Testosterone replacement therapy: Testogel vs Nebido injections

Hi Chorusboy

I would advise EVERY guy who has had testicular cancer to take the "ball by the horns" and get their testosterone level checked!

Some of us on here are under two consultants: the oncologist and an endicrinologist. The endo is usually for guys who have lost both testicles (like myself) and whose bodies don't produce any natural testosterone. Then, testosterone replacement therapy becomes a way of life.

I would ask your oncologist at your next check if you can have your testosterone checked. It is a simple blood test. The overall reading will probably come back between 10 and 30. Anything under 10 is considered below normal and likely to cause symptoms of low testosterone. The test also evaluates the status of other hormones such as LH (Luteinising hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone. It may also measure your SHBG. I'm no expert but it's worth Googling this stuff!!

If you don't want to wait until your next surveillance check go see your GP, explain your symptoms and request a testosterone blood test. I find that because I've had cancer my GP will bend over backwards to help in any way.

Hope that helps a bit
Jason

Thanks Jason - My surveillance appointment is tomorrow, which is why it is on my mind, I will definitely ask.

I wholeheartedly endorse everything said by Jason in the last post.

1. Go to your GP and they'll organise a simple bloodtest - no point in suffering any longer than needs be

2. 'normal' is 10 to 32, but that's for men from 18 to 85. I had a level of 10.8 and felt awful, but was told I was normal (it then dropped to 5 and they had to react). Digging into the medical literature, the normal level for a 45 yr old healthy male is 20, and 11 is less than the average 85 year old. there's a link to that data somewhere back in this thread. During my treatment it has fallen as low as 11 again on occasion and I felt awful again. I target number iv'e heard quoted is 15~16.  SO, if told your level is 10~11 and that is 'normal' you may need to persuade your GP to look into the issue a little more as their guidance notes just say '10 to 32' is normal. I'll try and fund that link again.

3. Testogel is the best way to start replacement as you can easily adjust the dosage - I used 2 sachets a day and got up to 22 and felt good. Since been on Nebido which is convenient but I suspect my level is hovering below the 15s now.

Greg

Found that link:

In terms of what's a good level, that is unique to us all, but there is some guidance here:

http://www.mens-hormonal-health.com/normal-testosterone-levels-in-men.html

see the 3rd table

age 35 to 39:   average is 20.7nmol/L, and 95% of people are above 11.39.

greg

Hi Greg

The link is interesting, I'm 38 and 3 weeks after my first nebido injection my testosterone levels are 16.7.

I'm feeling better than earlier in the year but still not 100% so need to be at 20 then?

Dan

Hi,

That's not a bad level, and it definitely takes some time for the effect of low testosterone to wear off. You were on T-gel before? what levels did you have with that and how did you feel?

Greg

Hi Greg

Sorry for the late reply.

Yep I was on Tostran gel for 6 months previous to starting on the injections and my level got up to 11.  

I did start feeling better but the endo was keen to get me onto Nebido to make things easier than using gel everyday plus it was starting to make my blood count go up.

The endo was keen to get the level up higher than this and my last blood test 3 weeks after my 1st injection I was at 16.4 with a normal blood count.

With less than a week to go until the 2nd injection I'm starting to feel tired and a bit shakey again.

Looking forward to getting the second injection done and seeing how things go.

Dan

Hi Dan,

I spoke to my GP and they were happy to reduce the interval from my initial 12 weeks down to 10 weeks. I suspect that;s still a tad too long for me, and I need some half sachets in the last week AND in the first week (until the new Nebido injection kicks in). 

I'll be pressing at my next consultation to see if I can go to 9 weeks OR be prescribed one box of T-gel per 10 weeks to cover the last and first weeks.

Greg

Greg, have you been told topping up with gel is ok to do?

I have a couple of canisters of Tostran from the last prescription pre injection but was told to given the injections time to work.

Since my last post I have felt rubbish and its that low testosterone feeling so I'm sure the injection has all gone now but I'm trying to wait it out and get the injection done on Monday morning and see how long it takes for it to kick in.

My GP is also keen for the next injection after that (the 3rd one) be done after 12 weeks to see how long it takes for the injection to run out before talking about reducing the frequency of them which I guess makes sense.

I had a oncology checkup appointment yesterday which was all good and the blood count is starting to drop back into the normal range again, when using the full dosage of Tostran gel this made my blood start to thicken up so he also wanted me to keep with the injections.

Dan