Men's Health Forum: This is a discussion on Applying Androgel/Testim After Shower within the Anabolic Steroids forums, part of the extensive steroid information at MESO-Rx; I have had varying results from using Testim. Here are the results:
February 2009 - 10 gm Testim - 644 ...
I have had varying results from using Testim. Here are the results:
February 2009 - 10 gm Testim - 644 ng/dl (250-1100, Quest)
May 2009 - 10 gm Testim - 862
July 2009 - 7.5 gm Testim - 268
October 2009 - 10 gm Testim - 348
In all cases, I applied the Testim around 6 am and then had blood drawn around 10 am. I just realized one difference about the application. The February and May tests were on days where there was a morning doctor appointment. I usually shower just before bed, but when I have a doctor appointment I shower just before I apply the Testim in the morning. I can't be 100% sure, but I most likely showered the night before the July and October blood draws. If my memory is correct on the last 2 tests, there is definitely something to Dr. Crisler's contention that it is best to apply a gel within 3 minutes of drying off after a shower because of the increased absorption when the skin pores are open from the hot water.
Has anyone directly experienced anything like this? I am going to ask my dermatologist about transdermal absorption when I see him in December, as Dr. Crisler said that a dermatologist told him that. I am now taking a quick hot shower in the morning, so I will see if that makes a difference when I get tested again.
Another thing that is interesting is that I am feeling pretty good at the 348 level. My free T was at 101 (35-155), so that might be the reason for that. My E2 was also not too bad, at 34.4 (<20-56).
I have had varying results from using Testim. Here are the results:
February 2009 - 10 gm Testim - 644 ng/dl (250-1100, Quest)
May 2009 - 10 gm Testim - 862
July 2009 - 7.5 gm Testim - 268
October 2009 - 10 gm Testim - 348
In all cases, I applied the Testim around 6 am and then had blood drawn around 10 am. I just realized one difference about the application. The February and May tests were on days where there was a morning doctor appointment. I usually shower just before bed, but when I have a doctor appointment I shower just before I apply the Testim in the morning. I can't be 100% sure, but I most likely showered the night before the July and October blood draws. If my memory is correct on the last 2 tests, there is definitely something to Dr. Crisler's contention that it is best to apply a gel within 3 minutes of drying off after a shower because of the increased absorption when the skin pores are open from the hot water.
Has anyone directly experienced anything like this? I am going to ask my dermatologist about transdermal absorption when I see him in December, as Dr. Crisler said that a dermatologist told him that. I am now taking a quick hot shower in the morning, so I will see if that makes a difference when I get tested again.
Another thing that is interesting is that I am feeling pretty good at the 348 level. My free T was at 101 (35-155), so that might be the reason for that. My E2 was also not too bad, at 34.4 (<20-56).
I think the "hot shower, open pores, good absorption hypothesis" sounds very reasonable to me.
__________________ Life is a matter of discipline!
I have also noticed that it takes less time before the Testim is dry on my skin. I haven't actually timed it, but it is significantly less. I have to rub it in for less time than when I didn't shower just before applying. Now I probably have to wait a couple of months before I can get tested again.
Here is what I see and I see this alot the gel is not getting through your skin anymore you need to switch to shots. When you use Testim you need to rub it in well. When doing labs on gels if your going in the morning don't put on the gel first it will spike up your levels. If doing labs later in the day do them after you put the gel on and Wait about 4 to 6 hrs or your levels will be dam high. Don't get the gel on the spot they take the blood from.
__________________
Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.
Phil
0 out of 1 members found this post helpful.
Did you find this post helpful?Yes |
No
Here is what I see and I see this alot the gel is not getting through your skin anymore you need to switch to shots. When you use Testim you need to rub it in well. When doing labs on gels if your going in the morning don't put on the gel first it will spike up your levels. If doing labs later in the day do them after you put the gel on and Wait about 4 to 6 hrs or your levels will be dam high. Don't get the gel on the spot they take the blood from.
I think it is getting in my system if I apply it right after a shower. I had low T levels when on Androgel when I first started TRT. Both tests while on Androgel were most likely done on days where I showered the evening before putting on the Androgel. With Testim, I know I showered just before applying the Testim the 2 times it was very good.
"When you use Testim you need to rub it in well." That is what I do. I rub it until dry, just as the instructions say.
"When doing labs on gels if your going in the morning don't put on the gel first it will spike up your levels. If doing labs later in the day do them after you put the gel on and Wait about 4 to 6 hrs or your levels will be dam high." As I said, for all of the tests, I applied the gel at 6 am and then got blood drawn at 10 am. That is 4 hours later.
"Don't get the gel on the spot they take the blood from." I don't. I don't even put it on that side pf my body on my arm or shoulder. I put it on the opposite shoulder, abdominal side and thigh. I even use a nitrile glove on the hand I use to apply it with.
I also have 2 studies published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. One is for Androgel and one is for Testim. In both studies, blood was drawn at a minimum at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after application. Both of these studies show the maximum total T level occuring at either 4 or 8 hours after application. Neither study shows any peak at 2 hours. In general, it was highest 8 hours after application, slowly rising until the peak.
The other reason that it is unlikely that I have just stopped absorbing the Testim is that my level after applying after a shower in May was 862 and the level 2 months later was 268 when applied the morning after showering. It is very unlikely that I would have just stopped absorbing to that degree in just 2 months.
The other reason that it is unlikely that I have just stopped absorbing the Testim is that my level after applying after a shower in May was 862 and the level 2 months later was 268 when applied the morning after showering. It is very unlikely that I would have just stopped absorbing to that degree in just 2 months.
great stuff!!! I take androgel; I feel there is a lot we don't know about absorption rates, etc. Androgel has increased my libido GREATLY--ERECTIONS aren't great but they are there. I like androgel but haven't figured the best dose for me!!!
__________________ Life is a matter of discipline!
great stuff!!! I take androgel; I feel there is a lot we don't know about absorption rates, etc. Androgel has increased my libido GREATLY--ERECTIONS aren't great but they are there. I like androgel but haven't figured the best dose for me!!!
So far 10 gm of Testim seems to work well for me. There have been 2 small studies that indicate that Testim has about 30% better absorption than Androgel. I assume that it is the oil in the Testim that makes the difference. The only problem with Testim is that it is sticky after applying it. My undershorts stick to it where it is applied on the lower sides and upper thighs/hips. For some reason my undershirt doesn't stick to my shoulder. I have to let it dry at least 20 minutes before dressing. Since there are only the 2 of us, I just sit at breakfast undressed in the morning after putting on the Testim. It is a bit of a pain though, but I can stand it if it works.
If you'd read the packaged inserts in each box of Testim, you'd see that they do have graphs of blood level of testosterone versus time after application. It is not a level line like we'd like it to be nor is it linear either. Plot your testosterone level versus hours after application and see if it resembles the curves Testim provides in the literature.
I am not talking about your levels as much as I am talking about what is just under your skin going into your blood slow. If you put on the gel it's just under our skin going into your blood slow for up to 6 hrs so putting it on and doing labs can spike up your levels once I labs doing this came back at 2300. Do the same labs the morning before putting on the gel my labs were 550.
If you don't put the gel on the side of your body they take the blood then labs should be good.
__________________
Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.
Phil
Applying Androgel/Testim After Shower 
Linear Mode
