How Long Before Testopel Pellets Start Working? (Page 13)

Just had Testopel pellets inserted in my backside. Forgot to ask doctor how long until they take effect. He's out of town.

REPLY

REPORT

Don, I calculated your Est/Test ratio...6.3%, and it needs to be around 3-5%. You can try Micronized DIM(diindolymethane), available online and at some health food stores. I've outlined before the benefits of DIM. I doubt your dr would prescribe femara or arimidex if he didn't even know about watching your Est levels...hope you were able to google BioTE....your free looks good, and DIM will also improve it a little more.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Your Total T is not in optimal range, but that could partially be to aromatizing.

James, Testopel is only FDA approved for 6 pellets, so when the insurance companies figure that out, they stop paying for anything more than that. The pellet method I use ends up being less expensive for men and women than Testopel. And the great thing for guys is that they make sure to get you to optimal range and it is a flat fee, and most men only need to have it done every 5-6 months...they are adding new practitioners every month. They hope to have providers(well trained) convenient to as many areas across the country as they can, soon.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thank you very much. My Pcp says the E is "normal" without even understanding why some of the other blood work was ordered. I thought "hi normal" as from what I've been reading. T4 levels were .8 which is the lowest normal(taking .050 mcg daily with T3 levels at 3.9 pg/ml "hi normal." My thoughts are maybe my optimal are outside of the "normal" range. Frustrated greatly. Any other information is welcomed.
Thank you Ginger

Don

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes, 300 for Total T is normal...normal for an 80 yr old man! Even an 80 yr old man doesn't want to feel like an 80 yr old man!! Some labs need to be in normal range, but that is not true with hormones, because as we age our bodies stop producing them at levels we are when younger. A well trained practitioner will know how to read your labs and treat accordingly. The thyroid labs BioTE orders are TSH, free T3, T4 total and TPO. Occasionally may need to order reverse T3. With those labs they can treat any thyroid deficiencies with the proper Rx.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Labs recent of last 30 days but not all from same draw.
Thyroid peroxidase AB(TPO) 39 <60Units/mL
TSH 2.403 0.350-5.000mcUnits/mL
Anti Thyroglobulin <15 range <60 Units/mL
PROL 5.4 (11.2 July 2012) range 2.1 - 17.7ng/mL
What does prolactin do?
LH 0.1 mUnits/mL

Is Armour a better choice than Synthroid?
TYVM
Don

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been getting Testopel for 3 years now and I always ge 14-16 pellets and my insurance covers it no problem. I have even had 2 different insurances companies as well. Even with those amounts my T levels have not gotten over 800. Testopel works great for me and I never had any major issues with the insertion. Just a little bruising now and then. No complaints from me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Were you on any other test therapy prior to testopel? If not--may take a week or two to really get into your system. If you were on any topicals/injections then your transition may not be quite as noticeable since one is ramping down as the other ramps up.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm 60 yr male w/total T 38.75/free t 0.63 bio 13. Had 17 pellet 2 1/2 mos ago. No swelling or disconfort. Did have mood swings[lower now]. I did gel, shots-2cc/ 200mg/ml depo per week all with little to no results. I had 2nd lab last wk. I am on medicare/disability due to sev. problems but no energy is big problem. My big problem is cost. the 17 pellets cost doctor $2100-$888 disc by Humana leaving me $222. Fair cost for treatment? I can't find cost per pellet myself. Any one know cost retail and at disc.?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am 68 year old male and have been receiving the TESTOPEL pellets now for 3 years. I have ten (10) pellets inserted every three (3) months. No problems other than some bruising and soreness @ each implantation. As for cost, between Medicare and supplemental/secondary insurance, I have nominal cost myself. The benefits, in my case, are monumental as my testosterone level was 38 when I first started the process after having a testicle removed. I am beyond grateful for this form of treatment. The injections worked for me, but injection required every other week. God luck to you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have noticed, in my case that I feel a slight differance the very next day. But in a week, the differance is like night and day. They really work. I am at my whits end though. My first implant I had ten to start. And thought I may need 12 to sixteen to maintain the levels needed to feel better. I should add that I have a severe sleep disorder that has dis abled me. Testa pell seems to be the only thing that makes me feel normal. I am so angry, that once I find something that actually makes me feel better. It gets yanked away, I am told that that the manufacters only recomends 6 and their fore insurance won't pay for more than six. Androgel works, but my dose is so high I run out of real estate. I have ran out of skin to apply it. And if I work up a sweat it doesn't work. Also did the patches too. I had them stuck all over my body and again sweat takes them off. After about a week I look like I have broke out in hives with red spots all over my body. And it's really embarassing to have a patch fall off. What can you say. I just lift up my shirt bare my chest in an elevator and slap it back on. The IV's are painful. It's like pushing a thick clear oil into your arm or hip. Some times both. My dose is huge, and it takes the nurse a long time to put in. It does work. But the pain, and the roller coaster effect is hard to tolerate. It jus doesn't last.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Testopel pellets run around $65 each

