Recent content by Cataceous
-
C
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
-
C
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
-
C
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
-
C
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)
-
C
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
-
C
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
-
C
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
-
C
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)
-
C
Inject hCG IM for better results?
It may be far-fetched, but less so than some mysterious and unelucidated mechanism of testosterone destruction.- Cataceous
- Post #28
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
-
C
Inject hCG IM for better results?
If with both SC and IM you ensured you had no injection site leakage and you measured free testosterone at enough time points in an injection cycle to accurately estimate AUC then you'd have some grounds to claim reduced bioavailability. What I've been saying is that measuring testosterone at...- Cataceous
- Post #25
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
-
C
Inject hCG IM for better results?
Fair enough, since there's little, if any, hard data. Anecdotal reports appear to favor it. Grok says this: Injection site leakage, where a small amount of the oil-based medication (such as testosterone enanthate or cypionate) seeps out from the puncture wound after needle withdrawal, appears...- Cataceous
- Post #21
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
-
C
Inject hCG IM for better results?
Occam's razor. There's injection site leakage, a known phenomenon that's almost certainly going to be more prevalent with SC injections. Then there's some mysterious, never directly observed, testosterone-destroying interaction that disappears under controlled conditions—and worse, is assumed to...- Cataceous
- Post #19
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
-
C
Inject hCG IM for better results?
Somehow you forgot about the Xyosted study. Meanwhile there are no controlled studies pointing to dissimilar bioavailability for SC and IM. I presume if I were trying to support an argument with anecdotes that did not even measure the parameter in question then you would jump on that. But now...- Cataceous
- Post #16
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
-
C
Inject hCG IM for better results?
As long as we're fantasizing that someone's going to fund such a study then of course it should include enough samples to generate accurate AUCs. But first, if you're rejecting the explanation involving injection site leakage then you should come up with a remotely plausible alternative...- Cataceous
- Post #13
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
-
C
Inject hCG IM for better results?
Have to re-emphasize: "Clinical data consistently shows that SC administration of testosterone esters achieves comparable bioavailability to IM." Under controlled conditions the bioavailability is the same. What you're left with are basically three things: • Localized side effects. Ok, some...- Cataceous
- Post #8
- Forum: When TRT Is Not Enough (ED, Libido, & More)
Beyond Testosterone Podcast
Share this page
Sponsors
