Re: Low T level not increasing

[Guest guest]

Three possibilities come to my mind.

1. One or more of the blood tests are not accurate.

2. You are not absorbing the transdermal drugs well.

3. Starting supplementation is suppressing your remaining endogenous

production so you are not getting a net gain in t levels. I would

somewhat expect this with the 2.5g AG as the starting dose is 5gm. If

succeeding with transdermals is important to you, I would try

increasing the dose before giving up. The buccal option also seems

reasonable. That might overcome the problem of absorption across a

resistant hide. Do you or your doctor have strong objections to using

injections as a treatment?

Brad

> I have really learned a lot from the messages posted, have been

> searching for a group like this for a few months.

>

> I have a T level of about 127 and it will not increase.

> I started on the Androderm patch, but skin irritation

> from the patch made me stop.

> I then started on the 2.5 Androgel and was re-tested after 1 month,

> level moved to 136.

>

> Moved to the 5.0 Androgel and was re-tested after 1 month again. My T

> level actually dropped to 118.

>

> Is this normal?

> I have read a lot on the internet about other tests?

> My doctor is thinking of having me try the Striant buccal " pill " , any

> knowledge on this product?

>

>

> Any advice or help would be great, this is really starting to bug me.

> My symptoms are:

> Fatigue

> Decreased sex drive

> Difficulty concentrating

> Irritability

> Mood swings

>

>

> Thanks for the time.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply and I welcome others. I don't feel that my doc

is up to speed enough for me to feel " safe " . I feel I know more about

the topic from this forum and other web sites.

Now, my doc did say that my skin might be " to tight/tough " to allow

the passing of the T. Not sure what I though about that, but now brad

also suggested this.

- I would like other tests to be run and at a different lab.

- I am going to stay on the Androgel, but also start the buccal

system and see how I " feel " .

Your comment " I would try increasing the dose before giving up " I am

taking 5Grams of the 1% Androgel. Are you suggesting I try 7.5 and

possibly 10Grams?

I have also been using the gel at the same location each time " my

tummy " . This morning I applied it to my upper arms as well.

Thanks for your time and I think this forum is one of the best

sources for knowledge.

I welcome other info and will give an update on the buccal system.

Nick

[Guest guest]

>

> - I would like other tests to be run and at a different lab.

> - I am going to stay on the Androgel, but also start the buccal

> system and see how I " feel " .

>

> Your comment " I would try increasing the dose before giving up " I am

> taking 5Grams of the 1% Androgel. Are you suggesting I try 7.5 and

> possibly 10Grams?

Heck yeah, I'd try 7.5 or 10gms. Those options are listed in the

prescribing info. If you haven't already read the prescribing info, I

suggest that you do so. With total t less than 150ng/dl you have

plenty of room to push the dose. Assuming you want a transdermal

treatment I would consider going to 15gms, if it proves necessary,

since your response to 5gms is poor. You could also consider

switching to the Testim product if your plan covers it. I don't know

that it is better necessarily but you may find your skin absorbs one

product better than the other. I would make one change at a time. In

other words, I'd change the AG dose or add the buccal system but not

both at the same time.

I guess there is nothing wrong with a transdermal + buccal treatment

plan but remember that you are going to be using the treatment plan

everyday for an indefinite amount of time. That, to me, puts a

premium on cost and convenience as treatment factors. A combined

approach means you'll have to hassle with and pay for both. Don't

know how the insurance co would react to a dual treatment plan. At a

minimum, I'd expect 2 copays.

Brad

[Guest guest]

You need to get your LH and FSH checked. If they are low, or below

the medium range, you can probably get your Testosterone level up to

800+ using HCG. HCG is allot like LH and it will tell your Leydig

cells in your testicles to produce the needed Testosterone for you.

Makes your body do the work instead of substituting it's work.

If you do go the route of full, life long testosterone replacement,

make sure you find a doctor who is willing to prescribe high

dosages, whatever it takes to make your symptoms disappear as long

as you don't go way above the normal range. 2.5G of Androgel is WAY

too low and is not going to work for anyone, 5G is low too, but may

work for a very small percentage of hypogonadal men. Most men need

7.5 G or 10 G a day, some even need 15G. A big factor is how

permeable your skin is, the gel has an easier time absorbing into

some men's skin than others.

