New TRT Protocol from Defy, Please Critique

[Gman86]

The short answer is yes, definitely.

In fact once dialed in on the right protocol I feel better than I do during weeks 1-2. But for clarification, never as good as the very beginning of TRT - that feeling is dopamine related and for those of you thinking you can get that feeling back and maintain it every day...it's not going to happen.

For an example of the ups and downs, when I first started with my 60mg E3.5D protocol, I felt like garbage. I couldn't sleep, night sweats, was super moody, next to no erectile function...it sucked. After sticking with it for 5 weeks, I started to feel better. After the 6 week mark, I felt great and all of those negative things were no longer an issue.

I was doing great on that protocol but unfortunately HCT was always a bit high over range. It finally crept one point higher to the point that I had to donate, so now I'm back to chasing my tail trying a protocol change hoping that I can find something that allows me to maintain previous levels with lower HCT.

The answer to your issue is to most likely just let HCT be slightly high. Current research shows that it’s a non issue unless it gets into the high 50’s. I personally try to just keep mine below 55. What was your level at when it was “high”?

 

[antelopers]

The answer to your issue is to most likely just let HCT be slightly high. Current research shows that it’s a non issue unless it gets into the high 50’s. I personally try to just keep mine below 55. What was your level at when it was “high”?

I agree, it is dynamic as well. I have a blood monitor I use for ketones, blood glucose, hct, and hemoglobin. My hct usually hovers around 47 but can be 45 or even 50 depending on the day.

 

[S1W]

Nice post, thanks. Just out of curiosity, what are your levels on that dose?

Trough values:

TT = mid 800s to low 1000s.
FT = around 30
E2 = upper 40s
SHBG = 23
HGB = 17.2-17.9

The answer to your issue is to most likely just let HCT be slightly high. Current research shows that it’s a non issue unless it gets into the high 50’s. I personally try to just keep mine below 55. What was your level at when it was “high”?

Thanks man. I'm just...not sure about that. Besides, after my last labs when my HGB came back at 18.1, I woke up to an email from Defy with a rx for phlebotomy and request to redo CBC. No refills til new CBC test shows it is lower.

From this, I have learned that Defy may pay more attention to the HGB x3 multiple than the HCT number. HGB of 17.7 with HCT of 52.2 = no phlebotomy. HGB of 18.1 with HCT of 51.1 = phlebotomy.

I trust Dr. Saya - if he says it's too high and I should do something about it, I'm going to follow his advice.

 

[Gman86]

Trough values:

TT = mid 800s to low 1000s.
FT = around 30
E2 = upper 40s
SHBG = 23
HGB = 17.2-17.9



Thanks man. I'm just...not sure about that. Besides, after my last labs when my HGB came back at 18.1, I woke up to an email from Defy with a rx for phlebotomy and request to redo CBC. No refills til new CBC test shows it is lower.

From this, I have learned that Defy may pay more attention to the HGB x3 multiple than the HCT number. HGB of 17.7 with HCT of 52.2 = no phlebotomy. HGB of 18.1 with HCT of 51.1 = phlebotomy.

I trust Dr. Saya - if he says it's too high and I should do something about it, I'm going to follow his advice.

Ya I feel ya. I’m with dr saya as well. He definitely knows what he’s talking about. He also has to cover his butt though. Even if he believed that higher than normal levels of HGB and HCT were healthy and ok, he would most likely still ayer on the side of caution. But I would put money on the solution to your issue still being sticking to the protocol that makes you feel great, and as long as HCT is under 55, just sticking with it and not changing a thing. But I obviously understand that you don’t have that option. Just sucks to have to tinker with a protocol that doesn’t need tinkering with.

 

[Eric5150]

That is an extremely low does AI, it wouldn't concern me. I take a similar amount. Last week I was feeling burning at my nipples and general symptoms of high E. I took a full MG of Anastrozole and literally had rock hard erections for 2-3 days. I mean like when I was 18, absolutely amazing. I have no idea what was up. The only thing it could be is maybe my estrogen had creeped up but man I'd love to be like that all the time.... I'd probably never leave the bathroom in pure amazement of myself ….

Also Lipids are a lot genetics. My good cholesterol has never been higher than the 20's and I have tried everything. If anybody has good advice on getting the good up let me know! My family history is beyond frightening but so far I'm doing good. BP is good but cholesterol is similar to yours.....

What is your current TRT protocol? Just curious

 

[Rube99]

So, here are my latest labs. Free T is up and I feel "okay". Not great, but just okay. Extremely modest strength gains in the gym (if at all). But I gained body weight and a good amount seems to be on my stomach. I have been pretty achey too (lower back big time and hands). Thought the aches were from working out a lot, but maybe it's the E2?

I have my Defy consultation tomorrow, But any thoughts?

 

[Systemlord]

You're probably sensitive to estrogen, your Free T is very high and lowering it will also lower estrogen.

Problem solved.

 

[madman]

So, here are my latest labs. Free T is up and I feel "okay". Not great, but just okay. Extremely modest strength gains in the gym (if at all). But I gained body weight and a good amount seems to be on my stomach. I have been pretty achey too (lower back big time and hands). Thought the aches were from working out a lot, but maybe it's the E2?

I have my Defy consultation tomorrow, But any thoughts?

Your FT is by no means really high as your FT was tested using an inaccurate method the piss poor direct immunoassay.

The only way to truly know what your FT levels are on said protocol is to have it tested using an accurate method such as the gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis or Ultrafiltration (next best) or if anything use the newer calculated TruT method (which is on par with results obtained by the gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis method).

It is available to the general public free online.....TruT Free Testosterone Calculator by FPT


If we use the newer calculated method and take your TT 960 ng/dL, SHBG 34.3 nmol/L, Albumin 4.6 g/dL than your FT (trough) 31.99 ng/dL (just above the top end of the reference range of 16-31 ng/dL)

Now do understand that if these bloods were done at trough (which they should have been).....seeing as you are injecting T every 3.5 days than your peak TT/FT levels will be much higher.

Keep in mind that your peak E2 levels will also be higher as your E2 (trough) is right at the top of the reference range.

I would not be so quick to blame your issues on high E2.

Thyroid/adrenal function will play a big role overall on how one feels on a trt protocol as having healthy T levels is only one piece of the overall picture!

 

[madman]

You're probably sensitive to estrogen, your Free T is very high and lowering it will also lower estrogen.

Problem solved.

Really after all this time you are still giving piss poor advice regarding ones FT that was done using an inaccurate testing method.

If anything at least have the decency to point this out that their FT was tested using an inaccurate testing method!