Tested Low - but can't get therapy

[TRP7]

Hey guys -

Back in December of last year, I had a tough personal stuff. Slept about 5 hours in one week. This was after having a stressful year

My total Test the year before was about 600. I got it tested shortly after my stressful time, and it was under 300 (290ish). Free and Bioavailable were also under by about the same percentage (I can find the numbers, but basically a little under the acceptable normal low).

I'm self employed and the Androgel would cost me about $300 a month (barely have insurance) I think it was. I can't afford that.

So I've been hitting the gym, sleeping and eating. In 6 months, I got my numbers up by doing hard big movements (squats, deadlifts, etc). They are up in the low 400s now.

My questions are -

Is there a way to get therapy cheaper than this? Any help would be appreciated

Do I need to or am I doing ok you think?

Lastly - I've heard of guys making their own?? How is this possible and where do I find information about this?

Thank you!

 

[MeatHead96]

Go with injections. Androgel is horrible anyways. Injections are cheap. Talk to the board sponser, chip. He will work with you. If this doesn't work out talk to your doctor about injections. I would definetly talk to him about using HCG and an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) with that as well.

 

[davsmith]

I'm not an expert, but i think 400 is acceptable, I advise you to save your money

 

[funkymonk]

I'm not an expert, but i think 400 is acceptable, I advise you to save your money

He's under 300 pg/nl, and is symptomatic. While testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may not necessarily be the answer, OP should definitely seek out remedy.

Test injections for me are cheap, even without insurance. (not sure if I can discuss prices)

EDIT: Oh, low 400s. I see that now.

 

[MeatHead96]

He's under 300 pg/nl, and is symptomatic. While testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may not necessarily be the answer, OP should definitely seek out remedy.

Test injections for me are cheap, even without insurance. (not sure if I can discuss prices)

Yup. Davesmith may want to actually try reading the post before handing out advice like this.

 

[Packgus]

He said after working out hard and eating good and sleeping better his numbers are now up into the low 400s.

in defense of Davsmith

 

[Gympho]

doctor tells me injections are the cheapest. my research backed this up.

 

[TR90125]

doctor tells me injections are the cheapest. my research backed this up.

Back in my Testim days my pharmacist once remarked that I should be injecting instead of using Testim gel. In her words it was significantly less expensive and less time consuming. I'm pretty sure she wasn't getting spiffed by any drug companies to support one over the other.

Without specifically mentioning price, the equivalent amount of injectable test was less than 1/3 the cost of a month of testim at 1 tube per day. I would imagine the same applies to other gels. I can't say exactly what kind of test injection she was referring to, but it was way less money.

 

[funkymonk]

Without specifically mentioning price, the equivalent amount of injectable test was less than 1/3 the cost of a month of testim at 1 tube per day. I would imagine the same applies to other gels. I can't say exactly what kind of test injection she was referring to, but it was way less money.

Same, Androgel with copay for 12 weeks == Cyp without copay for 20 weeks for me.

 

[MeatHead96]

He said after working out hard and eating good and sleeping better his numbers are now up into the low 400s.

in defense of Davsmith

Good catch. Maybe I should have read it closer lol.

 

[cjw2021]

gel stops working very quickly

 

[MeatHead96]

gel stops working very quickly

Yes, after three months of testim 10g a day, my total test went from 268 to 89! Horrible. They didn't even test my e2 but i'm sure it was sky high and DHT probably was too.

 

[cjw2021]

it's because aromatase takes over, SHBG raises - and so basically ur just rubbing in estrogen after the first month, in my case 2 weeks. I got it compounded 10% cream which was cheaper but it still stopped working and started shrinking me up from lack of DHT and high estrogen. NO THANKS.

 

[TRP7]

Hey Guys

Thanks for the advice and help. Yes, I still feel symptomatic. Even though I have gained weight and strength (I am lifting more than I was when I was in my 20s and am now about 34), I feel rundown and tired and sleep a long time. Everything is a battle (to stay in the gym, to get through the day.

Maybe this is just being in my 30s, I don't know

I'll talk to him about injections then.

As far as Homemade brew - guys are really doing this? Where do they find out how to do it? And is buying the raw materials still illegal? I don't think I would actually attempt it, just seems to risky, but it is interesting for sure!

PS Meathead - that has got to be one of the finest profile pics ever! Can't stop looking at it

 

[MonsterMedic]

The gel (Testim/Androgel) also takes a long time to absorb and can be seated away. Ihad my doctor switch me to Cyp as soon as I could before I lost my insurance.

@TRP7: I've heard of guys making their own too but the basic esterified T is the Schedule III substance and illegal for you or me to buy or import. Either in the powder or liquid form.

Note: T must be bonded with an Ester (Cyp, Enathate, Propionate, etc.) in order to slow down it's absorption rate. It's this T + Ester that is then used to make injectable T Meds.