Forum Newb needing help: Androderm and B-12

[iridebikes]

I'm 40 years old and my testosterone levels are in the normal "range", but at the very bottom end of the range for my age. I am a weekend warrior cyclist and I enjoy any kind of exercise that tests my fitness to the limit. I'm 5'10 170 lbs and around 9% body fat. I eat super clean, have a nutritionist that's got me on high protein, moderate healthy fats, low carb diet. I rarely drink alcohol and on average I drink over 1gal of water per day.

My recovery is not great, my sex drive is low and I get easily over-trained. Everything I am reading is pointing to testosterone supplementation helping me take my training to the next level. I want to train more and harder, but my body cant take it. Between work and training, and crappy recovery, Im just not able to do more.

So, my question is as follows: Is it better to go to one of these HRT docs and get a script for the androderm or androgel, or is there some trusted site to just buy it off the net? The dosages seem low enough that I could monitor it myself with bloodtests. I dont want to start doing injections, or any kind of AS, just thought that a low dose of testosterone might make the difference for me. Would I need to be on any kind of ancillary program with this?

My 2nd question is regarding B-12 shots. I can get them locally, but its cyanocobalomine and I am trying to get METHYLcobalamine... I cant find the Methyl version anywhere online, everyone only carries the cheap cyano' version... IT would be so much cheaper to find where I could by the version I want, and just give myself the injections leading up to big races etc.

I did a search, but there are SO MANY sites that come up, i just dont even begin to know what is legit and what is a scam.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Iridebikes

 

[Zyglamail]

First things first, We can talk HRT/TRT clinics but not sources for gear on the forum(or prices), which includes the gels. That being said we also dont want to bring too much attention to legit HRT clinics so try and keep that to PM's. If you want to do source checks etc do them at Elite-bodiez Steroids Sources and Supplement Forums but not on these forums.

Most places only sell injectable B with a script so a lot of folks go the vet route or it can be obtained via HRT clinics as well. Lot of guys here us clinic local to them but many use clinics all over, its a matter of preference. They generally require blood work every 6 months at least and dispense meds directly to you. If you contact clinics and they wont give you prices for blood work and meds over the phone, keep looking.

Gels for most do not work well and injections are recommended. Whether you need an AI depends on your test dose and you E levels, thats why blood work is important.

I think much of what you are experiencing is just part of getting older. Test is not going to be a magic panacea but it will help a bit with recovery. Id consider looking at other deficiencies as well such as zinc, magnesium and B vitamins. You may also have some absorption issues and could possibly benefit from a digestive aid with solid meals.

 

[iridebikes]

Hi Zy,

Thanks a ton for your response. My absorption is not an issue, I do supplement zinc, magnesium and vit B. I am extremely regular and dont have any digestive issues. I've had the stool test done where they check for microbadguys and everything checks out ok. I didnt quite expect low dose Test ie via the patch to be a panacea, but perhaps just be that gentle push that gets me over the top, so to speak.

When you say Gels "for the most part" do not work, does that mean that they dont work at all or they dont work the way that someone wishing to inject test would want? Again, I really am only trying to get a low dose to see if that changes anything for me. I think they come in 2.5 and 5mg based on what I read... Also, i read that after the 24 hours is up and you put on a new patch, to cut open the old patch and rub the remaining gel on your skin? Is that insane or for real? lol

Again, while I am not a newb to nutrition, I am to these forums and to anything entering the body other than through my mouth. This is all new to me, thanks for the tips on protocol and I truly am grateful for your help.

 

[Zyglamail]

Even though they recommend 400mg magnesium per day I have heard athletes need as much as 2000mg day to keep rbc levels optimal so I wouldnt totally rule that out.

As for gels/patches, many report varied results in terms of actually raising test levels enough. Others report some sever rashes and you also need to be carefull in just how close you get to ladies and children because the gel can have a negative effect on them.

When it comes to test dosing its tough to just take a little because any exo test will lower your own test and if the dose you take isnt enough to replace what you make and then add some on top of it you usually find you serum test levels CAN be lower because your body shuts down natural production.

If as you say everything is normal your just depressed and have lowish Test, then I would seek out an endo or a TRT doc. An endo would likely need a referfral from gen practice doc but anyone can goto HRT doc although you may be a bit young for that.

 

[iridebikes]

Hmm.... Interesting on the Magnesium... I'm taking 1000mg per day.

Regarding Gel/patch, I dont have kids, so unless my sister is visiting, I dont really have any contact with them.

So, if I am reading what you are saying correctly, when I get on Test, I need to be able to replace what i'm currently making plus a margin in order to have "more" than I currently do because taking any kind of test will completely shut down my own production?

Sorry, but can you define TRT doc? Im unfamiliar with that term.

Thanks again! You rock!

 

[Zyglamail]

So, if I am reading what you are saying correctly, when I get on Test, I need to be able to replace what i'm currently making plus a margin in order to have "more" than I currently do because taking any kind of test will completely shut down my own production?

Sorry, but can you define TRT doc? Im unfamiliar with that term.

Thanks again! You rock!

Yep, thats the just of it. If you add a little your body cuts back on production of its own, often resulting in a total thats less than what you had on your own. So when you go on test for example its usually an all or nothing kind of thing.

TRT stands for Testosterone Replacement Therapy, usually anti-aging type clinics that specialize in test, growth hormone etc.