Another option is Testosterone Cypionate Shots. These are Weekly

shots of Testosterone of a BARE MINIMUM of 100MG per week. This is

the oldest way of treating low T and is a very effective method,

gets right into your system. Note though, Doctor's may try and put

you on a bi-weekly or even greater length between shots. You need

the shots weekly because Testosterone Cypionate will only last in

your system at a reasonable amount for 5 - 10 or so days. Weekly is

the way to go in my opinion. Anything over 2 weeks will cause you

more pain than good.

I haven't heard many good reviews of the patch at all...

Good Luck and don't give up until you feel 100% good for an extended

period of time!

Armyguy

> I have really learned a lot from the messages posted, have been

> searching for a group like this for a few months.

>

> I have a T level of about 127 and it will not increase.

> I started on the Androderm patch, but skin irritation

> from the patch made me stop.

> I then started on the 2.5 Androgel and was re-tested after 1

month,

> level moved to 136.

>

> Moved to the 5.0 Androgel and was re-tested after 1 month again.

My T

> level actually dropped to 118.

>

> Is this normal?

> I have read a lot on the internet about other tests?

> My doctor is thinking of having me try the Striant buccal " pill " ,

any

> knowledge on this product?

>

>

> Any advice or help would be great, this is really starting to bug

me.

> My symptoms are:

> Fatigue

> Decreased sex drive

> Difficulty concentrating

> Irritability

> Mood swings

>

>

> Thanks for the time.

[Guest guest]

Hi you have gotten some good advice I would like to add one thing.

When using AndroGel you need to put it on after a shower but make

sure you are dry. When you put it on do not rub it in a lot it has

to be wet when you are through spreading it around. I was putting a

5 gram packet on my shoulder and upper arm. Do not put on a shirt

until you are dry like 15 min's later. I was doing two packets a

day. Then I went to Testim now with this you need to rub it in

until dry. As for the Striant buccal " pill " I tried it and can't

use it. You are to stick it on your gum at the top way above your

teeth. The dam thing kept coming off when I drank a glass of

water. When it come loose you need to put on a new one. I did 8 in

one day and you are to put one on every 12 hrs at that rate I would

be out in no time. The other thing was I started getting pain like

sensitive like drinking hot to cold. I don't think this is going to

go over to big. I also get a shot on top of the 10grams of Testim

to keep my levels up.

Phil

-- In , " nickso2 " <nickso@c...> wrote:

> I have really learned a lot from the messages posted, have been

> searching for a group like this for a few months.

>

> I have a T level of about 127 and it will not increase.

> I started on the Androderm patch, but skin irritation

> from the patch made me stop.

> I then started on the 2.5 Androgel and was re-tested after 1

month,

> level moved to 136.

>

> Moved to the 5.0 Androgel and was re-tested after 1 month again.

My T

> level actually dropped to 118.

>

> Is this normal?

> I have read a lot on the internet about other tests?

> My doctor is thinking of having me try the Striant buccal " pill " ,

any

> knowledge on this product?

>

>

> Any advice or help would be great, this is really starting to bug

me.

> My symptoms are:

> Fatigue

> Decreased sex drive

> Difficulty concentrating

> Irritability

> Mood swings

>

>

> Thanks for the time.

[Guest guest]

Hey,

I found some stuff in the archives about androgel, testin, and

striant.

Questions

1. Is it true you are not supposed to rub the androgel in until in

dries - just put in on wet? I was rubbing it in till it tried and

getting no increase in T levels.

2. Has anyone who had no luck with androgel or androderm patches had

luck with Testin or Striant?

3. Has anyone else had nausea or queasiness that was helped by

increasing the T levels?

Thanks,

Mark

[Guest guest]

As for number 3)

I would say that there are a lot of weird symptoms that differ from

individual to individual that are often related to low t and a lot

of them can be significantly minimized by fixing the horomone

situation. However, with ones like that, you won't really know until

you have fixed your hormones.

Armguy

> Hey,

>

> I found some stuff in the archives about androgel, testin, and

> striant.

>

> Questions

> 1. Is it true you are not supposed to rub the androgel in until

in

> dries - just put in on wet? I was rubbing it in till it tried and

> getting no increase in T levels.

>

> 2. Has anyone who had no luck with androgel or androderm patches

had

> luck with Testin or Striant?

>

> 3. Has anyone else had nausea or queasiness that was helped by

> increasing the T levels?

>

> Thanks,

> Mark