Started TRT in late November

[Furiosus]

I am a 48 year old male. Here are my blood results. I am new to all this. Please let me know what you think.

 

[johndoesmith]

I am a 48 year old male. Here are my blood results. I am new to all this. Please let me know what you think.

How do you feel? That is the most important question!

No doubt you were low before.

What's your protocol? If on injections, when were these taken relative to injection?

Some decent improvements, although your doctor ordered the wrong E2 test, men need the sensitive E2 test.

 

[Furiosus]

The first thing I noticed immediately upon taking my first shot, was the mental fog lifting, and the ability to concentrate and recall. My overall confidence, and positive outlook on life, has improved. My libido has increased, however, it has done little to help my ED at this point.

The only problem I have, is that I go on a little bit of a roller coaster ride after my shots. Everything peaks 3 to 5 days after the shots, and then goes downhill, even for a day or so after my shot. I wonder if this will improve when my Testosterone levels get a little higher.

Forgive me, but I am new to all this. What is E2?

 

[johndoesmith]

The first thing I noticed immediately upon taking my first shot, was the mental fog lifting, and the ability to concentrate and recall. My overall confidence, and positive outlook on life, has improved. My libido has increased, however, it has done little to help my ED at this point.

The only problem I have, is that I go on a little bit of a roller coaster ride after my shots. Everything peaks 3 to 5 days after the shots, and then goes downhill, even for a day or so after my shot. I wonder if this will improve when my Testosterone levels get a little higher.

Forgive me, but I am new to all this. What is E2?

You noticed a placebo immediately upon taking your shot. The testosterone wasn't even released from the ester, let alone done anything yet, it takes weeks for it to do anything noticeable.

What is your protocol? When were these taken relative to injection?

E2 is estradiol. google it. Too much to explain lol.

 

[Furiosus]

OK, I understand that there are two types of Estradiol tests. Most doctors are using the wrong one which overestimates Estradiol levels. The doc put me on Anastrozole. (Armidex). With no side effects present, I wonder if this was necessary?

From what I understand, the first shot that I initially received, at the clinic, was a massive dose of testosterone. The brain fog and mentally clarity lifted immediately, or at lease within a few hours. I am pretty sure that this was not the placebo effect. The "lifting of the mental fog" was not something that I expected, and came as quite a shock.

Energy levels, libido, and increased confidence, all improved after several weeks of shots. Sorry if I made it sound as if everything improved after the first shot.

 

[Vince]

OK, I understand that there are two types of Estradiol tests. Most doctors are using the wrong one which overestimates Estradiol levels. The doc put me on Anastrozole. (Armidex). With no side effects present, I wonder if this was necessary?

From what I understand, the first shot that I initially received, at the clinic, was a massive dose of testosterone. The brain fog and mentally clarity lifted immediately, or at lease within a few hours. I am pretty sure that this was not the placebo effect. The "lifting of the mental fog" was not something that I expected, and came as quite a shock.

Energy levels, libido, and increased confidence, all improved after several weeks of shots. Sorry if I made it sound as if everything improved after the first shot.

I also feel the impact from testosterone injection almost immediately. It was a shock to me too.

 

[johndoesmith]

OK, I understand that there are two types of Estradiol tests. Most doctors are using the wrong one which overestimates Estradiol levels. The doc put me on Anastrozole. (Armidex). With no side effects present, I wonder if this was necessary?

From what I understand, the first shot that I initially received, at the clinic, was a massive dose of testosterone. The brain fog and mentally clarity lifted immediately, or at lease within a few hours. I am pretty sure that this was not the placebo effect. The "lifting of the mental fog" was not something that I expected, and came as quite a shock.

Energy levels, libido, and increased confidence, all improved after several weeks of shots. Sorry if I made it sound as if everything improved after the first shot.

There is no mechanism by which testosterone can lift brain fog immediately, possibly vasodilation, but I highly doubt it, as it's not even released from the ester significantly within hours. 24 hours for anything significant to be released.

Anyone who claims it works immediately doesn't understand how nuclear receptors work.

AI without proper testing is reckless IMO.

You still haven't answered what your protocol is and when these tests were taken relative to injection.

 

[Furiosus]

There is no mechanism by which testosterone can lift brain fog immediately, possibly vasodilation, but I highly doubt it, as it's not even released from the ester significantly within hours. 24 hours for anything significant to be released.

Anyone who claims it works immediately doesn't understand how nuclear receptors work.

AI without proper testing is reckless IMO.

You still haven't answered what your protocol is and when these tests were taken relative to injection.

