starting and confused

[mxman420]

Hi everyone.
I'm 50, and just starting TRT. My Dr has never done it before and would rather keep me in house than use a clinic.
He has given me testosterone enanthate 1,000 mg/5 mL and prescribed a one-half ML(CC) every 2 weeks. Isn't this kind of small dosage? I wasn't told what type of syringes to use or any kind of supplements, never discussed HCG or any type of anti-estrogen.
My labs are:
Lipids: Cholesterol 208, otherwise normal
CMP: Calcium 8.4, low, otherwise normal
CBC: WBC 12.6, high, otherwise normal
Ferritin: 67, normal
Sex hormone binding globulin: 22, normal
FSH: 3.3, normal
LH: 1.1, low
TSH: 1.41, normal
Testosterone total: 176, low
Testosterone free: 39, normal

Can you guys give me some advise?

 

[Vince]

The starting does for most men on TRT is 50mg every 3 1/2 days, I started with 70mg (testosterone cypionate) every 3 1/2 days with 500iu of HCG on my T injections days. It can take time to get dialed in. I use Easy Touch insulin syringes 29g 1/2" for shallow IM. You may like to start with a 27g, it's makes it easier to draw the testosterone. I'll post Nelson video on how he injects, I watch this many times before my first injection. I did originally use the same syringe like Nelson but now I use two.

 

[Systemlord]

You're going to require small more frequent dosing with an SHBG at the bottom of the normal range which will very likely drop below the low normal range once you start TRT. Large doses of testosterone will drive SHBG into the floor and drive up your E2, you'll need to inject minimum twice a week with every other day (EOD) being best choice when considering your SHBG.

My SHBG was a few points higher than yours before I started TRT, now it rests in the upper teens. Low SHBG can be the result of insulin resistance and being overweight, lifestyle changes can improve the situation. Back when I was on weekly injections I felt a little low a few days before my next injection, that's because testosterone has an average half life of 8 days, so you can see why injections every 2 weeks doesn't work since most of what you injected is almost all cleared out by then.

Your doctor isn't qualified enough to properly balance your hormones and will be unable to do much of anything for you should you present with the side effects of taking large doses infrequently. You deserve better care than what he can provide.

A sound protocol would be 100mg .5ml twice weekly or 100mg .25ml EOD for guys with low SHBG. HCG will help preserve fertility and keep the boys downstair from pulling up tight should that become a problem. My testicals pulled up tight for a couple of months, but are now regularly hang without HCG.

 

[Saul]

I started out much like you. I like my Dr. but he is not a TRT expert. Regardless of which doctor you use, I suggest you read a lot about it and fully understand the common doses, possible side effects and risks, needed blood tests, and start small and work you way up in dose. More frequent injections are better. There is lots of good advice on this forum. You have to be involved with your treatment and body feedback.

 

[Will Brink]

Hi everyone.
I'm 50, and just starting TRT. My Dr has never done it before and would rather keep me in house than use a clinic.
He has given me testosterone enanthate 1,000 mg/5 mL and prescribed a one-half ML(CC) every 2 weeks. Isn't this kind of small dosage? I wasn't told what type of syringes to use or any kind of supplements, never discussed HCG or any type of anti-estrogen.
My labs are:
Lipids: Cholesterol 208, otherwise normal
CMP: Calcium 8.4, low, otherwise normal
CBC: WBC 12.6, high, otherwise normal
Ferritin: 67, normal
Sex hormone binding globulin: 22, normal
FSH: 3.3, normal
LH: 1.1, low
TSH: 1.41, normal
Testosterone total: 176, low
Testosterone free: 39, normal

Can you guys give me some advise?

I wouldn't allow a mechanic to change a tire on my car who'd never done it before, much less treat me for low T, and manage my TRT/HRT. I can't imagine why you would either. Yes, the dose indicates that doc is not up to speed on TRT/HRT. If he's willing to learn, as some are, great, but it would not be me he was learning on, that's for sure.

If you're OK with that, then you came to the right place to get the info you need to teach him the proper doses, etc. but will take some reading, and a basic science knowledge does not hurt either, but not essential per se.

 

[mxman420]

I wouldn't allow a mechanic to change a tire on my car who'd never done it before, much less treat me for low T, and manage my TRT/HRT. I can't imagine why you would either. Yes, the dose indicates that doc is not up to speed on TRT/HRT. If he's willing to learn, as some are, great, but it would not be me he was learning on, that's for sure.

If you're OK with that, then you came to the right place to get the info you need to teach him the proper doses, etc. but will take some reading, and a basic science knowledge does not hurt either, but not essential per se.

Because after 5 years and more than that many doctors, specialists and what not, I actually have testosterone. And the fact he has been honest with me in what he doesn't know and has been open to what I have learned and what I want to do, I'm thankful. I don't have the resources to travel all around to find a TRT doctor. According to this site, Pennsylvania is one of the hardest states to get TRT. And this covered under my insurance. My first vial cost me just $10. So that's why. I'm further along than I have been in 5 years.

 

[FeelingLost]

Welcome mxman,
I was in your shoes back in December 2016. That blood test had me at 173 ng/dL TT I have primary hypogonadism (broken balls)
My PCP knew nothing about TRT but wrote me a script anyways. Here was the result 7 months later.



When he saw this he freaked and pull the script told me I need to find a Endocrinologist. You should have seen his face when I started talking about AI's and HCG.
It may take you longer since your Dr wrote such a small script.

Anyway don't take any of the advice posted here as negative. We really do care and just want you to succeed and if we can save you some time and grief that we suffered its a good day for us.

 

[mxman420]

Welcome mxman,
I was in your shoes back in December 2016. That blood test had me at 173 ng/dL TT I have primary hypogonadism (broken balls)
My PCP knew nothing about TRT but wrote me a script anyways. Here was the result 7 months later.



When he saw this he freaked and pull the script told me I need to find a Endocrinologist. You should have seen his face when I started talking about AI's and HCG.
It may take you longer since your Dr wrote such a small script.

Anyway don't take any of the advice posted here as negative. We really do care and just want to succeed.

Thanks. I know it's not going to be easy. But there is a ton of info out there to sort through.

 

[stevep]

There are some good studies on here that you can print and give to your doctor. You may want to consider pointing him to this site and see if he does the research to provide you with good treatment.

 

[Saul]

Because after 5 years and more than that many doctors, specialists and what not, I actually have testosterone. And the fact he has been honest with me in what he doesn't know and has been open to what I have learned and what I want to do, I'm thankful. I don't have the resources to travel all around to find a TRT doctor. According to this site, Pennsylvania is one of the hardest states to get TRT. And this covered under my insurance. My first vial cost me just $10. So that's why. I'm further along than I have been in 5 years.

If you have or can develop a good relationship with your Dr. you make be able to work with him to allow you to get your script and educate him about what to test and how often to inject. I started out at one injection every 2 weeks at 100 mg per shot. Not a good protocol. I worked with him to show him the blood tests to monitor, got my own blood tests, improved my lifestyle, and if TRT makes you feel better let the Dr know how much it is helping and make a list of every way it is helping. My BP went down, my lipids got better and I lost 10 pounds - and that makes the doctor realize that you two working together is making you healthier. I am now taking 35 mg every 3 days and am happy at this dose. If you can make it work, it is great to have your insurance covered doctor/rx be involved - but I agree with the other poster, if it gets complicated you will need an expert. Good luck