Recent content by Cataceous

This isn't necessarily relevant and could get people into trouble. Some of these products contain 450 mg of lithium carbonate per tablet. Lithium carbonate is about 19% lithium, so you're talking about 85 mg of lithium. In contrast, this thread is talking about doses ranging from around 0.3 mg...

I've been getting about a milligram daily of elemental lithium via lithium orotate for some years now. I can't claim any very noticeable effects, but it seems worthwhile to take due to the positive associations and claimed protective effects.

Wrong on both counts. Follow the links. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8631164/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11070513/

Coincidentally the main forum page currently has threads by @madman highlighting research with cautionary statements about the effects of androgens on the brain. It might be argued that a lot of this applies only to doses well in excess of the 100-200 mg TC per week that I complain about...

I'd say it's better to use them concurrently, at least as adjuncts to TRT; they should be strictly complementary. The reasoning is that kisspeptin provides both kisspeptin and GnRH signaling. Negative HPTA feedback affects kisspeptin production more than its action, meaning exogenous kisspeptin...

The Androgel experience ended up being poor, primarily due to absorption issues. After that decent TT measurement the next one was 160 ng/dL. Even as a trough value that's not viable. Injections were an improvement, yet far from "the answer". Admittedly one of the few things I've haven't tried...

That smoking analogy is only meant to highlight that a possible risk factor should not be dismissed just because causality is not yet established. Testosterone levels are associated with a U-shaped mortality curve in some studies, particularly in men. Research indicates that both low and high...

A one-size-fits-all approach is a doctor who gives all his patients 140 mg TC per week right from the start. And from there his plan is bloodletting to control cases of high hematocrit and AIs to address symptoms of high estradiol. This results in unnecessary suffering by many of his patients...

There's this complexity, and probably even more. I have dabbled with anastrozole when my TRT dose was higher, and I also had a period with very low estradiol for some other reason. I don't recall that these had much effect on motivation. The anastrozole would dampen excessive emotionalism. Very...

Is the "one size" my counsel for moderation when starting out? If so you're acting as though the low-and-slow approach to hormone replacement—and often to meds/supplements in general—is some weird idea I came up with at random. Do you remember John Crisler?

It's absurd to characterize a normal range that encompasses at least 95% of the population as "one size". Furthermore, as a long-time resident here you should be well aware that being an outlier is problematic, and is associated with reduced longevity and other problems. You've convinced...

The usual straw-man nonsense. Let me fix that for you: "Physiological testosterone levels equal better health."

Actions speak louder than words. Even Defy Medical seems to routinely start guys with well over 100 mg TC/week. Yet the available evidence does not support this approach when overall good health is the goal. It's easily inferred that this is a result of more-is-better thinking specific to...

I think compared to hypogonadism even dated TRT protocols would provide some relief. But you must be aware that nobody around here is going to recommend taking 200 mg TC once every two weeks. It's not an assumption, but standard medical practice for just about any hormone other than...

That's a bit of a hit-and-run. I'm prepared to defend my hypotheses, particularly the one saying that a starting dose of 100 mg TC/week is excessive. The main caveat is that these high doses came about due to the assumption of infrequent injections—once or twice a month to once a week. Under...