Does anyone do well on weekly injections?

[CoastWatcher]

Thank you guys for sharing, and Jackie, Coastwatcher, Bballer, and EROs, etc. I get the message and the spirit in which it is shared is accepted. I don't mind plain talk. I should not have kept changing so frequently. I should have stayed on the regimen I was on a year ago. Thanks for pushing me on this.

You are right in that everything was not explained to me in the beginning. I knew nothing of HCG and not a lot about anastrozole. They do measure my CVC counts, PSA, and SHBG (its always 17-23) I had to ask them to measure cortisol, or DHEA, or DHT. My urologist did a thyroid and hepatatic panel.

Per your advice, here's what I am thinking. I should stay on my current regimen of .3cc (55-60 mgs) twice a week (Mon and Thur), with no AI, for 4 weeks, and then get blood work. Then I should call Defy and set up a consultation. I figured I'd wait until I've been on the current regimen for 4 weeks before calling Defy, because I assume they would want to see blood work from a regimen that I've at least been on for 4 weeks. Does that make sense?

I will get some blood work back tomorrow, but I don't know that it will be helpful because I got it done during the time when I was changing my dosages frequently. I will share it though.

That, my friend, sounds like a plan. You can contact Defy now and get the paperwork started.

 

[Loki]

That, my friend, sounds like a plan. You can contact Defy now and get the paperwork started.

And that is a good idea... They can get booked so I would contact them no later than 3 weeks prior to when you are wanting to have your consult...

 

[Re-Ride]

It's great that you finally have a plan in place.

Everyone who needs HRT can not be in treatment with Defy. All practitioners have an obligation to educate themselves and their patients about HRT basics. Certain protocols are experimental or controversial others are not. Every insured has the right to expect basic state-of-the-art care which factors in quality of life.

It would be awesome if Excelmale can sponsor a united advocacy with one clear voice demanding reform.

 

[Sean Mosher]

I do once a week injections with a blend of Cypionate and Enanthate, 100 mg each. Seems to be working pretty well for me. Been on that for 6 months now plus hcG and Anastrozole.

 

[Vince Carter]

It really can't be stated more clearly than the fact that no one should be taking anastrozole as a given on T. It shouldn't even be taken because of a test result. It should only be taken in the presence of negative symptoms like nipple issues. I can infer youre taking it because of the libido issues when you SHOULD be letting the E2 rise, rather than trying to find it through driving your E2 down. I feel like I could guarantee you your E2 is simply too low and then the obvious that has been stated over and over again, you're playing shotgun with your T dosing.

 

[DDD]

Guys, I told you I'd post my most recent bloodwork I got back today. But as I said I don't know how helpful it will be because it was during the time I was changing my dosages frequently---- I was doing. 3cc or .25cc twice weekly and using .25mg of anastrozole when I felt I needed it, then changed to .2cc E3D (only did that for a week). I wasn't feeling good, so I went and got a blood test on the second day of the brief .2cc E3D regimen. Now that I got these results back, I know why I wasn't feeling good.


Total T 453 Range 250-1100 (that's the lowest its been in a long time)
Free T 100.7 35-155
Estradiol, ultra Sensitive 24 <29
Dihydrotestosterone 28 16-79
DHEA sulfate 135 70-495
Cortisol 15.5 no range given
FSH .7 1.6-8.0
LH .2 1.5-9.3
TSH, 3rd generation 2.33 .40- 4.50
Prolactin 9.4 2.0-18.0

I've attached the CVC count instead of writing it out, it's too long.

Again this was done 12-17-15 when I had been frequently changing doses and periodically using AI (.25 mg of anastrozole), so I don't know that it tells me much. I just know I wasn't feeling good.

I talked to the TRT doc and he said to go back on .75 (150mgs once a week), or .3 cc (60mgs) twice a week. I opted for .3cc twice a week. And he gave me a boost of 100mgs that day.

As I look back on my previous labs from more than a year ago, the time I seemed to be doing well was when I did 200 mg once a week which resulted in a mid cycle test result of TT 821 (scale 250-850), FT 20 (scale 7-23), and estradiol 44 (scale 7-42 standard). Or 150 mg once a week with a mid cycle result of TT 1284 (250-850), FT 406 (scale 30-150), and estradiol 41 (scale 7-42 standard). From the point on is when I started changing doses often and had problems.

