Androfast Gel 1% – apply to skin

80 grams per tube of 1% gel

Androgel

AndroGel is a transdermal testosterone cream that is primarily used in male hormone replacement therapy (HRT) plans, specifically testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) plans. In recent years AndroGel has become one of the most popular forms of TRT largely due to its mode of administration. The individual simply rubs the cream/gel on their skin once a day and nothing more. Undoubtedly, this has a lot more appeal than injecting testosterone, and while it has more appeal it’s not quite as effective. AndroGel, similar testosterone creams or other transdermal applications will work for many men, but some men will need injectable testosterone. Injectable or transdermal, the hormone is the same.

AndroGel first appeared on the market in 2000 through Unimed Pharmaceuticals and for several years would dominate the transdermal TRT market. However, in 2006 generic transdermal creams were approved by the U.S. FDA most notably by Watson, and this would put a dent in the AndroGel market. However, AndroGel still remains the dominant testosterone cream today.

AndroGel Functions & Traits:
AndroGel is a synthetic version of the primary male androgen testosterone. Although synthetic, it is a perfect replica of the naturally produced and essential hormone. The body will not make a distinguishing difference. Officially, AndroGel is classified as a hydroalcoholic transdermal testosterone gel, and as testosterone it is also officially classified as an anabolic androgenic steroid.

When first released, AndroGel came in a 1% concentration and was available in 2.5g and 5g sachets. These forms would provide 25mg and 50mg of testosterone per application. The same forms are still available, however, the compound is now also available in 1.62% concentration. Regardless of the precise concentration or dosing sachet, AndroGel carries an absorption rate of approximately 10%. Due to the extremely low absorption rate, this will require fairly large doses of testosterone to meet the individual’s needs. Due to the low absorption rate, this is also the reason AndroGel is not favored by too many performance enhancing athletes. There are exceptions; it can be used to combat natural testosterone suppression due to the use of other anabolic steroids. However, most all performance athletes will opt for injectable testosterone when testosterone is being used in a direct anabolic capacity. AndroGel will typically only be used in direct HRT or TRT plans.

As AndroGel is most commonly used to treat low testosterone, in order to understand the function and traits of AndroGel the first step is to understand low testosterone. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that more than 20 million men suffer from low testosterone or some type of related androgen deficiency. The testosterone hormone itself is essential to our wellbeing and affects our physical, sexual and even mental functions. When our levels fall, each of these areas can suffer, and as levels remain low the negative effects can begin to mount up. There are numerous possible symptoms of low testosterone, and while you’ll need blood work to officially determine your condition the symptoms themselves are normally a very good indicator. The symptoms of low testosterone include:

Loss of Libido (can refer to partial or total loss)
Erectile Dysfunction (inability to maintain or obtain and erection)
Loss of Muscle Mass (despite diet & exercise)
Loss of Strength (despite diet & exercise)
Increased Body Fat (despite diet & exercise)
Loss of Mental Clarity
Decreased Ability to Focus
Lethargy
Insomnia
Irritability
Decreased Energy
Depression
Weakened Immune System
In most cases, most men will display two symptoms, normally one of the sexually related and one more from the list. However, while one of the sexually related is a good indicator it is possible to have low levels without one of the sexually related symptoms. As the condition persists, most men will find more symptoms begin to show. In fact, in time many men begin to experience every last symptom on the list and see their quality of life greatly diminished. The symptoms themselves are not directly life threatening, but they are far from what we can call enjoyable. Thankfully, compounds like AndroGel can completely remedy the problem; after all, it’s testosterone and the only thing that will fix low testosterone is testosterone.

