Finally got my compounded testosterone gel!

[GymJim]

I saw Dr. C. (Swale) last month and had a good conversation with him, and followed up with bloodwork, and had pretty low testosterone results. I finally got my prescription for testosterone filled which just arrived today via Fedex direct from the lab. It came in a plastic squeeze tube- 10% testosterone (carbopol based gel). I am supposed to use 1 ml per day on my skin. I have to say that it is a pretty smallish amount of gel. It was hard to judge the 1 ml since the bottom of the inside of the plunger was sticking past where the lines are numbered, so I might have used a little more than 1 ml today in this first application.

I was wondering if any of you guys are using the compounded gel and where you are spreading it on your body.

[pmgamer18]

I was on it buy over 15 yrs. ago I put it on my arms.
Phil

[bullmastiff]

Let us know how it works? I thought Swale didn't believe in compounded
testosterone products? You have to swab androgel all over your body if
you need two packs and in this heat you feel like it's coming out of your pores.
Are you using HCG?

[GymJim]

Originally Posted by bullmastiff

Let us know how it works? I thought Swale didn't believe in compounded
testosterone products? You have to swab androgel all over your body if
you need two packs and in this heat you feel like it's coming out of your pores.
Are you using HCG?

When I spoke to the doc, he seemed to think the compounded testosterone product worked similar to the Androgel but that the compounded test was "less consistant" than the Androgel. I am not sure exactly what was meant by that, but since several other docs recommend the compounded gel I figured it was worth a shot as it certainly is cheaper at $85 for a two month supply.

In any case I just started today. I was mostly surprised how little 1 ml of gel really is. Hardly any swabbing necessary. I think I accidentilly put way too much on in this first application since it was hard to measure out 1 ml as I pushed plunger end of the brand new tube. I am definitely going to have to ask about the HCG after I take this for a while and see how it affects my testosterne levels.

[HeadDoc]

let us know how you feel on this. Many of us are using older preparations of shots or gels.

[Weatherlite]

Make sure you maximize the amount of area you apply it to. Even if it seems like 1ml will spread nicely onto an area the size of your forearms you should still try to spread that same amount into more skin if possible. A given amount of skin can only absorb so much T. After it is saturated the remaining T in the gel will only dry up on top of your skin and be wasted. Had it happen to me so I know it's true (besides, SWALE verified that this is something to watch out for)

Still, that sounds like a good amount of gel to use. Let us know how it works out.

[SWALE]

I love that "I ACCIDENTALLY put on too much" stuff. LOL.

[stat1951]

RE: I am not sure exactly what was meant by that, but since several other docs recommend the compounded gel I figured it was worth a shot as it certainly is cheaper at $85 for a two month supply.

Boy, I wish that was true for most of us. I'd like to give compounded T cream a shot only since it is dosed stronger so a much smaller amount of cream (or gel) is necessary. Does anyone (SWALE?) have contacts with the reps for AndroGel and Testim to let them know that marketing it in stronger dose variations (2% and 5% and maybe even a 10% strength version) would make their products a lot more attractive! The excessive gel issue and its concurrent drying times and concerns with transference are really major issues.

BTW, do the transdermal compounded T products absorb fully by rubbing them in, and, if so, does that eliminate the concern with transference (I noted the posting about applying to forearms)?

Anyway, I am one of those individuals who is "stuck" on a disability pension which contains a specific insurance coverage (which of course you also pay for monthly in a deduction that comes right off the top... so it makes sense to use it as much as practical). With my insurance coverage, my co-pays for AndroGel at the rate of $120 for a year's supply (no matter what the daily dose), and Testim at the rate of $80 for a year's supply (no matter what the daily dose).

The $85 for two-months supply doesn't sound like much... unless one is on a very fixed income and also currently doing four other medications!

BTW, could you advise which Lab it was that you obtained this strength at this price?

Also, possibly SWALE (or someone technical) could advise about how much actual testosterone this is putting into the bloodstream and at what efficiency ration (i.e., 5 grams of AndroGel is 50 mg of testostoerone and of that 10%, or 5 mg, is - supposedly - getting into the bloodstream).

Thanks for any info (and "Good Luck" on your TRT progress!)

Larry

[GymJim]

Originally Posted by stat1951

BTW, do the transdermal compounded T products absorb fully by rubbing them in, and, if so, does that eliminate the concern with transference (I noted the posting about applying to forearms)?

BTW, could you advise which Lab it was that you obtained this strength at this price?

Thanks for any info (and "Good Luck" on your TRT progress!)

Larry

Actually the other poster mentioned spreading the gel over "an area the size of the forearms", not actually on the forearms. I have been spreading it on my abdomen or chest or arms or shoulders. The area of both forerams by the way seems like an upper limit of the area that this smallish amount of gel (1 mL) can be spread out over given how little it is. I am spreading it as much as possible to get the max absorption out of it. Still there is some whitish residue on my skin where I slathered it on most thickly. I am actually wondering the opposite of you, if using such a concentrated form of Testosterone means I better be pretty careful about spreading it so it doesn't get wasted and I get the most absorption.

COMPOUNDER NAME EDITED BY SWALE: NOT READY TO ENDORSE ANYONE ON THIS FORUM YET.

I will give it a few more days to evaluate better how I am feeling on this stuff.

[stat1951]

Thanks for update.

Always looking at various options - and any new products on the horizon.

Appreciate any future updates.

Larry