Started on 100MG a week split into 2 I.M. shots every 3.5 days. After few months on that protocol ran bloods and the results were as follows:
04/16/2021
Test Total: 1041
Test Free: 281.7
Estradiol: 54
Need to post reference ranges let alone what testing methods were used especially when it comes to FT.
I have stated numerous times on the forum that even though TT is important to know FT is what truly matters as it is the active unbound fraction of testosterone responsible for the positive effects.
Have no idea what testing method was used for your FT but you can be rest assured that with a trough TT 1041 ng/dL and SHBG 20 nmol/L it is a given your trough FT will be very high.
The only way to know where your FT level truly sits is to have it tested using the most accurate assays such as the gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis or Ultrafiltration.
Critical to know where your trough FT sits on such protocol (dose T/injection frequency).
Where your SHBG sits will have a significant impact on TT/FT achieved let alone can dictate what injection frequency may suit you best.
Keep in mind that these are trough levels on your previous protocol 100 mg/week T (50 mg every 3.5 days) and your peak TT/FT/e2 levels will be higher.
Depending on the individual running too high an FT level can cause issues for many.
Felt like I was getting some estro sides so changed to 100Mg a week split EOD I.M. Instead to try and lower T to E aromatization. Ran that for a while and continued feeling bad. Brain fog, bad memory, headaches, bad sleep, libido issues, very tired irritable and a kind of wired but tired feeling where I’m tired but have too much energy to sleep. Began taking Pregnenolone micronized 50MG and DHEA micronized 10MG. Had added that for about 2 weeks before bloods. These are the latest results:
Test Total: 1006
Test Free: 207.3
Estradiol: 46
Dhea-S: 499 ( above range)
SHBG: 20
You switched over to more frequent injections 100 mg T/week (split EOD) to try and lower your e2 and you.....Ran that for a while and continued feeling bad. Brain fog, bad memory, headaches, bad sleep, libido issues, very tired irritable and a kind of wired but tired feeling where I’m tired but have too much energy to sleep.
Even with splitting your T dose (100 mg/week) into EOD injections, you are still hitting a high-end trough TT 1006 ng/dL and more importantly, your trough FT level would still be high and your estradiol only went from 52-46.
You should be more concerned with where your FT level sits.
High FT will drive up e2 let alone RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit.
Keep in mind that although some men may have high hopes that injecting lower doses of T more frequently will result in lowering of e2 and hematocrit it is not a given and in many cases regardless of the daily low dosed protocol, many make the mistake of running too high a TT/FT level let alone if one has low/lowish SHBG than even though TT may not seem that high FT will be high.
You made the mistake of not lowering your overall weekly T dose.
Here comes the icing on the cake.
Many fail to realize that when starting trt that not only will your hpta shutdown (2-6 weeks) depending on dose T but hormones will be in flux during the weeks leading up until blood levels stabilize (4-6 weeks) 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!
2-3 months after blood levels have stabilized if you continue to feel great overall and blood markers remain healthy then one can truly claim that your protocol is effective!
Patience is key.
* Keep in mind that all of this would apply to men already on trt when tweaking a protocol (dose T/injection frequency).
