Hi guys,
So long story short:
I got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about a month ago, and I started on TRT about a week ago.
I have been monitoring my testosterone levels periodically since 2008 and noticed a significant drop in serum testosterone in October 2018. My average over the years has been around 21 nmol/l / 600ng/dl, but in October 2018 my level was 9 nmol/l / 261 ng/dl. At the time I also noticed that my Vitamin D levels were at 40nmol/l.
Since then I tried to boost my test levels naturally by fixing vitamin D levels, exercising, proper diet and also supplementing with Zinc.
My latest test levels before starting TRT showed 10 nmol/l / 287ng/dl, so I was not able to boost testosterone significantly, hence why I have now started on TRT.
The reason I started on TRT is that I'm tired of feeling like shit, and that there are some studies showing a link between MS progression and low levels of testosterone. I want to do everything in my power to stop my MS disease.
I should probably mention that I'm also going for aHSCT treatment (Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) in Russia in March, which is, in my opinion, the only possible option to have a chance at stopping MS dead in its tracks. I think me doing this so early after getting the diagnosis, and without trying any MS medication first, might be some kind of world record
HSCT, in short, is the process of using chemo to kill the whole immune system, and rebuilding it from scratch with healthy stem cells, the process will take about a month, with about 10 of the days in isolation. It will take about a year before I have recovered my immune system completely.
If you are interested in reading about HSCT, there are currently being done a couple of clinical trials on the subject with very promising results, here is the most recent one: Effect of Nonmyeloablative HSCT vs Disease-Modifying Therapy on Relapsing-Remitting MS Disease Progression
Needless to say, my body will be going through some stuff in the coming months, and I want to make sure my hormones are in check for optimal recovery. I will be on sick-leave from work for about a year, and I want to use this time to get as strong and healthy as possible. I'm never taking my health for granted again.
Now to the TRT part:
I realize that I know more about testosterone than my urologist, at least it feels like it.
She has prescribed a product from Bayer called Testogel, which is a topical gel solution containing 50mg testosterone per daily dose.
Personally, I don't want to use a gel every day, and I don't think I will be able to get my test levels in the range I want it to be. And I'm therefore leaning towards an injectable solution instead.
The only legal option available for me is Nebido, which is test attached to the undecanoate ester mixed with castor oil. To my knowledge, this should give it a half-life of about 36 days.
My doctor would probably want me to have a 1000mg / 4ml injection every 10-14 weeks as recommended, but this would give me unstable serum values. I'm confident my doctor would let me self administer, and I'm therefore looking for the optimal injection protocol for Nebido.
My plan is the following:
Week 1: 750mg Testosterone undecanoate
And then 100mg Testosterone undecanoate every week after that
Would this be the optimal injection protocol for stable testosterone levels?
Since Nebido comes in 4ml ampules, I would need to put this over into a sterile vial after breaking the ampule, to be able to split up the dosages like this. Is this something that is safe to do? Keep in mind since I won't be having a functioning immune system for a while it's critical that I don't get any infections.
I would really appreciate any feedback on my plan or any other advice that could help me out, I'm currently kind of alone in making these decisions.
Best regards,
ToreTRT
So long story short:
I got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about a month ago, and I started on TRT about a week ago.
I have been monitoring my testosterone levels periodically since 2008 and noticed a significant drop in serum testosterone in October 2018. My average over the years has been around 21 nmol/l / 600ng/dl, but in October 2018 my level was 9 nmol/l / 261 ng/dl. At the time I also noticed that my Vitamin D levels were at 40nmol/l.
Since then I tried to boost my test levels naturally by fixing vitamin D levels, exercising, proper diet and also supplementing with Zinc.
My latest test levels before starting TRT showed 10 nmol/l / 287ng/dl, so I was not able to boost testosterone significantly, hence why I have now started on TRT.
The reason I started on TRT is that I'm tired of feeling like shit, and that there are some studies showing a link between MS progression and low levels of testosterone. I want to do everything in my power to stop my MS disease.
I should probably mention that I'm also going for aHSCT treatment (Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) in Russia in March, which is, in my opinion, the only possible option to have a chance at stopping MS dead in its tracks. I think me doing this so early after getting the diagnosis, and without trying any MS medication first, might be some kind of world record
HSCT, in short, is the process of using chemo to kill the whole immune system, and rebuilding it from scratch with healthy stem cells, the process will take about a month, with about 10 of the days in isolation. It will take about a year before I have recovered my immune system completely.
If you are interested in reading about HSCT, there are currently being done a couple of clinical trials on the subject with very promising results, here is the most recent one: Effect of Nonmyeloablative HSCT vs Disease-Modifying Therapy on Relapsing-Remitting MS Disease Progression
Needless to say, my body will be going through some stuff in the coming months, and I want to make sure my hormones are in check for optimal recovery. I will be on sick-leave from work for about a year, and I want to use this time to get as strong and healthy as possible. I'm never taking my health for granted again.
Now to the TRT part:
I realize that I know more about testosterone than my urologist, at least it feels like it.
She has prescribed a product from Bayer called Testogel, which is a topical gel solution containing 50mg testosterone per daily dose.
Personally, I don't want to use a gel every day, and I don't think I will be able to get my test levels in the range I want it to be. And I'm therefore leaning towards an injectable solution instead.
The only legal option available for me is Nebido, which is test attached to the undecanoate ester mixed with castor oil. To my knowledge, this should give it a half-life of about 36 days.
My doctor would probably want me to have a 1000mg / 4ml injection every 10-14 weeks as recommended, but this would give me unstable serum values. I'm confident my doctor would let me self administer, and I'm therefore looking for the optimal injection protocol for Nebido.
My plan is the following:
Week 1: 750mg Testosterone undecanoate
And then 100mg Testosterone undecanoate every week after that
Would this be the optimal injection protocol for stable testosterone levels?
Since Nebido comes in 4ml ampules, I would need to put this over into a sterile vial after breaking the ampule, to be able to split up the dosages like this. Is this something that is safe to do? Keep in mind since I won't be having a functioning immune system for a while it's critical that I don't get any infections.
I would really appreciate any feedback on my plan or any other advice that could help me out, I'm currently kind of alone in making these decisions.
Best regards,
ToreTRT
