Want to switch from the gel to injections. What should I ask for, bloodwork wise?

[Bigwave70]

I went on a steroid cycle for a year straight. I suffered from severe anxiety, loss of libido, depression and muscle loss when I stopped. I'm 46 years old and I've decided to commit myself to life long TRT. I made my first post in this forum about a week ago. The feedback was very helpful and much appreciated.

I have an appointment with my private doctor in one week. I'm going to ask him to switch me from the gel to injections. I'm hoping he goes for it because the gel is not working. I'm going to ask for blood work to be done. What should I be tested for? I've read up on the Basic TRT Overview on this website. It states that I should have total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and thyroid panel checked. Is this all that I should ask for?

As I stated, I suffered from severe anxiety when I came off. It's been five months since I stopped and I still have anxiety issues. In the beginning, the anxiety was so severe that I was hospitalized, multiple times. I've never felt anything like that in my entire life and I never want to go through it again. I've been told that my estradiol level was elevated and that's what caused, and is still causing, the anxiety. Any opinions on this? Should I get my estradiol level checked too? Could this anxiety be caused by something else?

I appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

[mosnterboy]

You should also check your PSA and Estradiol. PSA is really important to check for, for your prostate health and estradiol is to check your estrogen panel. I have a question, is the gel expensive? I read that it can get very expensive compared to injection test, might be something to bring up with your doctor too.

 

[Bigwave70]

You should also check your PSA and Estradiol. PSA is really important to check for, for your prostate health and estradiol is to check your estrogen panel. I have a question, is the gel expensive? I read that it can get very expensive compared to injection test, might be something to bring up with your doctor too.

Thank you for your input.

My insurance covers the Andro-gel. I too have heard that the gel is expensive. I just hope my doctor is willing to switch me to the injections. The gel is not working out very well for me.

 

[IMT staff]

If he won't do it give us a call.

Since your already diagnosed and on T not sure how much blood work will help you now. Would be better to wait until your on injections and use labs to titrate the dosage.

 

[Bigwave70]

If he won't do it give us a call.

Since your already diagnosed and on T not sure how much blood work will help you now. Would be better to wait until your on injections and use labs to titrate the dosage.

Okay. Thanks. I'll keep this in mind.

 

[Bigwave70]

If he won't do it give us a call.

Since your already diagnosed and on T not sure how much blood work will help you now. Would be better to wait until your on injections and use labs to titrate the dosage.

I also wanted blood work done because I've had bad anxiety issues for the last five months. The first two months were unbelievably hard. The anxiety was extremely high and it never let up. I've been told that it may have something to do with my estradiol levels. Has anybody suffered the same way I have? It's been five months and even though the anxiety has calmed down a bit due to medication, it's still prevalent. Any insight on what may be causing my anxiety would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gruntwerk]

I also wanted blood work done because I've had bad anxiety issues for the last five months. The first two months were unbelievably hard. The anxiety was extremely high and it never let up. I've been told that it may have something to do with my estradiol levels. Has anybody suffered the same way I have? It's been five months and even though the anxiety has calmed down a bit due to medication, it's still prevalent. Any insight on what may be causing my anxiety would be greatly appreciated.

I know it's possible for e2 to cause some of the physical symptoms of anxiety like the increased BP and tachycardia, definitely can mess with your mind a bit too. I know when I feel an elevated HR for no apparent reason well resting it makes me freak out badly, so maybe there is some correlation here and you definitely should have e2 checked.

 

[Bigwave70]

I know it's possible for e2 to cause some of the physical symptoms of anxiety like the increased BP and tachycardia, definitely can mess with your mind a bit too. I know when I feel an elevated HR for no apparent reason well resting it makes me freak out badly, so maybe there is some correlation here and you definitely should have e2 checked.

Thanks for your input. I'm definitely going to get my e2 checked. The anxiety I felt, and am feeling to a lesser extent, was horrible. It never let up. Even now, I'm taking Gabapentin to help with my anxiety. 5 months is way too long to feel this way. I'm going to post about it and see if anyone else has had the same symptoms that I have/had.

 

[IMT staff]

I know it's possible for e2 to cause some of the physical symptoms of anxiety like the increased BP and tachycardia, definitely can mess with your mind a bit too. I know when I feel an elevated HR for no apparent reason well resting it makes me freak out badly, so maybe there is some correlation here and you definitely should have e2 checked.

If he is switching to injections, what is the point of knowing what his E2 is on the creams?

 

[IMT staff]

I do agree with GruntWerk its most likely an E2 problem. Just saying if your switching to injections then you should wait to test E2 on the injections.

 

[gruntwerk]

If he is switching to injections, what is the point of knowing what his E2 is on the creams?

I was just saying for his own peace of mind, of if his doc isn't on board to pin. I see why you say it's best to wait but at the same time I know how badly anxiety sucks so if it's an e2 issue he could at least get himself some relief within a week or 2 of getting an AI.

I understand this would make the switching process harder since his e2 will be different on injections, but what this man is describing really sounds terrible.

In my past med use I found gabapentin to be not so useful for anxiety vs the side effects. Hope you figure it out and you're doing okay man.

 

[IMT staff]

The creams are what is most likely causing erratic conversion into other hormones and absorption.

 

[gruntwerk]

Yeah my father had terrible e2 issues well using androgel. When I talked him into shots his e2 came down considerably. Also noticed there was a struggle keeping a normal or steady TT with the creams too.

 

[Bigwave70]

I do agree with GruntWerk its most likely an E2 problem. Just saying if your switching to injections then you should wait to test E2 on the injections.

I've gotten a lot of good information from this discussion board. I'm learning about my problems and testosterone therapy as I go along. Hopefully, my doctor will switch me to test injections. I'll take your advice and have my e2 checked while taking the injections. Thank you for your help.

 

[Bigwave70]

I was just saying for his own peace of mind, of if his doc isn't on board to pin. I see why you say it's best to wait but at the same time I know how badly anxiety sucks so if it's an e2 issue he could at least get himself some relief within a week or 2 of getting an AI.

I understand this would make the switching process harder since his e2 will be different on injections, but what this man is describing really sounds terrible.


Thank you for your concern. I really appreciate it.

My anxiety issues were horrible in the beginning. I've never felt anything like it before and I never want to experience it again. 5+ months and I'm still dealing with it, just not at the levels I was at first. Not only am I taking the Gabapentin, I was put on Seroquel. It's the only way I can sleep. I'm hoping that with the injections and as you said before, an AI, that I can stop taking all of these medications.

What would you recomend for an AI? Dosage and frequency? I read in this forum's Basic TRT Overview that Arimidex, .50 to 1.00mg weekly, should keep my e2 levels in check. Any thoughts on this?