I got most of my information from my urologist and andrologist. You can find a progressive doctor through www.impotencespecialists.org. There is also quality information there. Also, buy the book, the Testosterone Syndrome by Eugene Shippen. This is a great book and recommended it to another poster on this site. The author speaks of every T related issue imagineable.
Now, for the record, HRT is NOT drug aided bodybuilding! Nearly every time I speak of HRT on this website, people immediately think of T supplementation and bodybuilding. I have also had the response of “but what about us bigger guys?” Androgel use is not dependent on BMI, regardless of how small or big you are. There is also no difference in older men using Androgel. Look in the book. He also speaks of elevated estrogen levels in the older man. The only way to control that is through maintaining a healthy body composition and you know what that takes.
[quote]BradleyGrunner wrote:
I am by no means an expert on HRT. However, I am a hypogonadal 26 year old male who acquired secondary hypogonadism at the age of 22. Now, I have stated over and over on this board, from my knowledge, injections are the worst form of HRT available. Actually, nearly ALL progressive andrologists will agree with this one. This is why they (such doctors mentioned) use Androgel, and only Androgel these days. As for the talk about Androgel not being effective as shots, I do not think this is a correct statement, considering that a small amount of Androgel can take one into the upper normal range. I myself tested below 300 ng/dL. With 10 g of Androgel my levels rose to 1,400 ng/dL. My doctor had to lower it to 7.5 g. At this amount of medicine being taken, I last tested a few weeks ago at 920 ng/dL. My sex drive is pretty darn high and I recover quite well from working out, just like the days before I had this problem. Introducing other drugs such as Teslac and Arimidex is clearly unessecary since normal testosterone leves would not cause an abnormal amount aromotization. Estrogen actually does have function in the male, although I am not sure exactly what they are. Refer to Cy Wilson’s writings for an explanation of this. [/quote]
I have to respectively disagree with this post. As most T-Nationer?s would agree, when it comes to physiology, things aren?t so black and white. I did 10 mg of Androgel for a year. It brought my levels from below 50 to over 900. To say I felt better is an understatement. I also found that putting the gel on was a hassle. For the last 6 months I?ve been taking the injections every 2 weeks. I won?t deny it?s a pain in the ass, but it?s not the hassle the gel is. My numbers are actually ?lower?. At the end of my 2 week periods, I?m around 400. I can say that physically, I am better with the injections. Mood is overall better, albeit cyclical. Libido is higher. I feel that I just react better to this type of therapy as opposed to the gel.
Bottom line is, you need a doc that will listen, give you options and you work out what is best for you within their guidelines.
As always, this is just meant to present another experience and perspective.
Great information! I’ve been on the gel a while and keep waiting for the benefits to arrive; very low energy level. Not as moody so maybe it’s working. If my T is still low at my November test, I’m opting for the shots.
BTW: My condition, it turns out, has been more or less life long. My mother was dying while she carried me and died soon after, so I’m sure that affected me some how, with the low T.