My TRT journey begins.

[Renman23]

So i figured I'd start a new thread to post my progress thru TRT.
For those who didnt see my first thread. Here's the story.

I'm a 49 yr old AA male. Finance professional who has been experiencing Low-T symptoms for several years.
I'm 6'1 and weigh a bit over 280 . I'm a big guy, former Linebacker but the weight gain has been bad.
I've experienced , low energy, mild depression, brain fog and mild ED.
Several years ago, i was diagnosed by a Dr here in Phila and got a pellet treatment... which did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Fast forward to now and I'm absolutely sick of feeling like this.
So I had labs pulled w/ Defy (Attached) and had a great consult with Dr. Calkins and now am awaiting my meds... (Shipped today.... allegedly... LOL)

The protocol is:
200mg Test Cream 2 clicks per morning.
500 IU HCG 2 times a week
50 MG DHEA Daily
.125 Anaztrazole 3 times a week (If symptoms indicate)
5000 IU Vitamin D3 Daily
3 grams Fish oil daily.

I've already started the Daily DHEA (25g) and i feel pretty good.
I'll get the full protocol going when my meds arrive... (hopefully this week)

I'll be posting here as part of my tracking. I plan to diary daily, What taken, what time, what amount, as well as how im feeling, Physically and mentally a few times a day. Also my nutrition and workouts. I've switched to a moderate carb Mediterranean diet. As well as a daily workout. Weights, cardio, Mobility and active recovery.

The goal is to FEEL BETTER more like my old self, and to drop the weight. Getting down to 230ish. That weight should have me at around a 34-32 waist and a 48 Shoulder... I'm a believer in the waistline dictating loss not the scale.

Additionally, I plan to add a peptide Like a CJC 1295/Ipamorelin blend in to the protocol after a month or so. BUT, I'll see how my body is reacting to the therapy and i'll adjust accordingly. IF i can just get my energy and mental clarity back... the rest I can work thru.

I appreciate any pointers or hints you guys can offer. Thanks!

 

[ratbag]

Your in good hands with defy. You do have highish SHBG so it'll be interesting to see what the cream does for that aspect of it. I'm sure you'll see a huge improvement. But one must have patience, it takes time to get dialed in. The earliest you can get labs again is at 6 weeks, if you want to fast track your wellbeing. Then you'll know what needs tweaking. Peptides thru Defy are FDA approved. Whereas CJC1295 is a probably from china somewhere (non FDA approved) You always have to be careful of what comes out of china. It's a problem that so many claim peptides are made in the USA when they are not.

 

[Renman23]

Thanks I'm interested to see as well. And I'm VERY familiar with China their production of counterfeits...

So' I'll exercise caution.
Update.
Got my meds last night. Watched a couple of video's on how to mix HCG.... It still didnt go as smoothly as I anticipated... lol but i got it done.
30 gauge needle is completely painless, I almost didn't trust it was in...

2 clicks of T cream after showering this morning... and Im feeling good....

Let the process begin.

 

[MarkM]

Your in good hands with defy. You do have highish SHBG so it'll be interesting to see what the cream does for that aspect of it. I'm sure you'll see a huge improvement. But one must have patience, it takes time to get dialed in. The earliest you can get labs again is at 6 weeks, if you want to fast track your wellbeing. Then you'll know what needs tweaking. Peptides thru Defy are FDA approved. Whereas CJC1295 is a probably from china somewhere (non FDA approved) You always have to be careful of what comes out of china. It's a problem that so many claim peptides are made in the USA when they are not.

I agree with ratbag on a couple of things. You're in good hands with Defy and I am also curious as to how the cream does being applied daily with where your SHBG sits. Best wishes on getting back to your old self.

 

[MarkM]

Thanks I'm interested to see as well. And I'm VERY familiar with China their production of counterfeits...

So' I'll exercise caution.
Update.
Got my meds last night. Watched a couple of video's on how to mix HCG.... It still didnt go as smoothly as I anticipated... lol but i got it done.
30 gauge needle is completely painless, I almost didn't trust it was in...

2 clicks of T cream after showering this morning... and Im feeling good....

Let the process begin.

Stay positive and be patient. Good luck.

 

[Vince]

I didn't see your estradiol levels on your labs? Be careful with DHEA and it will convert testosterone into estrogen. I supplement with 25 mg of DHEA just to keep it in a good range. Why are you using cream instead of injections?

 

[Renman23]

I'm using cream because of what i've read from Several Dr's that a daily cream is the optimal way to administer T. I have no children and am not currently in a relationship, so transfer concerns are minimal. I discussed it w/ Dr. Calkins and we agreed to try this and see how my body responds.
Right now i'm only using 25 mg of DHEA, because of caution i've read here.
I'll post my Estradiol numbers.

