dosage, required visits + donating blood?

[mwalker]

Hi,
Great forum and I visit here regularly to see great advice and experience sharing.
I'm 47 years old and have been on TESTOSTERONE CYPIONATE 200 MG/ML weekly with .4 cc injection for a year. Results are great. better physical and mental health. even my Triglyceride dropped to 146 and it had always been above 200.

But I have a few puzzles I'd appreciate if you could share your experience.
first, dosage:
Even with .4 cc weekly injection, my total testerone in my blood is above 800. I tested twice. a few months ago, blood was drawn 72 hours after injection. this week, blood was drawn 36 hours after injection. But I read from this site, 1 cc injection weekly seems normal. I wonder why mine is that high with such little weekly dosage. does it mean I don't use that much or I'm not absorbing? I'm not that active though. other than regular jogging/walking, I don't do weight lifting or body building. My doctor and I agreed today to try .35 cc weekly to see my blood T level after 3 months. I'm just puzzled if this is normal (using this low dosage)?

secondly,
My RBC/hematocrit has been gradually going up. Numbers below. I wonder if I should start doing something. My doctor says to wait and see.

another thing is: My doctor's office started to implement a new policy that anyone on controlled substance needs to see him every 3 months (not just blood work). It wasn't his choice. His two other partners out-voted him. this adds quite a bit expense on office visits. Originally his policy is that i do blood work every 6 months and visiting him once a year (unless something abnormal occurs). how often Do you guys have to see doctor physically? this is a primary care physician. should I see a specialist? he dos say that he treats hundreds of patients with similar low T.



here is my blood work
=====================
October 2015 (36 hours after injection of .4 cc)

WBC TOTAL 6.4 K/CUMM 4.0-11.0
RBC [H] 6.62 M/CUMM 4.10-5.70
Hemoglobin 15.6 G/DL 13.0-17.0
Hematocrit [H] 49.3 % 37.0-49.0


Tests: (4) Testosterone, Free/Total with SHBG (100125)
Testosterone, Total 802 NG/DL 241-827
! SHBG 16.40 NMOL/L 13.00-71.00
Testosterone Free, Calc
24.9 NG/DL 6.0-27.0

April 2015 (72 hours after injection of .4 cc)

WBC TOTAL 6.5 K/CUMM 4.0-11.0
RBC [H] 6.55 M/CUMM 4.10-5.70
Hemoglobin 15.2 G/DL 13.0-17.0
Hematocrit 48.4 % 37.0-49.0


Tests: (3) Testosterone, Free/Total with SHBG (100125)
Testosterone, Total 812 NG/DL 241-827
! SHBG 17.45 NMOL/L 13.00-71.00
! Testosterone Free, Calc
24.7 NG/DL 6.0-27.0

 

[mwalker]

Just to add a bit history, my RBC was high even before TRT. below was a test result two years ago (before my TRT). my doctor say my RBC volume is high but cell is really small. But now it shoots even higher.
WBC TOTAL 5.9 K/CUMM 4.0-11.0
RBC [H] 6.13 M/CUMM 4.10-5.70
Hemoglobin 14.3 G/DL 13.0-17.0
Hematocrit 45.1 % 37.0-49.0

 

[ipi]

how long did it take you to feel the difference? I am in the 6th week had just one better week then back to abnormal.
I am on 60mg twice per week of testcyp and 350iu twice a week on hcg.

 

[ERO]

You need to relax. Your total T levels of 800 are fine and your doc already adjusted your dose a bit. Don't over think it. Same with your RBC - it is not at a problem level, and if you simply donate blood every 2 months, it should never be a problem. For better results, break your shots into half the dose every 3.5 days instead of one dose every week.

Starting TRT and then obsessing over imagined problems is not going make this a fun ride for you. Start a sensible protocol - take a DEEP BREATH, RELAX - and wait 4-6 weeks before testing again as it takes that long for your body to adjust to the change. Also, only change one variable at a time.

You don't need a specialist as nothing is wrong, but getting a doc that understands TRT better would be a smart move. Try Defy Medical.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Your testosterone levels are fine. Keep an eye on hematocrit and hemoglobin,, donate blood when necessary, and you should be good to go. I don't think I saw estradiol levels. Do you pull E2 via the sensitive test?

 

[Vince Carter]

Perfectly stated.

You need to relax. Your total T levels of 800 are fine and your doc already adjusted your dose a bit. Don't over think it. Same with your RBC - it is not at a problem level, and if you simply donate blood every 2 months, it should never be a problem. For better results, break your shots into half the dose every 3.5 days instead of one dose every week.

Starting TRT and then obsessing over imagined problems is not going make this a fun ride for you. Start a sensible protocol - take a DEEP BREATH, RELAX - and wait 4-6 weeks before testing again as it takes that long for your body to adjust to the change. Also, only change one variable at a time.

You don't need a specialist as nothing is wrong, but getting a doc that understands TRT better would be a smart move. Try Defy Medical.

 

[mwalker]

Thank you for all the replies and encouragements.

About E2, I asked my doctor who is my PHP. He doesn't do E2. He said he would have to refer me to a specialist if I want that because he doesn't interpret E2 but he said unnecessary.

To answer ipi's question about how long it took to have an impact. I had immediate results after a few weeks. But I was more irritatable with .5 cc injection. I reduced from .5 cc to .4 eight months ago. Then everything went perfect. With 800 and above total blood T level, my Dr and I agreed to lower to .35cc to see what happens. shooting for a range of 700-800 blood T. This may help contain my Hematocrit increase though it's gradual.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Is there a reason you can't donate blood? It's good for the community, and it will put you out ahead of any worries about hematocrit/hemoglobin that you're turning over in your mind.

 

[mwalker]

I can but have very busy work schedule. Every month, I have to take off a couple of hours to get to clinic etc. It's not very convenient. But that seems to be the direction my situation is heading to. I will discuss with my doctor after next blood test results.