Andro gel not working

[Dominick_81]

I've been on andro gel for over a month and my doctor told me the andro gel isn't doing anything. My levels are super low. I feel like I'm losing my masculinity and starting to revert back to female. In my last post someone said it takes 4-6months or something like that. I feel like I'm gradually reverting back b/c I'm losing weight and my eating habits haven't really changed that much.


Anyone on andro gel have this problem in the first month where the andro gel was not working?

I don't even know if the andro gel is keeping me masculize if my T levels are  super low. I have to wait another month or 2 to get another blood test. My doctor wants me to get a blood test in late November.  I don't know why she wants to wait 2 months when your supposed to get your T levels checked every month when your on andro gel...?

My levels have been super low for over a month and I've felt fine. But knowing the andro gel isn't working is making me nervous b/c I feel it's slowly reverting me back to female.

My doctor was talking to me about pellets. I do not want to do pellets. I saw on a video on youTube what they do and there's no way I'm doing that.

[Randi]

How about injections?  You can be taught to do these yourself.  It's the cheapest, easiest and best method in my opinion.

One shot a week will keep you on a fairly even keel.

Randi - Not really a nurse and not really male either

[Dominick_81]

I was on injections first for about a year and a half. My insurance finally stated covering my T so I switched to the andro gel b/c I hated getting the shots. I had so much anxiety going in to get my shot. I was never able to give myself the injection b/c I'm petrified of needles.

[Sawdust]

I don't know if this is helpful, but Androderm makes a low dose patch.

[Dominick_81]

I don't know if this is helpful, but Androderm makes a low dose patch.

Thanks. I hope something works b/c I really don't want to go back to the shots.

[lekos]

I started out on biweekly injections, but about three years ago switched to the gel because I couldn't give myself the injections (absolutely terrified of needles) and wanted more flexibility and control over my life. I wasn't on Andro gel initially - different thing in the UK - and for the first 6 months everything was fine, until I ended up back in the US and having to use Andro gel. I started menstruating again (a fun surprise after several years of not), having massive mood swings, gaining weight, etc. I never did managed to get my levels sorted out on the gel. Now I'm back on injections, but a different type. I only get them every 12 weeks. So far it seems okay but I only just had the second one so it's a bit early days. Sorry I don't have anything more productive to add than "yeah, I've been there, too".

[anibioman]

just saying about shots if you do go back to shots i was petrified of needles i never thought i would be able to do my own shots.but now since im doing my own shots i have a lot less anxiety about needles and shots. its very much like i get nervous when other people are carrying knives near me but me carrying knives i have no problem. i hope stuff works out for you man. you should maybe try cream instead of gel.

[Dominick_81]

@lekos: That sucks your period came back after not having it for so long.

A shot every 12 weeks isn't bad. How's your acne with that? I'm assuming the dosage it really high since it's every 12 weeks...?

I'm afraid if I have to go back on the shots again my acne it gonna start up again, and it was just starting to clear up on the shots when I switched over to the andro gel.

@anibioman: Yeah, it seems like would give you less anxiety to give yourself your shots b/c you don't have to wait around for someone to do it for you.  I wish I was able to do it myself but I can't bring myself to poke myself with a needle.

Yeah, if the gel doesn't work I'll definitely try the cream.

[Snowman77]

I've been on andro gel for over a month and my doctor told me the andro gel isn't doing anything. My levels are super low. I feel like I'm losing my masculinity and starting to revert back to female. In my last post someone said it takes 4-6months or something like that. I feel like I'm gradually reverting back b/c I'm losing weight and my eating habits haven't really changed that much.


Anyone on andro gel have this problem in the first month where the andro gel was not working?

I don't even know if the andro gel is keeping me masculize if my T levels are  super low. I have to wait another month or 2 to get another blood test. My doctor wants me to get a blood test in late November.  I don't know why she wants to wait 2 months when your supposed to get your T levels checked every month when your on andro gel...?

