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  1. C

    Adding Anastrozole, how much should I lower dose?

    In this situation an aromatase inhibitor should not affect your free testosterone. It could indirectly affect total testosterone by reducing estradiol. Lower estradiol can lead to lower SHBG and therefore lower total testosterone as well. Your dose of testosterone has likely suppressed LH and...
  2. C

    Advice on next steps - mid-low free T

    As I recall, all of the oral forms of testosterone have considerably longer half-lives than the nasal gels. Something like a few hours versus less than an hour. This makes the difference between significant and possibly complete suppression of the HPTA, versus relatively minor suppression. Over...
  3. C

    Advice on next steps - mid-low free T

    It's less common to have low-T symptoms with that level of free testosterone. I would steer you away from the three treatment options you're considering. They all come with some risk of doing more harm than good given that you're not firmly into hypogonadal territory. If you want to explore...
  4. C

    What affects free testosterone under TRT?

    I’ve covered this issue in many posts, but I thought it would be helpful to put more information in one thread and expand on the topic. TL;DR: Under TRT, free testosterone is proportional to the dose rate and inversely proportional to the metabolic clearance rate. The liver accounts for most of...
  5. C

    Limited lab testing by endocrinologists

    This is false. The ratio varies and is highly dependent on the SHBG level. For a fixed free testosterone, which occurs at a fixed dose rate, as SHBG goes higher so does total testosterone, and this lowers the ratio of FT to TT. Using measurements of SHBG, albumin and total testosterone you can...
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    Modulation of circulating free testosterone fraction by T, DHT and estradiol during TRT

    In the case of aromatization you're looking at converting 0.2 to 0.6% of testosterone. Even knocking it out entirely leads to a trivial increase in free testosterone. This myth that a decrease in SHBG leads to an increase in free testosterone may stem from a mistaken idea that total...
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    Modulation of circulating free testosterone fraction by T, DHT and estradiol during TRT

    They are fooling themselves and others. The quality anecdotal evidence I've seen shows that when such steroids are added, free testosterone does not change if the TRT dose remains the same. You can see reduced SHBG, both real and effective, and effects on aromatization. But there is not a...
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    Modulation of circulating free testosterone fraction by T, DHT and estradiol during TRT

    This highlights the confusion about whether total or free testosterone is the dependent variable. I've been arguing for years that total testosterone is the dependent variable, determined by free testosterone and the binding protein levels and other hormone levels. o The new data show that this...
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    Modulation of circulating free testosterone fraction by T, DHT and estradiol during TRT

    I believe they are making this more complicated than necessary, and potentially reversing causes and effects. Under TRT the dose rate and metabolic clearance rate directly and proportionally determine free testosterone. In turn, total testosterone is driven primarily by free testosterone, SHBG...
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    What it the purpose of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) ?

    We went through it again just last month, in this thread a few posts back. Being on TRT is not relevant. Free testosterone is driven by the rate of testosterone entering the system: https://www.excelmale.com/threads/what-it-the-purpose-of-sex-hormone-binding-globulin-shbg.24916/post-297524
  11. C

    What it the purpose of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) ?

    We've been discussing this for years now. SHBG has little influence on free testosterone. The shift to lower SHBG under TRT does not change free testosterone at steady state. Free testosterone is determined by the dose rate and the metabolic clearance rate constant. The same applies when SHBG...
  12. C

    9 years on Gel - Switch to Injection - Effect on HCT?

    It depends on your dose. The thing about injections is that it's much too easy to overdose, and most men do. For example, the common starting dose of 100 mg of testosterone cypionate per week is well above typical healthy natural production, which is equivalent to more like 50-70 mg. Regarding...
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    Are the creams less likely to raise hematocrit?

    The problem with HCT is still going to be primarily a function of dose. If you absorb a similar amount of testosterone via cream and serum levels are fairly steady then the results probably won't be much different. There is some complexity with respect to the pattern in serum testosterone. Based...
  14. C

    Why do some men need supraphysiological doses of testosterone to achieve normal levels

    I didn't ask if you have ruled out fast absorption. To do this properly you need several samples of serum testosterone during the day to estimate area-under-the-curve. But it might suffice to see what your testosterone level is two to fours hours post-injection. If it is extremely high then you...
  15. C

    Why do some men need supraphysiological doses of testosterone to achieve normal levels

    It's an interesting hypothesis, but I'm not aware of any supporting data, and there is some pointing against it. For example, in one of the testosterone dose-response trials free testosterone remained proportional to dose even at very high doses of testosterone. Now I guess you could argue that...
  16. C

    Why do some men need supraphysiological doses of testosterone to achieve normal levels

    It only works that way if you're measuring total testosterone on an absolute basis, e.g. the total milligrams in plasma. But we're measuring the total concentration in blood, which is mostly bound to the effective reservoir of SHBG and albumin. This means the concentration of total testosterone...
  17. C

    Why do some men need supraphysiological doses of testosterone to achieve normal levels

    Weight is probably related only indirectly to the observations. Obesity would be strongly correlated with metabolic syndrome and low SHBG. The low SHBG is what drives down total testosterone, but not free testosterone. Therefore it's unlikely that heavier men on TRT actually need higher doses...
  18. C

    Why do some men need supraphysiological doses of testosterone to achieve normal levels

    In fact this is usually the case. 100 mg per week in divided doses puts my total testosterone over 1,200 ng/dL, and this is common. @Readalot shared data supporting this proposition. Your low SHBG suppresses total testosterone. Free testosterone is proportional to the dose rate. By what method...
  19. C

    Peptides for arthritis?

