Androderm patches not working

Hi. Just beginning trt, 30 days in and things are worse thus far. I have just completed my first blood work 30 days into the process and my free and total test levels are much worse than when I began. My family doc prescribed 5mg patches, taken 1 per day, changed out at 9 pm. For the first two weeks I felt great, at about the 16 day mark things fell apart and I felt just as bad if not worse than when I began.
I am a 36 yr old male, 5’11 230 lbs. reasons for beginning trt: steady weight gain, increase in body fat, terrible energy levels, minimal sexual interest. My diet is about 80% in check and I drink minimal alcohol. Limited exercise.
Pre blood work
Test 10.6 nmol 8.4- 28.8
Free test 212pmol/l 196-636
TSh 0.44 0.32-4.00

Post blood work day 30
Test 5.6 nmol
Free test 104 pmol
TSh 0.39
Estradiol 61 pmol

Hoping for some advice or guidance from anyone with knowledge. My doctor doesn’t seem to have much of a game plan with regard to testosterone, but does seem open to suggestions or options. I just received lab results this morning so I have yet to meet with the doc regarding a change in treatment.

Thanks in advance

Just went back to the doctor, explained to him that the patches were not working and were burning/blistering my skin so doubling up the patch wasn’t an option. I requested injections as many of you have suggested is the most effective, he declined for the time being, ordered more blood work and told me to cold turkey stop taking the patch. So now my natural appears shut down and I am left waiting. Please help

Brother,

Where to start.... Where to start. I guess from the beginning. Patches are NOT where its at. Given, the patches have a higher Bioavailabilty than the gel does, they are still garbage... I don't know if you're in the states or across the pond. If I were in your shoes, I'd check out a clinic until you can find a doctor that is willing to prescribe injections.

Most of us that on here that are on TRT use the injections, Testosterone Cypionate. I don't have a lot of experience with patches or the gel. I just know that injections are far far far superior to the patches. It usually takes a few weeks of steady injections for you to start noticing the benefits of Test.

Get away from the family doctor, they don't really know shit. You need to see a specialist. Someone who specializes in hormone therapy. Fucking with your hormones is a serious game. You want someone who can provide you with quality care that knows what they are talking about. I am not sure if Entourage is still accepting new patients but I'd look them up on google and see if you can get in with them, given they are still accepting new patients.

Best of luck my friend. Let us know if there is anything else you need help with.

Try defy medical. Call them , get blood work , consult with doctor, tell them you want injection cause the patch is not working. Pay the fees and the price of the goods and TD on your door steps in no time . They are pricey but you get products

I appreciate the advice fellas, I am in canada, today is day 4 with no patch, feel like a bag of shit. I had initially asked my doctor to refer me to an endo and he said no need, he would take care of me. I called the doctors office again today and could only leave a message and no one called back. These people clearly have no idea what I am going through.

He did send me for my blood work on Friday. Fsh, lh, acth, and gh. I can check my results online and 3 of 4 are within range. Gh is still pending, does it usually take 3 business days to process gh results.

I don’t know how things work in Canada as far as getting referred to another doctor. Makes things a bit more complicated. Telemedicine is out of the option. Post up those labs and black out any personal info. We can help with things to convey to the doc. I’d say persistence is key in getting injections. Do y’all have low testosterone clinics in Canada?


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Cruefan89 said:

Im trt and started with the patch. Then the gel. It’s the safe route for Doctors who don’t know shit about it. Low dose patch sucked. The gel actually put me on the high side of normal. Finally got to injections at 200ew. Took a long time but got it. Now the whole time I went thru this process I was juicing so it really didn’t benefit me until I was off cycle and had a script for cruise. Not that I needed it being you can get test C or E pretty damn cheap here. But I am legal to have it. Why don’t you just get some here from a trusted lab and just go that route if it’s that hard to get a script for it?

Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing about just grabbing some from a trusted lab


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Thanks again boys! I can’t seem to find any legit clinics in canada, no. Finally got ahold of my doctor, via his nurse today. My options were an extra 2.5 patch or 7.5g of AndroGel. The patches as I mentioned and showed her pictures of torched my skin so I had to opt for the gel. Not a hole lot of good I’ve read about it and even worse with three small girls in the house and one breastfeeding. I showed her all the risks that the pharmacist printed off for me. She said “I get it I’m on your side but he keeps saying that the injections are to powerful and to risky. Hahaha. What a gong show. All of your posts that I have read are dead on accurate as to how this all plays out with the doctor. Pretty sad this day in age, all of the advancements in life and research and no one has stopped to put a little effort in to this subject. I told the nurse ok awesome I can no longer pick up or play with the girls for fear of them touching the gel and when I take a round out of the old lady I’ll have to wear a snow suit. Such a joke. The old lady is crying because I can’t get an erection, thinking I’m not attracted to her. These people have no idea of the effects of all aspects of life that are effected. 270 beans for both boxes of the gels, work benefits cover that so I’m safe there. As for self medicating, I have done a lot of research but it’s still a tough call when this is something I’m going to run for the long haul. Also, can’t really afford to dish out the coin for liquid plus blood work on my own.

And I couldn’t figure out how to post my lab results on here from a screen shot. Not very literate when it comes to technology.

I tried the patches, androgel, before I finally insisted on test cyp shots. Forget the patches. Honestly it is cheaper for your insurance and you to do the injections.

Definitely check out defy medical. Quick consultation and you get a call from the person who handles the order and within days bam your injecting cyp. But that’s if you can afford it. They don’t take insurance

I don’t know what the laws are in Canada,but if you insist you want to see an Endo they have to refer one to you.

My GP prescribes the injections for me based on my blood work.