The low T continues!!

[Ras Joe]

I get another T level back today-- 324 on 7.5g of AndroGel/Day!? They bumped my dose up to 10g/Day, but the last 2.5g increase only raised my level around 100(units?). Does AndroGel just suck and I need to try the Testim?? Anyone taken both AndroGel and Testim and have a preference?? I am trying to get back in the school thing and the hot flashes, overall dumbness and fatigue are making things rough--I feel like I am not the same guy and I think I need more advice than I am getting from my doctor, if any has a moment to share or even can relate to this one it would be a great help. Thanks in advance to the TCx2ers that will probably be my link to help in this one!!

[Fish]

Hey Joe:

Sorry to hear your T levels are still so low.

About a year ago the pharmacy gave me androgel (rather than Testim) by mistake. I didn't think the androgel worked as well. I had more hot flashes and moodiness that month. The next month when I got Testim again, I felt better. So you might want to switch. Where do you apply the gel? If I remember, androgel can go on the abdomen or shoulders/upper arms. Testim is only used on the arm/shoulder.

I definitely sympathize with you, my mental alertness and energy levels have been in a slow decline, and my usually mild dyslexia had become much worse.

How have your moods been?

If 10g per day doesn't bump those levels, I would try testim, if that doesn't work, perhaps something unique about your skin inhibits absorption of the hormone.

I hope you get some resolution soon.

Best wishes.

[Mom]

There has to be something going on that makes Androgel work so well for some and not for others. My husband has been on TRT since 1980 and has been through every TRT treatment available. Androgel has been by far the best. He only takes 5 mg of Androgel and his tests have been so high that the doctor wants to lower the dose. The doctor thought that if they had him tested at 5 o'clock in the afternoon it would make a difference but he was still at 1200! The doctor wants him to alternate between 2.5 mg and 5 mg. to see if they could get it lower. He is 62 years old but very active. Do you see a decline in how you feel from the time you put to about 12 hours later? They should be able to help you. I read somewhere that they won't prescribe any more then 10 mg. a day. Dianne

[huckchef]

I agree with Dianne. I don't think they will do more than 10. I do 7.5 andro and it seems to work pretty good. I have only tried injections so i can't relate to any other. as compared to the injections the andro rocks!!! one thing i've had to do is keep the hair on my stomach thinned out. i'm not hairy in a gorrilla sense but i bought one of those hair thinning scissors from wal-mart and every month or so i thin it out so i get good contact with the skin. if you have hair on the area you apply it too this might help. just a thought!
i feel your pain though brother and keep trying, something will work. My thoughts and prayers!
Brian

[MRM]

I'm on 10g on Testim (2 tubes) a day and my numbers are in the 700s. I was originally prescribed Androgel, but my insurance switched me for some reason (I'm sure it was cost).

[IowaBrian]

Ras Joe
Sorry to hear the T level is still low you didn't state which doctor is following you on the T Level reading here and on other sites many of the doctors don't have the right answer when it comes to what is the correct T level treatment. Maybe you should try to find out who is the so called expert in your area or maybe Chicago since that is a short ride down the interstate. I know there are some VERY good doctors in the Chicago area and it might be worth a trip if they can help you get the levels in the right zone. Just my $.02 from a fellow Midwesterner.
Brian

[Ras Joe]

Thanks for all the responses-- my urologist is the doc who is doing the T monitoring. I am a hairless monkey so I don't think that the hair is getting in the way and I always make sure to shower and have the areas dry before I apply?? Only 3 hot flashes today-- so things could be worse. I will keep you all updated-- Thanks again.

[mrb1980]

My endocrinologist told me that absorption of different testosterone gels seems to vary by individual. I tried Testim, which was like putting epoxy on my shoulders, then switched to Androgel, which has worked like a dream. You may have to experiment a little.

I haven't tried the patch or the injections, you may want to think about those options. A fellow TC survivor told me he uses the injections and they work great for him. I just don't think I'd like being jabbed in the butt every two weeks.

I know about those darn hot flashes. I was experiencing about 20 a day until I began TRT. Now testosterone levels are fine and everything's okay with the world. My wife's pretty happy too.