How Long Before Testopel Pellets Start Working? (Page 14)

Just had Testopel pellets inserted in my backside. Forgot to ask doctor how long until they take effect. He's out of town.

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Oh Brian -- I hear the hopelessness in your words and wish we could sit and talk face to face. I personally feel you gain more when you are with someone talking instead of being limited by email texts. But ....... we will manage. I'll try and address your concerns as I understand them. First ....... I receive 10 of the TESTOPEL each implantation procedure. We started out at every 5 months but soon realized that was not frequent enough. We went to 4 and eventually got to every 3 months. By about 2 1/2 months, I am SO ready for the next implant. Probably because of my urological history, my Doc is strict about doing a PSA prior to every implantation. He is very much my advocate and I am appreciative of that. He has NOT been willing to increase the number of pellets more than 10, for some reason. I, too, feel tired, listless, lethargic and depressed as my T-level makes its predicted decrease after about 2 1/2 months. I actually gain weight at this time because I don't feel like doing anything. You are right when you state that each guy and every situation is different. Hang in there and good luck with your test in February. Keep me posted. I'm pulling for you !

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I took the gel for 3 months, .5. Levels were at 143. After 3 months if application, levels only increased by 10 pts. 153. I had the implants for the first time Wednsday, day before yesterday. Outpatient surgery, bruising, tender. Nervous about it all, mood swings, energy, libido, etc.

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Steve,

It look a couple weeks for me to really start feeling a major difference. You will feel great when that time comes. Please share your results as soon as you have your blood drawn in a month or however long your dr has decided on blood draws. I hope the best for you and hopefully you will start feeling better within a few days. I hear some people on here saying they could tell a difference in just a few days. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Brian

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I just had another 14 pellets inserted 2 weeks ago and I could definitely feel the difference within 3-4 days. Libido and energy definitely came back full force. We all talk about the physical effects of the pellets but does anybody have any mental effects from the pellets. For me, as soon as I feel the pellets working I can tell my temper getting shorter and I have to mentally be aware to stay calm. Not only do I have the enregy and libido of when I was 18, I also get the jealousy and temper of when I was 18 years old. My wife notices it and helps me keep it in check but I do notice a change once I get the pellets. As the pellets wear off, I slowly go back to normal about a month and half to two months later. I have been getting refills every 5 months for the past 3 years and after every refill I go through this cycle. The down side that I have to deal with on Testopel I guess.

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Bob,

I just got my results post 8 weeks testopel implants and my testosterone has went from 845 to 1050. I was really shocked when the nurse called me. I still feel tired quite a bit of the time. Not terrible but enough to bother me. Do you think I should have my thyroid checked? Do you know if they check your thyroid levels when they do a physical or is that something you must ask for them to do as well?

Thanks,

Brian

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Thyroid studies should always be done with a fatigue work up including testosterone, am cortisol, and chronic infections such as EBV (mono virus) mycoplasma and lyme disease.

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That is what I was thinking. I had my pellets inserted by a urologist. Do they generally check that stuff or would it be best to see an endo for that. I told the nurse I was feeling tired and having some muscle issues and she said you might have your primary check your thyroid, etc.

Brian

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My urologists orders all of my blood work and includes those tests just to monitor everything. Ever since I was referred to my urologist I have not gone back to my primary for any issues related to my low T.

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Thank you very much for your help. I'm going to call my urologist and request the tests that you mentioned. I want to see if they are monitoring my thyroid levels, etc. I would hope they would but the nurse seemed to be caught a little off guard when I asked her yesterday.

Brian

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I would hope that any doctor would have a full blood panel done prior to addressing an issue, but it sounds like that may not be the norm.

In regards to the gel only getting your levels up 10 points in 3 months, I would have some questions as to why. I get that some methods work better for some than others but 10 points? I am thinking wither dosage, location or something prohibiting test from being created.

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Brian -- My internist always does a thyroid check at each 6-month appointment I have with him, along with other blood level checks including kidney functioning. I am most tired as I approach the time for my next implantation. In the reading I've done one thing that is often suggested is taking a Zinc supplement of 50 mg 2X daily. My urologist, cardiologist and internist are aware I am taking this OTC supplement, none having any objections. I am also trying to eat more protein and be cognizant of what I put in my mouth. The only thing I would presume to offer you is to keep your Doc informed and be your own advocate. If you're not feeling right, ... ... ... ... ... ... something's wrong. Take care and much luck to you, your health and your persistence. Keep me informed.

