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Should I up the cypionate dose?
A 4/3 split may not be quite as good as 3.5/3.5, but it's still a significant improvement over the original seven-day cycle. Certainly worth doing...- Cataceous
- Post #16
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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A suitable trt plan which will not compromise fertility
This is not the general experience. These short-acting forms of testosterone have been proven effective in clinical trials. Did you measure your levels on the oral product to ensure you were reaching a healthy peak of testosterone? It seems likely that daily peak levels have independent...- Cataceous
- Post #15
- Forum: Introductions
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A suitable trt plan which will not compromise fertility
Gonadil appears to be vitamin E and Tribulus terrestris. The Wiki statement on the latter isn't very promising: Although its extract has been used as a dietary supplement since the 1980s in belief that it increases testosterone levels to aid body building or sexual enhancement in men, T...- Cataceous
- Post #13
- Forum: Introductions
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A suitable trt plan which will not compromise fertility
I forgot to mention that Maximus has demonstrated that at least with their oral testosterone product you can keep the HPTA alive with concurrent use of enclomiphene. This could possibly apply to other oral testosterone products, which also are faster-acting than topical products and most...- Cataceous
- Post #10
- Forum: Introductions
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A suitable trt plan which will not compromise fertility
Anecdotally we have seen that adding a SERM such as Clomid to TRT is not useful to the majority who try it. This is because androgens and not just estrogens apply negative feedback to the hypothalamus. It is true that there's always going to be a low enough dose of testosterone such that Clomid...- Cataceous
- Post #9
- Forum: Introductions
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Should I up the cypionate dose?
Maximus is currently featuring three options: the oral testosterone I was referring to, testosterone gel for conventional TRT, and the SERM enclomiphene to stimulate your natural testosterone production. It's likely not the cheapest option for you. You'd get off lightly if your doctor would...- Cataceous
- Post #10
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Should I up the cypionate dose?
No, modern oral forms are not hard on the liver. There are various testosterone undecanoate capsules, and I believe Maximus has a straight testosterone option. Someone here posted that even DIY is possible by ingesting testosterone with oil.- Cataceous
- Post #7
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Should I up the cypionate dose?
Splitting the dose does not affect your average level of testosterone. Currently you presumably have a relatively high level of testosterone in the day or two after each injection, but a low level in the day or two before each injection. For example, you might hit a peak of 750 ng/dL which...- Cataceous
- Post #5
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Should I up the cypionate dose?
Why not try splitting the dose, say into 25-30 mg twice weekly? This will dampen the high/low swings if you're currently injecting once a week.- Cataceous
- Post #2
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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ED/low libido even with TRT
We should let others know that we have a spreadsheet posted for calculating free estradiol. Note that it is now attached to the post because the original links do not work: https://www.excelmale.com/forum/threads/spreadsheet-for-calculating-free-t-e2.17216/ The analogy of free/total estradiol...- Cataceous
- Post #19
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
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[urgent help] battling long long term effect of enclo
Though it might be too subtle to make a dent in such an extreme sleep disturbance, one thing you could try is measuring your serum progesterone, and if it's at the lower end of the range then supplement with some each night. Progesterone naturally opposes estradiol and is somewhat of a sleep aid...- Cataceous
- Post #2
- Forum: Testosterone Side Effect Management
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TRT Peaks and troughs or steady levels. Which is correct?
I'm not aware of anything new on the subject. The successes of testosterone nasal gel and oral testosterone seem likely to reduce interest in finding ways to more precisely mimic a normal diurnal rhythm in serum testosterone. You may have seen a study referenced by @madman showing that a...- Cataceous
- Post #5
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Aging and Testosterone dose
If one is looking to maintain free testosterone at a particular level then it's typical to need dose reductions over time. This is because the metabolic clearance rate of testosterone tends to decrease with age, which in turn increases free testosterone, as mentioned here. It's harder to...- Cataceous
- Post #3
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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TRT Peaks and troughs or steady levels. Which is correct?
It's a good question, without a definitive answer. There's too much individual variation to say whether you'd find the differences to be subtle or profound. Neither modality produces a natural-looking diurnal rhythm in serum testosterone. However, men can have good results with either...- Cataceous
- Post #3
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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What affects free testosterone under TRT?
Tempting though it is to veer into some caustic remarks, let's stick to the facts. Are your previous posts based on your understanding of the subject or are they AI generated? If the latter then which AI and which inputs?—And why didn't you disclose AI use at the time? Why don't you or the AI...- Cataceous
- Post #5
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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What affects free testosterone under TRT?
The reasoning is incorrect and contradicts what is set out in the original post. A drop in SHBG only transiently affects free testosterone. At the new steady state free testosterone returns to its previous value, which is tied only to the testosterone production/dose rate and the clearance rate...- Cataceous
- Post #3
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Bromantane experiences ?
No, but it sounds interesting. For me, caffeine has more cons than pros, so it would be nice to have an alternative. I might get some bromantane to try next time I place an order with NS.- Cataceous
- Post #5
- Forum: Nutrition and Supplements
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Bromantane experiences ?