My levels have been super low for over a month and I've felt fine. But knowing the andro gel isn't working is making me nervous b/c I feel it's slowly reverting me back to female.

My doctor was talking to me about pellets. I do not want to do pellets. I saw on a video on youTube what they do and there's no way I'm doing that.

I heard injections usually works the best. Have you thought about doing that? I don't mean repeat anyone on this post.

[electric sheep]

If you feel you need to go back in injections, Nebido is a shot every three months type of T. Personally I don't have any experience with it, but I know that what with the Sustanon discontinuation in the UK, a fair bit of trans guys there seem have been switching over to that. Might be worth it to ask around, it seems like the least hassle of all anyway, as it's only four times per year.

[sneakersjay]

Make sure you rub it in thoroughly until it dries.  I wasn't and it made a difference in my T levels.  That said, I do know someone for whom it isn't working either.  He does not rub it in the way he is supposed to, but he also sweats a lot and thinks he sweats it off.  I'd try making sure it it totally dry before you stop rubbing (PIA, I know) but that's what worked for me.


Jay

[ChaoticTribe]

I am so sorry that this is not working out well for you. I know it might be hard, but if none of the other methods work it may be worth it to go ahead and get the shots...

Once you'd saved enough money (or gotten insurance to cover it) then getting an oopherectomy would prevent your body from making estrogen, and then you could use a low dose method of testosterone such as the cream or patch as well as an aromatase inhibitor.

The problem with low doses of T is that your body converts it into estrogen very easily, which means that unless you've got a good bit, odds are you're not getting the benefit of most of it. Aromatase inhibitors prevent the conversion, although you'd still need to get the extra organs removed to prevent making your own.

If surgery is not an option, there is a medicine called Depo Lupron that you could ask your doctor about. It stops your pituitary from releasing FSH and LH. Those are the chemicals that cause our bodies gonads to produce their own hormones, and stopping that process, even with medicine, would help your androgen balance not to be overtaken as easily by estrogen.

[Robert Scott]

You know you might be having the same problem that I am having.  I am on depo and injections of T.... my T level is in the normal male range but I am not having much change.

So the doctor ran some tests and my ovaries are still working and my uterus still has normal thickness....after a year of Depo and 10 months of T I shouldn't have either thing occurring - I am not being kicked into menopause which I should be...so the doctor increased my T and hopefully that kicks things ... if not then she has reason for my insurance to cover me for hysto. She said until my body starts going into menopause I will only have minimal changes.

[ChaoticTribe]

You know you might be having the same problem that I am having.  I am on depo and injections of T.... my T level is in the normal male range but I am not having much change.

So the doctor ran some tests and my ovaries are still working and my uterus still has normal thickness....after a year of Depo and 10 months of T I shouldn't have either thing occurring - I am not being kicked into menopause which I should be...so the doctor increased my T and hopefully that kicks things ... if not then she has reason for my insurance to cover me for hysto. She said until my body starts going into menopause I will only have minimal changes.

Aha! First of all, let me say you are a genius! I posted in a different thread about dysfunctional bleeding I am going through which started as my last Depo Provera shot was wearing off. Depo Provera is a birth control that is ALSO used to sterilize male sex offenders in some states, because it blocks and binds to androgen receptors. It could be that the two medications and sort of cancelling one another out.

I wonder then, could it be that when my Depo wore off my testosterone kicked into high gear and that's why my uterus appears to be atrophying, with such a small lining? I am not really close to anyone in my family, so I don't know whether menopause could cause spotting that would last a long time or not.


Just for the record, Depo Lupron is different than Depo Provera. It is not a birth control and does not bind to the androgen receptor, so that could be a good alternative for shutting systems down without adding progesterone to your system.

[Robert Scott]

Just for the record I am on Depo Provera and it is suppose to stop the peroids and get your ovaries to stop working.  So, I should have had everything shut down three month but apparently my body doesn't want too

[lekos]

@lekos: That sucks your period came back after not having it for so long.

