First set of Follow Up Labs since Starting TRT. Looking for Feedback

[joetown2001]

So I just got back my first follow up labs since starting TRT a little over two months ago. I was pretty pleased for the most part, as a lot of my numbers improved from a non-hormone standpoint. I was happy to see the drop in my hematocrit, and a lot of that has to do is me stopping iron supplements for a hemorrhoid bleed that I had. I believe those numbers were just elevated with my initial labs because I have been taking supplements for a long time.

I have been suffering from some mild prostate discomfort and inflammation off and on, and I was happy to see that it was not reflected negatively in my PSA numbers. I had it checked out by my primary care physician a few weeks back, and the digital rectal exam showed some slight swelling, but no other issues. He was not worried and he said it was most likely my body adjusting to TRT.

Now from a hormone standpoint, my numbers were taken at trough last Wednesday. I inject Monday, Wednesday and Friday with a total of 100 mg each week divided up into three shots. I injected Monday morning at 9 AM, and my labs were taken Wednesday morning at 8:30 AM, so almost a 48 hour trough.

Over the past 3 to 4 weeks, I haven’t felt great on my regiment. I’ve been short tempered, been suffering from anxiety and have gotten lightheadedness off and on. I am also showing a lot of sleepiness around dinner time before I eat, especially on the days I inject. My libido has not been very good, and I am suffering from moderate erectile dysfunction and struggling with arousal. My sleep hasn’t been very good, and I wake multiple times at night, with sometimes struggling to fall back asleep.

I also had my DHT tested this time around to see if it was contributing to my prostate issues, and obviously it is not as it is in range. The other thing I noticed is my IGF-1 Numbers went up quite a bit. Honestly, I’m not really sure what that means. I do feel like him a little over medicated, and my estrogen is high based off of my symptoms. The biggest benefits I’ve seen are I have lost about 12 pounds, but the weight loss has plateaued over the last month. I’ve also seen really good body composition changes for it only being two months, as I am lifting weights 3 to 4 days a week.

I would love some feedback from some of you guys, especially @madman. I find you knowledge quite valuable. My labs are posted in the attachment. The document shows my initial labs on April 10, as well as my most recent labs pulled last week.

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Over the past 3 to 4 weeks, I haven’t felt great on my regiment. I’ve been short tempered, been suffering from anxiety and have gotten lightheadedness off and on. I am also showing a lot of sleepiness around dinner time before I eat, especially on the days I inject. My libido has not been very good, and I am suffering from moderate erectile dysfunction and struggling with arousal. My sleep hasn’t been very good, and I wake multiple times at night, with sometimes struggling to fall back asleep.

Free T is 23.6 ng/dL, pretty reasonable. E2 is on the high side at 39.6 pg/mL given the lower 18.8 nmol/L SHBG. IGF-1 is elevated by TRT via aromatization to E2, so this will drop if you get your E2 down a bit. IGF-1 is also driven higher by insulin, which you can bring down by cutting carbs (this would also assist weight loss). In the short-term it is fine, however, you don't want to be running around for years with IGF-1 that high as it may increase cancer risk.

I might drop the dose by 20 mg weekly until aromatization rate improves. You didn't specify your injection method, but if you are currently injecting subq, you might try IM instead and see if you respond with lower E2, as some of us do.

 

[Cataceous]

... I do feel like him a little over medicated...

You already know the answer.

C

Post in thread 'Starting TRT Soon'

Apr 20, 2025

... I agree to hope to start out between 100-150 a week as well. ...

Allow me to offer an even more conservative perspective. That 100 mg per week of testosterone cypionate would already be giving you more testosterone than most men ever make naturally. The average testosterone production for healthy young men is equivalent to around 60-70 mg of testosterone cypionate per week. This is a safer starting point for TRT as long as it's in divided doses. Although a lot of men seem to tolerate supraphysiological doses, many experience side effects and regret starting higher rather than...

• Cataceous

• 

 

[joetown2001]

You already know the answer.

C

Post in thread 'Starting TRT Soon'

Apr 20, 2025

... I agree to hope to start out between 100-150 a week as well. ...

Allow me to offer an even more conservative perspective. That 100 mg per week of testosterone cypionate would already be giving you more testosterone than most men ever make naturally. The average testosterone production for healthy young men is equivalent to around 60-70 mg of testosterone cypionate per week. This is a safer starting point for TRT as long as it's in divided doses. Although a lot of men seem to tolerate supraphysiological doses, many experience side effects and regret starting higher rather than...

• Cataceous

• 

Agreed. Just need to figure out how much to drop

 

[joetown2001]

Free T is 23.6 ng/dL, pretty reasonable. E2 is on the high side at 39.6 pg/mL given the lower 18.8 nmol/L SHBG. IGF-1 is elevated by TRT via aromatization to E2, so this will drop if you get your E2 down a bit. IGF-1 is also driven higher by insulin, which you can bring down by cutting carbs (this would also assist weight loss). In the short-term it is fine, however, you don't want to be running around for years with IGF-1 that high as it may increase cancer risk.

I might drop the dose by 20 mg weekly until aromatization rate improves. You didn't specify your injection method, but if you are currently injecting subq, you might try IM instead and see if you respond with lower E2, as some of us do.

I did take .125 anastrazole a few times when symptoms got really bad. Every time it killed the anxiety and light headed feeling. Sometimes it fired up my libido, other times it did not. I had not taken any for almost two weeks before my labs. I inject sub q, most recently in my fat caps above my buttocks.

 

[FunkOdyssey]

I did take .125 anastrazole a few times when symptoms got really bad. Every time it killed the anxiety and light headed feeling. Sometimes it fired up my libido, other times it did not. I had not taken any for almost two weeks before my labs. I inject sub q, most recently in my fat caps above my buttocks.

Yeah, sounds like the problem is more estrogen than you can handle (this is almost always the problem). I had my absolute worst results on TRT, and a personal record for lowest T/E2 ratio injecting in that exact location. I would urge you to experiment with injecting in the ventroglutes or delts instead. In some people, it can make a big difference with T/E2 ratio.

You'll want to drop the dose, change injection method, or both - whatever it takes to get E2 under control without chemotherapy drugs.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I would love some feedback from some of you guys,

Your numbers are great. Don't change a thing. What are your "high E2" symptoms?

 

[joetown2001]

Your numbers are great. Don't change a thing. What are your "high E2" symptoms?

I’ve been short tempered, been suffering from anxiety and have gotten lightheadedness off and on. I am also showing a lot of sleepiness around dinner time before I eat, especially on the days I inject. My libido has not been very good, and I am suffering from moderate erectile dysfunction and struggling with arousal. My sleep hasn’t been very good, and I wake multiple times at night, with sometimes struggling to fall back asleep.