Impotence Support - Changes in Androgel absorbtion?

Author

Changes in Androgel absorbtion?

fourkids

2005-09-23, 5:46 pm

I have been on Androgel off and on for a few years. Docs keep thinking
that if I go off I will magically start making T again.

First went on 3 years ago, tried going off after starting treatment for
apnea, but in 6-8 weeks, was symptomatic again (low libido, borderline
depression, erectile probems, etc). When remeasured, was found to be
LOWER than the original levels used for diagnosis.

So I restarted Androgel at 10G daily. I had been on 10G daily
previously and it had kept me around 600 (300-1000 range), where 5G had
not worked (only put me about 350).

For a variety of reasons, I had not had testing done for 6 months. When
I was tested in January, I as over 2000 (300-1000 normal).

They halved my dose to 5g, retested in 2 months, was still 1300.
Restested again just to be sure, results were the same - around 1300.

Now I am on 2.5G daily and have dropped to a whopping 400, which my doc
says is "normal", but I feel symtopmatic again.

I do not apply to the scrotum, nor do I do anything funky. I follow
the directions as best I can for application.

Any one else experience a change in absorbtion? Any ideas on what
might cause this?

Muerta

2005-09-23, 5:46 pm

"fourkids" <dearly@quallaby.com> wrote in message
news:1126667755.716733.227570@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>
> For a variety of reasons, I had not had testing done for 6 months. When
> I was tested in January, I as over 2000 (300-1000 normal).
>
> They halved my dose to 5g, retested in 2 months, was still 1300.
> Restested again just to be sure, results were the same - around 1300.

Wow, a lot of us here have done the androgel or testim thing, and that's
gotta be the most whacked out results I've ever seen. Under ideal
absorbtion, I've never heard of anyone going over 800 ng/dl on 10 grams of
androgel.

Man, I'd just have to question the lab on that.

One thing, you *are* waiting 24 hours after application for steady-state
levels in testing, right?

I mean, if you apply, then go in a few hours later, you're just screwing
yourself with "peak" levels, not steady-state.

Big difference.

Muerta

2005-09-23, 5:46 pm

"fourkids" <dearly@quallaby.com> wrote in message
news:1126897683.977812.143780@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Yeah, I am going in late in the day.
>
> I had the first test in Jan at 2800 and we figured something had to be
> wrong. So I went the next time around 2pm (after the halved my dose)
> and that is when I got the 1300 result, which they repeated.
>
> In both cases, I was absolutely religous about when and how it was
> applied. I tried my darndest to make sure that the application and
> daily routine were as consistent as possible just to make sure there
> wasn't somethingw hacky going on.
>
> I was convinced that on the second try, they would see much too low
> results, and was floored on high it still was.
>
> Newest problem is my endo thinks that 400 is ok, but I feel like
> crap...mostly my mood, but all the other symptoms as well.
>
> They want me to wait a number of weeks before they do anything else.
>
> I keep telling them that there must be something wrong, because I had
> never heard of anyone having levels this high on that little gel.
> Frankly, it pisses me off that they won't do anything about it.
>

Well, I don't blame ya. That is simply incredible. It's kind of like, "yeah,
I took an asprin and it completely cured my cancer". A lot of us here have
experience with androgel and testim, and the absolute best I've heard of
over the years was when Or eon (RIP) would get a pretty consistant reading
around 800 with 10 grams of androgel by applying with a baby food jar to
shaved shoulders and ab. I don't think anybody was able to replicate that.

I am of the school of thought that a Dr. works for "me". I have a 51% voting
right in the corporation. Then again, I have always been totally frank and
receptive with my physicians. A few small bumps in the road, but I have
always been free to walk.

If you really aren't happy, wait the couple of weeks and then lay it out for
the doc. Do the ol' "I tried it your way, can we try it my way for awhile?".

That's the best I can tell you.

Joe D.

2005-09-23, 5:47 pm

"fourkids" <dearly@quallaby.com> wrote in message
news:1126667755.716733.227570@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>I have been on Androgel off and on for a few years. Docs keep thinking
> that if I go off I will magically start making T again.
> ....
>
> Now I am on 2.5G daily and have dropped to a whopping 400, which my doc
> says is "normal", but I feel symtopmatic again.
>
> I do not apply to the scrotum, nor do I do anything funky. I follow
> the directions as best I can for application.
>
> Any one else experience a change in absorbtion? Any ideas on what
> might cause this?
>

Yes I have experienced similar problems when on Androgel and various
compounded T gels. Many discussions with Dr, Endo, pharmacist didn't
find a cause.

Like you, used very rigid application protocol, so no obvious reason
for wild fluctuations in T level.

I can only guess that skin permeability varies significantly over time,
causing variation in transdermal T delivery. Maybe variation in
skin hydration or other unknown factors -- I don't know.

My final solution was switching to hCG shots, which are much easier
to apply, cheaper, avoids testicular shrinkage, avoids concerns
from T contamination of spouse/children, plus (in my case) gives
a more consistent T level.

Re going off T and magically start making T again, some men do
and some don't. Even if you do, your level will (eventually) be no
higher than before you started external T. During the several month
resumption of internal T production you will likely feel very bad.

To ease the transition off T, the best protocol is take hCG injections
concurrent with T for 1-2 months, then ramp down and finally stop the T.
This jump starts the testicles, which takes 1-2 months to come back
to life.

123matt

2005-09-25, 10:22 am

Hi guys,
I'm rather new to all this, and am totally unsure about what Androgel is
used for? Simply to up the Testosterone levels? Is it expensive? Risky?
Certain to work?
Please let me know..thanks so much

Joe D.

2005-09-26, 4:58 pm

"123matt" <sutton8596@nospam.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2ca919c93fea2ee5593622c88cf07a45@localhost.talkaboutsupport.com...
> Hi guys,
> I'm rather new to all this, and am totally unsure about what Androgel is
> used for? Simply to up the Testosterone levels? Is it expensive? Risky?
> Certain to work?

Androgel is a prescription dermal gel to increase testosterone levels.
Expense varies based on your insurance coverage. In general it's
not very risky, although it's a prescription drug and should be only
used under a doctor's care.

In the US, testosterone is usually administered by injection or by dermal
gel.

Implantable pellets are also available but not commonly used. Outside the
US oral medication is available to increase testosterone levels.

See www.androgel.com for more info, or query Google.

123matt

2005-09-28, 8:50 am

thanks, Joe. Appreciate it and will do the search