Androgel or shots?

[Chrome87]

First I would like to say hi to everyone and wanted to say how informative I have found this site to be.

My question is I have been taking Androgel for hypogonadism for several years now (5gm) and I was wondering if test shots would be a better option? Or maybe ask the Doc to up my Androgel to 10gm. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[finalabs]

ill tell you igot my levels tested with creams and gels and they never went very high compared with 100mg weekly shot

 

[needtogetaas]

shots.

 

[Chrome87]

Thanks for the response guys. I see my Endo this month and I'll ask him about shots instead of the Gel. Also, I read somewhere in a thread where you can order online by providing your blood test results, in case my Doc does not want to provide me with the shots. Any sites recommended and do they accept insurance plans?

Thanks

 

[JetCityDude]

Hello and Welcome...
Most people like to do shots instead of gels. Regarding gels, most like Testim much more than Androgel.
Regarding online ordering, do a search on google for TRT + antiaging or a few like that. Look at the advertisers that appear at the top and do some review around here and some other forums regarding what you find. You may be able to get the prescription filled but i am not sure how much follow-up treatment you will be able to get out of them.
More later....got to get back to work

 

[5150guy]

Chrome 87:

What are your total T, free T, and E2 levels? What specific problems are you having with the Androgel?

What do you hope to gain by going to the shots? Each method of TRT has its pluses and minuses be it gels, creams, patches, pills, shots or pellets.

 

[JetCityDude]

It is my understanding that most anti-aging places do not accept insurance. Some may assist you in submitting a form to your insurance for reimbursement.

 

[Chrome87]

5150guy:

I'm not experiencing any problems with the Androel other than every now and then I'll forget to rub it on. I'll find out what my levels are tomorrow, but the last time I visited the Doc they were still on the low side and I have been taking the 5GM for several yrs now. I read in a post on here that due to the fact the Androgel has to be absorbed through the skin you are not getting the full dosage like you would get with the shots. I'm working out five days a week now and feel a little fatigued every now and then and was hoping by uping the test to a normal or better than normal level I will feel better and maybe even make some better gains.

 

[5150guy]

Chrome:

Has your doc/endo gave you any answers as to why you have low T in the first place? Has he or she tested your prolactin levels?

Topical delivery T methods suffer from three major draw backs. First, transfer concerns. Second, every one's skin tends to absorb T differently and it is hard to predict how much T is actually going to make it into the blood stream. No endo is likely to tell you this, but if you put the androgel on an area that has a decent layer of fat, you are inviting aromatase to take place as aromatase actitity tends to take place in adipose tissue. Third, it is a bit cumbersome to put the gel on, wait for it to dry, and then clean your hands off afterwards.

As a suggestion, try putting some of the gel on the inside of your wrists. The skin is very thin there and there is a lot of blood flow going through that confined area.

Let us know what you find.

 

[Chrome87]

I had some blood test done several years ago, not for sure what it was but my Doc said some numbers didn't look normal. If I remember correctly it had something to do with my liver readings and he recommended I see an Endocronologist. I also had a MRI done to check my pituitary gland, and it was fine. The Endo said I had Hypogonadism and recommened TRT and I have been on it ever since. However, I can actually say that I have never really noticed a great difference since being on it, just figured it was something my body needed. I see my Endo tomorrow and hopefully I can get a copy of my last blood test report and share it on here.