Androderm

(Transdermal Testosterone)

Published By: Dan Chaiet (Biomedical Science)

Last Updated: December 10, 2017

Androderm History and Overview:

Similar to other topically applied testosterone applications such as Androgel, Androderm offers a much more potent dose of much-needed testosterone to those men who are suffering from low testosterone levels. The topically applied transdermal does away with the need for subcutaneous injection versions and makes life that little bit less painful. Androderm has a bioavailability that is classed as double the bioavailability offered by its closest competitor, Androgel. However, the biggest difference between the 2 is the way in which it is applied to the skin.

Androgel is as the name suggests, a gel which is rubbed into the skin. Androderm is applied with the use of a patch, which is worn from first thing in the morning to help deliver a steady release of the hormone into the body.

The development of Androderm took place towards the start of the 1990’s and soon gained FDA approval. Original developer and manufacturer TheraTech no longer own the branded Androderm name and it is now owned by Watson. However, there are plenty of branded and generic versions available on the market such as ATMOS, which is manufactured by Astra and prescribed mainly in Europe.

Androderm is one of the better-known and most respected medications to help combat low testosterone levels, aside from its injectable form of a subcutaneous jab. Androderm has enjoyed plenty of success as a transdermal treatment, however, while it is a common choice among men using low testosterone medications, it is not as commonplace as an injected testosterone hormone. It is also extremely rare to find Androderm used as a performance enhancer, regardless of the fact that it can indeed be used for this purpose. The main reason for this is because the user would need to wear 2 or more patches to benefit from any potential testosterone boosts to help with muscle growth and recovery benefits. Therefore, it is deemed as an inefficient route for performance enhancement.

Androderm Properties and Actions:

Like other transdermal testosterone products, Androderm is classified as an alcoholic testosterone gel. While classed as a gel, the gel is contained within a patch which is placed on the skin and provides protection from too much being administered at once with the use of an inbuilt drug reservoir. The design of Androderm is such that a steady release of testosterone is delivered to the body via the skin and mimics the release of the body’s natural testosterone production and release.

The release system will ensure that the largest amount of testosterone is delivered early in the morning and then a small but steady amount will be delivered throughout the rest of the day over a 24 hour period. Peak levels should be achieved by the 12-hour mark post application and a decline in the following 12 hours will follow.

Androderm Transdermal Testosterone Gel WATSON

As with many of the other available transdermal testosterone gels available on the market, Androderm can be found in 2 different doses. It is available in patch form in strengths of 2.5mg and 5mg. The smaller 2.5mg patch will provide the body with a 12.2mg supply of testosterone, while the 5mg one will provide 24.3mg of active and free testosterone. Of course, the actual amounts delivered can vary from one person to the next and largely depends on the individual using it.

Low testosterone, or as it is medically referred as; Hypogonadism, may be caused by any of several different factors. Age-related decline is the most common cause of low testosterone, but there are 2 different low testosterone conditions. The first is as noted above, hypogonadism. The second is from high levels of gonadotropin levels and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which in an easy to understand term means someone who suffers from low testosterone levels and normal gonadotropic production.

Testosterone is the most important hormone in the male body and helps control many of the major bodily functions, including libido, erectile tissue function, muscular growth, and mental well being. Of course, these are just a few of the functions that testosterone effects. It is known that chronic low testosterone may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s. There are also a whole host of other indicators of low testosterone condition and while not life-threatening, they can pose a risk to the leading of a normal and comfortable life.

If you are suffering from low testosterone levels, then you are encouraged to give Androderm a try for its documented therapeutic benefits. Before starting any testosterone treatment you need to have a full blood work checkup to see that you do indeed have low testosterone. If you have any of the following symptoms, these may be an indicator of low testosterone:

  • Loss of sexual desire or a reduction in libido.
  • Erectile dysfunction and issues with becoming aroused.
  • A loss of body strength and muscle mass, even when diet and fitness is optimal.
  • Loss of energy or the desire to sleep more than normal.
  • Mood issues, such as irritation, anxiety, mood swings, and depression.
  • Brain fog and difficulty keeping concentration.
  • An inability to fall asleep or stay asleep during the night.
  • More periods of illness and sickness due to a weakened immune system.

