Lowering trt dose/ increasing frequency of injections question

[kelj358]

Interesting. Appreciate all of the input gents.

 

[Nik]

Some very rough numbers: Twice-weekly injections might give a 50% drop from peak to trough. EOD probably cuts that to 5-10%. Average serum testosterone levels stay about the same at the same dose. For example: suppose with twice weekly injections total testosterone is dropping from a peak of 1000 ng/dL to a trough of 500 ng/dL. After a switch to EOD you might end up with peaks around 790 ng/dL dropping to troughs around 710. A dose decrease of 20% then yields peaks around 630 ng/dL dropping to troughs around 570.

The dose reduction does make sense, particularly if you are trying to reduce side effects of elevated testosterone. The more frequent injections raise the troughs, as mentioned above, such that you can reduce the overall dose without becoming hypogonadal. In the example above the trough with the lower EOD dosing pattern is still higher than with the higher twice-weekly pattern.

My current protocol is 75 mg per week, which puts my total testosterone at 525 and free testosterone at 158. My SHBG is around the low 20s. The problem is that my hematocrit has reached 53, so according to your calculations, where would I be approximately if I take 32.5 mg twice a week for a total of 65 per week? I hope I can get my hematocrit down

 

[Nik]

Some very rough numbers: Twice-weekly injections might give a 50% drop from peak to trough. EOD probably cuts that to 5-10%. Average serum testosterone levels stay about the same at the same dose. For example: suppose with twice weekly injections total testosterone is dropping from a peak of 1000 ng/dL to a trough of 500 ng/dL. After a switch to EOD you might end up with peaks around 790 ng/dL dropping to troughs around 710. A dose decrease of 20% then yields peaks around 630 ng/dL dropping to troughs around 570.

The dose reduction does make sense, particularly if you are trying to reduce side effects of elevated testosterone. The more frequent injections raise the troughs, as mentioned above, such that you can reduce the overall dose without becoming hypogonadal. In the example above the trough with the lower EOD dosing pattern is still higher than with the higher twice-weekly pattern.

I should clarify that I administer the 75mg once a week.

 

[Vince]

I find it really interesting that members lower their dose to lower their free testosterone and they still have to donate blood.

 

[Willyt]

My current protocol is 75 mg per week, which puts my total testosterone at 525 and free testosterone at 158. My SHBG is around the low 20s. The problem is that my hematocrit has reached 53, so according to your calculations, where would I be approximately if I take 32.5 mg twice a week for a total of 65 per week? I hope I can get my hematocrit down

A popular protocol is 10mg daily subq injections w/ small gauge 5/16 needles (70mg per week). That would certainly blunt your peaks assuming that is what is driving up your hematocrit