i asked him if he thought a healthy 31 year old should have a level that low and he agreed to give me test. I requested to be put on the injects but he really kinda ignored me and insisted i use androgel which he conveniently had coupons and all the other drug rep material for! I wasnt gonna push it then so i just took it. HE ACTUALLY put me on 2 depressions a day which is insanely low and it became obvious that he was clueless on the subject. Anyways the androgel worked well for like a week then im sure my body shut down and now im stuck with just what im getting from the gel! I complained about the cost and transfer concerns and he just tried to put me on some new gel that im sure a drug rep is pushing on him that u put on ur armpit... it costs the same and he was gonna put me on a dose that would have been alot lower than the androgel equivalent. so i just stayed on androgel he wants to check my levels again and i can go anytime i want for the bloodwork so i was thinking of stopping the androgel for a period before the blood is taken to ensure low test levels. im sick of this androgel crap i hate rubbing it off everyday ...tons on it... getting crappy results, paying sooo much so often and risking transfer to my girl. How long would i need to wait after stopping androgel before my levels should be tanked? Its very hard to find a endo in the rhode island area who will give shots. i also dont really have time or money to see a endo unless absolutely necessary any advice or comments would be appreciated thanks `

[biggymrat]

Sounds to me like your best option is to see another doctor. Even if you don't have the time or the money. Or you can go with plan "B" and feel like crap.

[sirupate]

Androgel has a very short half-life, which is why you need to apply it very day. I think I have seen 4-5 days...most should be gone from your bloodstream by then. I have also seen that Androgel now comes in a stronger 1.62% version, which means you could apply less gel and get decent results. Gel certainly doesn't work for everyone. Most here seem to favor the injections and do the injections at home on their own.

I think too much is made of the transfer concern. I was on the gel for about a year and my wife never exhibited the effects of any transfer. It sounds like you want to be on the injections, so you'll need to find a doctor willing to play along. Oh...yeah...the gel is darn expensive unless you have good medical insurance. The injectible is maybe 10% the price of the gel off the top of my head.

[Dragon666]

Have you considered just doing your own TRT your way? Just get some Test Cyp and possibility HCG and AI on hand and run your own TRT. Check your blood work every quarter, make sure your in the high-normal range. My research indicates 250mg Test Cyp week will get you there. Disclaimer though, I am new to TRT myself...

[zaggahamma]

Androgel has a very short half-life, which is why you need to apply it very day. I think I have seen 4-5 days...most should be gone from your bloodstream by then. I have also seen that Androgel now comes in a stronger 1.62% version, which means you could apply less gel and get decent results. Gel certainly doesn't work for everyone. Most here seem to favor the injections and do the injections at home on their own.

I think too much is made of the transfer concern. I was on the gel for about a year and my wife never exhibited the effects of any transfer. It sounds like you want to be on the injections, so you'll need to find a doctor willing to play along. Oh...yeah...the gel is darn expensive unless you have good medical insurance. The injectible is maybe 10% the price of the gel off the top of my head.

x2..