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Anyone getting lumps after injecting subQ might try asking a compounder to use a different base oil to mix with the testosterone cypionate. While using cottonseed oil, I rarely get lumps, or they go away within a few hours. With sunflower oil, the lumps persisted for several days...

500 IUs three times per week has been used in studies and in practice by Dr. Larry Lipshultz, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, to preserve fertility while using testosterone. I, for one, can say that it has worked for that purpose. My wife and I recently conceived while on this...

Interesting study. Of course, folks need to understand that Vitamin D levels are not an independent determinant of testosterone levels. And, there are likely a variety of reasons not to shoot for supra-physiological levels of Vitamin D. Personally, I'm inclined toward finding the middle...

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I'm sure you will find some good insight here. Were the recent labs taken previous to beginning HCG? If so, you don't appear to be obviously secondary hypogonadal, meaning that you may already be producing sufficient gonadotropins (LH and FSH). If...

I treat my sleep apnea with an APAP. After experimenting a bit to find the right mask and nasal pillows, etc., I can barely tell when it's on. It's worth the trouble as I sleep much more soundly and my health has improved significantly. I, for one, sleep better when my testosterone and...

For further context, I apply 10 drops of Lugol's iodine (2.5%) to the skin daily. According to what is typically believed to be the typical absorption rate, I am getting about 2.5 mg iodine per day. I don't believe I've noticed any effect, negative or positive, from this, and I've been doing...

Thanks for looking at this, Chris. This is where my head has been and also what my doctor has advised - Work on getting testosterone and cortisol balanced first, then deal with thyroid if it seems needed. Glad to have another opinion!

Thyroid Panel All electrolytes appear to be normal, based on several tests. I have not tested ACTH, Aldosterone or Renin. I've attached my thyroid labs in two parts. I had a TSH test before these that showed TSH at 2.06 uIU/ML (0.450-4.50). Based on all of this, I've surmised that I am...

Thank you, Chris. I'm guessing the free T doesn't seem too concerning to you? Yes, I have been working on cortisol as well for about 6 months. It seems that I am always somewhat low according to several 4-pt. cortisol saliva tests I have had so far. That may explain some of my mood, libido and...

Update here: https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?2060-First-blood-work-after-adding-testosterone-to-HCG-solo-treatment&p=9419#post9419

Should I be concerned about free T being over the top of the range? Update and question: Should I be concerned about free T being over the top of the range, if I’m not having negative side effects? For the sake of trying all of my options, I just tried 4 weeks at a reduced dose of...

I've been taking MRM micronized pregnenolone for two months now. I noticed no difference (for the better or worse) after switching from the same dosage of McPherson Labs micronized pregnenolone. I will receive follow up labs soon to see how it has impacted my 4 pt. saliva cortisol and DHEA. I...

My understanding is that LH is pulsatile. In other words, you don't know where you are going to catch "the wave" of LH pulses. When I was on clomiphene monotherapy, even though it increased my testosterone significantly, several blood tests of LH always showed LH to be very low. The only...

I was quoted over $800 from Walgreen's for an equivalent amount of HCG, costing $75 at Empower. So yeah, a bit cheaper. :)

Congrats, Duane! That is wonderful to hear!

One unfortunate aspect of this article is that they do not differentiate between the sensitive estradiol assay and the standard estradiol assay. This makes judgment of their recommended range of approximately 20-30 pg/ml rather difficult. Life Extension offers a sensitive assay by Lab Corp...

In this recent article, Life Extension Foundation gives their views on proper estrogen management while on testosterone replacement therapy. I look forward to hearing others' thoughts. http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2014/jun2014_Misguided-Medicine_01.htm

I have definitely experienced this at higher doses, when I was above range. When I came back within range, my sleep improved immensely, as well as mood, libido and erections. To me, when I feel dialed in, sleep is usually really good as well. Kind of a chicken and egg conundrum.

Thanks, Gene!

Gene, on that note, I'm curious what you think of my last question in this thread: https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?743-Bringing-dhea-levels-up/page9&highlight=dhea+levels Here it is again... Thanks! Dr. Rouzier states that the range for DHEA is 100-600, and that optimal is near...

I just had another sperm analysis done with another lab. Results will vary among labs, but still, I'm pretty happy about this! HCG seems to be doing the trick. :cool: Volume: 3.7 ml (1.5-5.0; WHO recommends more than 2.0) Concentration: 112 million/mL Concentration - (60-120; WHO recommends...

Yeah, I'm not sure what's going on there. I would presume that is either from the inflammation or from TRT. I have heard TRT can elevate LDL but I haven't had the chance to research.

Ok, my estradiol test results just came in. So, here are the full recent labs, including the spermanalysis. Estradiol, sensitive - 40 pg/mL (3-70) Cholesterol, Total - 270 mg/dl (100-199) Tricglycerides – 73 mg/dl (0-149) HDL – 60 mg/dl (>39) VLDL Calculated – 15 mg/dl (5-40) LDL Calculated...

Count me as a disbeliever, based on my own experience. Where are the people reporting how great they feel on clomid?

I expect the sperm parameters to improve further as the inflammation from appendicitis fully resolves. The surgeon tells me that will take another 5-6 weeks from now. I believe that the elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol figures (as well as my ongoing awareness of my appendicitis)...

ps The above results are very similar to those from before I began any type of treatment, including clomid, HCG or testosterone. The following were from a different lab in January 2013. Volume - 3.1 ml (1.5-5.0) Concentration - 51 M/mL (>=20) Motility - 43% (>50%) Total motile - 68M

Yeah, I still can't figure out why doctors choose to test LH and FSH while on testosterone and/or HCG. And yes, the spermanalysis results are very important here! Duh! ;) Dr. Lipshultz said he is very happy with these results, and we should have no problems getting pregnant, based on these...

I'm a little confused by this. Dr. Rouzier states that the range is 100-600, and that optimal is near the top of that range, at 500-600. Doesn't that mean you want to be near the top of whatever the reference range is for your lab, rather than at twice the upper limit of the range? If he was...

Blood and spermanalysis results posted here. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?2060-First-blood-work-after-adding-testosterone-to-HCG-solo-treatment&p=8410#post8410

Blood work results So, I just received all of my blood test results from Labcorp with the exception of the estradiol sensitive test, which is apparently “pending”. As a reminder, my regimen for the last 6 weeks has been 150 mg/week, split up into two injections/week, HCG 500 IUs 3 times/week...

I've been wondering the same. I'm on TRT and HCG plus 100 mg micronized Pregenolone per day, and I just received blood test results showing my DHEA-S at 295 (range 102-416). This is only a little lower than where it was previous to starting TRT, when it was at 350. I don't see a compelling...