Hi guys,
I'm wondering how you guys keep your estradiol levels in a good range. Even before TRT I had higher than normal estradiol levels, probably due to my weight and high body fat. I'm 42 years old, 5'7 and 263 lbs, even with working out 6 times a week and maintaining a healthy caloric deficit. I'll be working with Defy to get my thyroid issues under control as well, but I'm wondering what strategies you guys are using to keep those estradiol levels in check. I myself am using 200mg of DIM, but I don't think that's enough to keep my levels within that 20's range sweet spot. I saw a drop in estradiol with the reduction in my protocol, but I worry that dropping the dosage further will take away the other benefits that I've been experiencing; increased strength and energy, better overall mood. My main issue is libido which TRT has thus far not helped with. I'm thinking that it's because my estradiol levels are not low enough to feel the sexual effects. Will increasing the frequency of shots help? I'm wondering if Defy will recommend getting on an AI considering that I continually have had high estradiol. Below are my labs from my first two protocols:
1st Protocol: 175mg per week (Quest Diagnostics Tests)
Total T: 657 <250-1100 ng/dl>
Free T: 176.2 <35.0-155.0 pg/ml>
Estradiol Sensitive: 81 <or=39 pg/ml>
SHBG: 27 <10-50>
2nd Protocol: 100mg per week, 50mg 2x per week (Lab Corp)
Total T: 664 <264-916>
Free T: 12.4 <6.8-21.5>
Estradiol Sensitive: 39.1 <8-35.0>
SHBG: 25.9 <16.5-55.5>
I don't have my first consult with Defy until August 22nd, but I'm wondering whether the high estradiol is ultimately the reason I have seen no libido response on the TRT. I wouldn't mind taking an AI, but so many people on here have spoken against it which makes me feel a little bit apprehensive about trying it. I was thinking of doubling up on my DIM supplement to 400mg daily to see if I can bring it down even further, but I don't know if that'll be even enough. If my estradiol level is that high on trough day when my T is at it's lowest, I can't imagine how high that E2 level will be after each injection. I personally feel that the DIM supplement is probably helping me not get hot flashes with that much estradiol in my system. I started taking them when I started on Clomid in December. Clomid made me have like 7 hot flashes a day and only the DIM took that away. Just curious to see what your doctors at Defy or other places have recommended concerning regulating estradiol levels like mine. Thanks
I'm wondering how you guys keep your estradiol levels in a good range. Even before TRT I had higher than normal estradiol levels, probably due to my weight and high body fat. I'm 42 years old, 5'7 and 263 lbs, even with working out 6 times a week and maintaining a healthy caloric deficit. I'll be working with Defy to get my thyroid issues under control as well, but I'm wondering what strategies you guys are using to keep those estradiol levels in check. I myself am using 200mg of DIM, but I don't think that's enough to keep my levels within that 20's range sweet spot. I saw a drop in estradiol with the reduction in my protocol, but I worry that dropping the dosage further will take away the other benefits that I've been experiencing; increased strength and energy, better overall mood. My main issue is libido which TRT has thus far not helped with. I'm thinking that it's because my estradiol levels are not low enough to feel the sexual effects. Will increasing the frequency of shots help? I'm wondering if Defy will recommend getting on an AI considering that I continually have had high estradiol. Below are my labs from my first two protocols:
1st Protocol: 175mg per week (Quest Diagnostics Tests)
Total T: 657 <250-1100 ng/dl>
Free T: 176.2 <35.0-155.0 pg/ml>
Estradiol Sensitive: 81 <or=39 pg/ml>
SHBG: 27 <10-50>
2nd Protocol: 100mg per week, 50mg 2x per week (Lab Corp)
Total T: 664 <264-916>
Free T: 12.4 <6.8-21.5>
Estradiol Sensitive: 39.1 <8-35.0>
SHBG: 25.9 <16.5-55.5>
I don't have my first consult with Defy until August 22nd, but I'm wondering whether the high estradiol is ultimately the reason I have seen no libido response on the TRT. I wouldn't mind taking an AI, but so many people on here have spoken against it which makes me feel a little bit apprehensive about trying it. I was thinking of doubling up on my DIM supplement to 400mg daily to see if I can bring it down even further, but I don't know if that'll be even enough. If my estradiol level is that high on trough day when my T is at it's lowest, I can't imagine how high that E2 level will be after each injection. I personally feel that the DIM supplement is probably helping me not get hot flashes with that much estradiol in my system. I started taking them when I started on Clomid in December. Clomid made me have like 7 hot flashes a day and only the DIM took that away. Just curious to see what your doctors at Defy or other places have recommended concerning regulating estradiol levels like mine. Thanks