Androgel or shots?

[Chrome87]

Saw the Doc today and got a copy of my lab results from last July. I have posted it just like it appears on the paper, so I hope it can be understood. He did up my dose to 7.5 Androgel (pump) but didn't want to jump right up to the 10 GM. As far as the shots, he doesn't recommend them because of the up and down affect in between shots. I guess I'll see how this works out. Has anyone used the pump? If so, what are your thoughts of it?

Testosterone Total 282 In Range 250-1100 ng / dl Reference range

Test,%,free 2.26 1.00-3.10 %

Test, free 63.7 35.0-155.0 pg / mL

 

[5150guy]

Your Total T is very low for being on 5mg androgel. At 282 total, you are not even going to begin to enjoy any benefits from TRT. Did your doc do a bone densitiy scan? Men with Hypogonadism are at risk for osteoporosis-yes that "woman's disease"

Has your doctor determined why your T levels are so low? Has he or she ordered some genetic work? A real comprehensive assesment requires a look at your X and Y Chromosomes to see if there are some anomolies that might account for low T. I hope that you do not have problems based on issues with the X & Y chromosomes.

The advantage to the pump is that you should be able to get intermediate doses such as 7.5 mg ect. Also due to less packaging costs, Androgel should be a bit cheaper by the pump providing that you can get a refill and not have to buy a new pump each time. What does the pump cost you compared to the 5 mg sachet?

 

[Chrome87]

I don't know if a bone density scan was done or not. If there was, he didn't mention it. I did ask him what he thought the cause of my Hypo was and he said he did not know, but a low signal from my pituitary gland is why I had the MRI done. But he said it cheked out fine.

They took blood work today and urine. What would the Urine test be for?

I do mail order for a three month supply for my Androgel and it cost me $50 through my insurance.

 

[5150guy]

I don't know if a bone density scan was done or not. If there was, he didn't mention it. I did ask him what he thought the cause of my Hypo was and he said he did not know, but a low signal from my pituitary gland is why I had the MRI done. But he said it cheked out fine.

They took blood work today and urine. What would the Urine test be for?

I do mail order for a three month supply for my Androgel and it cost me $50 through my insurance.

If your doc has determined that your low T is due to a low out put of LH and FSH from your pituitary gland, you most likely have secondary hypogonadism. Providing that you do have secondary Hypogonadism, your testicles would respond to HCG, HMG or rLH for testosterone generation, and the use of these gonadotrophins will rehab your testicles if you can get your doc to mix them in with your TRT program.

Not unless i missed something, you have not posted your E2 levels? or your prolactin levels? Have you had any gyno sympoms or sensitivity/irritation of your nipples?

 

[Chrome87]

Wow, I really seem to be in the dark here when it comes to knowledge about the Endocrine system and how it works. I posted what was on the Lab paperwork they gave me. I hate to keep bothering you with all the questions, but you seem to have alot of knowledge and I appreiciate your responses.

Yes, I do have some gyno symptoms sensitivity/irritation around the nipples somtimes, but I had those feelings from time to time before I started TRT.

What is 1st Hypogonadism as opposed to secondary ?
What is HCG, HMG, RLH?
What is E2 levels and Prolactin levels?
Is there a specific test I should ask my Doc to have done?


Is there infromation/books that you can recommend that I can read up on and learn more about Hypogonadism?

Thanks

 

[JetCityDude]

see attached

 

[JetCityDude]

part 2 (due to upload limits)

 

[5150guy]

Yes, I do have some gyno symptoms sensitivity/irritation around the nipples somtimes, but I had those feelings from time to time before I started TRT.

From the research that I have done, this seems to be the case when men have been dealing with hypogonadism for quite some time. If you have low T production you tend to get a build up of E2 (Estradiol) estrogen built up in the body.


What is 1st Hypogonadism as opposed to secondary ?

Primary Hypogonadism is due to testicle failure. In this case your pituitary and HPTA are working to make testosterone, but the testicles have failed and will not do thier job. This would also mean that primary gonadism men are infertile as well.

Secondary or hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism is due to insufficent release of LH and to some extent FSH to produce adequate testosterone. The testicles are capable of making more T but they are not getting enough signals or "messengers" to do so.

What is HCG, HMG, RLH?

HCG is Human Chrionic Gonadotrophin. It comes from the urine of pregnant women and this Gondaotriopin (not a hormon per se) is what changes the color on the little test strip. HCG is an analog for LH and thus will drive healthy testicles to produce more T. HCG like LH acts upon the leydig cells.

HMG is Human Menopausal Gonadorpihin and as you probably guessed it comes from the urine of menopausla women. It contains both LH and FSH. In this case the LH works on the lydig cell receptors to cause T to be produced. While FSH acts upon the receptors in the sertoli cells in the testicles to produce sperm. FSH and LH are found in both the female and the male reproductive endocrine system.

rLH is recombinant LH which means that it was made through the use of recombinant technology.

What is E2 levels and Prolactin levels?

E2 is estradiol which is the strongest form of estrogen. Yes the healthy male body has to have some estrogen in it. Just as the healthy female body has to have Testosterone in it.

Is there a specific test I should ask my Doc to have done?

The sensitive and more expensive Estrogen test is the best. The other test is often a waste of time and money as it does not measure below 30.

Testing prolactin is important as a man should not have an increase in prolactin. This is the hormone that signals a woman's breast tissue to produce milk. If the level of prolactin raises in a male it will start to shut down testosterone production and can fool your average MD into diagnosing secondary hypogonadism when that is not the case. Raises in prolactin are often due to pitiutary tumors and psychotropic medications.

Is there infromation/books that you can recommend that I can read up on and learn more about Hypogonadism?

Dr. Eugene Shippen has a good book for general background info. If you are not put off by all the medical jargon, the AACE handbook for treating hypogonadism is very good.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

 

[Chrome87]

Thanks for all the information guys, I really appreciate it.

 

[thelion2005]

My answer is from experience. I've done sust, test c,e,p shots, Androgel and topical bio-identical test.

Shots at low dosages of 100 mg or less per week (or eod for test p) are very effective.

Androgel works and can drive your levels up over 1,000 even at 5%.

Topical bio-identical is best for health. It is smooth, raises your levels and keeps them there.

For HRT, topical bio-identical or test p 50mg X 2 per week is best.

For cycles, new ball game. I did best on 50 mg test p eod, 20 mg of naps ed, 200 deca ew, 0.5 a-dex MWF and 1.25 iu HGH eod. I was King Kong.