Hey everybody, looking for advice

[Justin]

Your hemoglobin levels aren't going up because you took testosterone shots, they went up because you introduced testosterone into your body. Not all men will experience increases in hemoglobin or hematocrit when using testosterone, but many will, and some will to the point that something has to be done about it.

When you switched to Axiron or Testopel, what did your hemoglobin levels do then? What were your testosterone levels compared to the levels during injections?

Axiron, the problem with this stuff is it has a low absorption rate. I'm not a big fan of transdermals because of absorption issues, but if one is going to use a transdermal, a topical cream like Androgel will normally prove to be more effective than Axiron. Even Axiron's own data shows that it doesn't have the ability to get men to the upper ends of the reference range, in most cases.

Injectable testosterone is by far the most effective, specifically testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate. Aveed (testosterone undecanoate) can also work but it's unclear if your doctor was using it the intended way. You should have had more than one shot to know if it works for you. You would have had one shot and another 3-4wks later, perhaps another after that and then once every 10-12wks or so. If you don't go through the loading phase it will not work.

Regardless of the type of testosterone you use, elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit are possible, this remains true with gels, creams, injections, pellets or anything else. Some men have to perform a therapeutic phlebotomy regularly if they are going to safely continue testosterone use, there's just no way around it. Some men have to give blood as often as every 2 months, while others only a couple times a year. And plenty of people don't have to give blood at all. It's simply one of those things that's individually based.

[crwmlw]

Thanks Justin. My Dr informed me that the shots have a tendency to raise hemoglobin more so than the gel because of the amount given at one time. My hemoglobin did drop a bit after going on Axiron but I also take baby aspirin and been donating blood. Ive been on the Axiron for about a month now and although it helps a bit its not nearly as good as the shots. My recent blood work came back and my estrogen and hemoglobin are back to normal so the Dr is going to try and put me back on the shots since I feel so much better, I will need to continue the baby aspirin and donate blood and get a 3 month checkup to see where Im at. Axiron saved me no doubt but the shots make me feel like i can conquer the world I did take my initial shot of aveed and was scheduled for my 4 week booster but the side effects of that stuff for me werent cool, Anger, depression etc. Blood work was taken 3 weeks after and my T was at its lowest its been so the Dr said no go on the aveed because of the side effects. I felt like death.Thank for the follow up post