I embarked on this journey 14 months ago and rode the roller coaster for months before taking charge of my own health and with the advice on this board and discounted labs finally dialed in my regimen. I see posts on the board all the time from new patients experiencing depression, anxiety, terrible acne, insomnia, libido and erection issues and a whole host of other things and I have been through ALL of them. Over the last few months I finally came out of that and have numbers that I am happy with. My last test results:
Total T - 1010.9
Free T - 16.3
E2 (Sensitive) - 40.8 (no symptoms)
SHBG - 42.6
My current regimen is test cyp 70 mg every 3.5 days and HCG 180 IU daily. I realize there is a lot of debate over the HCG but that is something that had a dramatic affect on my numbers and I came to that dose after a couple of consults with Dr. C. My testosterone mill started me on a test cyp dose of 40 mg every 3.5 which shut down my HPTA and didn't raise my total T at all and then jacked it up to 100 mg every 3.5 which put me way over the top and caused a whole host of issues. That is when I took over.
These are some of the lessons learned I would like to share with new guys who are struggling.
1 - Change only one thing at a time and make the changes small. I have been reducing my test cyp dose by 10 mg an injection over a prolonged period of time to dial in my numbers.
2 - Be patient. I wait five half lives before I order my labs on discounted labs - that is about two months. That is how long it takes for a dose change of test cyp to stabilize.
3 - Sad to say but don't assume your doctor knows what he is doing. Find out for yourself. It took me a few months to realize my $150 a month to my Northern California testosterone mill was really only good for prescription refills not competent advice.
4 - This road is tough but it was worth it. There were times when I thought it was not. I have my sexual function back to close to pre low T levels, my cholesterol numbers are incredible and I shed 25 pounds of body fat, 20% to 11%, just by adding test cyp and continuing my normal fitness regimen. Hang in there.
I guess this post is my way of saying thank you for this board. I really appreciate all that you people have done for me.
I do have one question though. I seemed to feel slightly better with a Free T in the low 20's but had to run a total T of over 1200 to get that. I am just curious to read some opinions on Free T, what an "adequate" level is and if it is worth it to run a higher total t to achieve it.
Total T - 1010.9
Free T - 16.3
E2 (Sensitive) - 40.8 (no symptoms)
SHBG - 42.6
My current regimen is test cyp 70 mg every 3.5 days and HCG 180 IU daily. I realize there is a lot of debate over the HCG but that is something that had a dramatic affect on my numbers and I came to that dose after a couple of consults with Dr. C. My testosterone mill started me on a test cyp dose of 40 mg every 3.5 which shut down my HPTA and didn't raise my total T at all and then jacked it up to 100 mg every 3.5 which put me way over the top and caused a whole host of issues. That is when I took over.
These are some of the lessons learned I would like to share with new guys who are struggling.
1 - Change only one thing at a time and make the changes small. I have been reducing my test cyp dose by 10 mg an injection over a prolonged period of time to dial in my numbers.
2 - Be patient. I wait five half lives before I order my labs on discounted labs - that is about two months. That is how long it takes for a dose change of test cyp to stabilize.
3 - Sad to say but don't assume your doctor knows what he is doing. Find out for yourself. It took me a few months to realize my $150 a month to my Northern California testosterone mill was really only good for prescription refills not competent advice.
4 - This road is tough but it was worth it. There were times when I thought it was not. I have my sexual function back to close to pre low T levels, my cholesterol numbers are incredible and I shed 25 pounds of body fat, 20% to 11%, just by adding test cyp and continuing my normal fitness regimen. Hang in there.
I guess this post is my way of saying thank you for this board. I really appreciate all that you people have done for me.
I do have one question though. I seemed to feel slightly better with a Free T in the low 20's but had to run a total T of over 1200 to get that. I am just curious to read some opinions on Free T, what an "adequate" level is and if it is worth it to run a higher total t to achieve it.
