My urologist prescribed TRT for me about three weeks before I was castrated. I was chemically castrated for some time before that and had a blood testosterone test of 44. I liked the sexual effects of testosterone that low but had dry and very itchy skin, noticable loss of strength and an inability to handle cold or temperature changes. He prescribed Testim gel at one 5 gm tube a day. I did that at first and suffered the irony of having my first morning erection in years the morning after I was castrated. I have decreased the Testim to less than half a tube each day which seems enough to eliminate the negative side effects I didn't like without raising any sexual needs. I can't tell you my T level not, just that it feels comfortable. I'm going in for a T test Thursday and will meet with my urologist next Monday. He's looking for a level of around 300 and I'm betting more on something like 125-150. All numbers are on a normal scale of 280-1080.

But this is the advantage of doing gels or self injections. You may not be able to increase your dosage but you certainly have the ability to decrease it.

Anybody hear about the new gel just submitted to the FDA in early May, Fortigel? While Testim and Androgel are 1% gels, Fortigel is 2% and much easier rub on larger amounts. Its been aroung for some time in other countries but may be close to approval here.