Labs after starting testosterone cypionate

[Eric Peterson]

I have been on TRT for 6 years and with the exception of a short period where I inexplicably went supra-physiological (quality control problem at the compounding pharmacy?), I have mostly struggled to maintain levels near or above 600. I was on a compounded creme for the first 5 years and last year used Axiron. On Axiron I was at 450 using 4 pumps per day. I also inject 250 IU of HCG 3x/week and that tends to keep the "boys" nice and plump.

I have now started on the usual dose of 100 mg of testosterone cypionate weekly. The following labs were drawn 2 days after my 2nd dose and are therefore "peak" values. The labs were done through LabCorp

Total T: 973 NG/dL (250-1100)
Free T: 116.8 pg/mL
Estradiol (ultra-sensitive assay): 30 pg/mL (0-29)
SHBG: 56 nmol/L (10-50)

Questions:

• This is the first time SHBG has been tested and I don't know what to make of it except that it is high per the lab's reference range
• is 973 a high enough peak to keep me in reasonable range on day 6?
• I realize that T cyp has a half-life of 8.5 days and might tend to "even out" over time. Is this a correct assumption? If so, how long does this take to stabilize?
• I know that estradiol is high, but I am not having any symptoms. Should they emerge I have anastrazole on hand and in the past .25 mg 2x/week was sufficient to extinguish symptoms and I don't use it at all unless I have symptoms

I would appreciate the collective wisdom the the community.

 

[Vince]

This is my opinion, I feel it's too low for peak level, it would be good for trough level. It's nice you're only injecting once a week with your high shbg levels.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I have been on TRT for 6 years and with the exception of a short period where I inexplicably went supra-physiological (quality control problem at the compounding pharmacy?), I have mostly struggled to maintain levels near or above 600. I was on a compounded creme for the first 5 years and last year used Axiron. On Axiron I was at 450 using 4 pumps per day. I also inject 250 IU of HCG 3x/week and that tends to keep the "boys" nice and plump.

I have now started on the usual dose of 100 mg of testosterone cypionate weekly. The following labs were drawn 2 days after my 2nd dose and are therefore "peak" values. The labs were done through LabCorp

Total T: 973 NG/dL (250-1100)
Free T: 116.8 pg/mL
Estradiol (ultra-sensitive assay): 30 pg/mL (0-29)
SHBG: 56 nmol/L (10-50)

Questions:

• This is the first time SHBG has been tested and I don't know what to make of it except that it is high per the lab's reference range
• is 973 a high enough peak to keep me in reasonable range on day 6?
• I realize that T cyp has a half-life of 8.5 days and might tend to "even out" over time. Is this a correct assumption? If so, how long does this take to stabilize?
• I know that estradiol is high, but I am not having any symptoms. Should they emerge I have anastrazole on hand and in the past .25 mg 2x/week was sufficient to extinguish symptoms and I don't use it at all unless I have symptoms

I would appreciate the collective wisdom the the community.

While testing at your peak, you may be failing to catch the top of the estradiol curve. "E follows T" - and while your testosterone value is at the top of your weekly cycle, it is *possible* that your e2 continues to climb. I'd urge you to move to the practice of testing at trough, to see just how this single weekly testosterone injection is being dealt with by your high SHBG, and to see where the estradiol tops out.

 

[Eric Peterson]

I've been in touch with the doc and we are going to do trough labs. He is sending the lab slip in the mail so I have some flexibility in how soon I do this. I have just administered by 3rd weekly dose.

Should I wait a couple of weeks? I know that T Cyp has a half-life of 8.5 days so levels should be building up over time.

Should I test on Day 6 or is it better to wait until Day 7 right before injecting the next dose?

Also, he suggested Stinging Nettles to bring down SHBG. Any guidance on the dose? Any recommendations on reliable suppliers?

Thanks

 

[CoastWatcher]

I've been in touch with the doc and we are going to do trough labs. He is sending the lab slip in the mail so I have some flexibility in how soon I do this. I have just administered by 3rd weekly dose.

Should I wait a couple of weeks? I know that T Cyp has a half-life of 8.5 days so levels should be building up over time.

Should I test on Day 6 or is it better to wait until Day 7 right before injecting the next dose?

Also, he suggested Stinging Nettles to bring down SHBG. Any guidance on the dose? Any recommendations on reliable suppliers?

Thanks

Always draw your blood prior to the next injection, the same day of the injection. As for running this next lab test, it takes six weeks for serum levels to balance after any protocol change. Give it another few weeks. A bit of patience now will give you and your doctor a more accurate picture. In regard to the stinging nettles, I've never heard of it working. SHBG tends to be resistant to intervention. Perhaps others here will have some insight for you.

 

[at15]

if this is only your second dose, your peaks will get a bit higher as things stabilize. everything looks good, no need to do anything or add an ai. check things at week 5 or 6.

 

[Eric Peterson]

After 2 months on 100 mg testosterone cypionate once per week I had "trough" labs drawn. I inject Wednesday evening, these were drawn Wednesday afternoon. Labs are Quest Diagnostics.
Total testosterone 762 NG/dl (250-1100)
Free testosterone 80 pg/mL (35-155)
Estradiol (ultrasensitive) pg/mL (<29)
SHBG 48 nmol/L (10-50)
Hematorcrit 42%

What do you think? I was happy to see the total above 600. I have been taking stinging nettles root extract to bring down SHBG. It is lower but I am not sure significantly. I am feeling well. Any other insights? Do you think the dose seems to be right?

 

[Vince]

For high shbg some members supplement with D3 to get their D3 levels good and help lower shbg.

 

[Eric Peterson]

Thanks. I am currently supplementing with 2000 IU of D3. Should I push it higher?

I see that I forgot to enter the estradiol ulrasensitive value which was 22 pg/mL. It was on the high end of the range (30 pg/mL) in my peak labs but I was having no symptoms.

Should I expect that peak testosterone to be approximately twice the trough value, or does it tend to travel in a narrower range after the dose has stabilized? I was pleased to see that the "trough" value was above 600, as I tend to feel at my best when I am above that level.