Blood work 5 weeks after changeing protocol

[IamNotShepard]

Hi,

Can i do blood work 5 weeks after i've changed my protocol? I have a visit with my doc coming up and unfortunately i won't make it to 6 weeks . How accurate my results will be? I only changed dosages.

Thank you

 

[Vince]

Hi,

Can i do blood work 5 weeks after i've changed my protocol? I have a visit with my doc coming up and unfortunately i won't make it to 6 weeks . How accurate my results will be? I only changed dosages.

Thank you

I would change my doctor appointment. 5 weeks for me is way too early, I would wait at least 12 weeks. I usually have to wait 12 weeks, just to feel a difference in protocols.

 

[Cataceous]

The half-lives of testosterone cypionate and enanthate are around five days. The rule of thumb is that it takes five half-lives for serum levels to stabilize, so five weeks is plenty for a testosterone measurement. Estradiol follows testosterone pretty rapidly, so it's ok to test this also. Other parameters influenced indirectly can take longer to stabilize. These would include hemoglobin and hematocrit. Of course six weeks may not be enough time for these anyway. I'd go ahead and test after five weeks. Any changes occurring between five and six weeks out are probably not going to be noteworthy.

 

[madman]

Hi,

Can i do blood work 5 weeks after i've changed my protocol? I have a visit with my doc coming up and unfortunately i won't make it to 6 weeks . How accurate my results will be? I only changed dosages.

Thank you

Yes.

To see where TT/FT/e2 let alone RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit.....sure.

Keep in mind that the use of exogenous T will increase RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit within the first month and can take up to 9-12 months to stabilize.

Hope you understand that when looking at the bigger picture that the first 6 weeks mean nothing other than letting you know where said protocol (dose T/injection frequency) has your TT/FT/e2 let alone other hormones/blood markers.

When it comes down to how you feel regarding relief/improvement of low-t symptoms and overall well-being the first 6 weeks are very misleading!

As unfortunately many:

*Lack the understanding of how exogenous T works.

*This should be hammered into every patient's head before starting trt or tweaking a protocol (dose T/injection frequency).

Keep in mind many fail to realize that when starting trt or tweaking a protocol (dose T/injection frequency) that hormones will be in flux during the weeks leading up until blood levels stabilize (4-6 weeks when using TC/TE) and it is common for many during this transition to experience what we call the honeymoon period where there may be a strong increase in libido/erections and overall euphoric feeling due to increasing T levels/dopamine.

Unfortunately, this is temporary and short-lived for most as the body will eventually adjust.

It is also very common for many men to experience ups/downs in energy/mood/libido/erections/recovery during the transition as the body is trying to adjust which can be very misleading.

Even then do understand that once blood levels have stabilized (4-6 weeks) it will take another 2-3 months for the body to fully adapt to those new levels and this is the critical time period when one should gauge how they truly feel overall regarding relief/improvement of low-t symptoms.

When looking at the big picture the first 4-6 weeks is very misleading for most!




The following 2-3 months after blood levels have stabilized is what separates the men from the boys.

Patience is key.

 

[madman]

Overlooked let alone misunderstood by many!



26.What is a reasonable timeline to begin to observe improvements in the signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency?

*Following the initiation of testosterone therapy, serum concentrations of testosterone are known to correct earlier than the symptomatic, structural, and metabolic signs associated with TD.76,77 As such, patients should be counseled that symptom response will not be immediate. Expectations for treatment response should be established with each patient. Patients can anticipate improvements in many of the common symptoms of TD (libido, energy levels, sexual function) after 3 months of treatment or longer. Metabolic and structural (body composition, muscle mass, bone density) changes may take upwards of 6-months. 77 In addition, patients should be counseled that diet and exercise in combination with testosterone therapy are recommended for body composition changes.

*Appreciating this pattern of response to testosterone therapy is fundamental when determining the impact of treatment and the appropriate timing of follow-up evaluations while on therapy. For example, if patients undergo a symptom review and measurement of testosterone levels too early (< 3 months), it may lead both physicians and patients to conclude that the treatment has not been impactful (i.e. normal levels of testosterone without symptomatic/structural/metabolic benefit). However, if the same assessment was scheduled 3-6 months after the initiation of therapy, the clinical response tends to be more reflective of normalized levels of serum testosterone.

 

[madman]

*Following the initiation of testosterone therapy, serum concentrations of testosterone are known to correct earlier than the symptomatic, structural, and metabolic signs associated with TD.