Transdermals - Gels versus Patches

[stat1951]

Have been on a TRT gel (AndroGel - first one 5 gram packet and now
three 2.5 gram packets) for almost a year now. Last test showed Total
T level hovering around 350. Would very much like to get it up into
around the 500 range, but without developing hematocrit problems
(which have climbed somewhat with the gel application).

My question is what type of response guys have had with the
transdermal patches - either as their only therapy or especially if
they have tried both the gels and the pacthes at one time or the other.

Unforunatey I have a lot of questions and confusions about the two
types of application. How can one compare the potency of "A" versus
"B"? To obtain the equivalent of 10 grams of AndroGel (say two 5 gram
packets) what would be the patches required for the various
transdermal patches offered (not counting the scrotal patch!).

Lot of info at this link, but a lot is outdated.....

http://www.medceu.com/tests/testosterone.htm

Have also read studies that supposedly showed advantage of absorbability of gel (Testim specifically) over patches, but noted that study was conducted by Testim and that info I read never spelled out amounts of testosterone involved, etc. in the comparison.

Larry

[Desmo996]

I am currently using 10mgs a day (2 - 5GM packets) of AndroGel, down from 15mgs at one point. The 10mgs a day raise my Total T to the mid500's, the 15mgs had it in the mid 700's, but even at 10mgs it just barely pushes my Bio T and Free T out of the normal range, I think my doc will cut me back on my next visit. It also raises my H&H to just a hair over the normal range too, but it is only a fraction of a precentage point over. Personally, this is where I feel best, the 15mgs seemed to give me headaches after a couple of weeks, which could have been completely unrelated, and even though it was never checked, I am sure the Bio T and Free T were way over the norm, so I cut back anyhow.

AndroDerm did nothing other then give me a rash where it was applied, only raised my Total T by 20.

I have never tried a compounding cream or Testim.

[pmgamer18]

If that is as high as you get on 7.5 grams I would say that the gel is is not working for you. Some men don't get enough though there skin. I did 10 grams of Testim and it does work better then Andorgel. My levels got up to 650 but for me this is not high enough. The patch is a pain in the ass. If you have problems with your blood from TRT then give a pint of blood to the Red-Cross. When needed.
Phil