Question: I have been on transdermal androgel for a while but don”t feel it is helping. My doctor is not a fan of compounding (he’s not very helpful actually) but I’m intrigued. What is the best way to proceed if this is something of interest?

Larry’s Response: From your comment, it seems your doctor is fairly closed minded. Instead of investigating a preparation that is superior in many ways to Androgel, he/she is probably more comfortable prescribing a commercial product that is fraught with problems – and ineffective, at least for you.

An important point is that testosterone is soluble in oil, not alcohol gels.

When applied in large quantities, the gels dry leaving a white powder – some gelling material and powdered testosterone. Much of it flakes off and is of little value to the user. Flakes can also be spread to other people who don’t need or want extra testosterone. Compounded bioidentical testosterone is made in a cream base (oil) that assists in transporting the hormone across the skin into the body. Some of our customers tell us they experience better results with smaller doses when they use a compounded transdermal.

We don’t bill insurance, but we’ve been told that our compounded preparations cost less than even the copays charged. This isn’t a sufficient reason to order compounded testosterone. The therapeutic benefits are by far the main advantage.

How would I approach this with your doctor? I’d ask for a prescription for a compounded preparation in the 20 to 50mg per day range. I’d ask the doctor to call my compounding pharmacist if he/she isn’t sure of the dosing or strengths. I’d ask once.
If I failed to receive a prescription I’d be looking for a new doctor.

Nobody can care about your health more than you do. Your doctor must assist you or get out of the way.

I received a follow up a few days later from this gentleman: This is great advice. I always felt like I wasn’t getting the absorption that I’d like to be more functional. This has given me hope.