Side Effects of Androgel
Questions about the side effects of Androgel are normally the first ones a prospective testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) candidate will have. No one likes the thought of side effects, but when it comes to anabolic steroids the concern is often tenfold. It's not that the side effects of Androgel are potentially horrific; no one has ever died from the use of this transdermal testosterone compound. Compare that to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's) like Aspirin that claim the lives of more than 16,000 each year in the U.S. alone. The reason so many are petrified about steroidal side effects is simply due to years of misconception, and decades of half-truths, and often outright lies being spread on the basis of emotion rather than fact.
When it comes to the side effects of Androgel, for the overall healthy adult male, we have a relatively friendly compound; a healthy adult male excluding a low testosterone condition. There are side effects of Androgel, but they largely fall into the realm of possible, and by no means can they be called guaranteed. With proper use, it is highly unlikely a healthy adult male will run into problems. Further, TRT patients, the primary users of transdermal testosterones, are not supplementing with large doses. They are not administering performance enhancement level doses of testosterone. Performance doses are where we'll find the side effects of anabolic steroids to be the most common. In the case of testosterone, with performance doses, we are taking our testosterone levels far beyond what can be produced naturally. There is a large amount of the hormone in the body, and therefore, more to cause a potential problem. Even with performance level doses of testosterone, the testosterone hormone has been proven time and time again to be relatively safe for most healthy adult men. Granted, the risk most certainly increases with such doses, but it can still be controlled.
Then we have the side effects of Androgel, and while they will largely be the same as all testosterone compounds there's an important note to keep in mind. TRT patients are merely replacing testosterone. They are not increasing testosterone levels beyond what can naturally be produced. They are simply brining their levels back to a normal range, and providing the testosterone the body is well accustomed to. This tells us the probability of the side effects of Androgel occurring is significantly lower than with testosterone plans that are of a high dose nature. Yes, they can still occur, and yes, there are protective measures to take.
Estrogenic Side Effects of Androgel:
Estrogen is a derivative of testosterone. Testosterone has the ability to convert to estrogen through a process known as aromatization. When this occurs and estrogen levels rise, it can lead to commonly associated anabolic steroid related side effects. If excess estrogen binds to the receptors in the chest, this can cause gynecomastia or male breast enlargement. The excess estrogen can also promote water retention. There are two options we can use to combat these issues, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM's) or Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's). AI's are by far the most effective. AI's function by inhibiting the aromatase process and lowering the body's total estrogen levels, but unfortunately, they can be hard on cholesterol levels. SERM's bind to the receptors in the chest, thereby preventing estrogen from binding and leading to gynecomastia; however, they often don't do a lot to combat water retention. AI's are without question the best way to go if estrogenic protection is needed, but you will need to put in a little extra effort into controlling your cholesterol levels.
Androgenic Side Effects of Androgel:
Through the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, testosterone has the ability to reduce to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This increase in DHT levels, a potent androgen can lead to the promotion of related effects such as acne, hair loss and prostate enlargement. Some men may find the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor necessary. However, the side effects of Androgel in this category are highly unlikely. Most men will not be using enough to provide a significant buildup in DHT.
If the androgenic side effects of Androgel do occur, acne is generally the most common. Individuals who are already sensitive to acne are typically the first to have an issue, and will need to put in some effort into ensuring their skin is clean and dry at all times. With the issue of hair loss, this is only a concern for those predisposed to male pattern baldness. The use of Androgel may speed up hair loss; however, keep in mind you were going to lose it anyway. As for prostate enlargement, this is the most concerning androgenic side effect of Androgel, and for the healthy adult male it's extremely rare. It will take a massive DHT buildup to enlarge the prostate; however, Androgel should not be used if the prostate is already in a negative state. If for any reason prostate enlargement does occur, this is where 5-alpha reductase inhibitors will prove to be invaluable.
Hepatotoxic Side Effects of Androgel:
The side effects of Androgel do not include those of a liver toxic nature. Androgel does not carry a hepatotoxic nature, and liver enzyme values will not increase with its use.
Cardiovascular Side Effects of Androgel:
High doses of testosterone have been shown to potentially have a moderate effect on cholesterol, and in rare cases blood pressure. Even with high doses, most men can keep their levels under control by living a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of cardiovascular activity as well as a cholesterol friendly diet. TRT doses have been shown to rarely cause issues in this regard; once again, in the case of TRT we're merely replacing, not enhancing. If you already suffer from high cholesterol or blood pressure, you'll find you're in a tough spot. You will be best served by waiting until your levels are at a healthy range, but you won't want to wait forever as low testosterone itself can be damaging to your health. The best course of action is to speak with your health care provider, develop a plan to get your cholesterol and blood pressure back in line so that in time the needed TRT can be applied.
Testosterone Side Effects of Androgel:
Exogenous testosterone use will suppress natural testosterone production. As a result, the side effects of Androgel include this suppression and the resulting testicular atrophy. Testicular atrophy occurs due to the suppression of testosterone production. Testosterone is manufactured in the testicles, and when production is suppressed they atrophy. This does not mean they vanish, but they will lose some of their fullness.
Once the use of Androgel and any and all anabolic steroids is discontinued, natural testosterone production will begin again. When natural production begins again, the testicles will return to their normal size. This is all assuming no damage was done to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis (HPTA) when steroids were being used due to improper practices. It also assumes no prior low testosterone condition existed. Most men who suffer from low testosterone will need treatment for the remainder of their life. There is no cure for low testosterone; however, through compounds like Androgel we can remedy it.
