Hormone Replacement Therapy

[One]

My doctor has prescribed me with Androgel for low testosterone. ~5mg of testosterone is effectively absorbed from each 50mg daily patch. It is my understanding that this level of testosterone is far lower than one would use in an AS steroid cycle. The goal of this Androgel is simply to bring my testosterone levels into the normal male range.

Would this HRT likely effect mass or strength gains in the gym? If so, to what degree?

Should I modify my diet or training in any way because of the HRT?

I am only 27. Is there any need to cycle this low a dosage?

Is there anything else you would recommend?

[bonebreaker]

A male in his PRIME only produces 7mg/day. You're getting an extra 5mg on top of what you naturally produce, unless you aren't producing any. 5mg/day will not help in the gym, dose is too low. Most doctors prescribe at least 200mg every other week for Hormone Replacement Therapy, HRT, and usually its for men who have all but quit producing their own because of age. At 200mg/every other week is 14mg/day and that's considered maintenance dosages. Some HRT Drs. say 200mg EVERY WEEK is better. At that dose you could probably stay "on" the rest of your life if you aren't producing enough on your own, plus would help gain some size as opposed to doing nothing. The Androgel patch is not what you're looking for, I don't think. BB

[arby]

7mg/day is in-vivo.

98% of exogeneously administered testosterone is excreted. Much of the rest is inactivated by the liver. The specifics vary depending on your invidiual metabolism, and this is why bloodwork is essential.

RB

[trip]

One,

Sounds like you have a decent doctor, he's trying the most safest way he can legally to help with your t levels. Androgel is safest easiet, so that's probably why trying first. If it doesn't work he will probably go injection route.

What was your T level before starting?

bonebreakers post is informative and pretty much the norm for hrt

For best info go to meso-rx.com, they have a real doctor who mods the hrt section and it's all about questions like you just asked. The doctor also has a web-site with tons of info.

To specifically answer your questions: NO one knows. That's why the doctor started out low. For some it's amazing, for others little bump, everyone responds differently.

Kind of like if you've been thirsty and no water and you finally get some, you might feel great and be satisfied or just crave more water and wish you had more, kinda the picture.

Hoped That Helped
Good Luck

[bonebreaker]

Trip, I agree with what you said about the Doc starting out low to see what it takes to get him "back in line" with his Testosterone levels, if that's all he's looking for. However, I read his post as perhaps looking for a dose that would help him gain some size and strength. The patch, I don't think would do that. He needs, IMO, at least 200mg/wk to really help. BB

[trip]

bone,

lol, I agree with above, seems like he was working with doctor and didn't want him to feel down about whole thing, you're right though he'd need the 200 too grow, that's almost for sure

[bonebreaker]

Trip, Your exactly right. Imagine going to your Doc and telling him you want him to help you juice up! LMAO. BB

[One]

Thanks for the helpful information and the reference to the meso-rx site. I will also make a post there.

My testosterone levels were 320ng/dl before starting.

I agree that my doctor wants to start off with a lower dosage, and may increase if more is needed. I believe that this is the typical treatment strategy.

Some of you may be underestimating the effectiveness of Androgel. Some more detailed information about the product is listed at http://www.androgel.com/pdfs/androgel_prescribing.pdf . They describe a study in which 227 hypogonadal men (probably defined as T under ~300) had the following mean steady state T levels after 180 days (note that T levels remained elevated throughout the period)

5G -- 555 ng/dl
7.5G -- 601 ng/dl
10G-- 713 ng/dl

I am satisfied with my body and muscular development, but I want to be aware of and take advantage of any changes related to this product. Some users have reported increases in muscle mass and decreases in body fat with Androgel. In the study mentioned above, after 30 days the 5G group averaged a ~1kg decreases in body fat and larger increases in LBM.

[Kayak Jones]

Your scenario sound s familiar. I went through a similar stiuation about a year ago. The good doc prescribed oral hrt. I told him negative, too many and too severe of sides for the benefits with oral. showed him some research and that intruiged him enough do do some more research. I explained to him that hrt doses are not yet carved in stone and that if i had to have it, at least make it worth my time. So the good doc, now the great and wise doc gave me a scrip for injections (200/week test e) And that my friend was the legal beginning of crossing over to the dark side. The story grows from there, but that is a tale for another time.