Am I having side effects from Anastrozole?

[hdrider]

My recent TRT history can be found in my other threads, so I won't repeat it here.

Briefly:

I'm about 7 weeks in on TRT.

About a week and a half ago, the Doc (very experienced in TRT), started me on anastrozole with DIM due to Estradiol at the high end of the reference range, and lack of libido. All other numbers are fine. Dose is .25 EOD. He also added DHEA to my T gel and upped my HCG.

Within a few days, libido improved and morning wood returned.

However now I am feeling hot, flushed, and feverish most of the time. I checked, and my body temperature is normal. I am also having slight headaches, and I am sweating more than normal. All of this is very unusual for me.

Otherwise I feel great, and have good energy. Libido may have dropped back a little in the last day or two, though. My blood pressure is normal (about 120/80).

I'm not sure what to make of this. Could I be having a reaction to the anastrozole? I'm going to see if I can get in touch with the doc on Monday.

 

[CoastWatcher]

You wrote that you were "at the high end of the reference range" in regard to your estradiol level. This was a sensitive test? Were you actually in range? How long did you agree to take the AI before you tested again? It's very easy to knock E2 down to a terribly low level.

 

[hdrider]

Estradiol, Sensitive 34.8 pg/mL 8.0 - 35.0 02

I'm very aware of all the warnings and controversy regarding AI. The doc is still trying to get everything dialed in and working right.

Would my symptoms be indicating E2 is dropping too low, or could something else be happening?

New blood work is scheduled in 3 weeks. But this is weird enough that I'm contacting the doc next week. Any insight in the meantime is appreciated.

 

[Vince Carter]

at 35 you shouldn't be on anastrozole, certainly not .25mg EOD, your Dr is not as experienced as you think. I'd say 35 you add in 1mg total in 6 days, you're E2 is probably tanked out zero or very close to it.
That's just wrong and it's too severe of a swing at things, too many things changed at once...more HCG, more DHEA, (my opinion) an overdose of Anastrozole. And more of my opinion, you started 7 weeks ago....WAY TO SOON to make any sort of judgement on your treatment. At best it should have been 1 small change.

Your Dr is...not great. TO reinforce that, he's treating a number on a test, he's not treating "YOU".

 

[hdrider]

What are the symptoms of tanked E2?

 

[Vince Carter]

bought the same as high E2 of the laundry list of subjective symptoms some guys have A, B, and C, while others have symptoms D, E, and F. I strongly suggest you cut out the AI entirely.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Estradiol, Sensitive 34.8 pg/mL 8.0 - 35.0 02

I'm very aware of all the warnings and controversy regarding AI. The doc is still trying to get everything dialed in and working right.

Would my symptoms be indicating E2 is dropping too low, or could something else be happening?

New blood work is scheduled in 3 weeks. But this is weird enough that I'm contacting the doc next week. Any insight in the meantime is appreciated.

I am surprised he'd prescribe an AI at what is actually a healthy E2 level. It is very likely that you have pushed your estradiol level an unhealthy, low level. Consider testing it yourself through Discountedlabs.com...and consider finding another medical provider.

 

[hdrider]

Guys, I appreciate the feedback, but I have no intention of getting rid of Defy or Dr. Crisler.

I'll remind you that e2 was at the very top of the reference range, and symptoms were present.

 

[HarryCat]

I was in a similar situation, no libido, T levels looked good, but E2 was 40 on the quest ultrasensitive which has an upper limit of 30. My doc put me on 0.1mg of anastrozole 3 times per week and that brought my level down to 20.

So 0.25 EOD may just be to large a dose for you.

 

[ERO]

Also, remember that the "reference range" for E2 is based on a Total T of 600-700 so if you total T is higher than that, your E2 can be higher and still be fine. 0.25 EOD sounds like a tiny amount but is actually a large dose of AI.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Pull your levels via self-testing. Blood work, matched with your subjective symptoms, are the gold-standard with E2 management. Good luck.

 

[Vince Carter]

Guys, I appreciate the feedback, but I have no intention of getting rid of Defy or Dr. Crisler.

I'll remind you that e2 was at the very top of the reference range, and symptoms were present.

so you're barely touching the top range of E2 and Dr Crisler prescribed .25mg EOD....pardon me while I throw a flag on that play.

 

[Vettester Chris]

What are the symptoms of tanked E2?

Can be a variety of things .. Lethargy, skin gets dry and goes to hell, hair dries out and goes to hell, nails go to hell, joints ache, immune system can topple and you find yourself picking up colds and every little virus running around. and of course libido goes to hell too!! Estrogen is SO crucial in all of us, but it's kind of a fine line with men with where the serum level sits, hence the need for the "sensitive or ultra-sensitive" assay.

If it "tanks", estrogen rebound can also be a factor. A little Nolva can be beneficial as receptor sites get overwhelmed, but first make sure your E2 is OK? Labs will tell the tale ...

 

[hdrider]

Based on my reaction, the doc changed my prescription to anastrozole .15 g twice weekly.

It will probably be several days before the new meds arrive from the compounding pharmacy, so I'll let everything stabilize in the meantime, and try again. The headaches are gone and the feverish feeling is diminishing by the day.

Lab work and follow up consult with the doc is scheduled in a few weeks. No point in doing it sooner, as my understanding is it takes a few weeks at least for everything to rebalance itself.

 

[Vince Carter]

I would suggest that you go about 10 days or more off Anastrozole and get it all out of your system and then start back anew and then just once per week and see how it goes. Just a suggestion.

 

[hdrider]

Not a bad idea, Vince. In which case I would push the labs out a few weeks more, to wait for the new protocol to stabilize.

 

[Vince Carter]

When I realized I was being overdosed (by myself plus a Dr), I stopped cold turkey. I had been taking as much as .25mg daily for weeks. I got to about 10 days before I had two straight night sweat events which I notice as my first clue for E2 elevation. I started back .25mg once per week.
A lot of things have changed for me from then to now, too many to list here, but I too was tanked out and felt like crap and I was told to stop cold turkey and then restart.

 

[hdrider]

Interesting.
I'm not sure whether my e2 is too low right now, as nobody else has mentioned symptoms similar to mine (feverish, flushed feelings, and headache). I definitely don't feel crappy, actually I feel great overall, and my energy level is great. And the encouraging thing is my libido came roaring back for a few days before it left again. So guess I!ll just keep working at getting dialed in.