New Member!

[AveryA86]

Hello Everyone,

As the subject line says, I am a new member of the Excel Male.

First let me say, this forum is amazing. The wealth of knowledge and expertise/ people sharing their experiences etc is outstanding. I have already spent many hours scrolling through various threads to soak up more information on TRT.

A little about me:

Like many of you, I have experienced symptoms for YEARS. I am 31 now, and low T symptoms, when looking back, started around 22-24. I had blood work done around that time frame as I knew something wasn't right, and like many of your stories, I was told that "You're in normal range", so on I went.

Fast forward to about two weeks ago -
I have been doing research on Hormones (I am a physiology nerd!) and finally had a "better understanding" of what I was experiencing. I.E all the terrible sides of Low T. (Pretty much every single one possible) and finally made the decision to get some blood work done along side a free consultation with a local clinic. The Doctors I spoke with were all about working with each individual to find what's right for them and making sure that the lines of communication were open.

Within 24 hours I got a phone call from their office, letting me know that my Total T was 350. (I don't have a copy of the rest of the bloods yet, however when I do, I'll post everything), and that I could begin treatment within a week.


With that result, I like many others, had a sense of relief. Everything I had been going through was not in my head, but an hormonal imbalance that can be managed through TRT.

At this point, the Doctors started me on basic protocol. After the next round of blood work at week 6, we will see what the next step is.

Tuesday AM - 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG
Friday PM- 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG

Other Supplements:
Fish Oil 2000mg
Arginine 3000mg AM & PM
Cirtulline 1500mg AM & PM
DHEA 25mg
pregnenolone 30mg
Cialis/ tadalafil 20mg E3D (This works better for me than a daily 10mg)
General Men's Multivitamin


Thanks everyone, looking forward to being apart of this great community.

Avery

 

[johndoesmith]

Hello Everyone,

As the subject line says, I am a new member of the Excel Male.

First let me say, this forum is amazing. The wealth of knowledge and expertise/ people sharing their experiences etc is outstanding. I have already spent many hours scrolling through various threads to soak up more information on TRT.

A little about me:

Like many of you, I have experienced symptoms for YEARS. I am 31 now, and low T symptoms, when looking back, started around 22-24. I had blood work done around that time frame as I knew something was right, and per many of your stories, I was told that "You're in normal range", so on I went.

Fast forward to about two weeks ago -
I have been doing research on Hormones (I am a physiology nerd!) and finally had a "better understanding" of what I was experiencing. I.E all the terrible sides of Low T. (Pretty much every single one possible) and finally made the decision to get some blood work done, and lo and behold. My Total T was 350. (I don't have a copy of the rest of the bloods yet, however when I do, I'll post everything).

With that result, I like many others, had a sense of relief. Everything I had been going through was not in my head, but an hormonal imbalance that can be managed through TRT.

At this point, I have started injections - with a very basic starting protocol.

Tuesday AM - 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG
Friday PM- 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG
* Personally I am a little nervous with this low of a dose on HCG, however I am going to be patient and see how things unfold. I know I can always go 250iu EOD or 500iu 2-3x a week if need be. Looking at SBHG will also determine injection frequency I take it?
* No AI just yet.

Other Supplements:
Fish Oil 2000mg
Arginine 3000mg AM & PM
Cirtulline 1500mg AM & PM
DHEA 25mg
pregnenolone 30mg
Cialis/ tadalafil 20mg E3D (This works better for me than a daily 10mg)
General Men's Multivitamin

Once I am at the 6 week mark and draw new bloods, I will update the results.

Thanks everyone, looking forward to being apart of this great community.

Avery

So you started on UGL test I assume?

 

[AveryA86]

So you started on UGL test I assume?

No its Pharm Grade. The protocol is set up through a local TRT Clinic. Sorry I should have mentioned that.

 

[johndoesmith]

No its Pharm Grade. The protocol is set up through a local TRT Clinic. Sorry I should have mentioned that.

Oh, lol, the way you explained your story made it seem as if you did. "I decided" and no mention of a doctor or anything, so yeah was a bit confusing.

 

[Vince]

Tuesday AM - 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG
Friday PM- 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG

That should be a good starting dose, when you have labs please post them. Good luck on your new journey.

 

[LTChris]

That is my current dosage. I agree with Vince, good place to start. Welcome and good luck.

 

[AveryA86]

That is my current dosage. I agree with Vince, good place to start. Welcome and good luck.

Thanks LT Chris.

 

[AveryA86]

Tuesday AM - 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG
Friday PM- 50mg Test Cyp + 250 IU HCG

That should be a good starting dose, when you have labs please post them. Good luck on your new journey.

Thanks for the feedback Vince! I will definitely do so, hoping to get them emailed to me today.

 

[AveryA86]

First Round of Bloods 8/25

 

[AveryA86]

Oh, lol, the way you explained your story made it seem as if you did. "I decided" and no mention of a doctor or anything, so yeah was a bit confusing.

Blood Work has been posted!

 

[CoastWatcher]

Blood Work has been posted!

I note that your doctors selected the wrong estradiol test to run. You were evaluated with the standard test, only of value to a woman. You want to have all future tests run with the sensitive, LC, MS/MS, assay. That becomes particularly important once TRT is underway. The test you ran is unreliable when used with men - it often fails to accurately measure the much lower amounts of estradiol circulating in a man's system.

 

[AveryA86]

I note that your doctors selected the wrong estradiol test to run. You were evaluated with the standard test, only of value to a woman. You want to have all future tests run with the sensitive, LC, MS/MS, assay. That becomes particularly important once TRT is underway. The test you ran is unreliable when used with men - it often fails to accurately measure the much lower amounts of estradiol circulating in a man's system.

Thanks Coast for the feedback. I do have a question, based on reading other threads, it seems like I may want to ask for IGF1, SHBG, DHEA, Progesterone, Pregnenolone, is that correct? Anything else to add?

What is the best way to ask for these tests? Just bring it up the next time I go in?

Thanks

 

[CoastWatcher]

Thanks Coast for the feedback. I do have a question, based on reading other threads, it seems like I may want to ask for IGF1, SHBG, DHEA, Progesterone, Pregnenolone, is that correct? Anything else to add?

What is the best way to ask for these tests? Just bring it up the next time I go in?

Thanks

You shouldn't have to ask for SHBG, it's a critically important test, vital in determining how much, and how often, testosterone should be administered. It wasn't on the lab report you posted, but I assumed it was picked up earlier. Failure to have run it is a potential warning light, just like the wrong estradiol test.

As as for the others, yes, simply ask. You're the senior partner in the relationship you have with your doctor (or you should be). If unable to obtain a lab order for the tests you want, even though you're the one paying for them, you can turn to www.discountedlabs.com, the self-testing site many of us use.

 

[AveryA86]

Thanks Coast.

I have an appointment tomorrow to go over the results. I'll bring up the additional blood tests with the Doctors.
Thanks for your input!