Help finding balance between 2 protocols?

[ak375]

Hi everyone, first post here. I was hoping to get some help finding balance between 2 protocols I was using.

My first protocol was from a TRT doc and he had me at 40mg of T every 3 days. This landed my Total T between 600-675, Free T between 10-14, and E2 was unfortunately only done on the standard test during that time at 30. My SHBG was between 35-40 on this protocol. I felt like I had low T on this protocol but I realize that in reality, I probably had low estrogen. My doc told me I was fine and would not change anything.

I switched to Defy Medical because they seemed more flexible and much more affordable. They put me on 70mg of T every 3.5 days, and 400iu HCG every 3.5 days. I felt MUCH better...for about 3-4 weeks. Now I feel just like I did before TRT again. My bloodwork showed my test at 900, e2 sensitive ranging near 40, and strangely my SHBG dropped to 24 (why?).

So my theory is that somewhere inbetween 40mg e3d and 70mg T + 400iu hcg is the sweet spot for me. I really liked the e3d schedule because it was in the morning and easy to remember so I'd like to find something e3d.

I was hoping to get some suggestions on the best way to approach a new protocol that finds a balance between the 2, keeps me in that "sweet spot", and avoids arimidex as it makes me feel like crap.

Thank you all in advance, I read posts on this site almost every day.

 

[ak375]

Also I'd like to stick with the HCG as well.

 

[MarkM]

Welcome to the forum AK.

For sure want to avoid the AI if at all possible in my mind. Your SHBG probably dropped because of the higher testosterone injections. How is your Free T now? That is what is important. The Total T doesn't mean much more than being a number since most of it is bound up.

Why don't you try 50 mg or 55 mg E3D with the same HCG......?

 

[ak375]

Welcome to the forum AK.

For sure want to avoid the AI if at all possible in my mind. Your SHBG probably dropped because of the higher testosterone injections. How is your Free T now? That is what is important. The Total T doesn't mean much more than being a number since most of it is bound up.

Why don't you try 50 mg or 55 mg E3D with the same HCG......?

It's definitely higher, at about 21.

I'm worried that the HCG is making the estrogen rise.

Could I move them both to an e3d schedule?

 

[MarkM]

It's definitely higher, at about 21.

I'm worried that the HCG is making the estrogen rise.

Could I move them both to an e3d schedule?

Yes, you can move the HCG to the same E3D if you prefer but I would reduce the dose to maybe 250 E3D and not take 400 IU E3D.

 

[ak375]

Yes, you can move the HCG to the same E3D if you prefer but I would reduce the dose to maybe 250 E3D and not take 400 IU E3D.

That's a great idea. Dr Saya told me that 700-1000iu HCG was the minimum to restore proper levels, is it ok to do 250 e3d even if it totals a bit less?

 

[MarkM]

I'd think you would be fine but I am not as knowledgeable as Dr Saya. He is the expert. You can go 300 IU but keep an eye on your E2 and how you are feeling. If you starting having high E2 symptoms you might want to reduce the testosterone just a bit, but wait to see if that even happens.

 

[ak375]

I'd think you would be fine but I am not as knowledgeable as Dr Saya. He is the expert. You can go 300 IU but keep an eye on your E2 and how you are feeling. If you starting having high E2 symptoms you might want to reduce the testosterone just a bit, but wait to see if that even happens.

Thanks for the advice

 

[MarkM]

You're welcome. Thanks for joining the forum and for your participation!

 

[mooseman109]

Hcg can for many, and did for me, ocntribute to a rise in E2. My guess is that high e2 is why you feel poorly. At first you did not not, but a few weeks in you felt poorly. I would drop the hcg for a few weeks and see how you feel. I stopped it and can not tell the difference

 

[ak375]

Hcg can for many, and did for me, ocntribute to a rise in E2. My guess is that high e2 is why you feel poorly. At first you did not not, but a few weeks in you felt poorly. I would drop the hcg for a few weeks and see how you feel. I stopped it and can not tell the difference

These were my thoughts as well. My E2 is clearly not super high at 40, just a bit above the target range, so I think the combination of such a big dose increase as well as the HCG made the E2 rise for sure. I feel significantly better with HCG so I'd rather not drop it completely. I'm going to reduce the T dosage to 50mg e3d and the HCg to 250iu e3d to try to find a balance between my old and new protocols.