Androgel vs testosterone injections
Common Questions and Answers about Androgel vs testosterone injections
androgel
In 2003 a urologist put me on testosterone injections to treat ED and supplyment testosterone after I had lost my left testicle due to complications from a vasectomy. I was warned about the possible effect of getting more agressive. To the surprise of my wife and I, our relationship has become even better. Due to further urological problems, I have not been able to engage into sexual intercourse with my wife since March 2008.
My husband is 36 and has very low testosterone (<150). He was on Androgel for about 9 months, and stoped taking it because he noticed no difference in how tired he was or his libido. He wants to go on injections, because we have heard from a lot of other people that those work the best due to immediate relief. We are aware that there will be a few days when he'll be feeling sluggish again due to the wear-off.
Hi. Your husband's testosterone was low, and normally they give testosterone shots for this, or I should say "you" would be giving your husband the shots. But he can also have the nurse at his doctor's office give them to him. It's good that he saw an Endo, and he/she really can't comment until his test results come back. At this time she will have lots to discuss with you.
I have been on Androgel for about one year. My testosterone tested low after i complaining of fatigue with my primary dr and he prescribed this. i felt much better for a few weeks but then i began to feel terrible. It appears to have exacerbated my sleep apnea terribly, and moods are up and down. I have been slowly trying to wean from it but I wonder if i will ever get back to producing T normally.
I personally think the whole testosterone treatment is a scam. Nobody tested me for free and albumin bound testosterone, the biologically active forms. Total testosterone is useless. This is like measuring total cholesterol without the HDL and LDL fractions. The primary practice docs are totally clueless. I would recommend talking to a good endocrinologist only.
The Androgel bottle says it's supposed to be kept at 77 degree's. The room I keep my Androgel in a roo thats about50 degree's . Could this be affecting the Androgel? It doesny seem to be working for me. Started on 4 pumps and worked at first then it didnt. Now on 6 pumps and I felt a difference but now that has declined. Jusy wondering if the room temp could be harming this drug and maybe why it doesnt seem to be working for me.
Thanks in advance,
Sutallee.
I was advised to stop the Androgel after which my PSA returned to 1.4. I am on testosterone injections currently and my fatigue is worse. I just finished a blood draw yesterday and the results are not available yet. My last results showed a TSH of 0.6, T3 of 2.3, and T4 of 1.1. I am currently on 88mcg of Synthroid and 10 mcg of Cytomel. My symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, weight gain (more fat than weight), tinnitus, and muscle cramps are still with me.
After brachytherapy for my cancer, I am in remission, and after 2+ years resumed taking androgel. I am on androgel again, and have high Testosterone levels (about 1000), but my libido has never recovered. I also have had hypothyroidism, but have been taking synthroid for it for many years with no adverse impact on my libido.
Does anyone have a suggestion for what to do?
Personally, I would discuss this w/ my Dr., whoever prescribed Androgel for you. Testosterone replacement can cause shrinkage of male genitals, incl. testes, after prolonged usage. I’m not sure if it’s reversible after ceasing treatment - ask the Dr about that. Best of luck to you & check back in to let us know what the Dr. says & how you’re doing...
Today options for treatment include topical testosterone gels and creams, short and long acting injections of testosterone esters, application of testosterone through skin patches, subcutaneous testosterone implants, and oral testosterone capsules.
The injection is given deep intra-muscular and is quite often painful.
Started seeing my civilian doctor because my blood test revealed that my testosterone was too low. My current test show that my testosterone level is 305, I take 7.5g of Androgel daily. My TSH level is 2.71, normal but sometimes it comes back on the low end. FT4 level is 0.61, it's always on the low end. Though I take the Androgel, I'm still always tired. This is tough because I'm a soldier. The Army feels that since my testosterone stays around normal with the Androgel.
My question is, shortly after I began Testosterone Replacement Therapy and am using Androgel daily. Is this an issue that I should be concerned with in regards to the CSCR? Or is it really corticosteriods that are a problem? This a concern to me since I have noticed a significant improvment in my overall general well being since using Androgel.
Androgel is a testosterone cream for Males.
It should be applied under the arms and never on the Penis as suggested.
Please, please make certain no child or female ever touches the applied area before showering or washing it off. serious consequences can and do occur.
But he can still perform coitus, still get hard and his urge still there as normal . They prescribe testosterone replacement like the androgel patch, he used that for one month but there are side effects on him like N/V, nosebleeds, stomach pain, we went to our doctor to report it.. is there any testosterone replacement other than androgel patch?
Thank you for your response. There are years of history here and I don't have my records, but I will try to recall as accuratly as possible. My first urologist did the normal exam and lab work and diagnosed me with "chronic prostititus". Over the next few years, he prescribed many different antibiotics. Of them, two seemed to start giving me some relief just an my prescription ran out. I expressed my feelings of slight improvement to him, but he would prescribe something different.
I think his relative lack of response to androgel indicates that a large ammount of his testosterone is being converted to estrogen/estradiol and this in turn is causing an increase in globulin bound thyroid. Maybe do additional tests to check it. Blocking aromatase would be a step to take if this is the case. Bear in mind I have no idea what i'm talking about but want to sound smart. Good luck.
The things you listed are good to test also free testosterone, estradiol, shbg, and prolactin. Free testosterone is more important than Therapy will have an effect on your symptoms, however it is permanent and expensive. From what I have heard free testosterone is more important as it is the one available for use by your body. I would think before going onto therapy you should retest at least three times at that low level. What time of the day did you take your test? Are you overweight?
I found out in 2019 I had low testosterone (0.6) and high SHBG (134), still same numbers as of June this year. Back in 2019, A doctor prescribed me AndrolGel. After a week or two into the treatment I had insane heart palpitations, high BP’s, dizzyness, sweating, headaches, the works pretty much. After a month or two of ER visits and doctors telling me it’s not the AndrolGel, I stopped it. Told me everyone has testosterone in their body speech. My dosage was 1 sachet of 2.5gm 1% twice a week.
So my Endo increased the dosage to 10mg, and still no change in energy or mood. We then switched to Enanthate injections - I had my first last week of 75mg, and I felt a little better for 2 days and then the effects are gone again.
Might there be some other problem associated with the way my body absorbs and uses Testosterone? Even after the injection I'm feeling down, low energy, and can cry at the slightest little thing - my emotions are all out of whack.
Recommended
