Advice needed please, low t despite Testogel

[Dmarq]

I was treated in 2009 for mixed germ cell teratoma in the right testicle (95% choriocarcinoma, 5% seminoma). Despite still having the left testicle, I was experiencing symptoms of low testosterone and the oncologist agreed to try Testogel. But this was to be prescribed and monitored by my gp, who has no understanding of low t and no interest.
Eventually had it upped to two sachets as levels of T were still low, and as this was the highest dose and I felt a bit better I thought this was the end of it.
However in the last two years I gradually started to experience more bone aches and exhaustion along with memory problems, I didn't even think of testosterone as I was in the highest dose of Testogel, two sachets. I was prescribed amitryptaline for the aches and pains which helped a bit with the pain.
Just recently I was able to push for a testosterone blood test and it showed that even with the two sachets it was sitting at 5.4 n/mol. Now I'm trying to arrange getting a nebido injection arranged as soon as possible.
My question is does anyone know why the Testogel wasn't being absorbed or would it have been converted into estrogen or something else? Also with the level being so low for so long is there any other blood tests I should ask for? Finally should I be worried that same thing affecting the Testogel would affect the efficacy of the nebido injections?
Thanks for reading and any advice much appreciated!
Damien

[Davepet]

Now I'm trying to arrange getting a nebido injection arranged as soon as possible.
My question is does anyone know why the Testogel wasn't being absorbed or would it have been converted into estrogen or something else?

Every individual will absorb topical drugs at different rates, I do not believe anyone knows why.Gels or injections seem to work best with some guys preferring one over the other. I've used several different gels & found some work better than others The generic androgelm15 I wasn before insurance forced me to innjections seemed to work best, actually, but my doc was concerned that my T levels were too close to the high end of the range.

It is also possible that the T was being converted to estrogen, you might want to get an estrogen test, but when I did, my levels were within range.

Dave

[Davepet]

Now I'm trying to arrange getting a nebido injection arranged as soon as possible.
My question is does anyone know why the Testogel wasn't being absorbed or would it have been converted into estrogen or something else?

Every individual will absorb topical drugs at different rates, I do not believe anyone knows why.Gels or injections seem to work best with some guys preferring one over the other. I've used several different gels & found some work better than others The generic androgel 1% I was on before insurance forced me to injections seemed to work best, actually, but my doc was concerned that my T levels were too close to the high end of the range.

It is also possible that the T was being converted to estrogen, you might want to get an estrogen test, but when I did, my levels were within range.

Dave

[Dmarq]

Thanks Dave! I've started the Nebido injections which I know have there own problems, in that it can take months to build up to a decent baseline level. I'll start looking on the forum for advice regarding it, and as a precaution I'll ask to get the estrogen levels checked, thanks.

Damien

[roybatty]

Gels never worked enough for me. Weekly self administered T injections work well for me along with a small compounded amount of Armidex.

[Davepet]

Weekly injections, roybatty? I only need one every 3 weeks so far, seems to be getting the job done.

Dave

[Dmarq]

Thanks Roybatty & Dave. I've been cheating a bit on my first week after the Nebido shot by using one Testogel sachet each day. I figured my level was pretty low at the start of switching over and it can take a while for Nebido to start having an effect and to build up to proper levels. Any advice regarding the Nebido injections would be great. I'm in Northern Ireland so it's the NHS who are treating me and the only options that were mentioned were Testogel and Nebido. I'm having another blood test in three weeks time just to see how the Nebido injection is working so I'm planning to not take any more Testogel after the end of this week.

Is there other things I should ask them to check for in the blood tests at this stage? Like conversion to estrogen or I think i read about hematocrit levels needing to be monitored?

Damien

[Davepet]

I'm unfamiliar with Nebido, I get self administered testosterone Cypionate injections every three weeks.

Dave