Hey everyone, I have been reading the forums since starting TRT about 4 months ago... thank you all for sharing ... it has helped me understand and correct bad protocols.
Info about me
40 years old, 245 lbs, 6’3” tall ... boot camp/body weight style workouts 5-6 days a weeks, a lot of cardio, spartan race style workouts.
I started TRT with natural TT of 386, this was part of a annual physical that I requested from my GP. I had the typical brain fog and low energy symptoms. We started with a 1ml (200mg Test Cyp) each month. I received the shot... then came on the boards for info. At the 2 week mark I objected waiting for another 2 weeks and got another shot of the same dosage (every 2 weeks). I had labs done at two week intervals and TT 167 and 2 weeks later it was TT 64! I convinced an estradiol workup that came back low at 7 (standard Roche).... joint pain from low estrogen, joints were crackling. My Dr wanted a one week reading and it came back at TT 653.
Dr tried to switch me to androgel but insurance would not cover it, so we went to and androderm 4mg patch. I was not happy on the patch at all but it brought my TT back to 360. I this point I had to switch doctors.
At this point I started seeing another Dr who put me on 1ml (200 mg Test Cypionate) weekly to start and would adjust down in 4-5 weeks.
My trough on this protocol was
TT 368.
Free 30 (9-46)
SHGB 21.3 (16.5 - 55.9)
Albumin 4.7 (3.5 - 5.5g/dl)
F+W Bound % 30.6% (9-46ng/dL)
F+W Bound 112 (40 -250)
Estradiol 36 (7-42)
Hemocrit 44 (37-51)
Hemoglobin 15.8 g/dL (13 - 17.7)
I went back to lab Corp 24 hours after my peak injection
TT 894 (264-916 Ng/dL)
Free
SHGB 23.5 (16.5-55.9)
Albumin 4.8 (3.5-5.5 g/dL)
F+W Bound % 23.5 (9.0-46%)
F+W Bound 382.6 (40-250 Ng/dL)
Estradiol 46 (7.6 - 42.6 pg/ml)
I went back to see the Dr after the blood draw and only my trough numbers were in. He prescribed HCG .125 twice a week, but mentioned I could up it to .25 if I felt I needed it. That brings us to today, I only just saw my peak results yesterday and have not started my hcg.
After some reading last night, I think starting on my next injection Monday I will split the Test Cyp to 2x a week to get me Estradiol down and start hcg.
Just want to bounce this off all of you veterans and get your thoughts. I am of the mindset to take as little hormones as possible... that said I feel great and have not really felt any negatives from this TRT protocol yet. Training stamina and performance has improved significantly.
Note: Not sure if it’s relevant but I supplement BCAA’s, Creatine, glutamine, magnesium, CLA, glucosamine, multi vitamin, B complex, fish oil
Thanks all and I appreciate any input you have, my numbers seem low for the amount of Test that I am taking and seem to drop quickly.
Info about me
40 years old, 245 lbs, 6’3” tall ... boot camp/body weight style workouts 5-6 days a weeks, a lot of cardio, spartan race style workouts.
I started TRT with natural TT of 386, this was part of a annual physical that I requested from my GP. I had the typical brain fog and low energy symptoms. We started with a 1ml (200mg Test Cyp) each month. I received the shot... then came on the boards for info. At the 2 week mark I objected waiting for another 2 weeks and got another shot of the same dosage (every 2 weeks). I had labs done at two week intervals and TT 167 and 2 weeks later it was TT 64! I convinced an estradiol workup that came back low at 7 (standard Roche).... joint pain from low estrogen, joints were crackling. My Dr wanted a one week reading and it came back at TT 653.
Dr tried to switch me to androgel but insurance would not cover it, so we went to and androderm 4mg patch. I was not happy on the patch at all but it brought my TT back to 360. I this point I had to switch doctors.
At this point I started seeing another Dr who put me on 1ml (200 mg Test Cypionate) weekly to start and would adjust down in 4-5 weeks.
My trough on this protocol was
TT 368.
Free 30 (9-46)
SHGB 21.3 (16.5 - 55.9)
Albumin 4.7 (3.5 - 5.5g/dl)
F+W Bound % 30.6% (9-46ng/dL)
F+W Bound 112 (40 -250)
Estradiol 36 (7-42)
Hemocrit 44 (37-51)
Hemoglobin 15.8 g/dL (13 - 17.7)
I went back to lab Corp 24 hours after my peak injection
TT 894 (264-916 Ng/dL)
Free
SHGB 23.5 (16.5-55.9)
Albumin 4.8 (3.5-5.5 g/dL)
F+W Bound % 23.5 (9.0-46%)
F+W Bound 382.6 (40-250 Ng/dL)
Estradiol 46 (7.6 - 42.6 pg/ml)
I went back to see the Dr after the blood draw and only my trough numbers were in. He prescribed HCG .125 twice a week, but mentioned I could up it to .25 if I felt I needed it. That brings us to today, I only just saw my peak results yesterday and have not started my hcg.
After some reading last night, I think starting on my next injection Monday I will split the Test Cyp to 2x a week to get me Estradiol down and start hcg.
Just want to bounce this off all of you veterans and get your thoughts. I am of the mindset to take as little hormones as possible... that said I feel great and have not really felt any negatives from this TRT protocol yet. Training stamina and performance has improved significantly.
Note: Not sure if it’s relevant but I supplement BCAA’s, Creatine, glutamine, magnesium, CLA, glucosamine, multi vitamin, B complex, fish oil
Thanks all and I appreciate any input you have, my numbers seem low for the amount of Test that I am taking and seem to drop quickly.