For most men, the symptoms of low testosterone creep in very slowly. While it is possible, rarely will the symptoms show up heavily all at once. Age is the most common reason levels begin to fall, and as the months and years go by many men become unknowingly accustomed to the low levels. Their quality of life is diminished and they simply accept it. However, there’s no logical reason for accepting it when AndroGel is so readily and easily available. To make matters worse, low testosterone has been linked to several far more serious conditions. When ignored and allowed to persist for an extended period of time, low testosterone can aid in the promotion of far more serious conditions, some of which can be life threatening. When allowed to persist low testosterone has been linked in a gateway sense to the following conditions:

Alzheimer’s Disease
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Infertility
Polyuria
Anxiety
Heart Disease
If you suffer from any of the symptoms of low testosterone, you are strongly encouraged to seek out TRT therapy. The best place to start would be at lowtestosterone.com where you will find all your questions answered as well as the means to remedy your condition.

AndroGel, as it is simply testosterone does have the functioning ability to promote performance enhancement related traits. Such traits include muscle tissue growth, increases in strength and other related traits. However, due to the very low absorption it would take massive doses of the compound and would be extremely expensive to obtain such benefits. In a performance capacity, the only time it really makes sense to use AndroGel is to combat testosterone suppression caused by other anabolic steroids, not as a direct performance enhancing agent. If you are interested in learning about the functions and traits of testosterone in a performance enhancement capacity, please see any of the injectable testosterone profiles here at Steroid.com. The Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone Enanthate, Testosterone Propionate, Testosterone Suspension, Sustanon 250 and Omnadren profiles can all answer your questions. When looking at such profiles, you will also find these testosterone compounds are also regularly used in HRT and TRT programs.

Effects of AndroGel:
The effects of AndroGel are very simple and very straightforward. You suffer from low testosterone, you begin using AndroGel and you no longer suffer from low testosterone. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Look back at the list of low testosterone symptoms; if you suffer from any of those symptoms and they are due to a low testosterone condition, AndroGel will cause those symptoms to vanish. You will see great improvements in your quality of life and all of the following are more than possible:

Improved Sexual Performance
A Stronger Physique
A Leaner Physique
Increased Energy
Improved Mental Function
Better Sleep
A Stronger Immune System
An Improved Disposition
It’s not that you’ve provided your body something it’s unfamiliar with; your body is very familiar with testosterone. The reason such improvements are noted is because you have brought your testosterone levels back to where they’re supposed to be with AndroGel. In fact, many men report feeling just as good if not better than they did when they were in their twenties. Again, this is not due to the presence of a foreign substance and we only reiterate that because it’s a factor that’s hard for many to understand. AndroGel is simply testosterone, your body needs and wants testosterone and while you no longer produce enough on your own, with AndroGel you now have all you need.

Side Effects of AndroGel:
AndroGel is not without possible side effects. The possible side effects of AndroGel are largely the same as any testosterone compound, transdermal or injectable. There is, however, one exception. Because this is a transdermal cream some men report skin irritations at the applied site. This is not possible with injectable testosterone, and if irritation occurs due to AndroGel use this may mean you need to switch to an injectable form.

For the HRT or TRT patient, while there are possible side effects of AndroGel the odds are highly in your favor. Remember, this is not a foreign substance your body is unfamiliar with. Further, in a TRT or HRT plan, you are merely replacing what your body is lacking. You are not introducing a level of testosterone above and beyond what is naturally possible. When it comes to testosterone related side effects, they are most common when supraphysiological doses are used. However, even then, while the risk is greater most men can tolerate high testosterone levels very well. Regardless, side effects of AndroGel are possible. In order to help you understand the possible side effects of AndroGel, we have broken them down into their separate categories along with all the information you’ll need.

Estrogenic:
AndroGel does carry with it possible estrogenic related side effects. The estrogenic side effects of AndroGel are due to the testosterone hormone’s ability to convert to estrogen through its interaction with the aromatase enzyme. As estrogen levels rise, this can lead to gynecomastia and excess water retention. Excess water retention can also promote high blood pressure if it gets out of hand.

