Androgel & hot flashes/vasodilation

[Universo 2000]

I've been getting worsening hot flashes over the past couple months, starting a few months after I started Androgel 5g packets once daily. My endocrinologist says that while it is a listed side effect (though a "less than 1%" side effect), he's never had a patient report it before and thinks that it may be more indicative of me needing a higher dose. I'm getting my latest bloodwork done this week and we're working from there. What experiences do people here have w/ Androgel and hot flashes? Is my doctor on the ball or should he be more worried about it being a side effect?

Thanks!

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by Universo 2000

I've been getting worsening hot flashes over the past couple months, starting a few months after I started Androgel 5g packets once daily. My endocrinologist says that while it is a listed side effect (though a "less than 1%" side effect), he's never had a patient report it before and thinks that it may be more indicative of me needing a higher dose. I'm getting my latest bloodwork done this week and we're working from there. What experiences do people here have w/ Androgel and hot flashes? Is my doctor on the ball or should he be more worried about it being a side effect?

Thanks!

Post all blood work that you have, pre and post Androgel.
Post name, number, units, range, name of laboratory that did the testing.

Before you started on Androgel, have you figured out if you are primary or secondary?

Androgel 5gram/day is often not enough.

[biceps72]

i have them all the time-- hot even sweat

i take 7.5 g/day-- i had primary resticular failure about 5 years ago,

not sure what causes hot flashes but androgel helps my libido,.erections, and ejaculates

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by biceps72

i have them all the time-- hot even sweat

i take 7.5 g/day-- i had primary resticular failure about 5 years ago,

not sure what causes hot flashes but androgel helps my libido,.erections, and ejaculates

Post your blood work.

7.5gram/day may not be enough.
May be GROSSLY not enough.
Other hormones inbalance may also be reson for hot flashes.
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Men who are castrated can also get hot flashes.[17][18][19]
Hot flash - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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[Universo 2000]

Don't have all of my information with me, but my total T in January was 121 ng/dL (don't recall the free T, but it was low and everything else on pituitary panel was normal). I started on the Androgel soon after. I got my last bloodwork 3 or so months ago. My total T was I think around 240 ng/dL and me free T was in the 40s I think. Forget the lab...it's the one HIP uses that's not Quest (I think PCPs use this other lab and specialists/walk-ins w/ lab slips use Quest). I will be getting my PCP to draw blood to run my T & free T Wednesday, w/ results CCed to my endocrinologist.

The thing that I don't get about him thinking that still being low is the cause for the hot flashes. If it was, why didn't I get them before I went on the medication?

Not sure if it's primary or secondary. IIRC the endo was thinking it was secondary and wanted me to get a pituitary MRI and then said I didn't need it. Will check in with him about that when we talk again.

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by Universo 2000

Don't have all of my information with me, but my total T in January was 121 ng/dL (don't recall the free T, but it was low and everything else on pituitary panel was normal). I started on the Androgel soon after. I got my last bloodwork 3 or so months ago. My total T was I think around 240 ng/dL and me free T was in the 40s I think. Forget the lab...it's the one HIP uses that's not Quest (I think PCPs use this other lab and specialists/walk-ins w/ lab slips use Quest). I will be getting my PCP to draw blood to run my T & free T Wednesday, w/ results CCed to my endocrinologist.

The thing that I don't get about him thinking that still being low is the cause for the hot flashes. If it was, why didn't I get them before I went on the medication?

Not sure if it's primary or secondary. IIRC the endo was thinking it was secondary and wanted me to get a pituitary MRI and then said I didn't need it. Will check in with him about that when we talk again.

If you are not able get the correct tetstosterone test from Quest Diagnostics, wich is:
Testosterone, Free, Bio/Total (LC/MS/MS)
then
make sure that you get these tests
TotalTestosterone
SHBG

the, you will be able to figure out your Freet from chart.
Do not do FreeT tests as a separate test, WASTE OF TIME PLUS CONFUSSION.

Always ask for Estrodial ULTRASENSITIVE or SENSITIVE tests.

Best would be to get 24hr urine test, when looking for estrodial.

Make aslso sure that you get DHT tested.
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If you are on transdermal testosterone, Androgel or anything else,
newer put it on arm from where the blood will be drawn

If your DHT is in upper range, best would be to use frequent T injections, E3D, E2D, 2x/week.
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[JanSz]

Climara is used by women that are low on Estradiol and have hot flashes.

If you have hot flashes, check your Estradiol level, better yet all three E1, E2, E3

Large doses of HCG raise E2 in men.
That would be 1250iu/E3D or more.

Since you mentioned testicular failure, may not work.
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[MacDonnell]

Originally Posted by biceps72

i have them all the time-- hot even sweat

i take 7.5 g/day-- i had primary resticular failure about 5 years ago,

not sure what causes hot flashes but androgel helps my libido,.erections, and ejaculates

I get them a lot too (too much caffeine and alcohol can bring them on, in my case...but I have them even w/o caffeine and alcohol). My estrogens are very low, btw...so the "high estrogen produces hot flashes theory" is not valid in all cases. My doctors have no idea what causes them. It's so comforting to know that.

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by MacDonnell

I get them a lot too (too much caffeine and alcohol can bring them on, in my case...but I have them even w/o caffeine and alcohol). My estrogens are very low, btw...so the "high estrogen produces hot flashes theory" is not valid in all cases. My doctors have no idea what causes them. It's so comforting to know that.

Climara is used by women that are low on Estradiol and have hot flashes.

[MacDonnell]

Originally Posted by JanSz

Climara is used by women that are low on Estradiol and have hot flashes.

Jan,

THanks for the feedback. Do you know what the mechanixm of action is? Does it raise E2? Other estrogens? Can men take it?

Thanks,
Mac

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by MacDonnell

Jan,

THanks for the feedback. Do you know what the mechanixm of action is? Does it raise E2? Other estrogens? Can men take it?

Thanks,
Mac

No I do not know the mechanism of action.

but

Most men get enough e2 just by taking T shots and HCG.

HCG at higher doses, over 1000iu/E3D
or even more.

1000-1250iu/E3D
is a good TRT for secondaries.
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