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Testosterone Replacement, Low T, HCG, & Beyond
Testosterone Basics & Questions
Advice on whether or not to start TRT or look for other causes
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<blockquote data-quote="VA-Hiker" data-source="post: 273981" data-attributes="member: 46287"><p>I did go ahead and start, but not with the protocol I was given. I opted to take the advice on this forum and start at a lower dose with just testosterone cypionate. I did discuss it with my provider again prior to starting and sent them my new labs so they have them. </p><p></p><p>The protocol I was given was as follows:</p><p>Testosterone cypionate 200 mg/wk (100 mg Monday, 100 mg Thursday)</p><p>HCG 500 iu twice weekly</p><p>Anastroloze 0.125 mg up to twice a week (<strong>only as needed</strong>)</p><p>DHEA 25 mg daily (I've been on this for a while and my levels were on the low side when I started)</p><p></p><p>After talking with the clinic they stood by their recommendation but were ok with a slightly lower dose of 0.4 mL (80 mg), twice a week for a total of 160 mg/week. Reason was the high SHBG.</p><p></p><p>After a lot of reading on this forum and reading research, along with the advice I received here I went lower.</p><p></p><p>I started with 140 mg/week, 70 mg on Monday morning, 70 mg on Thursday afternoon. That is probably still on the high side but seems to spilt the difference a bit. I am doing labs again on 2/12 (six weeks). </p><p></p><p>So far it is still too early to tell, but I do seem to sleep better and have noticed do things through the day is easier, along with a few other improvements, things in bed are better. I don't know if this makes sense or not, but I don't feel completely apathetic anymore. </p><p></p><p>I'm only completing week 3, so it is really too early from what I'm reading. There was a really good paper on timelines here somewhere that I saw. </p><p></p><p>I'm still working on keeping my diet clean, exercise with cardio and weights, and all the other healthy habits I started before I began TRT. </p><p></p><p>You taking a cautious approach with this is the right way. I started this journey almost a year ago when I realized things had gotten bad and weren't getting better. My labs early March supported started TRT. I made every opportunity to work on other aspects. Eliminated alcohol, increased exercise, cleaned up diet, lost weight. Did I do everything right, nope, the continued calorie deficit wasn't the best idea. But it is a journey. I'm happy with my decision, prepared for ups and downs and adjustments to the protocol over time. I might add in HCG eventually, but thanks to forum, I believe having one variable at a time to deal with is the better approach. </p><p></p><p>With your SHBG being high and free T being low it might help you, certainly the other labs are important also. There was a good paper here I think madman posted on the SHBG and Free T relationship on another thread that is worth reading if you haven't seen it. </p><p></p><p>Best of luck in your journey and I'm happy to answer questions from my standpoint as a neophyte. The others in this forum are quite knowledgeable and willing to help too, it has been invaluable to me.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="VA-Hiker, post: 273981, member: 46287"] I did go ahead and start, but not with the protocol I was given. I opted to take the advice on this forum and start at a lower dose with just testosterone cypionate. I did discuss it with my provider again prior to starting and sent them my new labs so they have them. The protocol I was given was as follows: Testosterone cypionate 200 mg/wk (100 mg Monday, 100 mg Thursday) HCG 500 iu twice weekly Anastroloze 0.125 mg up to twice a week ([B]only as needed[/B]) DHEA 25 mg daily (I've been on this for a while and my levels were on the low side when I started) After talking with the clinic they stood by their recommendation but were ok with a slightly lower dose of 0.4 mL (80 mg), twice a week for a total of 160 mg/week. Reason was the high SHBG. After a lot of reading on this forum and reading research, along with the advice I received here I went lower. I started with 140 mg/week, 70 mg on Monday morning, 70 mg on Thursday afternoon. That is probably still on the high side but seems to spilt the difference a bit. I am doing labs again on 2/12 (six weeks). So far it is still too early to tell, but I do seem to sleep better and have noticed do things through the day is easier, along with a few other improvements, things in bed are better. I don't know if this makes sense or not, but I don't feel completely apathetic anymore. I'm only completing week 3, so it is really too early from what I'm reading. There was a really good paper on timelines here somewhere that I saw. I'm still working on keeping my diet clean, exercise with cardio and weights, and all the other healthy habits I started before I began TRT. You taking a cautious approach with this is the right way. I started this journey almost a year ago when I realized things had gotten bad and weren't getting better. My labs early March supported started TRT. I made every opportunity to work on other aspects. Eliminated alcohol, increased exercise, cleaned up diet, lost weight. Did I do everything right, nope, the continued calorie deficit wasn't the best idea. But it is a journey. I'm happy with my decision, prepared for ups and downs and adjustments to the protocol over time. I might add in HCG eventually, but thanks to forum, I believe having one variable at a time to deal with is the better approach. With your SHBG being high and free T being low it might help you, certainly the other labs are important also. There was a good paper here I think madman posted on the SHBG and Free T relationship on another thread that is worth reading if you haven't seen it. Best of luck in your journey and I'm happy to answer questions from my standpoint as a neophyte. The others in this forum are quite knowledgeable and willing to help too, it has been invaluable to me. [/QUOTE]
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Testosterone Replacement, Low T, HCG, & Beyond
Testosterone Basics & Questions
Advice on whether or not to start TRT or look for other causes
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