Due to the possible estrogenic side effects of AndroGel, some men will need an anti-estrogen medication. There are two types of anti-estrogens that can be suitable, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) such as Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) such as Arimidex (Anastrozole). AI’s are the most effective as they inhibit the aromatase process and reduce serum estrogen levels. SERM’s do not inhibit or reduce but rather bind to the receptors preventing estrogen from binding. Unfortunately, AI’s can negatively affect cholesterol. Testosterone can also negatively affect cholesterol but neither AI’s or testosterone appears to have a strong affect in this regard alone. However, when conjoined the negative effect on cholesterol appears to be stronger, especially regarding HDL suppression. Conversely, SERM’s do not have a negative effect on cholesterol. In fact, while anti-estrogens they actually act as estrogen in the liver and have been shown to improve cholesterol levels. SERM’s should be your first choice if they can get the job done. However, some will need an AI and if so they will need to give a little more effort into controlling their cholesterol. Yes, cholesterol control is very possible.

Androgenic:
The testosterone hormone is very androgenic, and as a result, the side effects of AndroGel can include those of an androgenic nature. The possible androgenic effects include acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness and body hair growth. These effects are strongly tied to genetic predispositions. For example, if you are not predisposed to male pattern baldness you cannot lose any of your hair. If you are predisposed the use of AndroGel may speed up your hair loss. You were going to lose the hair anyway, but it may now happen a little sooner.

The androgenic side effects of AndroGel are due to testosterone being metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This in turn causes testosterone to reduce to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) where it affects the target tissue in the skin and scalp. For this reason, some men may find the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as Finasteride to be useful. This will greatly reduce the androgenicity of the testosterone hormone, not completely but notably.

Cardiovascular:
AndroGel can cause cardiovascular strain, practically as we discussed regarding cholesterol. However, while possible it should be very minimal in a healthy adult male, healthy excluding a low testosterone condition. It is, however, important to keep in mind the possible inclusion of an AI to combat estrogenic side effects.

Due to possible cholesterol issues, it is very important the individual lives a cholesterol friendly lifestyle. Even without AndroGel this should be a focus in your life. A healthy lifestyle means limiting saturated fats and simply sugars in your diet. It also means including plenty of omega fatty acids in your diet. Daily fish oil supplementation is recommended. The individual should also ensure he incorporates plenty of cardiovascular training and activity into his routine. Some type of cardiovascular activity daily is recommended.

Testosterone:
The use of AndroGel as with most all anabolic steroids will suppress natural testosterone production. For the low testosterone patient this is relatively meaningless; after all, you’re not producing enough testosterone to begin with. For the individual who is using AndroGel for other reasons, once use is discontinued, assuming he did not suffer from a prior low testosterone condition natural testosterone production will begin again on its own. For the low testosterone patient, if use is discontinued you will once again suffer from low testosterone. In most cases, low testosterone treatment is for life. It is rarely possible to reverse a low testosterone condition. It is possible in some cases in a younger man, but most men who are over 40 will need continuous treatment. That may sound annoying but ask yourself this important question. Would you rather treat your low testosterone or would you rather suffer from low testosterone?

Hepatotoxic:
AndroGel is not a hepatotoxic anabolic steroid and will present no stress or damage to the liver.

AndroGel Administration:
Standard male AndroGel doses normally begin at 5g per day. After a short period of time, normally after a few weeks of use testosterone levels are checked again. At this stage, the dose may be increased towards the 10g per day range depending on patient need. Regardless of the dose, AndroGel is applied first thing in the morning to clean, dry skin. The shoulders or arms are both common application points as is the abdomen. Once applied, it is imperative you wash your hands thoroughly so to ensure your gel does not come into contact with woman or children. It is also recommended that you do not engage in rigorous skin-to-skin contact such as sexual activity for 12 hours after applying AndroGel and that you shower before such contact takes place.

In a performance capacity, the individual would need at minimum 20g per day to achieve any results. In fact, more would be better and this really won’t be feasible or even realistic for most men. For combating suppression caused by other anabolic steroids, 10g may do the trick.

There are no recommended female AndroGel doses. Women can suffer from low testosterone and treatment plans are most certainly available, but this is not one of them. In a performance capacity, AndroGel is not an anabolic steroid that can be recommended as its virilization rating is much too high.