If you experience any of the above symptoms then you should try to seek out Adroderm or some other similar testosterone replacement therapy. If you ignore the condition then it could lead to one or more of the following conditions:

As an important note, data has shown that men with normal levels of testosterone are less likely to be at risk of developing prostate cancer. Past its therapeutic benefits, Androderm may lead to the following:

– Increased protein synthesis.

– Better retention of nitrogen.

– Enhanced red blood cell count.

– Reduction of glucocorticoid production.

Effects Of Androderm:

The basic effects gained from using Androderm are quite simple. In fact, they are more often than not simpler than most anabolic steroids. When a male suffers from low testosterone condition he can no longer produce adequate amounts of this primary androgen. Beginning a TRT program will help alleviate symptoms and Androderm can be a beneficial medication to use for this purpose.

Unfortunately, nearly every case of low testosterone will never be cured and treatment will be an ongoing daily routine for the rest of the sufferer’s life. While this may appear to be an inconvenient and cumbersome prospect, all it takes is the application of a patch each and every morning. At the end of the day, you can either stick a patch on or continue to suffer from the effects of low testosterone levels. The beneficial effects provided by using Androderm normally help the sufferer to regain a sense of normality and wellbeing back in their life. Many men report that when starting TRT, they felt better than they had done in their 20’s & 30’s. They look and feel better, have more energy, and an improvement in the physique becomes possible again. There really is no reason to live with low testosterone if you don’t have to. What would the point be?

Side Effects Of Androderm:

The use of Exogenous testosterone is usually very well tolerated by the majority of men. Only a tiny percent of men may face issues, but for most, there will be no problems. The reason for its suitability for most is because the body has been producing the male hormone since puberty. That said, there can and are often side effects when using topical testosterone. When using Androderm or a similar TRT program all you are doing is replacing the testosterone that the body is no longer producing. The human body is unable to tell the difference between synthetic testosterone and naturally produced testosterone. Put simply, to the body, it is exactly the same hormone.

As with every type of medication or supplement, there are always risks of side effects associated with use, and Androderm is not the exception to the rule. While side effects are possible, for the majority they will be mild and easy to manage. Over time side effects can lessen as the body adjusts. Below the possible side effects have been broken down in easy to understand categories.

Estrogenic Side Effects

As with all testosterone supplements and medication, the risks of suffering from estrogenic side effects are possible. Estrogenic effects can be easily noticed and involve conditions such as water retention and high blood pressure brought on by an increase in water retention. These side effects may occur due to the hormones interaction with the aromatase enzyme. Aromatization occurs when testosterone is converted into estrogen.

Estrogenic side effects can be combatted with the use of an anti-estrogen medicine. There are 2 types of medication that can be used to counter the effects of aromatization, which are SERM’s and AI’s. SERM’s work by binding to the receptor on the estrogen molecules and prevents the hormone from binding. An example would be Nolvadex. AI medications actually prevent Aromatization from occurring in the first place and are the most effective choice. However, just because something is effective doesn’t mean that it is risk-free. AI’s may come with their own set of side effects, and for most men, they will not be required as part of their TRT.

Androgenic Side Effects

Androderm can carry the risk of androgenic side effects. Androgenic side effects can consist of an increase in the amount of hair loss occurring, acne, and the growth of body hair. To make things clear, hair loss from androgenic effects will only happen if you are predisposed to male pattern baldness, or MPB. If you are not predisposed to MPB, then there is no risk of losing your hair due to Androderm usage. The possibility of developing androgenic side effects is mainly down to the metabolization of testosterone by the alpha5 reductase enzyme. Alpha 5 reductase will convert testosterone to DHT, or dihydrotestosterone. It is normal for men to use an inhibitor such as Finasteride to combat the androgenic side effects, and in fact, Finasteride is commonly used by men to stop MPB in its tracks.

