Trough FT of 125 is low, yes? (Daily 50/50 Enan/Prop)

[50BMGdoesitforme]

Hey all - after years of disappointment on Cyp and a glimmer of hope on Enanthate, I began a 50/50 blend of Enanthate and Prop two months ago. Results have been ok but not as good as I was hoping for; just got my lab work back and free T is 125! I've been injecting every morning; also, due to a lab messup the actual draw was about 27 hours since my last injection.

I realize with shorter esters I'll have a faster up- and downswing but 125 does seem low; on Cyp a free T of 200 was fine but when my trough got closer to 250 I started feeling negative effects. Thinking I'll up my dosage and see how I feel and what the labs say - is that a decent plan?

For context I'm low SHBG and E2 came back at 33.

Thanks all!

 

[Cataceous]

Which free testosterone test is that, both methodology and normal range? If it's a so-called direct test it's nearly meaningless. With many FT tests 125 pg/mL is very robust, sometimes even excessive, for a daily trough value. Increasingly I think the daily peak value of free testosterone is the more important parameter, as long as troughs are not extremely low.

 

[50BMGdoesitforme]

Hey Cataceous - thanks for the reply. It's the one I've always gotten under the Male section of Discounted Labs, in a bundle with ultrasensitive E2 and hematocrit; it says TESTOSTERONE, FREE (DIALYSIS) AND TOTAL,MS; does that help? Range is 35-155 pg/ml. Total T was 722 (range 250-1100), which since I'm low SHBG is unusually low. Also interesting that the peak would be more relevant - any chance there is a target value for it? Wondering if I need to test at peak (which might be 3 hours after injection?) vs increasing my dosage...

 

[WhiteMale]

Youre devoting too much attention to numbers on a piece of paper or what others think than how you feel. Too if I read you right, youre trying to base dose change on what you yourself called a lab error on your last test.

 

[Cataceous]

Hey Cataceous - thanks for the reply. It's the one I've always gotten under the Male section of Discounted Labs, in a bundle with ultrasensitive E2 and hematocrit; it says TESTOSTERONE, FREE (DIALYSIS) AND TOTAL,MS; does that help? Range is 35-155 pg/ml. Total T was 722 (range 250-1100), which since I'm low SHBG is unusually low. Also interesting that the peak would be more relevant - any chance there is a target value for it? Wondering if I need to test at peak (which might be 3 hours after injection?) vs increasing my dosage...

Ok, that is a good FT test, and I consider 125 pg/mL to be high for a daily trough level. Three hours post-injection is a reasonable time to start looking for the peak. Best guess is that the peak occurs in the 2-6 hour range.

The truth about using numbers is that they are important, but they do not provide exact guidance for optimization. Excursions outside of physiological ranges are asking for trouble; there are known and unknown long-term risks, and in these cases it's almost guaranteed that you cannot match what you had at your natural best. A low-and-slow approach within the physiological range is still hard to beat.

In your case you have a trough that is towards the high end of the physiological range. This means the peak value is well above the range. I'd rather see you start with a peak around 60-70 pg/mL and slowly go up from there—if needed. The problem with starting high is that lower doses often feel bad until your body readjusts to more normal levels.

 

[Vince]

I agree with white male. Don't just look at the numbers. Look at how you feel. Many members here. Think my levels are way too high even though that's when I feel my best. As long as I keep my and a HCT in a good place. I'm happy.

If you have issues with anxiety or depression it seems like trt, Will always be a struggle.