    The ibutamoren is taken at bedtime, hours after the last meal. I've been using a continuous glucose monitor and there's no evidence of negative effects in this regard. Which is to say that it didn't make things worse. But my Hba1c was already running high in the reference range in spite of good...
  20. C

    Peptides for arthritis?

    Fortunately this assessment appears to be overly pessimistic. Phase 3 of the Sprifermin trial is ongoing, and researchers envision public access to this treatment soon. [R] I can also report that I have overcome the hurdles and obtained FGF-18, basically using the techniques you mention above...
  21. C

    testosterone super high on 200mg

    Opinions vary, but mine is that "real" TRT excludes going much over 100 mg of testosterone cypionate per week. That's because this is beyond the physiological production range. Your 200 mg is double this, and at 20 mg of testosterone per day that's giving you about triple what a healthy young...
  22. C

    Enclomiphene on TRT for Fertility

    Assuming secondary hypogonadism, then with few exceptions enclomiphene will not restore or maintain fertility with any form of TRT that keeps serum testosterone at mid to high levels continuously. These forms of TRT include injections of testosterone esters, topical testosterone products and...
  23. C

    Weekly shot lab timing

    It is considered standard practice to measure testosterone at trough when on TRT. However, measuring at the midway point can give a better sense of your average level throughout the injection cycle. The danger here is that your doctor may see that it's pretty high and want to make some changes...
  24. C

    Regular testosterone test overestimates hypogonadism in men compared to the LC-MS/MS assay

    Even with secondary hypogonadism you could give small enough doses of testosterone cypionate such that LH would not go to zero. However, the contrast is that with secondary the brain is calling its low testosterone level "normal", so any exogenous testosterone immediately works to suppress the...
  25. C

    Shallow Testosterone IM versus SubQ Injections - Lab Results

    Any rigorous evidence for this? Until then I'll go by the studies measuring areas-under-the-curve, which do not find a difference between SC and IM. I don't discount that differing absorption rates can affect other parameters, but I remain skeptical of the disappearing-testosterone hypothesis.
  26. C

    Gel vs injection

    I would reject the claim that gels are more physiological than injections. In some cases the diurnal rhythm in serum testosterone is more natural looking. But I think this is outweighed by DHT levels that are often not physiological. Even when DHT is in range it may be relatively large compared...
  27. C

    Regular testosterone test overestimates hypogonadism in men compared to the LC-MS/MS assay

    In fact these more complicated techniques are better suited for treating secondary hypogonadism. With short-acting testosterone the troughs in serum testosterone are low enough and long enough that even the overly-sensitive HPTA experiences less suppression. Meanwhile, the peaks to mid- or...
  28. C

    Regular testosterone test overestimates hypogonadism in men compared to the LC-MS/MS assay

    No, it can be much simpler than that. I believe it's sufficient to provide a fixed background level of testosterone. Then the HPTA can handle the rest with its natural variations. As a simple example, suppose a guy would normally have morning testosterone of 600 ng/dL, but develops testicular...
  29. C

    Regular testosterone test overestimates hypogonadism in men compared to the LC-MS/MS assay

    There were a couple guys on the old PeakTestosterone forum successfully using this approach. With primary hypogonadism the HPTA feedback mechanisms are largely intact; the brain is calling for a healthy amount of testosterone, but the testicles cannot respond adequately. Therefore it is possible...
  30. C

    Concerned about hair loss: TRT + deca vs TRT alone vs deca alone

    A conservative approach that should promote your goals: use a short-acting form of testosterone; switch to topical finasteride and/or dutasteride; use ibutamoren if IGF-1 is below average. Short-acting forms of testosterone include nasal gels, buccal troches and micronized testosterone...
  31. C

    Regular testosterone test overestimates hypogonadism in men compared to the LC-MS/MS assay

    One good thing about primary hypogonadism is that testosterone (augmentation) therapy is relatively low risk if you adopt a low-and-slow approach and titrate to achieve normal LH and FSH. In this case you can achieve supplementation without replacement; your HPTA feedback loop keeps operating...
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TRT Hormone Predictor Widget

TRT Hormone Predictor

Predict estradiol, DHT, and free testosterone levels based on total testosterone

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This tool provides predictions based on statistical models and should NOT replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your TRT protocol.

ℹ️ Input Parameters

Normal range: 300-1000 ng/dL

Predicted Hormone Levels

Enter your total testosterone value to see predictions

Results will appear here after calculation

Understanding Your Hormones

Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

Free Testosterone

The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

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