After having issues with injection absorption, I recently switched to testogel and the results have been surprisingly good. Using the technique of showering, exfoliating and applying lotion, it feels like my levels have skyrocketed and stay elevated well into the next day. I am pretty sure that I am actually able to tolerate a higher dose because of DHT lowering estrogen as I can be a bit of an aromatizer. It's been 5 days since I stopped sustanon daily injections, so whilst there will still be a fair amount of it in my system (although I estimated most of it will have cleared) I will wait a bit before doing a blood test.
I have read before that testosterone gel doesn't increase hematocrit as much as injections. On injections I had borderling
high hematocrit, around 54 although this drops to more around 50 if I hydrate well before test. I am yet to test, but I am certain my levels (both testosterone and DHT) will be higher on gel. Does the difference between test gel and injections hematocrit levels just come down to the amount that is absorbed, or is there possibly something about gel which prevents it rising as much?
This is key!
*Injectable T has been shown to have a greater impact on increasing HCT compared to transdermal T.
3–18% with transdermal administration and up to 44% with injection.
In most cases when using injectable T high supra-physiological peaks post-injection and overall T levels (running too high TT/FT level) will have a big impact on increasing HCT.
Although injectables have been shown to have a greater impact on HCT you can see even when using a transdermal formulation that maintains stable serum concentrations that the impact it has on HCT is DEPENDANT ON THE DOSE AND SERUM LEVEL OF T.
Using higher doses of transdermal T and achieving higher TT/FT levels will have a great impact on HCT levels.
https://www.thebloodproject.com/cases-archive/testosterone-therapy-and-erythrocytosis-2/ Introduction Androgens play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of: Male reproductive and sexual functions Body composition Erythropoiesis Muscle and bone health Cognitive function...
www.excelmale.com
Regarding those struggling with high hematocrit here is my reply from another thread:
As you can see your RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit is elevated which is a common side-effect when using exogenous T, especially when running higher FT levels let alone peak--->trough levels can have a significant impact.
When using exogenous T RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit will increase within the 1st month and can take anywhere from 6-12 months to reach peak levels.
T formulation, the dose of T, PKs, genetics (polymorphism of the AR), age all play a role in the impact a trt protocol will have on blood markers (RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit).
Other factors such as
sleep apnea, smoking, asthma, COPD can have a negative impact on hematocrit.
Injectable T has been shown to have a greater impact on increasing HCT compared to transdermal T.
3–18% with transdermal administration and up to 44% with injection.
In most cases when using injectable T
high supra-physiological peaks post-injection and overall T levels (running too high TT/FT level) will have a big impact on increasing HCT.
Manipulating injection frequency by injecting more frequently using lower doses of T
resulting in minimizing the peak--->trough and maintaining more stable levels may lessen the impact on HCT but it is not a given.
As again running very high TT/FT levels steady-state will have a stronger impact on driving up HCT.
Although injectables have been shown to have a greater impact on HCT you can see even when using a transdermal formulation that maintains stable serum concentrations that
the impact it has on HCT is DEPENDANT ON THE DOSE AND SERUM LEVEL OF T.
Using higher doses of transdermal T and achieving higher TT/FT levels will have a great impact on HCT levels.
How high an FT level you are running is critical.
It is a given that most men on trt struggling with elevated RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit are
running too high an FT level.
Sure some men are more sensitive than others as they may still struggle with elevated blood markers when running lower T levels but it is far from common and many may already have an underlying health issue contributing to such.
If you are struggling with such blood markers then in most cases finding the
lowest FT level you can run while still maintaining the beneficial effects may very well be the solution.
Easier said than done as many men on trt tend to do better running higher-end FT levels within reason.
Mind you some are lucky and never have an issue or levels tend to stabilize over time.
Others will continue to struggle until the cows come home.
