All good points. I never use the stupid plastic topper thing with axiron. I squirted on my armpit then rub it in for a few seconds. And yes I'm very careful especially with the wife rubbing on it may be in bed or something
"I'd never wanna deal with injections, easier for me to apply it daily with a topical like axiron. I also think it would keep the levels more consistent if done daily. No highs or lows "
FlipFlops: That Axiron can get messy for sure. My application was in the arm pits, it was hell trying to keep it in that little rubber bowl like applicator. It would run down my sides and be sticky for a long time. Also, if you have pets or are around kids, transferring to them by touch is a concern. Insurance is another battle, seems most don't like to cover the gel like they do the injections. I chose the injections because of insurance battle for coverage reasons, seems the armchair nurse for Cigna wanted me on the injections anyway, despite my GP.
To touch on the highs and lows, that is correct, but not everyone has the same absorption rate and some not enough to stay on the gel. If the injections are done correctly, no rollercoaster effects will take place to worry about. I haven't had any in roughly 3 years. That's why I only recommend a GP to set the labs and specialist up, but YMMV with insurance coverage because "T" specialists are likely not covered, but once you've got yourself tuned, the only thing left is to have labs through your GP.
~Allen
I'd never wanna deal with injections, easier for me to apply it daily with a topical like axiron. I also think it would keep the levels more consistent if done daily. No highs or lows
FYI. To maintain a steady level I inject subcutaneous a low-dose twice weekly. I do the injections myself and have been testing every four months. Last test my levels 625.
To be honest, The idea of giving myself injections seems scary at first. But now it only takes a few minutes. From The research I did this method maintains the most consistent level of testosterone.
Thanks to all for your thoughtful and detailed responses to the initial query. Perhaps the most important takeaways from the conversation are
(1) It's important that both patient and physician be well educated on testosterone deficiency and replacement strategies.
(2) Goals need to be individualized and are only partially dependent on the measured level.
(3) There are secondary effects that need to be discussed and sought; dosing may need to be adjusted.
(4) Testicular atrophy is common.
(5) Most are using regular injections; smaller dose and more frequent injections may be important to create "steady state" levels.
With appreciation for your collective candor.
I've been doing home injections just over 2 years. Intial test was low 200s, since then it's been in the normal range, although that's a wide range. Coincidentally the urologist I was seeing and my GP had different opinions about what the high end of normal is.
" he's cutting it down to an injection every 3 weeks, instead of two."
I bet he's a GP. Instead of putting you longer between injections, he should be lowering the amount of each injection. Injections of Testosterone Cypionate's ("C") life cycle is 11-13(max) days. Your at your highest after 24 hours, then at 36 hours it begins to fall off. By 8 days, you should be 30-25% and 11 days 10-0% lifecycle. Even at two weeks, you may have noticed a small mood swing or feeling of tiredness. It took about two years to find my T-level sweet spot and this is why I inject weekly; if my proportional injection brings me to 500-600, then the 33% left over will be approx. and the 800 range after my second injection happens, not 0% left for 3 additional days. With T-type injections starting with "A","P", or "E", your injections should be more frequent than that of "C".
Advice: To get a better grasp on your numbers, you may ask for labs to be done the day before your injection so you can check your low score, then ask for one the day after your injection for a high score. If you fall within the range, good for you, if you go outside of it, adjust the amount you inject by 25-50%, not the frequency of the injection and stay consistent for the next draw in about 3 months, then adjust accordingly. This only helps with injections every two weeks, more than that, you'll be bottomed out if you test after 14 days, no matter the amount you inject.
FWIW: IMHO, You don't want to stay in the thousand range anyway. Testosterone increases your red blood count, by how much depends on your T level when tested. You might end up needing to do a bleed out due to the red blood cell count rising; when blood cells take up more space, it leave less room for oxygen. You can tell this if you exert yourself for a short period and get winded. None of the above post is to be construed as applicable to the androgels, scrotum patches or quarterly injection methods.
~Allen
I took shots for low T some years ago , did not do any good other than helped me a little to have a more level mood, lost 50 lbs still no difference. So why fight it, I decided to just to live as a woman, LOL. Mary Jo
I started T therapy 2 mos. ago. My levels had dropped to 218, and I was tired all the time, gaining weight, and feeling unmotivated. I get the injections every 2 weeks. I now feel great! Much stronger, energetic and horny all the time. My latest lab report put my T level at 1044. The dr. said, "That's too high."
I said, "But, I feel great." He said, "I'm sure you do." So, he's cutting it down to an injection every 3 weeks, instead of two. No side effects, except that I also noticed a bit of testicular shrinkage. I don't mind that. They were hanging too low, anyway. :)
three tests before I started.... 185, 235 and 210.
I started with Cypionate injections sub-cutaneous twice a week. Levels hit 700+. Best summer I have had working in years. Definitely more sustained energy and motivation. Got home from work and was ready to start another project. With the low levels I just want to sit and veg out on the TV.
After 6 months I experience a serious spike in blood pressure and had anxiety issues coming out of nowhere. Stopped injections for 3 weeks.... and felt like crap again. Lowered the dose by 30% and changed my diet up to super healthy for breakfast and lunch. No more eating lunch out. No more Pizza. Dropped 10 pounds. Feel better and we will go back for more testing at the first of the year. Blood pressure and Hyper Tension issues are documented on HRT for men... this link is not clearly figured out... but as I learned it is a area of concern.
FYI: My balls shrank. Yep.... they are smaller... but function just fine. I never had ED issues... only tired, lazy, unmotivated and gaining weight. The Mrs says she doesn't notice the smaller testicles... but I do.... has not been an issue with a playmate... but some ladies have a thing for big testicles.... mine are now more petite. Your mileage may vary.
Dave
original levels were in the 300-350 range. doctor put me on Axiron under the armpit stuff and now levels have been on the high side when used under both armpits (925+ range) if i use it under just one armpit, its stays fairly consistent in the 600 range. been using it for about 5 years. I had to lower the dose from 900 as it can definitely get me in trouble lol. i was walking around like a dog in heat and hardons like a 13 year old coming out of nowhere. Now its fairly normal and im sleeping better and no tired feeling.
Stay classy Ron and stop mancrushing.
:-)
The newest standard is 300 to 850. 5 years here.
You're T levels fluctuate during the day; think of it as a tank of gas, the lower the number, the quicker you will feel fatigue; the higher the number, the better you will feel. Most general practitioners now nothing of how to manage it, other than try to give you a monthly injection for a 11 day life cycle of replacement, even the biweekly shot will have you on a roller coaster. If doing injections, weekly is the best to keep you in the zone more consistently. There are other methods as well, quite messier.
Google the crap out of it to educate yourself better, everyone reacts differently to different methods. See your GP, get your labs done and set up with a specialist.
~Allen
For those men who are using testosterone therapy, as a matter of curiosity...
What was your testosterone level before you began replacement therapy? What level did you and your caregiver target for replacement? For what period of time have you been using testosterone replacement therapy?
Thanks in advance.
