Starting TRT in Japan – 250mg Every 2 Weeks. Experiencing Bloating – Advice?

Tonyved

New Member
Hi everyone,

I’m 47 years old, living in Japan, and working for the U.S. government. About a year ago, I had my total testosterone tested through the VA, and it came back at 399 ng/dL. Despite reporting classic low T symptoms, I was told the level was “within range,” so no treatment was initiated.

Fast forward to two months ago—I had my free testosterone tested locally in Tokyo, and it came back at 11.3 pg/mL. Based on that result, I was referred to a urologist, who here in Japan is typically the one who handles TRT.

Three weeks ago, I re-tested, and my free T had dropped to 8.2, a 22% decline in just a few weeks. The urologist expressed concern and started me on TRT immediately, injecting 250 mg of testosterone enanthate in the shoulder two days ago. He plans to continue with biweekly injections (every 2 weeks).

I requested additional labs for total T and SHBG, which he drew after the injection. I’ll receive those results in two weeks.

Currently on Day 2, and I’m experiencing significant bloating. After doing quite a bit of research, I’ve found that many in the TRT community advocate for weekly dosing (e.g., 100–125 mg/week) to maintain stable levels and reduce estrogen-related sides.

So I’m wondering:

Has anyone here had long-term success on 250 mg every 2 weeks?

Did your bloating resolve as your body adjusted?

Are there any strategies to reduce bloating in the short term (supplements, timing, diet)?

Also I was born with both testicles undecendent and got the corrective surgery at 5 which is too late. I believe I may have always had low T but now it is finally catching up to my body.

I’d really appreciate any insights from those with experience on this protocol or similar symptoms. Thanks in advance.
 
Hi everyone,

I’m 47 years old, living in Japan, and working for the U.S. government. About a year ago, I had my total testosterone tested through the VA, and it came back at 399 ng/dL. Despite reporting classic low T symptoms, I was told the level was “within range,” so no treatment was initiated.

Fast forward to two months ago—I had my free testosterone tested locally in Tokyo, and it came back at 11.3 pg/mL. Based on that result, I was referred to a urologist, who here in Japan is typically the one who handles TRT.

Three weeks ago, I re-tested, and my free T had dropped to 8.2, a 22% decline in just a few weeks. The urologist expressed concern and started me on TRT immediately, injecting 250 mg of testosterone enanthate in the shoulder two days ago. He plans to continue with biweekly injections (every 2 weeks).

I requested additional labs for total T and SHBG, which he drew after the injection. I’ll receive those results in two weeks.

Currently on Day 2, and I’m experiencing significant bloating. After doing quite a bit of research, I’ve found that many in the TRT community advocate for weekly dosing (e.g., 100–125 mg/week) to maintain stable levels and reduce estrogen-related sides.

So I’m wondering:

Has anyone here had long-term success on 250 mg every 2 weeks?

Did your bloating resolve as your body adjusted?

Are there any strategies to reduce bloating in the short term (supplements, timing, diet)?

Also I was born with both testicles undecendent and got the corrective surgery at 5 which is too late. I believe I may have always had low T but now it is finally catching up to my body.

I’d really appreciate any insights from those with experience on this protocol or similar symptoms. Thanks in advance.

Bad move here!

Unfortunately there are numeorus doctors (endos, uros and GPs) still dishing out those outdated T protocols 200 mg every 2 weeks.

Many still lack the understanding of the PKs (pharmacokinetics).

Injecting 200 let alone 250 mg esterified TE or TC every 2 weeks to treat low-t symptoms let alone long-term is a horrible protocol due to the PKs.

Very few men would reap the full beneficial effects (mentally/physically) of having healthy FT levels on such protocols due to the extreme swing in hormones.

Such protool (dose of T/injection frequency) will have your TT and more importantly FT levels sky-high off the hop as in peak (8-24 hrs) post-injection and during the first 2-3 days and although T levels will be lower come weeks end (day 7) many are still hitting a high-end/high FT top it off that by day 12-14 levels will be much lower which can have a negative impact on energy, mood, libido, erectile function and recovery.

