T-Level fluctuation while on Androgel.

[Drop D]

Hello.

I am currently on TRT. I am on androgel 1%, 4 pumps per day, which is the standard starting dosage.

A few months ago, I had some blood work done via private means. My total T was 17.6 nmol/L with a reference range of 8.4-28.8 nmol/L.

A few days ago, I had blood work done again via my physician. Total T came back at 38.8 nmol/L with a reference range of 7-31 nmol/L.

The tests have slightly different reference ranges due to the fact that they were administered by different labs, but I'm a little confused as to why there is such a big difference. The first test was taken at 11:00 AM. The second recent test was taken at 12:00 PM. On both days, the androgel was applied at roughly the same time and to the same areas on my body (upper arms and shoulders). Is it possible that on one of the days for whatever reason, I had either fluke over absorption or fluke under absorption?

OR, could diet and training be playing a role? Prior to the first blood test, training volume was high, and I was in a caloric deficit. Prior to the second recent blood test, training volume was under control and I was in a significant caloric surplus. I was under the assumption that if you are on exogenous testosterone, training and dietary manipulations will not have an effect on your levels since the body is no longer creating it. However, this scenario may suggest otherwise... interesting.

[Trific]

Welcome!

I'm guessing that your last blood draw was contaminated by the androgel....think you are not suppose to put any on the arm you are taking a blood draw from for like the last 24 hours before the draw.

One of the guys using it or that know this stuff should weigh in and make it more clear for you....I just thought I'd bump your post up.

[dreadnok89]

No, the only way it would affect it would be if you some in the crevice where they take blood. Androgel has to be absorbed thru the skin obviously, but HOW much you absorb is always a guess. That's why I'm thinking for pumps a day. Technically each pump is 70 grams of test! Sooo 280 grams of test a day supposedly but you don't absorb nowhere near that. I could be wrong. As usual

[Times Roman]

two things

1) a transdermal carrier (gel) is NOT an effective means of administering testosterone. I believe only 10% of the testosterone gets into the blood stream

2) androgel maintains stable blood serum levels over the course of a week, but NOT over a day! So the timing of your blood test is critical. Try to administer the gel same time every day, and draw blood for testing midway between the two administrations. So if you apply the gel in the AM, draw blood in the PM. You need to get a mid point to really see what's going on.

Maybe you should consider injections like the rest of us?

Good luck!
---Roman

[Rusty11]

Also, no gel on the draw arm two days prior. With a gel, contamination is pretty common.

[HRTstudent]

Also, no gel on the draw arm two days prior. With a gel, contamination is pretty common.

this is true. when I did it, I think I would do 3 days of no application to the blood draw site.

the most important thing for determining transdermal dosing is to get blood drawn in a consistent fashion. you can't compare a 12 hour post-application draw to a 24 hour draw if your goal is to find your tough number. you must compare apples to apples.

typically, you want to find the trough, but you may also want to determine a peak or mid-day level. it depends on what your information goal is.

[roxer]

There are other factors too - sweating or a layer of light sweat on your skin or not toweling off completely after a shower before you put it on. Clothing picks some of it up too - I think cotton shirts were the worst for me.

[Rusty11]

this is true. when I did it, I think I would do 3 days of no application to the blood draw site.

the most important thing for determining transdermal dosing is to get blood drawn in a consistent fashion. you can't compare a 12 hour post-application draw to a 24 hour draw if your goal is to find your tough number. you must compare apples to apples.

typically, you want to find the trough, but you may also want to determine a peak or mid-day level. it depends on what your information goal is.

Hey bud, you first posted this awhile ago. I stole it.
It's kept me from having the occasional bizarre readings. Thanks!