My experience with Testim gel

[volumnus]

I was diagnosed with low testosterone at age 25. I had three tests over several months and all were either low or at the very bottom of the range. My primary care physician sent me to a eurologist. The eurologist sent me home with a prescription for Viagra and wouldn't even consider replacement therapy.

Ten years later, struggling with anxiety and depression, having lost interest in the activities I used to enjoy, I consulted my primary care physician again. I was tested for low testosterone and again I was right around 300. My PCP confided in me that the eurologist he had sent me to ten years earlier was an older gentleman who was somewhat old fashioned. He said that if I didn't object he could start me on replacement therapy himself or refer me to an endocrinologist. I didn't want to wait, so I said give me a prescription TODAY!

He started me on one tube of Testim per day. It worked great, the best I'd felt in years, for about two weeks, but then things returned to normal if not worse. A month later, when he checked my levels again, I was at 214, lower than before. He jacked me up to two tubes per day.

I learned from reading on the internet to use a plastic baggy to apply it so that it doesn't get all over your hands and later get washed down the sink. I learned to use needle nose pliars to squeeze every last drop out of the tubes. I learned to wear stretchy, silky athletic shirts instead of cotton ones to avoid sticking to my clothes.

Now a year later my levels are consistently around 800. I feel great. I have improved greatly in the gym, and I'm far more cut at 36 years old than I've ever been. I'm about 5'10, 190. I can bench 225 13 times without a spotter. I think I could get at least one more, but I like working out at home by myself and don't want to risk it.

I'm not married, and I don't have any kids, so accidentally exposing others to the gel isn't an issue for me. I also find that women love the way it smells. They always comment on my cologne. I sware to God there are girls who come down to my office each day to smell me. Personally I can't smell anything but a slight alcohol scent, but women are attracted to it.

Here is a weird side effect though. I mainly apply the gel to my upper arms and shoulders as directed. When I get mad, the area that I lather with Testim gets hot and turns bright red. It has happened three or four times in the last few months.

If I ever enter into a serious relationship (I'm having too much fun for now) or have a child, I'll almost certainly switch to injections, but I'm very satisfied with Testim for now. Two tubes a day only set me back 20 bucks a month with my insurance, but I've yet to pay a cent for it because Testim covers your first twelve copays, and I just picked up my twelfth prescription a few days ago, meaning I'll start paying 20 dollars next month.

I just wanted to share my experience. Forums like this have been a godsend for me. When I go to my PCP, I honestly feel like I'm more up-to-date about replacement therapy than he is. For example, I have a friend who screwed himself up doing roids in high school (I have never even seen let alone taken steroids). His doctor prescribed two injections of Cyp per month, but it wasn't helping. I learned on here that two shots per week was ideal. He told his doc he was going to get a second opinion unless he changed his prescription. Now his wife, an RN, gives him a shot every four days, and he's doing great. She's really happy too if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the insight. Keep it coming.

[lcgator]

nice post bro, welcome.

[AustinTX]

Interesting info. Good to see you can get to that test level with gel.

[ontarioguy]

Hi all, been lurking here for a little while now. I'm newly on Testim (one tube a day) and am always interested in testomonials...

Volumnus the info in your other post is slightly different.......so I'm wondering what's what
Need advice, thinking of switching from Testim to Cyp Injections

Anyways, thanks for the post. I hope to be a contributor here

[Monstar]

Testim sucks, its such a pain in the ass cause you don't want in on your hands and blah blah blah... Injectables are the way to go.

[volumnus]

My second post was a synopsis of my gel use over the past year. I didn't include every detail or the post would have been ridiculously long. I didn't get to my current levels for two or three months after I increased to two tubes and until I started using the plastic bags to apply and the pliars to squeeze every last bit out of the tubes. Also, I've dated quite a few girls since beginning Testim, and only one has objected to it, the girl I was seeing when I first started using it, but her concern was almost certainly because I inadvertently exaggerated the risks to her, being very paranoid about replacement therapy at the time myself. Finally, my PCP would prefer that my levels were lower, more toward the middle of the range, 500 -600 instead of 700-800. We wrangled about that.

I wish I didn't have to use Testim. It's been a pain, especially when I went to the beach, but it's working for me so I persevere. I will probably switch to injections eventually, but one hates to try to fix something that ain't broke so to speak.

One thing I've learned from this ordeal is it takes patience. It took me about six months of tweaking before I reached an acceptable level.

[ontarioguy]

Thanks volumnus, appreciate you sharing your experience

[TESTeriffic]

I know very well about a nearly identical situation and Testim Gel cannot do what you claim it did for you. Impossible. Please don't put misinformation on the boards as many people will look to this as sound advice. There is more to your story or is is patently false. I am not trying to pick a fight with you buddy, I just want to be clear that TESTIM DOES NOT WORK THAT DRAMATICALLY, especially at the doses indicated.

I wish you continued success. Please help us understand what truly brought about your success.

[volumnus]

I have nothing to gain by sharing my experience. I also don't intend to imply that it will work for others as it did for me. However, I would like to know what I said that was so unbelievable and misinformed?

I suspect you are a pharmaceutical rep for a competing product. Find another forum.

[Flynman]

I was prescribed testim gel after my levels were around 128 because of radiation treatments. Levels rose slightly to about 156. I was then switched over to test injections starting at 100mgs wk. Levels rose to 465. After stopping injects for 4 weeks levels stayed around 350. Now I am back to doing injects (at higher doses) on my own and levels as of monday where 725.