Rollercoaster ride anyone!

Downfall when injecting every 2 weeks let alone once weekly is there will be a big difference in peak--->trough post-injection and blood levels will not be as stable throughout the week.

The big swing in peak--->trough can easily have a negative impact on energy, mood, libido, erectile function and recovery due to the rollercoaster effect.

Although once weekly would be more advantageous there will still be a big difference in peak--->trough and blood levels will not be as stable throughout the week which for many can still have a negative impact on energy, mood, libido, erectile function due to the weekly swings.

Much more common to start on twice-weekly and although there will still be a difference between peak--->trough it will not be as extreme as blood levels will be more stable throughout the week especially when injecting strictly sub-q which can have a positive impact on how one feels overall throughout the week.

Most men on TTh are injecting 100-200 mg T/week whether once weekly or split into more frequent injections as in twice-weekly, M/W/F, EOD or daily.

The majority of men can easily hit a healthy/high trough FT injecting 100-150 mg T/week especially when split into more frquent injections.

As i always say yes there are some outliers who may need the higher-end dose 200 mg T/week but it is FAR from COMMON as in RARE!

For the majority 200 mg T/week is OVERKILL as in OVER F**KING MEDICATED!

Regarding the bloating/water retention there is more to the story than just blaming elevated estradiol.

Look over the threads in post #3

 
Address : SK Building A, 6-2-18 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023





* Dr Shigeo Horie is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urology at Juntendo University's Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1985, and conducted his clinical fellowship at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He initiated the first Men's Health clinic in Japan, and is currently the President of the Japanese Society of Men's Health. He is a founding member of the Androgen Society. He has published 200+ peer-reviewed papers.

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Since I started TRT 125mg a week testosterone enanthate split into 2 injections monday and thursday subq I've also been having incredible bloating and diharea issue, I'm being persistent with this routine until my 6 weeks bloods are done and then I plan on going 180mg a week split into 3 injections, I'm coming from a lower place than you at 120 and high e2 which I take an AI for.
 
Since I started TRT 125mg a week testosterone enanthate split into 2 injections monday and thursday subq I've also been having incredible bloating and diharea issue, I'm being persistent with this routine until my 6 weeks bloods are done and then I plan on going 180mg a week split into 3 injections, I'm coming from a lower place than you at 120 and high e2 which I take an AI for.

You need to see where said protocl (dose of T/injection frequency) has your trough TT and more importantly FT, estradiol throw in SHBG let alone critical blood markers RBCsm hemoglobin and hematocrit before even considering if a dose increase is needed!

As you should know when using TC or TE it will take 4-6 weeks for blood levels to stabilize due to the PKs and blood work is done 6 weeks in tested at the true trough lowest point before your next injection,

Seeing as you are injecting 125 mg TE/week split into twice-weekly (62.5 mg every 3.5 days) and you are poking yourself on Mon./Thurs. than your true trough would be Monday morning or Thursday evening (84 hrs post-injection).

Most men on TTh are injecting 100-200 mg T/week whether once weekly or split into more frequent injections as in twice-weekly (every 3.5 days), M/W/F, EOD or daily.

The majority of men can easily hit a healthy let alone high trough FT injecting 100-150 mg T/week.

Yes there are those outliers who may need the higher-end dose 200 mg T/week but it is FAR from COMMON as in RARE!

Such dose would be OVERKILL for the majority as in OVER F**KING MEDICATED!

Chances are you may very well end up hitting a healthy/high-end FT on your current protocol 125 mg T/week split into twice-weekly injections.

You are misinfomed if you think that you need a higher starting dose let alone higher dose of T if your pre-TTh natty levels are low!

Even then it is highly doubtful 125 mg T/week split twice-weekly is going to have your trough FT too low.

Top it off that if you do eventually need to increase your weekly dose of T going from 125 mg--->180 mg is a whopping jump.

When tweaking your protocl and increasing the dose 20-30 mg jump woukd suffice!
 
