After a year and a half

[Timothy54]

Hi, I am a 54 year old male. My Doc put me on TRT about a year and a half ago and it has improved libido, energy, mood and weight. After several months my free T, Total T, and bio availability increased to the high side of the lab report range, but over time have decreased to, the mid range. Also, energy dropped off, labido down a little, moodiness increasing... also, I gained 10lbs when I quit coffee for insomnia, sleeping is better, but weight is on the rise.

I am on 1.5 mg test cyp every two weeks but have switched to 3mg e4d.

Now that I have studied these forums I see some things need to change so I have a few questions.

Exactly what blood tests do I request so my doctor can be sure she has all the info she needs- especially estrogen- she has not tested for high estrogen, which, I have a hunch, may be the culprit.

Is there a printout available you recommend that I could give her to read?

Is there supplements that lower estrogen naturally? If so where and or what brand of zinc or zinc copper, can I get? I have been using zinc gluconate along with a daily vitamin for copper but it only gives me heartburn.

Money is an issue. My insurance has a super high deductible so I need the bare minimum, but will not risk my health for the sake of being cheap.

Thank you for your help.
Tim

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Hi, I am a 54 year old male. My Doc put me on TRT about a year and a half ago and it has improved libido, energy, mood and weight. After several months my free T, Total T, and bio availability increased to the high side of the lab report range, but over time have decreased to, the mid range. Also, energy dropped off, labido down a little, moodiness increasing... also, I gained 10lbs when I quit coffee for insomnia, sleeping is better, but weight is on the rise.

ARE YOU EATING MORE OR TAKING A MEDICATION BESIDES TESTOSTERONE?

I am on 1.5 mg test cyp every two weeks but have switched to 3mg e4d.

DO YOU MEAN 1.5 CC'S EVERY TWO WEEKS?

Now that I have studied these forums I see some things need to change so I have a few questions.

Exactly what blood tests do I request so my doctor can be sure she has all the info she needs- especially estrogen- she has not tested for high estrogen, which, I have a hunch, may be the culprit.

TOTAL AND FREE TESTOSTERONE, TSH, ESTRADIOL, CBC ARE BASIC ONES

Is there a printout available you recommend that I could give her to read?

MY BOOK IS GOOD BUT THERE ARE MANY POSTS HERE THAT YOU MAY WANT TO PRINT:http://www.excelmale.com/forums/56-Testosterone-Facts-Questions

Is there supplements that lower estrogen naturally? If so where and or what brand of zinc or zinc copper, can I get? I have been using zinc gluconate along with a daily vitamin for copper but it only gives me heartburn.

http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formul...F8&qid=1383676928&sr=8-2&keywords=ZINC+JARROW

Money is an issue. My insurance has a super high deductible so I need the bare minimum, but will not risk my health for the sake of being cheap.

HOW MUCH IS YOUR COPAY FOR TESTOSTERONE AND FOR LABS, ETC?

Thank you for your help.
Tim

I typed answers and questions in capitals above. Let me know. Welcome to our community.

 

[Austinite]

Welcome to the board!

 

[Timothy54]

I typed answers and questions in capitals above. Let me know. Welcome to our community.

ARE YOU EATING MORE OR TAKING A MEDICATION BESIDES TESTOSTERONE?
Yes, I believe the caffeine intake must have curbed my appetite and I am eating more, or at least for a while I was.
I take 60 mg of simvistatin for high cholesterol
0.4 mg generic Flomax for enlarged prostate
also, recently, daily cialis
just finished Azethramiacin for a sinus infection- left me feeling very tired.


DO YOU MEAN 1.5 CC'S EVERY TWO WEEKS? Yes


HOW MUCH IS YOUR COPAY FOR TESTOSTERONE AND FOR LABS, ETC?
We pay it all out of pocket due to high deductible, but do have a health savings account, my doc does a great job of keeping the costs down where she can.

After almost 3 weeks off from working out due to a sinus infection I went for a run and a set of push ups and sit ups and it did wonders for my energy and outlook. Seemed to be stronger and did not gain any weight.

Thanks for answering so quickly and for all of your help.
Tim

 

[Gene Devine]

Here's a list of blood work recommended by the good Dr. John Crisler; you can't go wrong with these.

I also have a hunch your estrogen is elevated if it has not been monitored as it appears you are symptomatic.

How well trained in TRT for men is your Physician?

See attachment.

View attachment INITIAL LABWORK.pdf

 

[Timothy54]

Here's a list of blood work recommended by the good Dr. John Crisler; you can't go wrong with these.

I also have a hunch your estrogen is elevated if it has not been monitored as it appears you are symptomatic.

How well trained in TRT for men is your Physician?

See attachment.

View attachment 341

Thanks for the help. Not sure my doc is too up to snuff on the TRT from what I have gleaned here and other reputable sources. But she is very enthousiastic about it and she has never questioned me about any of my symptoms, she totally takes me at my word. I think she would eat up available info.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

No need for LH and FSH in follow up labwork. They will be low and expected to be so.

 

[Timothy54]

Hi guys, thanks for your posts. Here is what blood work I do have.

I can not find my original blood work....I believe my total T was around 400 - also, oxymeter while sleeping showed mild sleep apnea so I have been on cpap for just over a year.


Here is blood work from over a year ago, ( my first bloodwork after I started TRT.)


7/25/2012
Testosterone total 1175 (250 -1100 ng/dl)
free T 237.1 (46. - 224.0 ng/dl)
bioavalabe 498.0 (110.0 - 575.0 ng/dl)
sex hormone binding globulin 26 (10-50 nmol/l)


This is a recent bloodwork. Everything is in normal range but Hemoglobin and Hematocrit. Estrogen was not tested that I can see.
10/15/2013 (This is the day before my one shot every two weeks) so 13 days since last 1.5 cc dose
Testosterone total 566 (250/1100 ng/dl)
free T 121.1 (46.0-224.0 pg/ml)
T bioavalable 259.5 (110.0-575.0 ng/dl)
Sex hormone binding globulen 18 (10-50 nmol/l)
albumin, serum 4.7 (3.6-5.1 g/dl)
Hemoglobin 18.1 (13.2-17.1 g/dl)
Hematocrit 53.5 (38.5-50)

Is it correct to assume that without Estrodial (estrogen?) its difficult to say what might be the cause of lack of energy? It seems to be a little better dividing up the shots to e3d.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Gene Devine]

Best injection protocols are once weekly or even better twice weekly.

Need to give blood to lower Hematocrit.

I would want to see E2 based on your injection protocol as it may increase serum levels.