New to TRT - Using Topicals

[Jonconner21]

I'm 50 and noticed a serious decline I'm my health, labido, and "will" over the last three years. Went to a men's clinic then my Primary Care Physician. Four blood tests later met with an Internist Dr. who said "Absolutely you have low T!". I'm now using AndroDerm 2mg daily patches. Here's my question. First two evenings a miracle happened....I was erect like a flagpole. This is the fourth day and it seems I'm back to "normal". Has anyone else experienced this quick charge then leveling off?

 

[isos266]

Don't be afraid to post your labs here with ranges. Also, please look into other administration methods of testosterone. In my opinion, pellets are the worst followed by trans dermal patches. The only advice i can give to you is to do your own research, your health is in your hands. Follow the leaders in the industry such as Saya, Crisler, Shippen, Mariano. Regular doctors are not up to date on hormone replacement therapy.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Welcome to Excelmale. You may well be experiencing, probably are experiencing, the so-called TRT honeymoon period. Endogenous testosterone has yet to be totally suppressed and it's being supported by the exogenous hormone you are administering. When your axis shuts down, as it will, you could see a period of adjustment during which the hard work of protocol adjustment takes place. Patches are a largely abandoned mode of delivery, but if they are successful,for you, all the best. Keep us posted.

 

[Jonconner21]

Sooooo What is the mode of delivery now if patches are out?

I read a post on here from a Dr. that stated he didnt like the shots.....

 

[CoastWatcher]

Sooooo What is the mode of delivery now if patches are out?

I read a post on here from a Dr. that stated he didnt like the shots.....

What doctor? Dr. Saya, one of our moderators, and one of the leading androgen replacement specialists in the United States, certainly didn't write that he didn't like shots - countless numbers of his patients (many members here) have had them prescribed. Our urological consultant, Dr. Rotman, prescribes shots consistently. Dr. Crisler, as a matter of routine, prescribes shots. Other than those three, I'm not aware of any other doctors who are active with us here at EM. These same doctors do, with some patients, prescribe compounded testosterone cream, and a handful of our members have pellets implanted.

This is a very injection-oriented community - because injections are quick, easy to administer, fairly easy to adjust. In short, they work. Not to say they work for all of us on day one of the protocol, their is a dialing-in periodmthat can be short of long, but most of us find success with them.

But as I noted, if this delivery system brings you success, that is wonderful. You will know soon enough - keep us posted and stay active here.

 

[Jonconner21]

I read a brief here from Dr. Crisler..... he was explaining all the methods and results. That was this morning when I thought to first join. Before I started this little journey, I looked for published works directly related to "mens health" and was disapo\pointed. My own Dr. (PCP) just tossed my results aside and said I was "normal". Which led me to the Internist. My gripe (personal gripe) is the lack of definitive proof of what normal is for each age group and maybe a three part separation in each age group. for instance 45 - 50, active male with no pre-existing conditions vs a 45 - 50 year old, sedentary man with high blood pressure. If you know of any articles or publications I would be very interested in them.

 

[Jonconner21]

Labs - 12/28/16 01/10/17 01/23/17

SHBG 30 31 26
Total Testosterone 271 381 350
Free Testosterone 80.2 81.5 81.8

I couldn't find the first test results. It was performed in November of 2016

 

[Jonconner21]

Also, I am 50 years old, 6'1", weigh in at 252 lbs ..... I havent lost or gained weight in the last 4 years. I don't eat bad foods, I juice a little, and recently (last two months) started swimming 45 minutes 5 out of 7 mornings.

 

[Jonconner21]

Thanks for the info - I will keep reading and keep putting the patches on and let you know how it goes.....

 

[zojo360]

It will take a good 6 weeks to even out your levels. Patches and gels are for so called optimum daily levels but far from the tried and true injections. Easy to do, able to make subtle dose changes with the right syringes and very quick. Your gripes with the lack of information on TRT is all to common. The best way is to take charge of your own treatment with extensive self education. Read all the stickies here. You will find a wealth of information on everything.
Best wishes...

 

[Jonconner21]

Thanks - I will keep reading. i have met with a lot of resistance from my wife, friends, all the way to the Doctors.... crazy stuff

 

[zojo360]

It's YOUR health in the end...

 

[CoastWatcher]

Labs - 12/28/16 01/10/17 01/23/17

SHBG 30 31 26
Total Testosterone 271 381 350
Free Testosterone 80.2 81.5 81.8

I couldn't find the first test results. It was performed in November of 2016

It's best if you post the ranges associated with each test. All labs calibrate to a different scale. That said, you are posting numbers that are hardly "normal." Far too many doctors believe that "in range" is equivalent to "normal" - nothing could be further from the truth. Simply put, doctors receive very little training in this aspect of medicine - and far too many men suffer as a result.