Has anyone here had long-term success on 250 mg every 2 weeks?
These long-term success cases on this type of protocol are in the minority. These every two week protocols have higher rates of erythrocytosis. You’re basically shooting your hormone levels into the stratosphere, which is why you’re probably experiencing bloat.

Your hormone levels are on a roller coaster, in the first half of the week, your hormone levels are very high, followed by low levels by day 10. So basically your hormones levels the first week are not anything like they are in the second week.

This is a terrible way to replace testosterone.
 
Since I started TRT 125mg a week testosterone enanthate split into 2 injections monday and thursday subq I've also been having incredible bloating and diharea issue, I'm being persistent with this routine until my 6 weeks bloods are done and then I plan on going 180mg a week split into 3 injections, I'm coming from a lower place than you at 120 and high e2 which I take an AI for.

Hope you understand the first 6 weeks means nothing when looking at the bigger picture!

No one should be increasing their dose 6 weeks in once blood levels have stabilized unless your blood work shows that you are hitting a low trough FT (highly doubtful) in most cases.

The standard starting dose when jumping on therapy is 100 mg T/week or better yet 50 mg split twice-weekly.





This is critical as unfortunately many are still clueless when it comes to how exogenous T works!

My reply:

The goal here is to start low and go slow on a T-only protocol as we want to see where said protocol (dose of T/injection frequency) has your trough TT and more importantly FT, estradiol let alone critical blood markers RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit.

Blood work will be done once blood levels have stabilized (4-6 weeks) when using TC/TE due to the PKs and you want to test at the true trough (lowest point) before your next injection.

The goal here is to achieve a healthy trough FT level.

Dose of T should never be increased at the 4-6 week mark once labs are done unless your trough FT is too low (highly unlikely) in most cases.

There will always be time to increase the dose of T or add in hCG if need be.

Many make the mistake of tweaking a protocol 4-6 weeks in because they do not feel well and this is where they make the grave mistake as they lack the understanding of how exogenous esterified T works.

When first starting TTh or tweaking a protocol (increasing/decreasing dose/manipulating injection frequency) T levels will start rising over the following weeks until blood levels have stabilized (4-6 weeks TC/TE) and it is common for one to experience ups/downs during the transition as the body is trying to adjust to the rising T levels/increase dopamine, lighting up the ARs (androgen receptors).

Flip the scenario when tweaking a protocol (decreasing dose T) it is common for many to experience a bumpy road temporarily especially when it comes to mood, libido and erectile function as not only are T levels declining but dopamine was being hammered 24/7.

The first 4-6 weeks can be rough and many want to bail but if you have a better understanding of how exogenous works that once blood levels have re-stabilized (4-6 weeks TC/TE) as the body slowly adjusts it will eventually adapt to the its new set-point over the following months.

Again every protocol needs to be given a fighting chance (12 weeks) before claiming whether it was truly a success or failure.

Even then what is more critical here after blood levels have stabilized (4-6 weeks) it will still take a few more months for the body to adapt to its new set-point and this is the critical time period where one needs to gauge how they truly feel overall regarding relief/improvement of low-T symptoms and overall well-being.

Every protocol needs to be given a fighting chance (12 weeks) before claiming it was truly a success or failure.

Then you will decide on your next move when it comes to tweaking your protocol (dose/injection frequency) if need be.
 
You need to see where said protocl (dose of T/injection frequency) has your trough TT and more importantly FT, estradiol throw in SHBG let alone critical blood markers RBCsm hemoglobin and hematocrit before even considering if a dose increase is needed!

As you should know when using TC or TE it will take 4-6 weeks for blood levels to stabilize due to the PKs and blood work is done 6 weeks in tested at the true trough lowest point before your next injection,

Seeing as you are injecting 125 mg TE/week split into twice-weekly (62.5 mg every 3.5 days) and you are poking yourself on Mon./Thurs. than your true trough would be Monday morning or Thursday evening (84 hrs post-injection).

Most men on TTh are injecting 100-200 mg T/week whether once weekly or split into more frequent injections as in twice-weekly (every 3.5 days), M/W/F, EOD or daily.

The majority of men can easily hit a healthy let alone high trough FT injecting 100-150 mg T/week.

