when to get labs done By Dr. nco.

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Phil

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Musclehead21

I have been on androgel for 2 and 1/2 years. I am going to get my

test and free test taken in about a week. I was wondering when is the

best time to get that done? The doctor told me 2 hours after I apply

the gel. Last time I had labs done I got them done 20 hours after I

applied the transdermal gel and my total testosterone was 224 ng

which is 200ng lower than where I started. What do you all think? I

think me and the gel are done!

The best time to get labs when using an alcohol-based gel is just

before applying the gel. This gives you the lowest amount of

testosterone, which can then be used to make decisions.

On average, the lab can be done at least after 4 hours of application

of the testosterone gel. On average, that is. It depends on the

absorption and that particular person's half-life for testosterone.

The problem with transdermal testosterone is that it has to be

applied to the widest area of skin possible to get the best

absorption and to get the most consistent blood levels. If it is not

spread to a wide area, then the fat under the skin can get

oversaturated with testosterone, causing the testosterone to be

absorbed directly into the blood stream. This causes the levels to

not be consistent - causing a larger peak and quick drop off of

testosterone levels.

If a person is a good absorber of testosterone, a 5 gram pack of

Androgel can get their levels up to 750 ng/dl. But many people do not

absorb it well and can instead get lower testosterone levels than

when they started.

A 10 gram pack of Androgel gives more consistently higher

testosterone levels than the 5 gram pack.

If the 10 gram pack is not well absorbed, one possible cause is

thickened skin due to hypothyroidism - called Myxedema. This may be

suble particularly if the person is not obese. One patient, for

example, on a testosterone gel, dropped his total testosterone from

840 ng/dl to about 500 ng/dl once his thyroid hormone levels dropped.

Low thyroid hormone may also cause insulin resistance. Low thyroid

hormone and insulin resistance (high insulin levels) both reduce

SHBG. This can reduce the half-life of testosterone and its

subsequent blood levels.

Note that symptoms of hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue can be the

same as symptoms of low testosterone. Hypothyroidism and adrenal

fatigue may be each more common than hypogonadism. Hypothyroidism can

be genetic or environmentally induced. Adrenal fatigue is most

commonly induced by stress - of which there is a lot in modern

society. When thyroid function and adrenal function are optimal, sex

drive can be maintained even at low levels of testosterone (e.g. 250-

300 ng/dl).

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Any statement I make on this site is for educational purposes only

and is subject to change. It does not constitute medical advice, does

not substitute for proper medical evaluation from physician, does not

create a doctor/patient relationship or liability. If you would like

medical advice, you will have to make an appointment. Thank you.