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thanks for reply Bob. I am running on empty yet excited by the replies and updates.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had 20 pellets inserted on 12/13/13. I know 20 is a lot but my count was 60 and I just did my first blood draw on 01/10/14 and it came back at 845. I feel like a new man overall. I have noticed a bit of a lull this past week and wonder if that is normal. It took about 17 days for me to feel anything after receiving my testopel implants but I figured it takes a good while to go from a count of 60 to where you are full of energy and have very good libido. Has anyone else lost a bit of energy after a month or so? I figure it will probably pass and things will be fine. I wish everyone the best on this board. I know this stuff can drive a man nuts!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Brian -- I've been on the Testoprl pellets for over three years now. I had a testicle removed due to severe infection and my "count" was a mere 66. Each time I receive the implants, I feel an obvious surge of results, usually within 48 hours. Energy up, mood up, emotions up, concentration up, ............ libido up. My schedule is every 3 months to keep T level appropriate. By the end of the third month, I am DEFINITLY ready for the implant. I was due this week, but because of an elevated PSA, Doc put me on a 30-day antibiotic regimen, to see if, perhaps the elevated PSA is due to a prostate infection. As you are probably aware, testosterone "feeds" prostate cancer, so you can't have T supplements if prostate anger exists. I have a month now to wait before redoing the PSA. If it is lower again, the TESTOPEL will be rescheduled. If it is not, a prostate biopsy will be done. I hope this helps you with your questions and concerns. Good luck to you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

There are some pellet therapies that typically last 5-6 months, so you are only having to have the procedure a couple times a year. Also, some Drs providing Testopel don't know they need to monitor your estrogen and Hgb levels. I use a form of testosterone pellet therapy, where the practitioners are trained to check total testosterone, free testosterone, estrogen, thyroid, and vitamin-D. Very knowledgable and have great outcomes with their patients! I have been on the therapy for over 3 years...yes women need testosterone too! Just not as much as men. Where optimal levels for men are 800-1200, womens optimal levels are 80-120. The long term benefits are great, as well as the symptom relief. sidenote: if you do not have prostate cancer, pellet therapy will actually reduce your chance of developing it, but it is true that if you do have prostate CA, it can feed it and cause it to grow faster. So follow up is a must, and if PSA remains elevated a biopsy should be required before repelleting.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Bob,

Thank you very much for your reply and input. I have been doing as much research as possible to see what to expect. I've heard a your psa level is something that has to be monitored very closely? Do they check your psa level everytime they draw blood to check your T count? I wish you the best Bob and I really appreciated your input. Thanks

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes Brian, my urologist does check my PSA each time and since I have a long history of chronic infection, I begin taking an antibiotic a month BEFORE each implantation. You see, an elevated PSA can have a variety of causes including infection, recent DRE (digital rectal exam), prostate cancer and even a recent discharge of semen. ALL of things are considered. This week, after taking the antibiotic CIPRO for 30 days, my PSA was still elevated compared to the last time. So a Doc switched antibiotics and I'm now taking Duricef this month. As I said in my last post, I'm hoping the PSA lowers or undoubtedly it will mean another prostate biopsy. I've had one before and though not unbearable, they are uncomfortable in addition to the enema prep done prior. I'd rather not have to do this, but WILL, knowing the benefits I receive from the TESTOPEL pellets. Good luck to you, Brian. I will keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can help further!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

The effect is near immediate. How long they'll last depends on how many they put it. They usually go for around 4 months worth, but that amount changes based on body weight.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

8-10 pellets are all that is normally needed. I hsve never heard of anyone getting more than 11..... till now

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Bob,

I had 20 pellets implanted on 12/13/13 and I started feeling great a couple weeks later. I had blood drawn at 4 weeks and test came back at 845 and I was feeling like a champ. For the past 10 days or so I've felt just like I did before I had my procedure done. Could my testosterone already be that low? I'm set to draw blood on 02/07/14. I would bet my numbers are really low again but the numbers will prove that. Have you ever heard of someone going thru testosterone this fast? I was taking injections before I had pellets inserted and I was taking 165mg of cypionate a week which is a pretty large dose and I felt so so. My test levels were in the 550 range and I would imagine most people would be close to 1000 with that much. I guess everyone is different and I will know more here in about a week and a half. I'm so sick of this tired and worn down feeling.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

How long does it take before a xanax er 2 mg starts working ## Xanax ER? ## Yes it is extended release formula I instead...

10 REPLIES

I need to find out if this medication is working. How long before it works? ## How long have you been taking it? With th...

2 REPLIES

Should lyrica start working straight away I have been on it for 3 days and still in a huge amount of pain. The pain is i...

1 REPLY

How long until pirimir starts to have an effect after taking pill by mouth? ## Probably a half an hour, or so, depending...

1 REPLY

About 5 or 6 weeks ago I started Lexapro. I was on paxil for about 20 years and it felt like it just pooped out and stop...

1 REPLY

Hi there I need some help. How long did Enbrel take to start working for you for Ankylosing Spondilitis back Pain? Reall...

2 REPLIES

This is my first week on Belviq. At times I still feel hungry... How long does it take to get into your system? I'm ...

3 REPLIES

How long does it take for pentrexyl to start working? ## This medication contains the active ingredient Ampicillin, whic...

1 REPLY

Just wanted a answer to how long ambien starts to work, for the insomnia. And how long does, it help for ## Ambien start...

11 REPLIES

I was just given this med Oxycontin10mg twice a day by my dr for pain but I don't know how long until it starts work...

5 REPLIES