Maybe I'm Dialed in now at week 26!

[TestAdvocate]

I think now at week 26 I'm dialed in somewhat. The first 6 weeks, my total T rose to 579 and Free T at 14. Initial protocol was 80mg Test Cyp, one injection a week. No AI's, no HCG. We increased dosage to 120mg a week to increase the T levels. At week 13 I broke out with acne, my ankles and feet began to swell. We took more labs, my total T was only at 520, however my Free T was 26 and my SHBG was down to 8! Estradiol had peaked up to 60 (using the sensitive scale)! We changed protocol again, two weekly injections at 80mg each injection, no HCG, however I finally added the AI.....a compound of .5mg Arimidex and 500mg of DIM. I started the AI only two weeks before the labs I'm posting below. When I began the AI, my swelling in my feet and ankles almost went away immediately. Amazing. Anectdotally, my acne is under control now.......seems like the flare up comes after a change in dosage. It flared up at week 6 with a dosage change, again at week 13 with a dosage change. I don't seem to be getting any new break outs. I do notice that wherever my workout shirts fit tighter.....around the shoulders and such, that is where the flare ups are. I feel great right now, I feel like I can lift the earth. Sides seem to be under control, energy is great, sleep is great.......continue to add more muscle mass! Everything is great! One other side note at week 26.........getting the erection is no problem, however maintaining it is all of sudden a challenge. I never had this problem before. I'm wondering if this is due to shut down, no fire in the testicles? I'm currently not taking HCG. My blood sugar is still a little high (the whole reason I started this therapy), and my E2 is still a little high according to LabCorp ranges, however I'm not too worried about it right now when compared to my overall T: 1417 Free: 46 Estradial: 39 sensitive assay.

Guys, this was a wonderful review with my RN at Defy, please peruse below, respond with comments or questions. I can honestly say, if I weren't reading here everyday, I would have probably wanted to scrap the therapy altogether when my ankles were swollen, the acne flare ups etc. Thanks for you time and comments!

CBC With Differential/Platelet
WBC 4.0 x10E3/uL 3.4 - 10.8 01
RBC 5.30 x10E6/uL 4.14 - 5.80 01
Hemoglobin 15.7 g/dL 12.6 - 17.7 01
Hematocrit 49.4 % 37.5 - 51.0 01
MCV 93 fL 79 - 97 01
MCH 29.6 pg 26.6 - 33.0 01
MCHC 31.8 g/dL 31.5 - 35.7 01
RDW 15.0 % 12.3 - 15.4 01
Platelets 267 x10E3/uL 150 - 379 01
Neutrophils 38 % 01
Lymphs 44 % 01
Monocytes 9 % 01
Eos 8 % 01
Basos 1 % 01
Neutrophils (Absolute) 1.5 x10E3/uL 1.4 - 7.0 01
Lymphs (Absolute) 1.7 x10E3/uL 0.7 - 3.1 01
Monocytes(Absolute) 0.4 x10E3/uL 0.1 - 0.9 01
Eos (Absolute) 0.3 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.4 01
Baso (Absolute) 0.0 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.2 01
Immature Granulocytes 0 % 01
Immature Grans (Abs) 0.0 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.1 01
Comp. Metabolic Panel (14)
Glucose, Serum 109 High mg/dL 65 - 99 01
BUN 13 mg/dL 6 - 24 01
Creatinine, Serum 1.26 mg/dL 0.76 - 1.27 01
eGFR If NonAfricn Am 65 mL/min/1.73 >59
eGFR If Africn Am 75 mL/min/1.73 >59
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 10 9 - 20
Sodium, Serum 138 mmol/L 134 - 144 01
Potassium, Serum 5.0 mmol/L 3.5 - 5.2 01

Carbon Dioxide, Total 27 mmol/L 18 - 29 01
Calcium, Serum 9.0 mg/dL 8.7 - 10.2 01
Protein, Total, Serum 6.5 g/dL 6.0 - 8.5 01
Albumin, Serum 4.5 g/dL 3.5 - 5.5 01
Globulin, Total 2.0 g/dL 1.5 - 4.5
A/G Ratio 2.3 1.1 - 2.5
Bilirubin, Total 0.5 mg/dL 0.0 - 1.2 01
Alkaline Phosphatase, S 62 IU/L 39 - 117 01
AST (SGOT) 23 IU/L 0 - 40 01
ALT (SGPT) 31 IU/L 0 - 44 01

Testosterone,Free and Total

Testosterone, Serum 1417 High ng/dL 348 - 1197 01
Comment:
Adult male reference interval is based on a population of lean males
up to 40 years old.

Free Testosterone(Direct) 46.0 High pg/mL 7.2 - 24.0 02

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 26.6 nmol/L 03
Reference Range:
>49y: 19.3 - 76.4

Hemoglobin A1c 5.8 High % 4.8 - 5.6 01
Increased risk for diabetes: 5.7 - 6.4
Diabetes: >6.4
Glycemic control for adults with diabetes: <7.0

Prostate-Specific Ag, Serum

Prostate Specific Ag, Serum 1.1 ng/mL 0.0 - 4.0 01

Estradiol, Sensitive 39.1 High pg/mL 8.0 - 35.0 02
This test was developed and its performance characteristics
determined by LabCorp. It has not been cleared by the Food and
Drug Administration.
Methodology: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(LC/MS/MS)

 

[CoastWatcher]

When I was posting total testosterone over the reference range I found I had erectile issues similar to what you describe. I cut my protocol back, and coming in at just under 1,000 total testosterone, those challenges resolved. I know, each of us is different, and you have been working on this for some time, so I offer this in a spirit of goodwill. I am glad you are feeling better!

 

[TestAdvocate]

When I was posting total testosterone over the reference range I found I had erectile issues similar to what you describe. I cut my protocol back, and coming in at just under 1,000 total testosterone, those challenges resolved. I know, each of us is different, and you have been working on this for some time, so I offer this in a spirit of goodwill. I am glad you are feeling better!

Thanks for reviewing this Coastwatcher. Thanks too for your goodwill, I feel very lucky to have this board with guys like you taking time to look at labs and give comments. It's definitely easy to get caught up in "posting up good numbers", but getting the numbers right along with the overall feeling of well being and less side effects is certainly the challenge. I do wonder why if we get on the slightly above reference range we can experience the ED. Seems strange. With me, I have no problem getting the erection nice and quick, but lose it quick too without even noticing it. Very new and strange. If I can get that part good again, we're good to go, because everything else is outstanding. Great sleep, great energy, "muscled up", great mood (well being), acne finally under control.