My journey so far with low testosterone.

CSI007 said:

Everything has been out of pocket for me except the clomid (first thing I tried). The HCG was costing about 50 for 11000iu At your doses I would have required at least two to three bottles a month. I guess doable. I guess in the end, I still produce my own, my testicles are OK size wise (was really going to bother me if they shrunk up) The libido is simply the best I have felt since I was in my 20s an before Chemo. I love it. I feel pretty damn good now. I feel like just this past week that some more penile sensitivity has returned too.

After reading some people here that have reduced cialis after about year has me hopeful I wont be dependent on it at some point.

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Well that's great you are feeling good!

TRTME said:

Well that's great you are feeling good!

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How did you feel when the T was elevated on the HCG mono? Did you quit because of the E2 issues with it? How are you doing overall now with the T replacement?

CSI007 said:

How did you feel when the T was elevated on the HCG mono? Did you quit because of the E2 issues with it? How are you doing overall now with the T replacement?

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I quit the HCG because honestly I don't think my previous Dr. knew how to manage HCG mono. The starting dose was far too high and even as we tapered down my E2 was continuing to creep up. Also once my E2 was in check using Adex my mood, water retention and anxiety were still out of control. She also didn't use the sensitive E2 test so I can't know for sure if it ever was in check, I'm assuming it wasn't if I was still experiencing side effects. After finally being on just testosterone, things are definitely improving. Still working on getting dialed in but I switched Doctors and the new one seems to know his stuff way more than my past Dr. I was on 100mg of test cyp every 7 days for 6 weeks and was feeling improvement every week. With the new doc we are going to try splitting the dose, 50mg every 3.5 days. I've had a long history of mismanaged TRT, about 4 years now between HCG mono, clomid, test/HCG combined and finally now just plain old test cyp on its own. By far I've felt the best on the test cyp only.

CSI007 said:

How did you feel when the T was elevated on the HCG mono? Did you quit because of the E2 issues with it? How are you doing overall now with the T replacement?

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Oh and I felt great on HCG mono for the first couple months...but then it all went down hill after that, I suspect from the high E2 and then from the possible low E2 later from way too much Adex.

Glad to hear it. I started at 100mg E3.5 days. My trough was too low for my liking and I was not feeling as good as I do now. EOD seems to work very well for me. Hopefully you will find some long term relief with your new protocol and Dr.

CSI007 said:

Glad to hear it. I started at 100mg E3.5 days. My trough was too low for my liking and I was not feeling as good as I do now. EOD seems to work very well for me. Hopefully you will find some long term relief with your new protocol and Dr.

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100mg EOD or did you split the dose?

Sorry,
I split the dosage up. But now I am actually doing about 106mg per week total. 150iu/injection. That along with the 400mg HCG on Monday an Thursday.

CSI007 said:

Sorry,
I split the dosage up. But now I am actually doing about 106mg per week total. 150iu/injection. That along with the 400mg HCG on Monday an Thursday.

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Ok I figured that. Glad it's working out so far. Keep us updated.

TRTME said:

Ok I figured that. Glad it's working out so far. Keep us updated.

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I will. I am going to get blood work done very soon so I will be reporting back where I am in that department. Curious if the increase from last time will require donation or see if my RBC has stabilized etc.

Update on my latest blood work. Seems that I am not ready to say that I am where I need to be.





So after starting with E2 levels in the gutter, my E2 has skyrocketed since increasing my T doses from 120ui EOD to 150iu EOD and decreasing my HCG from 500iu E3.5Ds to 400iu E3.5Ds

Is it time to consider anastrozole?

CSI007 said:

Update on my latest blood work. Seems that I am not ready to say that I am where I need to be.

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So after starting with E2 levels in the gutter, my E2 has skyrocketed since increasing my T doses from 120ui EOD to 150iu EOD and decreasing my HCG from 500iu E3.5Ds to 400iu E3.5Ds

Is it time to consider anastrozole?

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First, would you clarify your protocol? How much testosterone are your injecting EOD? Testosterone dosage is expressed in "mg," not in "iu."

Im doing 106mg per week approx. It's 15 on 1cc insulin syringe.

CSI007 said:

Im doing 106mg per week approx. It's 15 on 1cc insulin syringe.

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That's certainly a dose that falls in the (so-called) therapeutic range. A modest amount of anastrozole should help pull that estradiol into more comfortable range.

How are you feeling - did the lab report confirm what you were experiencing?

Since switching to EOD I am feeling good. But since increasing from 89mg per week to 106mg I am gaining weight again. Acne is getting crazy too. It was not like this a few months ago. All over my chest and neck and head area. Worse then when I was a teenager. I guess thats the E2. Starting to worry about gyno. I don't see any indications of it but worried none the less. Libido still OK. Erections are ok/good (great with cialis)

I should also point out that my energy has been fading quickly now in the early afternoon. E2 as well? Been very tired lately.

Before I do an AI. How about a reduction in HCG? Right now I am still taking 400iu E3.5 days. Any chance lowering this to let's say 250iu E3.5 days will help reduce the E2 enough? I don't want to lose the possible benefits the HCG is providing.

imo yes. I can bet AI won't solve this symptoms for you... TRT without AI > TRT with AI

Is one blood test this deep into the TRT a reason to jump in another direction with regards to an AI? I am obviously having some possible side effects from elevated E2 like acne, loss of energy. Maybe I can deal with those issues but what kind of damage am I really doing with E2 in the 60s (if any?) that would warrant an immediate change in protocol. Maybe keeping the course for another 6 weeks and I will see a downward swing in E2? I just don't know because I have no experience with this.

I had the acne real bad when I was between 50-88, its def a concern, its just too tough to say what's too much, 60 may be to much. For you.

HCG is even trickier...if you "feel" real feelings like wellbeing and/or libido, etc etc then you should continue it. If you "feel" that having HCG is a basic thing for TRT, then cut it down and see how you do. I don't like HCG, many guys don't, but it keeps my nuts alive and not shrunken @ 250iu E3.5D so I use it but it's never given me any kind of feeling or other benefit.

Id cut HCG use before I added Anastrozole.

Any chance that my E2 may come back down without any intervention? The current bought with acne seems to have subsided. Problem with that is it seems to come in waves. I will have it for a few weeks then it fades away and is sporadic, then comes back strong again etc.