First round labs in

[Ericd306]

So I’m 40, 8 weeks into TRT at 80mg twice per week. Feeling really good. Had about 2 weeks in. The middle where I felt like I reverted and then went back up to feeling like I did 10 years ago again. Went into this with TT 460 and SHBG at 67. No HCG, no AI. Prior to this, I was on Clomid monotherapy for 8 years and slowly started to work less and less as my SHBG crept up. Cal with Defy this afternoon. I’m a little wary about jumping to an AI as on Clomid 0.1mg per 1.5 Anastrozole per 1.5 weeks put my E2 at 22. I respond strongly.

Overall, my cholesterol, glucose, and IGF numbers really improved. It’s the E2 that probably needs to be discussed, but perhaps I can move to more frequent injections as my SHBG has come down as I do feel peaks and valleys between shots. Also, any concern about my Hematocrit? It’s gone from 47.3 pre TRT to 48.6. I’ve read many stories about this and worried this will be a limiting factor for me. As always, thanks!

 

[Vince]

Hopefully you will be successful in your protocol. It should take some tweaking to get it right. Will you be adding HCG into the mix?

 

[Ericd306]

Not yet. Trying to keep it simple. We’re done with kids and I don’t care about atrophy. Yes, I know there are other benefits but trying to start simple.

 

[Loki]

You could do a compounded very low does of AI. I have used .1 and .25 of a MG per week.. My estrogen tends to creep up just like yours. I don't mind it running high, I just want to take it down a little. Definitely don't want to tank it... I give blood once a year and my hematocrit is always 50.... T and IGF-1 look strong...

 

[Ericd306]

Yeah I didn’t expect to see IGF go from 130 to 250

 

[CoastWatcher]

You raised a question about hematocrit. You should certainly keep an eye on your hematocrit, but it’s not presenting any challenges at this point.

 

[Vince Carter]

You know you really haven't said that there's a problem with how you feel, etc etc besides noting some numbers on a lab test which is typically a flawed position to take...treating based on numbers. In light of that, would be a mistake to introduce an AI.

 

[Ericd306]

My morning wood went away, mostly. Little bit of water retention. Otherwise I feel good. I spoke with defy today and I told them that I don’t want to go to an AI. So we landed on moving me to three days per week from twice per week at the same total weekly dosage to see if that brings E2 down a bit on its own.

 

[antelopers]

Any reason specifically to keep testosterone that high? If you lower your dose you may not need it.

 

[fifty]

They don’t seem to be too fond of lowering doses.

 

[antelopers]

They don’t seem to be too fond of lowering doses.

This is true, any and every symptom I've mentioned to defy can apparently be solved by increasing testosterone and adding more ancillary drugs.

 

[S1W]

To be fair to Defy, in my case at least I'm happy that they aren't sticklers about the range. I don't feel like I get much benefit from TRT until I'm at or above the top of the range.

After realizing that, I asked my doc if he would be open to a slight dosage increase, just to see how I felt since I seem to feel better with higher numbers. He said no.

 

[Ericd306]

They lowered my dose without me pushing it. Actually suggested it on my call yesterday. And pulled DHEA out and said not to start HCG. Great experience for me so far!