Considering stopping androgel

[xcraider37]

Just wanted to throw this out here and get some thoughts, I was diagnosed as having low testosterone in Dec. 2010 with t-levels of 249, This was during a very stressful period as I thought my job was in jeopardy and had extreme anxiety at the time. Was tested a second time and T-level was 251, neither of these test were done in the morning. Is it possible the drop in testosterone could have been from the stress? I did have the typical symptoms of low t, but the androgel has not help, and may even be hurting my libido and erection quality. My last test was only a t-level of 447 two months on Androgel 5 g. Doctor does not want to raise it.

Just wondering if I should consider stopping the treatment and seeing were my levels would be, since my stress level has went way down, also if I did stop how long does it take to get my own testosterone flowing??

Also have a Doctors appt. scheduled for next tuesday what test should I have the doctor run?

Of course testosterone, but what else?

 

[hardasnails1973]

Your dr should have took the time to listen to you and not just become a human script pad. When other hormones, lifestyles, or hidden stressors are identifed and resolved then TRT may not be needed. i have seen this too many times as well have become a vicitim of it in the past.

 

[Tyler81]

i doubt that stress can plummet your levels that much. my endo told me that T levels are influenced by stress, but at best, your levels might be around 300 IF it was stress related.

I think you need to find another doctor who will adjust your dose according to your labs. 5 grams isn't usually enough for most people. Also, that 447 number is your peak number which is not good. That means your "trough" number is probably in the 300s or even 200s. So you are basically exactly where you are when you started.

You could come off if you want. But I will tell you from experience that coming off doesn't solve much. But you could come off and try to find another doctor to restart the process and who will adjust your dose if it needs to be adjusted and not keep you at 450 peak which is not high enough in my honest opinion.

I am not a medical professional so please take the above advice with a grain of salt

Just wanted to throw this out here and get some thoughts, I was diagnosed as having low testosterone in Dec. 2010 with t-levels of 249, This was during a very stressful period as I thought my job was in jeopardy and had extreme anxiety at the time. Was tested a second time and T-level was 251, neither of these test were done in the morning. Is it possible the drop in testosterone could have been from the stress? I did have the typical symptoms of low t, but the androgel has not help, and may even be hurting my libido and erection quality. My last test was only a t-level of 447 two months on Androgel 5 g. Doctor does not want to raise it.

Just wondering if I should consider stopping the treatment and seeing were my levels would be, since my stress level has went way down, also if I did stop how long does it take to get my own testosterone flowing??

Also have a Doctors appt. scheduled for next tuesday what test should I have the doctor run?

Of course testosterone, but what else?

 

[Tyler81]

Also, didn't you say your libido and function came back after about 5-6 weeks? What happened? Did it fall off again?

 

[xcraider37]

It has fallen off and never came back.

 

[hardasnails1973]

We have had patients under 100 TT and when we examined others factors it was obvious that they did not need TRT, but other factors where way out of wack..mainly nutritionally, lifestyles, and current stress in life..

Off course when T comes up libido will also, but identifying the cause would be key..Stress and medicatiions are the 2 biggest things that sap testosterone.

 

[xcraider37]

So hardasnails if I did stop treatment how long before my natural testosterone kicks back in??

 

[muscleup4]

The price of that Androgel is outrageous. I have a discount card at Rite-Aid pharmacy and even with the card it was $220 for a 1 months supply. I do not have insurance. Compare that to $7 for a 250mg. ampule of Sustanon.

 

[Tyler81]

We have had patients under 100 TT and when we examined others factors it was obvious that they did not need TRT, but other factors where way out of wack..mainly nutritionally, lifestyles, and current stress in life..

Off course when T comes up libido will also, but identifying the cause would be key..Stress and medicatiions are the 2 biggest things that sap testosterone.

With all due respect, i find this very hard to believe. I have seen you countless times mention: nutrition, lifestyle, adrenals, thyroid and something else that you mention.. gut imbalances??? Unless someone is grossly obese, like call the crane obese, i doubt that nutrition and lifestyle can BUDGE T numbers.

Before going on testosterone i tried pretty much every single thing I could. I ate very clean, dropped alcohol, took zinc and fish oil and all that crap, worked out regularly including heavy squats (even with low t i pushed myself), and when the dust settled, my t numbers did not budge.

So forgive me if I am skeptical about these magical lifestyle changes that will boost someone who has 100ng/dl numbers.

 

[Tyler81]

The price of that Androgel is outrageous. I have a discount card at Rite-Aid pharmacy and even with the card it was $220 for a 1 months supply. I do not have insurance. Compare that to $7 for a 250mg. ampule of Sustanon.

Yeah its ridiculous. I agree. What can you do? Not much. Testim offers coupons on their website.

 

[xcraider37]

I have insurance so price is not an issue androgel is $50.00 - $20.00 androgel savings card. $30.00 per month if I could get T up into the 500, 600 or 700 range maybe it would be worth it. Maybe my next visit will different and can convince him to put me on 7.5 g. or 10 g.

 

[hardasnails1973]

With all due respect, i find this very hard to believe. I have seen you countless times mention: nutrition, lifestyle, adrenals, thyroid and something else that you mention.. gut imbalances??? Unless someone is grossly obese, like call the crane obese, i doubt that nutrition and lifestyle can BUDGE T numbers.

Before going on testosterone i tried pretty much every single thing I could. I ate very clean, dropped alcohol, took zinc and fish oil and all that crap, worked out regularly including heavy squats (even with low t i pushed myself), and when the dust settled, my t numbers did not budge.

So forgive me if I am skeptical about these magical lifestyle changes that will boost someone who has 100ng/dl numbers.

Yep i been diagnosed with several major gut infections. Just had to dish out 137 bucks for 14 pills to kill the little fuckers who have been cultivating in my gut for over 7 years (all of them previously diagnosed). just got results of urine amino acid profile back showing major protein deficiencies. Doing antibiotics treatment now, then getting all my ducks in a row then if all is green light I will try a restart my self. I have several other guys i am prepping nutritoinally, hormonally for restarts while on TRT. They will come off in the next 4 months . One of them is 43 and information is being blogged. He is actually a member here.. I am currently off hcg, dhea, cortef. eventually I will be able to reduce my thyroid due to increased absorption from the gut, So the process has begun. I am just on TRT, thyroid, nutritoinal support (OTC), antibiotic for 10 more days. I now know t why my shbg is elevated due to protein malabsorption as indicated in clincal studies. Low GH levels may also be a factor as well.

Once I get my shit in check I am going back to competing at national level NPC drug free, ...I did it once before and i will do it again.. Put on 20-30 lbs once my absorption picks up in no time at all..

 

[kayzee]

androgel did same thing to me. my test was down to 107 and when i went on androgel i felt even worse....triglycerids terrible, bloated feeling, sore joints, anxiety, brain fog...turned out I had adrenal insufciency....now I am on 30 mg cortef , 50 mg DHEA, half dose of androgel plus Wellbutrin and fish oil. now my test is up to 245 and i feel better. doc may raise the testosterone dose after next blood test.

here is the weird thing. my E2 went down from 33 to under twenty...that sounds like the opposite of what should have happened

 

[hardasnails1973]

Prime example of why not to add an ai right off the bat.

 

[seeking]

https://thinksteroids.com/community/threads/134303838