I see that Nootropic Source has the powdered form—in case anyone is looking for a pretty reliable source. A dosing summary from Grok: Typical oral doses for bromantane powder range from 50–100 mg per day, often taken once in the morning to avoid potential insomnia. A lower starting dose of 25...- Cataceous
- Post #3
- Forum: Nutrition and Supplements
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About to Start a New Protocol
It's actually neither, though the former—the thin, permeable skin—increases absorption efficiency. It's the prevalence of 5-alpha reductase in the scrotal skin that boosts production of DHT. There can also be a fair bit of aromatase, boosting estradiol as well in many cases. The testes don't...- Cataceous
- Post #47
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Enclomiphene Pharmacy Options
Defy Medical was using Taylor Made for enclomiphene until they eventually switched to Empower. The product from both of these places seemed to do the job. As I recall, Taylor Made at one time was having some legal issues, but maybe nothing affecting product quality. I'd say Empower is a slightly...- Cataceous
- Post #2
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Hypo since 20 y/o - now 30. Thoughts on this bloodwork?
There are pros and cons to either. Enclomiphene blocks the negative feedback from estradiol, which stimulates the HPTA. The higher LH/FSH then lead to increased testosterone, at least if the testicles are functioning well. Enclomiphene has the advantage of stimulating the entire HPTA. Clinical...- Cataceous
- Post #12
- Forum: Blood Test Discussion
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Hypo since 20 y/o - now 30. Thoughts on this bloodwork?
Ok, that confirms the previous number and an unusual pattern. You seem to have bounced back from the first episode in 2016 after dabbling with Clomid and hCG. Possibly you could again. As mentioned above, enclomiphene is usually preferred over Clomid. If you don't get acceptable results with...- Cataceous
- Post #10
- Forum: Blood Test Discussion
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Hypo since 20 y/o - now 30. Thoughts on this bloodwork?
You really needed a testosterone measurement to go with that LH/FSH. With the huge variability in your readings I wouldn't trust that it remained at the 91 ng/dL from August, even if that value was correct. There is still uncertainty. No, this combination points to secondary, where the brain...- Cataceous
- Post #7
- Forum: Blood Test Discussion
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Thoughts / Advice on bloodwork
I was curious what AI would say about cabergoline vs P5P: Effectiveness Cabergoline is generally more effective for lowering prolactin levels, particularly in cases of hyperprolactinemia in men, such as those caused by prolactinomas. Multiple studies show it can normalize prolactin levels and...- Cataceous
- Post #5
- Forum: Blood Test Discussion
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Thinking about TRT and could use some guidance
There are better options than conventional TRT. First, strongly consider switching to topical finasteride. The side effects profile is considerably improved, reducing your risks in the long run. If you still feel as though there's a lot of room for improvement then try a fast-acting testosterone...- Cataceous
- Post #4
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Thoughts / Advice on bloodwork
With the caveat that your results are hard to read due to low resolution, it appears that Vermeulen calculated free testosterone is about 11 ng/dL. This is not really into hypogonadal territory. On the other hand, having prolactin near top-of-range can be problematic. If your health and...- Cataceous
- Post #2
- Forum: Blood Test Discussion
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DHT Cream Plus Testosterone Propionate = Major Libido Boost
It's still a small enough molecule that you might have reasonable absorption—but "reasonable" is only about 10%, so it's not very efficient. Possibly better if applied to the scrotum. If there is such a thing then you'd want to think about possible side effects; 5ar does more than convert T to...- Cataceous
- Post #447
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
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Hypo since 20 y/o - now 30. Thoughts on this bloodwork?
Your 2016 and 2021 results are contradictory. It seems unusual to move from secondary hypogonadism to the edge of primary and back. Another interpretation is that you've always had borderline testicular insufficiency, but it is masked by secondary hypogonadism. If you're willing, report your new...- Cataceous
- Post #4
- Forum: Blood Test Discussion
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Pharmacokinetic Profile of Testosterone Suspension: A Case Study
A problem with having limited data is that you can come up with various hypotheses that are consistent with the results yet are vastly different. So here's an update on the examination of testosterone suspension: For a period I switched to an aqueous testosterone solution, as described above. I...- Cataceous
- Post #17
- Forum: Testosterone Basics & Questions
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Hypo since 20 y/o - now 30. Thoughts on this bloodwork?
I think you have the right idea: Retest testosterone, and also LH and FSH. Make sure it's done not too long after waking. Throw in SHBG if you're not also testing free testosterone via equilibrium dialysis. Estradiol should probably be in there too. Your 2021 results do hint at testicular...- Cataceous
- Post #2
- Forum: Blood Test Discussion
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Inject hCG IM for better results?
The point is that if you open the door to anecdotal evidence then there are examples suggesting faster SC absorption in some cases. However, I have much more confidence in the controlled studies measuring AUCs. No, it takes >40° C to invoke non-negligible degradation. That's not happening...- Cataceous
- Post #30
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
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