Yeah I think the compounded cream works better than Androgel. If you think about the percentage of T in the cream it's a lot higher than Androgel which advertises as 1.28%. So you really need to be able to absorb substances into the skin if you are on the Androgel.
I know guys who have done their whole transitions on cream. (I don't know if I can speak about this in a general way so I won't, but dosage is kind of a verbatim topic.) I've heard the comment on Androgel that you have to apply really a LOT.
Changes one week(plus) on cream (for me): throat changes (thickening); lower growth; more oily skin and hair-- but no acne; improved upper body strength (can do complete push-ups, modified, but go up and down completely-- haven't been able to do this in 20 years). Ok, that's one week, but if it were so slow, wouldn't I have no change?
I think there are still people can't absorb it properly and get the changes.
The other thing is that I don't think compounding is covered by insurance. There may be exceptions here and there. My jar is supposed to last 3 months and was $85, no shipping as it was local. I think the same amt of T in injectable form is $35-45 or so. Not sure if the needles are extra. Androgel is in the hundreds but I believe it is sometimes available by prescription.
If you live in the UK you might ask re: Nebido/Sustanon. I don't know much as it is not available in the US and is a form that lasts several months so that you only inject once every 1-3 months or so. It's not available in the US due to some adverse reactions (not too severe) in clinical trials. I also think it is usual injected by a health care professional as these are bigger injections. Probably only good after you are used to the T in your system.
BTW, I forgot to say that there are NO stupid questions. Well there are, but only if you teach middle school.
--Jay