Thanks!

 

[Vince]

Yes you do have very high E2 levels and not being on T. You may need to skip the DHEA with that high of level.

 

[Vince]

Yes you do have very high E2 levels and not being on T. You may need to skip the DHEA with that high of level.

 

[DragonBits]

RDW is high, MCV and MCH is low, I would test for B12 and run an iron panel. Those values can indicate a lack of folate and B12 causing anemia. Your hemoglobin is in range but very near the bottom.

I can see your TT is near the bottom of the range, though your FT is higher than I would have expected with your fairly high level of SHBG.

IMO you will benefit from TRT, but I would get those other items like B12 and Iron panel checked.

 

[Systemlord]

IGF-1 is below average for men your age, mine was right on the average for a 46 years old (153) and I started Ipamorelin almost 3 weeks ago. I'm also on a new protocol and recently added anastrozole so it will be tough to know what's doing what, however losing weight for me right now is the utmost importance in reversing Type 2 diabetes.

I like the idea of adding things a little at a time, TRT only, then add AI if needed and so on. Creams work excellent for some men, and it closely mimics your natural rhythm and that is always a good thing.

 

[Renman23]

RDW is high, MCV and MCH is low, I would test for B12 and run an iron panel. Those values can indicate a lack of folate and B12 causing anemia. Your hemoglobin is in range but very near the bottom.

I can see your TT is near the bottom of the range, though your FT is higher than I would have expected with your fairly high level of SHBG.

IMO you will benefit from TRT, but I would get those other items like B12 and Iron panel checked.

Dr. Calkins suggested Iron as well but We're going to wait and see what my next labs say and then add it to the party.. LOL

Thanks!

 

[Renman23]

IGF-1 is below average for men your age, mine was right on the average for a 46 years old (153) and I started Ipamorelin almost 3 weeks ago. I'm also on a new protocol and recently added anastrozole so it will be tough to know what's doing what, however losing weight for me right now is the utmost importance in reversing Type 2 diabetes.

I like the idea of adding things a little at a time, TRT only, then add AI if needed and so on. Creams work excellent for some men, and it closely mimics your natural rhythm and that is always a good thing.

I'm a believer in doing this sort of thing in an orderly fashion. So I'm carefully monitoring so that my adjustment period will be as short as possible.

BTW im curious about your experience with Ipamorelin.
Can you elaborate a bit? What you're using, how much/ often. how youre feeling?
Also whats your source?

Thanks!

 

[DragonBits]

Dr. Calkins suggested Iron as well but We're going to wait and see what my next labs say and then add it to the party.. LOL

Thanks!

You could always supplement with some sort of b-vitamin complex or just VB12/folate, it's fairly cheap and see if your blood tests change next time.

 

[Renman23]

Well, Week one is down.
2 Clicks of T cream Daily
HCG every 3.5 days
25 mg of DHEA.....

As of today i feel Good. Mental clarity is the biggest change. Like the fog has cleared!
Lot more energy. Not crazy levels just , not the lethargy that i had ...
Weirdly tho... i feel my libido is down and ed a bit worse....

Thinking i MAY increase to 3 clicks next week. I'll be adding in the Iron and D3 vitamins this week. Also. I'm feeling a tiny bit off today because im on day 2 of quitting refined sugar. I've done this before and i KNOW the Sugar monster is real....

but All in all, My TRT experience is so far, so good!

Thanks!

 

[MarkM]

Be careful not to rush things. It has just been one week so many things are in a state of change. As many say, this is a marathon and not a sprint. Make sure you give your body time to adjust before throwing it another curve ball. Glad the first week is going well, Best of luck on your new journey.

 

[Renman23]

Be careful not to rush things. It has just been one week so many things are in a state of change. As many say, this is a marathon and not a sprint. Make sure you give your body time to adjust before throwing it another curve ball. Glad the first week is going well, Best of luck on your new journey.

Yeah, you may be right.... I may just stay the course and wait til im at the 30 day mary to add a "click"

Thanks!!

 

[ratbag]

MarkM is right. It takes 40 days for a testosterone dose to stabilise so do not make any adjustments until you have your labs after 40 days or you will be chasing your tail. So many people make this mistake. This is a long process and you need patience. Right now at one week you are going thru the what we call the honeymoon effect.

 

[Renman23]

Yup... that makes sense.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it steady .

 

[jws1300]

Glad its going ok so far. I have my 2nd injection tomorrow. Except for elevated anxiety on days 3-5 I feel ok. What specifically was the fish oil and dhea prescribed for?