Androgel

[maximus_1967]

Well , guys I started my experience with with hrt because my test levels were only 283 (260-1000 scale) without any medication. I began with cypionate and too make a long story short I never cared for it. I couldnt handle the water retention which was nearly 12 lbs and I felt like shit. Plus the blood pressure went too high. At 100mg weekly my Test level was 536 range. (260-1000 scale.)

Im probably one of the few here that has switched from injection to Gel. I began Gel with 5mg daily and recently had a blood test after 3months on it and my new levels are only 380 (260-1000 scale). Now I have discovered Id been applying it wrong by putting the majority on my stomach and the rest on my arms /shoulders.

Now I went back to my PCP and he upped the meds to 10mg daily Androgel and I apply it like Im supposed to and I apply 5 mg morning and 5mg evening for a total of 10mg.

Now one thing I DO ,that Ive never heard anyone else say they did was when I apply Gel I do so ,within 10-15 min of getting out of a shoulder or bath ,after Im completely dry. (while the skin pores are open) I then open the package with a sharp razor blade at the top . I then put a normal sandwich baggie over my hand and apply 30-35% of content on the baggie and then apply to one side of my shoulder and upper arm. Then repeat with the other shoulder and arm. Then I apply the rest to my upper oblique area.

I like this method because i get more medication where its intended to be and trust me friends that Gel is liquid gold man. Also , the main reason I use A razor blade is I cut the androgel packet down the side and at the bottem to completely open the packet so I know Im not waisting a single drop of it.You be suprised how much is hidden in the packet after it feels empty.

Just thought I share this tech. Im curious though IS THERE ANYONE HERE ON 10MG THAT STARTED WITH LOW LEVELS LIKE ME AND IF SO WHERE ARE YOUR LEVELS NOW? I know not everyone is the same and the way the level goes up is not linear as well. But Im just curious about other people's experiences !!!

Doctor John ,you have an email. Sorry for the slow reply Ive been working lke a dog.

[Desmo996]

I have an almost identical experience to yours. I started at 5mgs a day AndroGel, my Total Test only went up to 299 from a baseline of 222, on a range of 241-827. Could have been partially due to poor absorbency. I was then bumped, like you, to 10mgs a day. This brought my Total T up to 570, but my Bio T and Free T were just over the top of the normal range. This is where I was happiest, but I found the Gel to be a hassle to deal with on a daily basis, and my doctor was concerned about it being out of range. Funny, they are always so concerned about you being two points over the normal range, but are perfectly ok if you are 20 under, hmmm. I also found that in order to get 10GMS of AndroGel on me I had to start adding body parts. The places I found that I liked to use to help spread the Gel around were my forearms, the palm side, my flanks per SWALE, my inner thigh, my shins and the tops of my feet. I would almost bath myself in it and the results were really good. I just switched to shots, due to the hassle of daily application and having to be concerned with it coming in contact with my two daughters.

[pmgamer18]

I have done the gels from Day one. My levels did not come up much on 5 geams and using 10 grams I could only get to 500 but at the time I did not know about high E2 Estradiol. After I got that down my levels went to 650 and at that time I was doing Testim. For me this is still to low and I had bad joint and muscle pain. So my Dr. added shots I was getting 200 mgs. every 2 weeks and the pain was a lot better but my E2 was going nuts.

Now I am on 150mgs. of Depo T. shots every week and doing 0.5cc of Hcg 3x's a week. No more pain getting exercise everyday and have lost 13.5 lbs. in the last 5 weeks.
Phil

[Astrozombie]

There is a big difference between 5mg and 10mg in my experience. I was tested at 208, went to about 350 on 5mg and then peaked at just over 1000 on 10mg. At the time they didn't have the pump version, so looking for a 7.5mg variant wasn't an option and I switched to 100mg cyprionate.

[androjello]

And what are you levels on 100mg Cyp? Where did you feel the best, what level?

[Astrozombie]

Originally Posted by androjello

And what are you levels on 100mg Cyp? Where did you feel the best, what level?

We'll see in about a week and a half. I've been on the Cyp for about 10 weeks now and go in for my next blood test on Friday.

I personally feel better on the Cyp. I'm not noticing any peaks/valleys and the gel gave me some sides (itchy, irrated skin). The other piece I like about the cyp is that it takes about 5 mins per week vs. the gel which for me took about 5 mins to properly apply and then 10 mins of waiting for it to dry before I could get dressed (I know this varies for a lot of people).

The only thing I am not liking about the cyp is the thought of upcoming travel and whether it will be a hassle or embarassment to travel with syringes and medication. I'm going to ask my Dr. to prescribe me some 1ml vials for travel.

[maximus_1967]

Is high E2 and Estradiol generally a problem with Androgel 10mg /daily.

[Desmo996]

It wasn't for me, my E2 was normal, even at 15mgs a day

[thefantom1]

Originally Posted by Astrozombie

We'll see in about a week and a half. I've been on the Cyp for about 10 weeks now and go in for my next blood test on Friday.

I personally feel better on the Cyp. I'm not noticing any peaks/valleys and the gel gave me some sides (itchy, irrated skin). The other piece I like about the cyp is that it takes about 5 mins per week vs. the gel which for me took about 5 mins to properly apply and then 10 mins of waiting for it to dry before I could get dressed (I know this varies for a lot of people).

The only thing I am not liking about the cyp is the thought of upcoming travel and whether it will be a hassle or embarassment to travel with syringes and medication. I'm going to ask my Dr. to prescribe me some 1ml vials for travel.

I would just pre-load a syringe to take with me.....

[pmgamer18]

I get my Depo T shots at the Dr. in the butt. I am going out of town July 4 for 2 weeks do you think I can get my Dr. to give me 2 pre-loaded syringe's. And do you know the difference of Depo T and Cyp T shots. What size needle do you use and where do you shoot.
Phil

[coz]

Originally Posted by pmgamer18

I get my Depo T shots at the Dr. in the butt. I am going out of town July 4 for 2 weeks do you think I can get my Dr. to give me 2 pre-loaded syringe's. And do you know the difference of Depo T and Cyp T shots. What size needle do you use and where do you shoot.
Phil

You would need to check with you doc about preloading.

Depo T is a name often used for Test Enanthate, which is very similar to Test Cypionate. Either could be used for HRT.

Use a 23 1 1/2" for Glute shots or 23 1' for Quad shots.