A shot every 12 weeks isn't bad. How's your acne with that? I'm assuming the dosage it really high since it's every 12 weeks...?

I'm afraid if I have to go back on the shots again my acne it gonna start up again, and it was just starting to clear up on the shots when I switched over to the andro gel.

So far, the Nebido seems to be all right. I'm still fairly new on it - you get your first shot, then the second six weeks later, then the third 12 weeks after that and then continues every 12 weeks after that depending on the person. The dosage is pretty high - and they hurt. I expected a bit of soreness since I'd had injections before, but this was way worse. Still. One shot every 12 weeks - definitely better than putting gel on every day or getting injections every two weeks.

The acne's cleared up a lot. There's still some, and I expected it might take a bit for it to go away completely, but it's noticeably better after coming off the gel.

[Dominick_81]

I heard injections usually works the best. Have you thought about doing that? I don't mean repeat anyone on this post.

I've done injections and I didn't like them.

If you feel you need to go back in injections, Nebido is a shot every three months type of T. Personally I don't have any experience with it, but I know that what with the Sustanon discontinuation in the UK, a fair bit of trans guys there seem have been switching over to that. Might be worth it to ask around, it seems like the least hassle of all anyway, as it's only four times per year.

4 shots a year,  that's not bad. I could handle that. How is that type of T with acne? Are you getting a high dose with that type of T? If I'm on a high dose I'm afraid the acne will be bad.

Make sure you rub it in thoroughly until it dries.  I wasn't and it made a difference in my T levels.  That said, I do know someone for whom it isn't working either.  He does not rub it in the way he is supposed to, but he also sweats a lot and thinks he sweats it off.  I'd try making sure it it totally dry before you stop rubbing (PIA, I know) but that's what worked for me.


Jay

Thanks for the tip. When I first started the andro gel I wasn't doing that. I forgot when I actually started to rub it in more. But I think I went a week or 2 without rubbing it in good.  I've been rubbing it in now just until it gets sticky like and close to being dry. Hope it works.

I am so sorry that this is not working out well for you. I know it might be hard, but if none of the other methods work it may be worth it to go ahead and get the shots...

Once you'd saved enough money (or gotten insurance to cover it) then getting an oopherectomy would prevent your body from making estrogen, and then you could use a low dose method of testosterone such as the cream or patch as well as an aromatase inhibitor.

The problem with low doses of T is that your body converts it into estrogen very easily, which means that unless you've got a good bit, odds are you're not getting the benefit of most of it. Aromatase inhibitors prevent the conversion, although you'd still need to get the extra organs removed to prevent making your own.

If surgery is not an option, there is a medicine called Depo Lupron that you could ask your doctor about. It stops your pituitary from releasing FSH and LH. Those are the chemicals that cause our bodies gonads to produce their own hormones, and stopping that process, even with medicine, would help your androgen balance not to be overtaken as easily by estrogen.

My doctor wants me to get a blood test in late Nov. which would be 2 months and I know with the andro gel your supposed to get a blood test every month. I'm not sure why she's making me wait 2 months...? I think I'm getting 2 blood test, one is to check and see how much of the T (I think) is converting into estrogen. I'm terrified of my chest getting bigger b/c I'm taking finastride with andro gel and if a lot of T and the Finastride(I'm not sure) is converting into estrogen my chest will get bigger and I don't want that. 

I'm nervous now that the andro gel isn't working and my masculinity is reverting back to female. I've been on andro gel since Aug. 20th, 2012 and if it's still not working, then my body has been without T for almost 2 months and I'm not sure how much of that T and Finastride is converting into estrogen.

The T in my body is very low and you said a low dose of T will convert into estrogen. She did up my dosage, but I'm not sure that will do anything. And I still don't pass as male.

