What would injections do for me?

Hi,
I started Androgel back in April and I'm now on 4 pumps. I get my Androgel from my urologist and my insurance covers it completely. I got labs done and total t came up to 838 (ref 348-1197) and free t was 19 (ref 8.7-25.1).

Now, these labs were after I applied the Androgel in the morning and I took my shot of 350iu's of hcg. When I read the Androgel brochure, it said that I should get labs done before the next shot, not 4 hours after application of Androgel so this might not me a good reading.......I don't know.

I have another doctor, a TRT practitioner in Manhattan and he does injections. He saw all my work and would treat me. He prescribes 200mg's a week and would let me inject at home.

How would the 200mg's of injections compare to 4 pumps of Androgel? From what I read, the injections would be better.

Thanks

Henry said:

Hi,
I

Now, these labs were after I applied the Androgel in the morning and I took my shot of 350iu's of hcg. When I read the Androgel brochure, it said that I should get labs done before the next shot, not 4 hours after application of Androgel so this might not me a good reading.......I don't know.

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I am sure you mean "after the next application" instead of "after the next shot"

How frequently do you inject HCG?

Hi,
You are correct, it was application. I inject 350iu's each on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I started at 250iu's each on Tuesday and Thursday. I was experiencing testicular softness at that dose. I then went to 250iu's each on M, W, and F and everything was going well. I started getting shrinkage on my left testicle so I went to 350iu's each and that's where I am now and everything is going well. I don't have any shrinkage, no bad sides and my semen analysis' are turning out well.

From what I'm reading, since I took the labs a few hours after application, the 838 and 19 are my peak values. It looks like the Androgel brochure was looking for my trough value. I guess I need another test now.

After two weeks of a protocol like yours, it does not really matter when you test. Your testosterone blood levels have reached steady state.

The only thing I would warn against is not spreading Androgel on the arm that they will use to draw your blood work since this may give you an artificially high T reading if done within 4 hours of application.

Oh, ok. thanks. I didn't know that. I thought Androgel had that 'peak' and 'trough' effect like what I read about for the injections.

On another note, I've been doing alot of searching on this forum and the general advice is to stay on injections if they work. I was just wondering if I would feel better or different on injections. It looks like there are less complaints on injection

Henry - I would not switch based on what you read on forums but rather on how you feel. It has been my experience that most of the people on the internet switch to shots but in many cases these are just people who had issues with gels and many of these same people are now struggling with injections. . However most people are not on the net discussing their HRT. Most people are just fine on Gels that are quality and they do offer some advantages as do shots. Both have their pros and cons and it is a very individual thing.

Thank you Nelson and Cooper.

I have to be honest, I am getting a little greedy. I'm reading about guys hitting 1500 on 200mg's and turning into supermen and I would like that. I feel great on Androgel. I'm not tired anymore, I sleep well, my labs are great, libido and erection are great. My mind is sharp again. I've returned the to gym and I'm exercising and I'm getting stronger. My weight is the same but my pants are a little looser. I have no complaints and I'm very happy. That's why I was wondering if I went on injections, I could drive up my testosterone to a higher level and feel even greater.

Henry said:

Oh, ok. thanks. I didn't know that. I thought Androgel had that 'peak' and 'trough' effect like what I read about for the injections.

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There is a peak about 2 hours after application. See this:

Henry said:

Thank you Nelson and Cooper.

I have to be honest, I am getting a little greedy. I'm reading about guys hitting 1500 on 200mg's and turning into supermen and I would like that. I feel great on Androgel. I'm not tired anymore, I sleep well, my labs are great, libido and erection are great. My mind is sharp again. I've returned the to gym and I'm exercising and I'm getting stronger. My weight is the same but my pants are a little looser. I have no complaints and I'm very happy. That's why I was wondering if I went on injections, I could drive up my testosterone to a higher level and feel even greater.

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If that's not an endorsement for the benefits of TRT, I don't know what is! Good to hear it's working well for you. However I'd encourage you to really focus on how you feel over your numbers. A total test level of 1,500, may not result in you feeling like Superman. I'm a HUGE believer that more testosterone is not necessarily a good thing. Many guys, including myself, feel much better with a total test between 500 - 600, then we ever did when running our levels up to 1,100 - 1,200. Continued success.

I was very skeptical of TRT before I began. Last year, I came in at 290 for total t. Then a couple of months later, 277. I tried lifestyle changes for the following year. Lost some weight, started exercising and doing squats, presses, deadlifts, all the testosterone boosting exercises. I tested twice in April of this year at 292 and 210.

I didn't want to start TRT. I saw the commercials, read the news reports, listened to doctors, friends, etc. I was worried about getting a heart attack, cancer, growing breasts, etc. My blood work was great and I was in decent shape. The only bad numbers were my HBA1C, Testosterone and blood pressure. Even my wife, who is a nurse, called it snake oil.

I finally gave in after I got caught sleeping at my desk at work. I started in April with 2 pumps and felt a little better. I came in at 489 total T. Went to three pumps and came in at 585. Now I'm at 4 pumps and 838 toal t and I feel great. Besides all the other changes, my HBA1C went down (I was pre-diabetic, even with the lifestyle changes and I knew that diabetes was coming since my father is a type 2 diabetic), and my blood pressure has gone down from around 140/90 to 120/80. When I go to the gym, my recovery is faster, I'm not as sore as long. I have energy throughout the day. Even my wife, who is very skeptical and was not supportive at all, changed her tune once she saw the changes in my attitude. I was no longer grumpy, tired, depressed and complaining. I never wanted to go out and I was always telling her how miserable I am. Now, I don't feel as bad. Even sex has changed. I no longer need Viagra and I last longer in bed.

I really can't believe how trt has changed things for me and this is where I'm getting a little greedy. That's why I wanted to see what more testosterone would bring me. I know that sometimes less is better so I'll just stay on Androgel and enjoy the ride. I've only been on for 5 months and from what I've read, it gets better as time goes on.

Thanks again everyone.