Before joining the mens clinic, Kaiser had tested my total Testosterone in the low 200s. My first blood test, done in January of 2016, showed a total testosterone of 180. So when I joined the mens clinic on 11-18-16, they were able to start off with a shot of testosterone immediately after taking my first blood test. I dont know what they gave me in the office.

For the first six weeks, I take a shot of 120mg of Testosterone Cypionate every Friday. After the first six weeks, I took the second blood test which I posted. The doctor then increased my Testosterone Cypionate to 130mg, and I now take a 1 mg tablet of Anastrozole 48 hours after every shot.

I will be going in for my third blood test this Friday. I will, of course, get the blood test done first, before giving myself the testosterone.

 

[Vince]

There is no mechanism by which testosterone can lift brain fog immediately, possibly vasodilation, but I highly doubt it, as it's not even released from the ester significantly within hours. 24 hours for anything significant to be released.

Anyone who claims it works immediately doesn't understand how nuclear receptors work.

AI without proper testing is reckless IMO.

You still haven't answered what your protocol is and when these tests were taken relative to injection.

I self-injected at home, 70mg of T and 500iu of HCG. It may not make sense but we are only reporting what happened to us.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I don't think you're receiving particularly good medical care. Once weekly injections, but I don't see that your SHBG was ever measured. More frequent smaller injections might well work to your advantage - in fact they work to the advantage of most men (unless SHBG is elevated). The incorrect estradiol test was ordered and a significant dose of Anastrozole was prescribed on the basis of a lab test that is not intended for men. A lot of concerns here.

 

[Vince]

CW makes good sense.
"The doc put me on Anastrozole. (Armidex). With no side effects present, I wonder if this was necessary?"
How long have you been on an AI? You don't want to crash your estradiol.

 

[zojo360]

Not discrediting what you felt but placebo can be more powerful than anything initially. These are IM injections, not IV.

 

[Furiosus]

First of all, I want to thank everybody for their responses.

I wish I had known about this site before I joined this particular Men's Clinic. I now think they're a little sketchy. I got tired of the year-long run around that Kaiser gave me, and jumped the gun.

To answer yor question, they put me on Anastrozole six weeks ago, after my last blood test.

Do you think I should find a more reliable doctor to work with?

 

[CoastWatcher]

First of all, I want to thank everybody for their responses.

I wish I had known about this site before I joined this particular Men's Clinic. I now think they're a little sketchy. I got tired of the year-long run around that Kaiser gave me, and jumped the gun.

To answer yor question, they put me on Anastrozole six weeks ago, after my last blood test.

Do you think I should find a more reliable doctor to work with?

The short answer to your question is - yes, find a new doctor. You aren't the first man to discover how difficult it is to obtain quality care in this area of medicine. Sadly, you won't be the last. Please consider Defy Medical, www.defymedical.com, or Prime Body, www.primebody.com. Yes, they are site sponsors, but I am a patient of neither practice. My suggestion is based on the satisfaction of our members who do rely on them.

 

[Vince]

The short answer to your question is - yes, find a new doctor. You aren't the first man to discover how difficult it is to obtain quality care in this area of medicine. Sadly, you won't be the last. Please consider Defy Medical, www.defymedical.com, or Prime Body, www.primebody.com. Yes, they are site sponsors, but I am a patient of neither practice. My suggestion is based on the satisfaction of our members who do rely on them.

I second that.

 

[Furiosus]

UPDATE:

I finally spoke with the doctor at my clinic. He indicated that HCG is an option, to be taken as a shot several times a week. The price quoted was $399 for 6 months, or $500 for a year.

As for the Estrodial test, he did not seem aware of the two different types of tests. He said that he uses Lab Corp, and relies on them to provide the most up to date tests. He did indicate, however, that he is always learning new information, and asked me to send him regarding the different tests. (If anybody has a good link, I can send it to him.)

Even though the PA prescribed Anastrozole for me, the doctor indicated that if I do not have symptoms of high estrogen, I probably should not take it.

As far as SHBG, the doc said that this was a test that the clinic has recently been trying to include in future blood tests. He also indicated that when I go for my blood test on Friday, SHBG will be measured, and will be done on all future tests.

Any thoughts?

 

[Vince]

FYI

SAME DAY AND SAME TIME BLOOD DRAW .... SENSITIVE V.S. STANDARD !!!!!!

Estradiol, Sensitive - 15 - (3-70) (LABCORP SENSITIVE #140244)

Estradiol - 55.9 – (7.6-42.6) (LabCorp 004515)
https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?1845-Estradiol-(standard-vs-sensitive)