Thanks, I'll ask my doctor about Depo Lupron. Is Aromatase inhibitors a pill or a shot? How often does it need to be taken? How often does the Depo Lupron need to be taken? Is shots the only way it can be taken?

You know you might be having the same problem that I am having.  I am on depo and injections of T.... my T level is in the normal male range but I am not having much change.

So the doctor ran some tests and my ovaries are still working and my uterus still has normal thickness....after a year of Depo and 10 months of T I shouldn't have either thing occurring - I am not being kicked into menopause which I should be...so the doctor increased my T and hopefully that kicks things ... if not then she has reason for my insurance to cover me for hysto. She said until my body starts going into menopause I will only have minimal changes.

Sorry your not having much changes either.  Hopefully your body will go into menopause soon or you can get a hysto soon.

So far, the Nebido seems to be all right. I'm still fairly new on it - you get your first shot, then the second six weeks later, then the third 12 weeks after that and then continues every 12 weeks after that depending on the person. The dosage is pretty high - and they hurt. I expected a bit of soreness since I'd had injections before, but this was way worse. Still. One shot every 12 weeks - definitely better than putting gel on every day or getting injections every two weeks.

The acne's cleared up a lot. There's still some, and I expected it might take a bit for it to go away completely, but it's noticeably better after coming off the gel.

If that hurts more than the shots then I don't think I can do that. The shots hurt sometimes a lot. I have a low tolerance for pain, but every time I would go to get my shot, I'd never know if it was gonna hurt a lot or not hurt that bad. It varies from time to time and that's one of the things that got my anxiety up when getting the shots.

I'm glad the acne has cleared up a bit for you.

I don't mind at all putting on the gel everyday. I have my routine and I'm fine with it.

[anibioman]

If surgery is not an option, there is a medicine called Depo Lupron that you could ask your doctor about. It stops your pituitary from releasing FSH and LH. Those are the chemicals that cause our bodies gonads to produce their own hormones, and stopping that process, even with medicine, would help your androgen balance not to be overtaken as easily by estrogen.

this is what my new doctor wants to put me on only thing is its super expensive $5,000-$8,000 a year and nearly all insurance companies wont cover it. plus you need monthly or so shots and blood work. i think its much cheaper and more effective to go hysto.

[ChaoticTribe]

Aromatase inhibitors are pills, not shots. Many people who are not transsexual use them for other reasons. As long as your doctor thinks it is something that would help you and you're healthy enough, you can get the pill versions OTC and have your doctor tell you what dosage and monitor your estrogen levels through blood tests.

Depo lupron however is a shot.

There is one crucial problem: If your testosterone levels are too low, your body will sense a 'lack' of hormones, and stimulate your ovaries to add estrogen to the mix. Your doctor will know if this is happening or not by checking your FSH and LH levels. Aromatase inhibitors WILL stop your body from converting testosterone to estrogen, but will not stop the ovaries from making estrogen.

If your ovaries are responsible, the only option is Depo Lupron injections to stop them working, a GnRH inhibitor PILL to stop them working, OR a stronger form of testosterone to stop your body from perceiving a 'lack' of hormones.

[Dominick_81]

Aromatase inhibitors are pills, not shots. Many people who are not transsexual use them for other reasons. As long as your doctor thinks it is something that would help you and you're healthy enough, you can get the pill versions OTC and have your doctor tell you what dosage and monitor your estrogen levels through blood tests.

Depo lupron however is a shot.

There is one crucial problem: If your testosterone levels are too low, your body will sense a 'lack' of hormones, and stimulate your ovaries to add estrogen to the mix. Your doctor will know if this is happening or not by checking your FSH and LH levels. Aromatase inhibitors WILL stop your body from converting testosterone to estrogen, but will not stop the ovaries from making estrogen.

If your ovaries are responsible, the only option is Depo Lupron injections to stop them working, a GnRH inhibitor PILL to stop them working, OR a stronger form of testosterone to stop your body from perceiving a 'lack' of hormones.

Thanks.