Was wondering if I could get some advice on my current situation. I’ve been on androgel for about 6-7 years now. In the beginning, something just told me to ask doc about T levels, got the test & came back real low (don’t remember original level). I have a new doc now who increased the dose (4 pumps a day), but referred me to an endo. First endo appt is coming up, but I wanted to run this stuff by you guys first. The level of knowledge here is incredible, so thanks in advance.
age:32
height: 6’3
weight: 270 (high teens bf, I imagine)
Body hair/facial hair: never had a beard. Goatee only in past few years with androgel. Not very hairy otherwise
testes ache or hurt? ever? Sometimes, rarely there is a dull ache.
depression: no however I ran out of gel for like 10 days & felt like shit until I got my order in
libido : lower than usual
get cold easily? a change? All through life it seems. Nothing extreme like having to wear a coat indoors tho. Extremities freeze in the snow, cold rain, etc
dry skin, brittle nails? no
use iodized salt? No more than anyone else
eat much sea food? Maybe 2-3 times a month
exposure to chemicals? not much. Work in industrial type area sometimes & shoot a fair amount
ever used hair loss drugs? No, but if I could to grow a beard, that’d be great
Rx and OTC drugs: androgel, multivitamin, protein & Pre-workout stuff
general energy levels: fairly decent. Only when I went off gel did I feel horrible
difficulty gaining muscle / recent muscle loss: muscle gain seems to be fairly decent, but nothing stellar. I’m a fairly strong guy, but I imagine that I could be stronger if my levels were right.
weight gain (difficulty losing weight): around belly & face. Need to drop some lbs
general diet: not the best. Never eat breakfast, portions have always been too large
concentration/focus/drive/memory: fluctuate, but not as good as they should be
confidence level/anxiety level: fairly good confidence, mild anxiety from time to time. High stress makes adrenal area hurt/throb. Never knew what this was before reading this board
chest size/gyno?/chest sensitivity: large, barrel-type chest. nipples have been kinda puffy whole life.
morning erections/ability to maintain erections : no more morning wood. Not as firm as teen/early 20s. Sad…
supplement history: creatine, protein, vitamins, C4 Pre-workout. Ephedra caffeine aspirin stack way back in the day. Never any AAS
headaches: almost never
Here is my current blood work:
WBC: 3.6 (since a teen its been low. No diseases)
RBC: 5.27
Hemoglobin: 16.5
Hematocrit: 46.4
Neutrophil: 28.4
Lymph: 61.7
Sodium: 139
Potassium: 4.9
Chloride: 104
CO2: 26
Urea Nitrogen: 10
Creatinine: .86
Protein: 8.3
Albumin: 4.2
Calcium: 9.6
Bilirubin: 1.6
ALP: 100
AST: 36
ALT: 33
Globulin: 4.1
Anion GAP: 9
PSA: .62 (doc says its from androgel)
Total Test: 201
%Free Test: 2.3
Free Test: 45.6
SHBG: 24
I know that’s a whole lot to look at, but any help you guys can provide would be great. I’m thinking the gel just doesn’t work anymore. I guess shots would be the way to go. Hopefully the endo agrees. Ideas?