[volumnus]

docs alway prescribe one tube and people invariably get poor results? Two tubes often works, one almost never suffices for anyone.

[jmosley39]

Hello all , thought I would share my story ...... 2 months ago had my doc check my Test , was feeling tired and didn't have much energy . At the gym I would fatigue quickly and wasn't seeing much gains in muscle mass and strength . I'm 39 yrs. old and my Test was 205 , we tried androgel at 5 grams for a month ......... a month later my Test was at 235 . I had read some testimonials online about testim 1% and had taken the info to my doc . We switched to testim 1% 10 grams or 2 tubes a day . Had my Test checked last week , my Test was at 978 ............ I feel great , may not work as well for everyone else , but I can't be happier .

[Biggin]

Sounds like a sales pitch. Not saying it is bro. Just sayin...

[jmosley39]

No sales pitch here , actually I'm a Land Surveyor for 15 yrs.......... Just really pleased with the results I've gotten from Testim thus far ........ When I had it checked and got the 978 , I hadn't even applied it that morning . Probably actually a little higher , will have it checked again in 2 weeks .

5'9" 200lbs. 9.2%bf

[Biggin]

Thats straight bro, just sounded that way, and glad all is working for you. Post in 2 weeks the outcome of the blood work.

[volumnus]

They almost always start their patients out on one tube and then up it to two tubes when after a month the test results show that your test levels are still low, often lower than prior to supplementation.

Unfortunately I think your levels will drop down to the 500 to 700 range in the next month or so. Your body is still making its own test right now, but your natural production will start to decrease the longer you use Testim. Keep us posted on your progress.

My mom works in food services and she got me a huge box of these thin little plastic baggies (no seal at the bottom like sandwich bags have) that fit my hand perfectly. I use them to apply the gel and they have helped. I hated getting that sticky crap all over my hands. Also the new silky t-shirts that are in fashion are so much better about not sticking to your shoulders. I went to TJ MAX and bought a bunch of name brand ones for about ten bucks a piece. The ones made by Under Armour are so freaking comfortable.

[ontarioguy]

I've switched to Androgel.............had good results with Testim but found out that smell is an entity in itself! Wished it was scent free- solid product for me aside from that. Liked the smell initially but quickly realized it is with me forever

Heard rumours of a 1.7% gel coming out....(why 1.7 i don't know lol)

[jmosley39]

No , the Doc actually started me out on 5 grams Androgel . After a month my Test had only went up 30 or so .............The 2nd month he jumped me to 10 grams Androgel , in the middle of the month I requested to be switched to 10 grams Testim 1% . At the end of the 2nd month is when I got the 978 ng. result . Have blood work coming up on the 3rd of September ......will post results then .

[ontarioguy]

the gel I was referring to is Fortigel (Tostrex) (2%)....it's currently going through the process with the FDA...if approved, hopefully Canada isn't far behind

[jmosley39]

Alright , didn't apply any on Sept. 1 or 2nd . Had it checked on the 3rd , my Test was 676 ng . I'd say the Testim 1% is working great ..........

[rtm111]

Was using gels for a few years. Switched to injections, and it is sooooo much better.

No need to worry about:

- two daily applications
- mess
- getting it on others
- not absorbing

[Tenacity]

I've done Androgel, testim, and compounding pharmacy formulas. Compounded CREAM formulas are better than gels in my opinion. But then I suppose there are variables galore with that sort of mix. The fact is, if you've the insurance (or cash) to really get serious about bloodwork,
you have the freedom to make up some very great mixtures that can address your individual wants and needs.

Fact is, I've been free of doctors for about 1 1/2 years now- by necessity actually. Can't afford them any more (USA). I've been using a great 5% Aussie formula (it's legal in Australia) that is a scrotal application cream. Best so far. HOWEVER.....

The time has come for injections. Somehow even the best rub-on formulas lose their punch after a while. Could just be me, or it could be a matter of absorbtion and/or adaptability.

By the way, how the hell Testim's odor could POSSIBLY be described as pleasant or compared to cologne is WAY beyond me. Come on man- it smells terrible! A woman would have to be bonkers to find it alluring. I always assumed that the stench was caused by an added ingredient which somehow improved skin permeabilty, as there is no way in hell that "scent" would be added to make it more marketable. The most casual internet search will yield complaint after complaint about the stink of the stuff. Cologne, it is not! Beside that drawback is the added problem of having to wait for it to dry after applying before you can put on a shirt.
WARNING NEVER apply alcohol based gels to scrotum!!!

[volumnus]

It smells like alcohol when you first put it on. I wear Nautica Voyage cologne over it. Girls constantly comment on how good I smell.

[ontarioguy]

Originally Posted by volumnus

It smells like alcohol when you first put it on. I wear Nautica Voyage cologne over it. Girls constantly comment on how good I smell.

That's the first time I've heard it smells like alcohol.....If your cologne covers it peeps must be able to smell you a half block away...but to each his own.

Like i stated.....if it weren't for the stench i would buy your product

[volumnus]

I don't care if you use it or not. It works okay for me, but it might totally suck for someone else. I wear two or three sprays of Nautica Voyage cologne, and every time I go out, chicks tell me I smell good. I get lots of hugs. Who knows. Maybe it's the cologne. I think Testim just smells like rubbing alcohol until it's rubbed in, then I can't smell it anymore. Nobody has ever told me it stinks. My friends wouldn't spare my feelings. They'd tell me straight up that I smell like shit.