Androgel use

[boone870]

I have been on Androgel for about one year.  My testosterone tested low after i complaining of fatigue with my primary dr and he prescribed this.  i felt much better for a few weeks but then i began to feel terrible.  It appears to have exacerbated my sleep apnea terribly, and moods are up and down.  I have been slowly trying to wean from it but I wonder if i will ever get back to producing T normally.  Weaning seems to be really tough, i've been very tired, a lot of back pain, and other symptoms.  Is there anything I can do to help these symptoms?  Will my natural T start producing at its normal (low level, but i would rather be where i was before i started androgel) level again?

[boone870]

Also, the sleep apnea has worsened significantly. I wonder if it will return to its pre HRT levels eventually, once all of the Androgel is gone and I start producing T naturally again.

Thank you!

[boone870]

Thank you for your response. I am 39 years old. My initial testestosterone test was below the normal range - I think it was somewhere in the 200s. I was tested again about 4-6 wks later after taking 5 g 1/x day Androgel and they said it was in the normal range, they didn't give me the number.  I am not scheduled to do another test at this time.

In hindsight I  really don't think I ever should have started androgel because of the sleep apnea.  I think that lifestyle changes, mainly exercise, would have been the thing to do at the time and that is my plan now, esp once the back pain subsides. I think this will help the test. issue and also the sleep apnea. I also have anxiety and dysthymia so there are many reasons for me to exercise regularly.  I've had back pain in the past related to anxiety/tenseness and the fact that my flexibility is terrible. stretching/yoga has helped in the past, but right now the pain is limiting activity.

I have already tapered to around 2 g per day from 5.  Maybe i should stay at this level and get these tests done before I go down more?

I do have a family history of hemocromatosis. I did gene testing years ago and apparently have one of the two genes for it, but i have not had any tests for iron since all of this.

Thank you very much.

[Dr Smitha Mathews]

Hi,
What was your testosterone level tested prior to commencement of treatment with Androgel?
How old are you?
Have you had your testosterone test repeated or are you due to repeat it in the near future?

"Testosterone replacement therapy also tends to worsen sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to stop temporarily during sleep. Obese men and those with chronic lung disease are especially at risk."

http://www.drugs.com/pro/androgel.html

It would be better if you can start exercises (resistance exercises, weight training) as you try to wean from Androgel. Exercise has been known to increase testosterone levels naturally.

The back pain could be due to decreased calcium levels or weight gain. You will need to increase intake of calcium-rich foods so as to have a daily intake of calcium between 500-1000 mg.

Insulin has been reported to interact with T from androgel, so discuss this with your physician if you are diabetic.

Oral zinc has also been reported to increase testosterone production.

It would be a good idea to have your testosterone levels checked, along with a hematocrit, lipid profile, and liver function tests before you start with the weaning.

Do provide the additional details for a more precise response.
Regards