Cardiovascular Side Effects

When looking at the effects on the cardiovascular system when using TRT such as Androderm, the first one to take note of is the increased risk of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure is most commonly a side effect of an increase in water retention. However, the risk of water retention can be mitigated by following the prescribed treatment plan as directed by your physician and by taking advantage of anti-estrogen medication such as SERP’s or AI’s.

There can also be side effects on the cholesterol levels when using exogenous testosterone, and these effects will be negative. Exogenous testosterone suppresses and reduces the amount of good cholesterol in the body (HDL) and can lead to an increase I the bad cholesterol (LDL) However, with that said, these effects are not usually seen when using testosterone replacement therapy alone. The reason cholesterol usually becomes effected is when AI’s are used in conjunction with testosterone. To avoid these side effects, the user can use a SERM instead of an AI.

Androderm 5mg Per Day Gel WATSON

While there is every possibility that the individual may suffer from cholesterol side effects, they are possible to avoid. The best way to avoid them is by omitting the use of AI’s unless absolutely necessary.But, even if you are left with no choice but to use AI’s, the effects can be easily managed with the help of a good diet and exercise. Reducing the number of sugars and fats in the diet can go a long way in helping keep cholesterol levels in check.

Testosterone Suppression

Using Androderm will ultimately lead to the suppression of the body’s natural testosterone production. However, if the individual already suffers from low testosterone then this will have no bearing on the fact. TRT is used when there is not enough testosterone produced by the male, so there is no need for concern as without TRT the levels will remain low regardless.

Hepatotoxicity Side Effects

There are no hepatotoxic side effects noted from the use of Androderm or another topical steroid creams and gels.

Administration Androderm Gel:

The patches from Androderm are applied directly to the skin early in the morning. The location will depend on the wearer’s preference, but it is usually placed on the upper arm, shoulders, thigh, back, or stomach. Before affixing the patch, the skin should be freshly washed and completely dry. Failure to apply the patch to dry skin will result in difficulty of it staying attached for the 24 hour period. Androderm should be applied to a different part of the body each day to prevent the risk of irritation from the adhesive on the back of the patch.

You should never place an Androderm patch on your buttocks or any part of the body which receives a large amount of daily pressure. The reason for this is that constant pressure on the patch can push up the risk of skin irritation further. The user should also avoid placing the patch on any other part of the body not noted above as it can interfere with the bioavailability of the active free testosterone. Also, if possible you should try to avoid using over the counter lotions, creams, and gels as they can reduce the effectiveness of the patch and the skin’s ability to absorb the testosterone hormone.

The majority of the time either 2 x 2.5mg patches will be used throughout the day, or 1 x single application of a 5mg patch. This will usually continue for the first few weeks before the bodywork is tested again to check for improvements in testosterone levels.

Availability Of Androderm:

It is easy to find Androderm in the U.S and worldwide. In Europe, it is known as ATMOS. It would be rather strange to find it on the black market as there is not much call for it due to the quantities needed for therapeutic benefits. In fact, transdermal testosterone will be almost impossible to find on the black market, yet easy to find elsewhere. It is also important to note that is extremely expensive.

Buying Androderm Online:

You need to know that if you purchase Androderm in the U.S without physicians or medical practitioner’s prescription, you will be breaking federal law. As all anabolic steroids are classed as class 3 scheduled drugs, the risks of getting caught are very real. To be able to purchase Androderm online you will; need to fulfil the following criteria:

  • You must have a genuine medical need for it.
  • These needs must be decided by your doctor.
  • The U.S government must deem it justified.
  • You may only purchase it with a real and valid prescription.

The laws will vary from country to country, so you should always check your countries specific laws before purchasing Androderm online. As always, take care when purchasing from unknown vendors as what you get may not be what you ordered.

Conclusion:

When it comes to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) then Androderm would make for an ideal choice. It is highly regarded as one of the best transdermal testosterone patches on the market, yet, its cost still outweighs the amount of testosterone delivered which makes injectable testosterone a much more economical option. However, for those with an aversion to needles, Androderm is a viable alternative for low testosterone treatment, but in effective as a performance enhancer drug for an athletic edge during sports or competition.