I haven't changed my game plan though from your comments. I still plan to keep my current regimen of 60 mgs twice a week for four weeks, then get a blood test, then call Defy.

Just wondering if you have any thoughts on the recent bloodwork I just posted.

 

[ERO]

With a total T of only 453 I can see one reason why you did not feel good. To "feel" TRT most guys need a Total T of around 700 or more.

Definitely stick with your current regimen and make no changes for 4 weeks before testing as you indicated and then you will have a useful baseline.

 

[Vince Carter]

To piggyback with ERO and add that your DHT is pretty low, as is your DHEA-S, both will in concert with your TT/E2 work against you feeling good.

 

[DDD]

To piggyback with ERO and add that your DHT is pretty low, as is your DHEA-S, both will in concert with your TT/E2 work against you feeling good.

Vince, so what do I do about that? My DHT and DHEA have rarely been measured. It was only measured this time because I requested it.

 

[Vince]

I agree with ERO and Vince, your T is way too low.

 

[Vince Carter]

Vince, so what do I do about that? My DHT and DHEA have rarely been measured. It was only measured this time because I requested it.

Your DHT should(?) come up with getting on a proper and steady program, it's a metabolite of Testosterone. You should have it tested again at your 90 mark, if you get with Defy. If you're still low, Defy can work a T cream for you to use on your scrotum. That's what I'm doing now.

DHEA, talk to Dr Saya, I know by personal experience he likes that in the upper ranges. He can offer you capsules, or a transdermal cream (which I prefer).

 

[Loki]

Your DHT should(?) come up with getting on a proper and steady program, it's a metabolite of Testosterone. You should have it tested again at your 90 mark, if you get with Defy. If you're still low, Defy can work a T cream for you to use on your scrotum. That's what I'm doing now.

DHEA, talk to Dr Saya, I know by personal experience he likes that in the upper ranges. He can offer you capsules, or a transdermal cream (which I prefer).

My consult with Dr Saya is Tuesday of next week... Oddly enough they did not test my DHT.... I have take 1.25 MG of Finesteride for 14 years so I am sure that will go over like a lead balloon...

 

[Vince Carter]

By experience they won't test DHT unless you ask for it. Def talk about your Finasteride use.

 

[Loki]

By experience they won't test DHT unless you ask for it. Def talk about your Finasteride use.

My bad I should have asked... I will have it tested for my follow up... I am switching to a topical form ASAP...

 

[DDD]

It really can't be stated more clearly than the fact that no one should be taking anastrozole as a given on T. It shouldn't even be taken because of a test result. It should only be taken in the presence of negative symptoms like nipple issues. I can infer youre taking it because of the libido issues when you SHOULD be letting the E2 rise, rather than trying to find it through driving your E2 down. I feel like I could guarantee you your E2 is simply too low and then the obvious that has been stated over and over again, you're playing shotgun with your T dosing.

Yes, I see what you're saying. That's what I did in the beginning of TRT two years ago. I took 150-200mgs once a week which got my TT between 800-1100 and estradiol 40s and I had good energy, never tired. I only started with Anastrozole after some issues with erection and libido. When that subsided, I stopped using anastrozole even though the TRT doc told me I'd probably have to stay on it.

Since then I've been lowering and playing with my dose hoping I'd need no AI. Lowering and changing my doses is what started getting me in trouble, as you know. I'll just have to start from scratch. Maybe once a week as better. I've been talking to Defy now.

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

Total T 453 Range 250-1100 (that's the lowest its been in a long time)
Free T 100.7 35-155
Estradiol, ultra Sensitive 24 <29
Dihydrotestosterone 28 16-79
DHEA sulfate 135 70-495
Cortisol 15.5 no range given
FSH .7 1.6-8.0
LH .2 1.5-9.3
TSH, 3rd generation 2.33 .40- 4.50
Prolactin 9.4 2.0-18.0

My baseline (pre-TRT) DHEA and DHT levels were very similar to yours. Dr. Saya included DHEA/Pregnenalone capsules (compounded) in my protocol.

