I got my tests back today

[Vertigo]

Been on the Androgel 5gm packets for 4 weeks now. Got my tests back today and I'm a little disappointed. Total Test went from 300 to 431. Free Test was 7.2 and now it's 14.1. Estradiol went from 31 to 28. That calculates my FAI at 54%. Looks like the 5gm Androgel isn't cutting it. I doubt that 10gm/day is going to get me above 600 ng/dL. What do you guys think, back to injections?

Almost forgot, SHBG was 28.

 

[lanky]

what body area are you rubbing in the gel? are you hairy? are you showering multiple times throughout the day or shower within a few hours after application?

 

[Vertigo]

Rubbing it on my shoulders, lower abd, or sometimes thighs. Use is every morning after shower. No evening showers or baths. And, no hair except thighs. I've been rotating sites because the shit makes me itch, I'm sure it's from the alcohol drying my skin out.

 

[thelion2005]

Been on the Androgel 5gm packets for 4 weeks now. Got my tests back today and I'm a little disappointed. Total Test went from 300 to 431. Free Test was 7.2 and now it's 14.1. Estradiol went from 31 to 28. That calculates my FAI at 54%. Looks like the 5gm Androgel isn't cutting it. I doubt that 10gm/day is going to get me above 600 ng/dL. What do you guys think, back to injections?

Almost forgot, SHBG was 28.

4 weeks is not enough time. Think 3-6 months.

I made it to over 1,000 with Androgel 5, one packet a day rubbed on lower abs and inner thighs after a shower.

Watch your cholesterol levels and PSA too.

However .... If it is muscle and strength you are after and not health, go on a cycle. Nothing beats a stack. Look at the one I am on now in Senior Cycle. I am tearing up the weights every day.

 

[Vertigo]

4 weeks is not enough time. Think 3-6 months.

I made it to over 1,000 with Androgel 5, one packet a day rubbed on lower abs and inner thighs after a shower.

Watch your cholesterol levels and PSA too.

However .... If it is muscle and strength you are after and not health, go on a cycle. Nothing beats a stack. Look at the one I am on now in Senior Cycle. I am tearing up the weights every day.

Thanks Lion, my Cholesterol is borderline at 212 on 10mg Zocor. My doc didn't do a follow-up PSA yet, baseline was 0.9. I did a pretty heavy cycle the first of the year. 13 weeks of 500 Sustanon/300 Deca then off for 6 weeks then Test E 200/300 Deca for another 6 weeks. My H&H went to 17.0 and 55 so I figured I'd better lighten up for awhile. I just expected a better result from the Androgel. BTW, the blood work was scheduled for a steady-state 8 hours after application. I guess I'll try 10gm Androgel and see if that gets me in the ball park. I might also note that I've been using AIFM 2 pumps ED to keep the estrogen down. From the looks of my estradiol it must be working since I'm actually below my baseline level.

 

[5150guy]

Good read on restorative TRT and Sexual Function

Been on the Androgel 5gm packets for 4 weeks now. Got my tests back today and I'm a little disappointed. Total Test went from 300 to 431. Free Test was 7.2 and now it's 14.1. Estradiol went from 31 to 28. That calculates my FAI at 54%. Looks like the 5gm Androgel isn't cutting it. I doubt that 10gm/day is going to get me above 600 ng/dL. What do you guys think, back to injections?

Almost forgot, SHBG was 28.

Give this study a read

http://www.andrologyjournal.org/cgi/content/full/25/6/963

 

[Zircon]

I dno, Id just stick to inj.

How much you inject normaly? 125mg test e pw?

 

[5150guy]

Have you considered pellet TRT

This method is old school medicine, and not many newly trained docs are up to speed on this old method of delivery. However, it has three very distinct advangages over androgel and shots.

1. steady release rate over three month period
2. No transfer issues (androgel & testim)
3. less aromatase activity due to eliminating cycle of peaks in exogenous T in the body.

A fourth one might actually be the cost as well.

Just an idea

BTW-have you tried androgel 2x's per day? Once in the am and once at night? If you want to learn more about TRT look up the book by Dr. Eugene Shipman on Amazon

 

[5150guy]

Been on the Androgel 5gm packets for 4 weeks now. Got my tests back today and I'm a little disappointed. Total Test went from 300 to 431. Free Test was 7.2 and now it's 14.1. Estradiol went from 31 to 28. That calculates my FAI at 54%. Looks like the 5gm Androgel isn't cutting it. I doubt that 10gm/day is going to get me above 600 ng/dL. What do you guys think, back to injections?

Almost forgot, SHBG was 28.

Your E2 levels make your T/E ratio a bit too high. Will your doc give you an Rx for arimidex? If a doc is going to manage your T, he must manage your E as well. Proper estrogen levels in the male are such an individual thing, and if the E levels are too high, you will not experince the total benefit of increasing your T levels.

Have you had your LH, FSH, TSH, and prolactin levels checked too?

 

[Vertigo]

Your E2 levels make your T/E ratio a bit too high. Will your doc give you an Rx for arimidex? If a doc is going to manage your T, he must manage your E as well. Proper estrogen levels in the male are such an individual thing, and if the E levels are too high, you will not experince the total benefit of increasing your T levels.

Have you had your LH, FSH, TSH, and prolactin levels checked too?

My Doc isn't very knowledgeable about TRT, basically I'm talking him through this. I'm going to try to go over it with him today.

 

[Zircon]

yeh the estro control issue is pretty important when u on TRT...should have mentioend that,