Topical Testosterone?
03-15-14 | 08:14 PM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 3
From: Garner, NC 27529
Bikes: Built up DT, 2007 Fuji tourer (donor bike, RIP), 1995 1220 Trek
Might I ask how old you are? And what your body composition is like? Does your fat cluster around your mid section or evenly distributed? How long before you realized you were low on E?
Almost 55y.o. Don't have a lot of extra fat but what there is definitely likes my midsection. It always takes me a long time to realize I am low on E. I am slowly learning the warning signs. I am going to try and find a link that explained things very well. I'll DM you if I get it.
I was on compounded (5%) and it was ~ $30 month and light years better then Androgel. Eventually, I stopped absorbing that as well.
I don't know that there is such a thing as "not absorbing it". What makes you think this? I believe there may be such a thing as an intrinsic "set point" for various hormones for people. My setpoint for T is very low. I can raise it only with difficulty and my levels even with supplementation are just so-so. Light years better, however, than when I was stuck at the absolute bottom of the scale.
2 week injections do suck. I self administer 2x weekly, sub q, not IM. Sub Q offers a slower release, lower spike and therefore lower amoratization. But for me, the best part is I'm much less likely to hit a gusher. I inject in the quads and would hit a blood vessel about every 4th time. OBTW, I'm almost 48, 6', 265 about 20% body fat.
20% cream, $160. I can make it last 6 months if I am conservative or 3 if I am a pig. Arimidex, free with patient assistance plan from the manufacturer, otherwise ~$10 per tab. Meant to be taken 1 tab/dy - 90 tablets 1/4 tab 2x/wk -- you do the math.
H
Almost 55y.o. Don't have a lot of extra fat but what there is definitely likes my midsection. It always takes me a long time to realize I am low on E. I am slowly learning the warning signs. I am going to try and find a link that explained things very well. I'll DM you if I get it.
I was on compounded (5%) and it was ~ $30 month and light years better then Androgel. Eventually, I stopped absorbing that as well.
I don't know that there is such a thing as "not absorbing it". What makes you think this? I believe there may be such a thing as an intrinsic "set point" for various hormones for people. My setpoint for T is very low. I can raise it only with difficulty and my levels even with supplementation are just so-so. Light years better, however, than when I was stuck at the absolute bottom of the scale.
2 week injections do suck. I self administer 2x weekly, sub q, not IM. Sub Q offers a slower release, lower spike and therefore lower amoratization. But for me, the best part is I'm much less likely to hit a gusher. I inject in the quads and would hit a blood vessel about every 4th time. OBTW, I'm almost 48, 6', 265 about 20% body fat.
20% cream, $160. I can make it last 6 months if I am conservative or 3 if I am a pig. Arimidex, free with patient assistance plan from the manufacturer, otherwise ~$10 per tab. Meant to be taken 1 tab/dy - 90 tablets 1/4 tab 2x/wk -- you do the math.
H
Not absorbing:
Well, since I read obsessively... It isn't just personal experience. 2 factors that I score high on positively correlated with poor absorption: low thyroid, and really low cortisol. Personal experience: dosages kept going up and up and up, levels would respond for a while, then sink. Try new site (calves are really good) levels jump, then slowly sink. Switch back to other site, levels up, then sink fast...
Make last: uh, do what keeps you levels at a healthy level. There is some research that shows > 1000 is not good, can't speak to it's quality... Heart issues much lower over 600, then under.
Recent "study": Look at administration, large percentage levels not tested, almost all Androgel... Negative effects on people who should have never been given in first place until underlying issues addressed...
03-15-14 | 08:19 PM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 3
From: Garner, NC 27529
Bikes: Built up DT, 2007 Fuji tourer (donor bike, RIP), 1995 1220 Trek
Interesting thread. Had a conversation with a friend of mine who is studying the long term affects of testosterone supplementation in males. They are looking at the kidneys right now. He indicated treatment may be harsh on the kidneys as early indicators are showing. No, nothing published as the study is ongoing.
The lawyers are already running ads to gather enough people for class-action suit status, of the "have you taken testosterone replacement therapy and suffered a stroke or heart attack? Call us right now!" style. 
As for studies, I no longer really trust any of them, till I know who funded/backed the study, the methodology of the study, and the publication standards of the publisher of the study.
As for studies, I no longer really trust any of them, till I know who funded/backed the study, the methodology of the study, and the publication standards of the publisher of the study.
03-15-14 | 08:41 PM
#53
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 1,066
From: Lincoln Ne
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
IMO with all the warning and lawyers wanting to handle cases of side effect (heart attacks etc) I would steer completely clear of the stuff. The people that want to sell the stuff sound like snake oil salesman selling out of the back of wagon in 1880. Dont take any drug you dont really have to.