Stick to your plan, and retest in a month.

 

[DDD]

My baseline (pre-TRT) DHEA and DHT levels were very similar to yours. Dr. Saya included DHEA/Pregnenalone capsules (compounded) in my protocol.

Stick to your plan, and retest in a month.

Jackie, those are not pre TRT numbers. Those are numbers while doing .2cc E3D, mixed with sporadic use of anastrozole. Next blood test will be mid January on a stable .3cc (60 mgs) twice a week. I've committed not to change anything for four weeks.

Those previous numbers show me why I wasn't feeling good and what the result is of constantly changing things.

 

[DDD]

Jackie, those are not pre TRT numbers. Those are numbers while doing .2cc E3D, mixed with sporadic use of anastrozole. Next blood test will be mid January on a stable .3cc (60 mgs) twice a week. I've committed not to change anything for four weeks.

Those previous numbers show me why I wasn't feeling good and what the result is of constantly changing things.

The only things I ever had measured pre TRT was TT, FT, LH,FSH, and PSA, and CVC. My pre TRT testosterone was 159 and 238.

 

[DDD]

Guys, I told you I'd post my most recent bloodwork I got back today. But as I said I don't know how helpful it will be because it was during the time I was changing my dosages frequently---- I was doing. 3cc or .25cc twice weekly and using .25mg of anastrozole when I felt I needed it, then changed to .2cc E3D (only did that for a week). I wasn't feeling good, so I went and got a blood test on the second day of the brief .2cc E3D regimen. Now that I got these results back, I know why I wasn't feeling good.


Total T 453 Range 250-1100 (that's the lowest its been in a long time)
Free T 100.7 35-155
Estradiol, ultra Sensitive 24 <29
Dihydrotestosterone 28 16-79
DHEA sulfate 135 70-495
Cortisol 15.5 no range given
FSH .7 1.6-8.0
LH .2 1.5-9.3
TSH, 3rd generation 2.33 .40- 4.50
Prolactin 9.4 2.0-18.0

I've attached the CVC count instead of writing it out, it's too long.

Again this was done 12-17-15 when I had been frequently changing doses and periodically using AI (.25 mg of anastrozole), so I don't know that it tells me much. I just know I wasn't feeling good.

I talked to the TRT doc and he said to go back on .75 (150mgs once a week), or .3 cc (60mgs) twice a week. I opted for .3cc twice a week. And he gave me a boost of 100mgs that day.

As I look back on my previous labs from more than a year ago, the time I seemed to be doing well was when I did 200 mg once a week which resulted in a mid cycle test result of TT 821 (scale 250-850), FT 20 (scale 7-23), and estradiol 44 (scale 7-42 standard). Or 150 mg once a week with a mid cycle result of TT 1284 (250-850), FT 406 (scale 30-150), and estradiol 41 (scale 7-42 standard). From the point on is when I started changing doses often and had problems.

I haven't changed my game plan though from your comments. I still plan to keep my current regimen of 60 mgs twice a week for four weeks, then get a blood test, then call Defy.

Just wondering if you have any thoughts on the recent bloodwork I just posted.

Nelson, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on these numbers. I've learned much from this forum. In the beginning of my TRT experience I was taking 150-200mg once a week and getting TT levels of 800-1200 and feeling pretty good, in th gym, with energy, etc. When E2 levels got in the 40s and caused libido issues, I took anastrozole. Eventually I began lowering and changing my doses frequently, which I now know was a mistake and messed me up.

For own education, what should I have done when I had food TT levels of 800-1200, but E2 was causing libido issues? What would have been the right protocol?

I've been communicating with Defy now, don't have a consultation set up yet. Just wondering if I should eventually go back to that once a week dose when I was feeling good. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and guidance.

Also, have you heard of a TRT doc giving patient a "boost", or a T shot once time at a higher amount to boost his T, while still remaining on a regular protocol? In other words, if someone is taking 60 mgs twice weekly, but gives him a one time higher shot just to boost the T levels. Is that OK?