TRT Issues

[kelkel]

Here's the story. 50 yr old bodybuilder, formerly competitive (won 6 overalls back in the day) but still trains, eats the same as ever. In great shape. Started feeling shitty and losing some weight. Ended up with a brain scan locating a microadenoma in my pituitary which basically shut down my T production to 59. Yes, 59. Imagine that. Sometimes these tumors cause extra GH production but hell no, I couldn't get that one.

Anyway, my doc and endocrinologist put me on Androgel 5mg. Eventually upped it to 10 then 15mg (12 pumps.) We settled on 10 pumps per day. Although the script is still for 15 so I'm copping an extra bottle a month for me. It actually works great. I apply every day first thing in the morning except on blood test days where I skip application, get blood pulled then apply. So, my T level 25 hrs after application runs in the 400 to 500's. I did do one test recently 5 hrs after application and my level was over 850. Has anyone else had blood work done during different times of the day showing the range in T level with Androgel?

Next, I'm now considering doing a cycle. Something mild, Deca, Anavar, anti-E as I'm prone to gyno. I can only assume than I don't need to worry about PCT since I'm always gonna be on Androgel, correct? Does anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences, advice? I've been out of the chemical game a long time but want to jump back in.

Thanks in advance!

 

[nuknuk]

im surprised the androgel is working that good for you. Just do some deca and primo, with some nolvadex.

 

[kelkel]

Thanks Nuk Nuk. Congrats btw on your win! For some reason I can't seem to get your pic's to open up. I've been following your posts. Keep them up, very entertaining and informative! I do appreciate the response and look forward to putting a little size back on. I'm overdue and have a window of opportunity before my next Dr. appt. Question: How long will my T level stay elevated with Deca so I know how long to be off prior to the next BW.

Thanks much!

 

[MMX2]

Here's the story. 50 yr old bodybuilder, formerly competitive (won 6 overalls back in the day) but still trains, eats the same as ever. In great shape. Started feeling shitty and losing some weight. Ended up with a brain scan locating a microadenoma in my pituitary which basically shut down my T production to 59. Yes, 59. Imagine that. Sometimes these tumors cause extra GH production but hell no, I couldn't get that one.

Anyway, my doc and endocrinologist put me on Androgel 5mg. Eventually upped it to 10 then 15mg (12 pumps.) We settled on 10 pumps per day. Although the script is still for 15 so I'm copping an extra bottle a month for me. It actually works great. I apply every day first thing in the morning except on blood test days where I skip application, get blood pulled then apply. So, my T level 25 hrs after application runs in the 400 to 500's. I did do one test recently 5 hrs after application and my level was over 850. Has anyone else had blood work done during different times of the day showing the range in T level with Androgel?

Next, I'm now considering doing a cycle. Something mild, Deca, Anavar, anti-E as I'm prone to gyno. I can only assume than I don't need to worry about PCT since I'm always gonna be on Androgel, correct? Does anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences, advice? I've been out of the chemical game a long time but want to jump back in.

Thanks in advance!

Well first welcome to MC!
I don't think it's a low number- mine was 38- yes that is right 38 when I did my test- a lot of tests were run as they originally had diagnosed it as prostate cancer but that ended up being negative - I now get tested every 6 months for it... For me its a miscommunication in the pituitary that is causing issues.
I was put on Androgel 2 years ago at 10mg EOD... and yes it is about in the 500 about 24 hours after and it is not uncommon to 850-1000 after a few hours of application.
Now- here is where I screwed up--- I also was on cycle as Androgel did not do anything for me on its own.. I did not stop soon enough before the next test and it ended up being at 3200 for the next test. The doc, who mainly deals with a lot older patients who also have diabetes and other mitigating symptoms, freaked out and quickly went from EOD application to once a week really limiting the prescription refills.
I think you can do a cycle- but you really need to time it so you come off and clean yourself out until you do the next test.
My test has been low for quite a number of years and I have also been doing cycles since I was 19... an 45 now.

 

[highside]

A couple years ago a doctor had me on the gel. It sucked for me. It did not raise my test levels much and for some reason my estro levels were high. I switched doctors and started cyp injections and it was much better. I would never go back to the gel. I know it works for some people, but not me.

 

[Presser]

So how often are u trt guys getting ur levels tested? It sounds like ur getting ur testosterone levels check frequently??

 

[MMX2]

So how often are u trt guys getting ur levels tested? It sounds like ur getting ur testosterone levels check frequently??

I get mine every 6 months because of the cancer screening I have to do....

 

[kelkel]

Thanks for the response MMX2. I'm aware deca stays in your system longer than most but can't really figure out how long it will elevate my T level? I don't want to flip out my doctor who works with me and treats me by how I feel, not by the numbers. Luckily my insurance covers the Androgel totally (over a grand a month.) In retrospect, back in my competitive days when stuff was legal, I would put it all on my insurance. It was great, until Alzado and the government f'd it all up, but I digress.

I've got about 5 months until my next BW and plan on about a 12 wk cycle. figuring 400 mg of Deca weekly. I've never done more that 200 but everything I read anymore indicates more is needed. Thoughts! Anyone?

 

[saudades]

I also get blood drawn every six months. I don't like the gel so I get the injectable for my TRT.

Question: How long will my T level stay elevated with Deca so I know how long to be off prior to the next BW.

Deca will not elevate test as it isn't test at all. It will not show up on the blood test, and in many cases, deca use decreases the body's own test levels through the negative feedback loop, which is why you don't want to use deca on its own.

 

[kelkel]

Saudades, thanks for the info. I was under the impression it would still elevate my T level numbers on BW. I figured since I was already on the Androgel and doing ok with it I would just add the Deca/anavar/nolvadex as I'm gyno sensitive. You think I should add extra test along with it? If so, how much since I'm 850 + with Androgel?

Thanks brother!

 

[MMX2]

Saudades, thanks for the info. I was under the impression it would still elevate my T level numbers on BW. I figured since I was already on the Androgel and doing ok with it I would just add the Deca/anavar/nolvadex as I'm gyno sensitive. You think I should add extra test along with it? If so, how much since I'm 850 + with Androgel?

Thanks brother!

To Sau's point, I would not use deca by itself... if you were to use test, I would suggest you use a test like prop so it will be be out of your system before your test. When I use test, I never use androgel the same day- always used it on days I would not inject test. I learned this was the reason that my levels when to 3K...