Re: All these abbreviations & Your takes on my situation

[Guest guest]

The skin preparations don't work for some people - I am one of them.

It may be too late since you've been on T for so long, but he should

test LH and FSH. These are the pituitary hormones that tell the

testicles to do their job. But they are suppressed with TRT. He may

have done them before he put you on it, but I'd check to make sure.

Mark

[Guest guest]

On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 15:36:57 -0000, you wrote:

>Hi - I am new to this forum. Have read a lot of the posts. First

>thought is that I am unfamiliar with a lot of the abbreviations that

>are used throughout messages. There are so many that I can't think

>of them all to list them. Is there a place where they have been

>defined?

>

>Now - my situation - Been applying 10g Androgel, and before that

>smaller amounts, for about 8 months. The result of low T and free

>T. MRI = normal and Dr. has indicated no other abnormal results. I

>am seeing an Endocrinologist. I apply to abdomen and upper arm/back

>(where I can reach). Never heard that you shouldn't apply to hair

>covered places. Bottom line, slight increase in number of erections,

>but they disapate quickly. No libido what so ever. Occasionally

>find a need to take care of matters myself, no more than a couple of

>times a month. I haven't noticed an increased level of energy. In

>all I haven't noticed any change whatsoever. I have an appointment

>with Dr next week and I am prepared to ask about estrogen levels

>which I was previously unaware of. Does anyone have additional

>advise? (sorry about spelling - not a strong point)

Estrogen levels are the key issue. Too high or too low they crush

libido as much as low T. T breaks down into DHT and E2 (estradiol -

an estrogen form - this is what they should test for).

Aside from that did they test for prolactin and ferritin, two cause

oriented tests? Did they do thyroid testing? (A failing pituitary can

cause other hormone problems as well.)

Where are your T and free T levels? Some folks have found they don't

absorb the gels well at all. (But its more likely your E2 levels went

up - that was my experience on gel.) Are you having sore nipples, hard

nipples, odd sensations in the breasts?

- - - -

Just another albino black sheep

[Guest guest]

Androgel did not work for me. My skin could not absorb much of it. I was

on 15 mg a day and my T level only went up a few points.

I have been on injections of depo-Testosterone for over a year now and my T

levels range from 500-950.

Before injections, my T levels were always sub-clinical in range.

Injections are a pain in the butt, literally and figuratively, but I always

do a cost-benefit analysis...is the payoff better than the investment. That

is something we all must decide on our own.

I would just summarize by saying, " don't give up on T replacement based on

an outcome with trans-dermal application alone. "

My Best to All,

Re: All these abbreviations & Your takes on my

situation

The skin preparations don't work for some people - I am one of them.

It may be too late since you've been on T for so long, but he should

test LH and FSH. These are the pituitary hormones that tell the

testicles to do their job. But they are suppressed with TRT. He may

have done them before he put you on it, but I'd check to make sure.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Hi,

On abreviations here, I found 95% can be " decoded " by merely running a

or Google search. That's how I did it when I didn't want to ask for

" directions " .

On your situation, can you post the T & free T numbers your endo thinks are

normal? Many docs think " low normal " or " in range " is good enough when it

really isn't.

Some folks can't absorb AG (Androgel). I was on 5mg/day, then increased to

10mg/day, results were still unsatisfactory. Again, what were your last lab

numbers?

If your T & free T levels are good and you still feel bad, then high estrogen is

suspect. The most important of the estrogens is estradiol, aka E2. Get that

tested.

Let us know your doc's opinion about estrogen. If he doesn't think it's

important, his treatment is probably not going to provide effective clinical

results.

Best,

Bruce

> Hi - I am new to this forum. Have read a lot of the posts. First

> thought is that I am unfamiliar with a lot of the abbreviations that

> are used throughout messages. There are so many that I can't think

> of them all to list them. Is there a place where they have been

> defined?

>

> Now - my situation - Been applying 10g Androgel, and before that

> smaller amounts, for about 8 months. The result of low T and free

> T. MRI = normal and Dr. has indicated no other abnormal results. I

> am seeing an Endocrinologist. I apply to abdomen and upper arm/back

> (where I can reach). Never heard that you shouldn't apply to hair

> covered places. Bottom line, slight increase in number of erections,

> but they disapate quickly. No libido what so ever. Occasionally

> find a need to take care of matters myself, no more than a couple of

> times a month. I haven't noticed an increased level of energy. In

> all I haven't noticed any change whatsoever. I have an appointment

> with Dr next week and I am prepared to ask about estrogen levels

> which I was previously unaware of. Does anyone have additional

> advise? (sorry about spelling - not a strong point)