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To answer the question of who is the best MD's to monitor testosterone and other hormone issues relating to aging, please try the A4M (anti-aging experts). They are doctors train in low T, menopause, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disease and gastrointestinal metabolic problems. Remember we are one body and hormones affect every organ if they are not balance correctly.

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Yes, please make sure all of your drs are checking your thyroid, and not just doing a standard TSH!!! If your dr isnt checking your FreeT3, T4total and TPO, they could be missing a thyroid isue. You will feel your best at T levels over 800, and below 1200, but your dr should also be checking your SHBG and free testosterone, as well as your estrogen! A4M drs and biote medical trained drs have extensive training in hormonal balance for men and women!

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Bob,

I have been feeling very good this week all of a sudden. I found me a doctor that is supposedly very good in hormone therapy. He is going to check everything to do with me thyroid and everything that has to do with estrogen. I gave him a blood draw last Friday and I see him next Thursday. I got a couple recommendations on him and I'm excited to see exactly where I stand with everything. I still don't understand why the Urologist that did my pellets will not check my thyroid or estrogen levels. I appreciate all your input and help and I will post my results at the end of next week. I have energy this week and just feel so much better than I have in the past month or a little more.

Thanks,

Brian

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Brian -- it is good to hear you having reason to feel optimistic regarding the problem you have been dealing with. I am a tremendous believer in having the "right" doctor to partner with. It sounds like you have someone who is YOUR advocate and that us how it should be. I will be thinking of you in the coming days and looking forward to your posting how things are going. Good luck to you my friend. (I just had another TESTOPEL implantation done 2 days ago, and as always, am beginning to feel the positive results.). Take care --

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To all men trying to reclaim "The way we were".

Testopel has been the most effective for me (72 yrs), but the one element I do not see in any Q&A is that the users are committed to an active life style. The body has an incredible circulation (plumbing) system, which (like old pipes in a building) need to be flowing at a maximum rate.

There's no Magic Pill, we're all traveling down the aging path. So ride a bike, jump on a treadmill, above all give up your fatty dietary habits. Happy trails.

BTW, I'm not a doctor or claiming to know anything more than basic common sense.

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Chisholm, you are so right! And I feel bad for not stating that before! Pellet therapy has optimal outcomes when you get moving. Your body builds capillaries within 24 hrs of placement, and their absorption is regulated by cardiac output, meaning when you get your heart rate up, blood will flow faster over the pellets, absorbing more as needed. And when you are at rest or sleeping, blood is still flowing over and absorbing, but not as much as needed during high activity or high stress. Unfortunately many men on Testopel are often under dosed and the 75mg pellets just don't last very long, requiring retreating at 3 month intervals.

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Remember that doctors make their fees when they see you, and more when they operate.

My insurance covers much of this, so I'm OK with it. And the fact that I don't see any of us that is currently getting positive results deciding, after a few years, that they will suspend treatments.

For better or worse, I'm guessing we are in this until there's a better alternative, or bitter end, as in "pushing up daisies".

BTW, there doesn't seem to be much noise about this bringing on bad side effects, so maybe the industry has it right on this one.

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They do have it right, but there are alternatives to Testopel. A protocol that fully trains their practitioners in hormone optimization. If you think it is just about putting the Testopel in every few months and nothing else, many people could be in for side effects. Testopel is off label for women and no more than 6 pellets in men, so many times insurance will only cover the 6, anything over that and they may not. Unfortunately, many drs use a billing company and they never audit to see if they are being reimbursed for ALL pellets being used. They slip through the crack and drs don't even realize they are losing the money. Google BHRT pellet therapy...their are options...

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I've tried Androgel 1.62% for the past 9 months. Started at 141 with one pump a day. Went down to 112. Went to 4 pumps a day. Went down to 83. Going to try Testopel this coming Friday, starting at 14 pellets...Wish me luck! I'll keep you informed as time goes on. Apparently, I'm one of the 20% of men who don't absorb Androgel.

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