I started TRT in October, so roughly 6 months ago. My beginning protocol was 64mg test e3.5 (128mg/week), 400iu HCG e3.5, and 0.125mg anastrozole EOD. At the three month mark, my numbers looked like this:
.
Total T: 1278 (348-916)
Free T: 37.9 (8.7-25.1)
E2 sensitive: 21.4 (8.0-35.0)
SHBG: 41.1 (16.5-55.9)
.
Overall, I was feeling great once my levels settled in (some acne and mood issues early on that went away), but with that high of a trough total and free T, and that low of an e2 number, the decision was made to lower my weekly dose of both testosterone and anastrozole. I was also given the option of trying more frequest injections, so the new protocol was 36mg test MWF (108mg/week), 400iu HCG e3.5, and 0.125 mg anastrozole e3.5 (taken at time of HCG injection). I just got those 6-month labs, and here are the new numbers:
.
Total T: 828
Free T: 26.4
E2 sensitive: 22.9
SHBG: 34.2
.
Honestly, I felt a lot better on the original protocol. Once I got settled in to the new, I noticed lower energy, less strength, and the return of some of the other symptoms that started me on this journey in the first place (brain fog, etc.). I'm naturally on the higher-side for SHBG (mid-50s), so it's starting to look like I need a trough around 1000 or so to get my free T into the low 30s. I remember at my last consult Dr. Saya was aiming for a trough total T between 900 and 1200 and free T between 25 and 35.
.
My e2 also remains low, barely moving despite cutting the anastrozole dosing. I know my test dose also decreased, but when I was on clomid my e2 shot up pretty high. I guess my e2 just doesn't respond the same way with testosterone injections, so perhaps I'll be able to drop the anastrozole entirely. I seem to feel the best when my e2 is around 30.
.
My consult with Defy is next week, and I'll be interested to see what tweaks we make. Any thoughts on injection frequency? I'm thinking the feeling worse part if more related to the lower test dosage than moving from e3.5 to MWF, but I was also surpised to see my SHBG drop a fair amount after moving to a lower dosage and more frequent injections.
.
Welcome any thoughts!
.
Total T: 1278 (348-916)
Free T: 37.9 (8.7-25.1)
E2 sensitive: 21.4 (8.0-35.0)
SHBG: 41.1 (16.5-55.9)
.
Overall, I was feeling great once my levels settled in (some acne and mood issues early on that went away), but with that high of a trough total and free T, and that low of an e2 number, the decision was made to lower my weekly dose of both testosterone and anastrozole. I was also given the option of trying more frequest injections, so the new protocol was 36mg test MWF (108mg/week), 400iu HCG e3.5, and 0.125 mg anastrozole e3.5 (taken at time of HCG injection). I just got those 6-month labs, and here are the new numbers:
.
Total T: 828
Free T: 26.4
E2 sensitive: 22.9
SHBG: 34.2
.
Honestly, I felt a lot better on the original protocol. Once I got settled in to the new, I noticed lower energy, less strength, and the return of some of the other symptoms that started me on this journey in the first place (brain fog, etc.). I'm naturally on the higher-side for SHBG (mid-50s), so it's starting to look like I need a trough around 1000 or so to get my free T into the low 30s. I remember at my last consult Dr. Saya was aiming for a trough total T between 900 and 1200 and free T between 25 and 35.
.
My e2 also remains low, barely moving despite cutting the anastrozole dosing. I know my test dose also decreased, but when I was on clomid my e2 shot up pretty high. I guess my e2 just doesn't respond the same way with testosterone injections, so perhaps I'll be able to drop the anastrozole entirely. I seem to feel the best when my e2 is around 30.
.
My consult with Defy is next week, and I'll be interested to see what tweaks we make. Any thoughts on injection frequency? I'm thinking the feeling worse part if more related to the lower test dosage than moving from e3.5 to MWF, but I was also surpised to see my SHBG drop a fair amount after moving to a lower dosage and more frequent injections.
.
Welcome any thoughts!