Yes there are those outliers who may need the higher-end dose 200 mg T/week but it is FAR from COMMON as in RARE!

Such dose would be OVERKILL for the majority as in OVER F**KING MEDICATED!

Chances are you may very well end up hitting a healthy/high-end FT on your current protocol 125 mg T/week split into twice-weekly injections.

You are misinfomed if you think that you need a higher starting dose let alone higher dose of T if your pre-TTh natty levels are low!

Even then it is highly doubtful 125 mg T/week split twice-weekly is going to have your trough FT too low.

Top it off that if you do eventually need to increase your weekly dose of T going from 125 mg--->180 mg is a whopping jump.

When tweaking your protocl and increasing the dose 20-30 mg jump woukd suffice!
I'm having my bloods done weekly at the moment i started at 120 total test (free test, sensitive e2 are both no available in my country), so Endo started me at 125mg a week, .25mg AI on injection days (e2 was above 85) and HCG but I have dropped the HCG as I wanted it for fertility and that's no longer needed :).

my bloods on week 4 were 360 total test, 97 e2 but I didnt have a blood panel done that will come in week 6 or 7, as for blood timing, I can only get done on thursday morning as its the only time the private clinic here work so it should't be an issue as to the highs or lows.


I appreciate what you said though, and 180mg was my plan not drs, I was just planning on it as 3x 60mg is a bit easier to measure than 2x 62.5 since I am currently using amples but I did order some test E for a UGL that will be here in vial.

also I am a fat unt, I'm using trt as trt not a ped however I do plan on upping it to ped levels when I am settled into the gym a bit more than I am now and diet is fully in control.

I am also here to learn so thank you for teaching me :)
 
I'm having my bloods done weekly at the moment i started at 120 total test (free test, sensitive e2 are both no available in my country), so Endo started me at 125mg a week, .25mg AI on injection days (e2 was above 85) and HCG but I have dropped the HCG as I wanted it for fertility and that's no longer needed :).

my bloods on week 4 were 360 total test, 97 e2 but I didnt have a blood panel done that will come in week 6 or 7, as for blood timing, I can only get done on thursday morning as its the only time the private clinic here work so it should't be an issue as to the highs or lows.


I appreciate what you said though, and 180mg was my plan not drs, I was just planning on it as 3x 60mg is a bit easier to measure than 2x 62.5 since I am currently using amples but I did order some test E for a UGL that will be here in vial.

also I am a fat unt, I'm using trt as trt not a ped however I do plan on upping it to ped levels when I am settled into the gym a bit more than I am now and diet is fully in control.

I am also here to learn so thank you for teaching me :)

We do not get blood work done weekly as horones will be in FLUX during the weeks leading up until blood laevels have stabilized (4-6 weeks (TC/TE).

Blood work is done 6 weeks in at true trough (lowest point) before your next injection.

Where your levels sit at week 1, 2 or 3 means nothing!

Wait 6 weeks than see where your trough level truly sits.

Do not get too caught up on TT you need to know where your trough FT sits as this is critical!

Although TT is important to know FT is what truy matters as it is the active unbound fraction of T responsible for the positive effects.

You can easiy calcuate your free testosterone using the linear law-of-mass action Vermeulen (cFTV) which is available online for free but you will need to know where your SHBG sits.

TT, SHBG and Albumin is needed to calculate your FT,



 
I'm having my bloods done weekly at the moment i started at 120 total test (free test, sensitive e2 are both no available in my country), so Endo started me at 125mg a week, .25mg AI on injection days (e2 was above 85) and HCG but I have dropped the HCG as I wanted it for fertility and that's no longer needed :).

my bloods on week 4 were 360 total test, 97 e2 but I didnt have a blood panel done that will come in week 6 or 7, as for blood timing, I can only get done on thursday morning as its the only time the private clinic here work so it should't be an issue as to the highs or lows.


I appreciate what you said though, and 180mg was my plan not drs, I was just planning on it as 3x 60mg is a bit easier to measure than 2x 62.5 since I am currently using amples but I did order some test E for a UGL that will be here in vial.

also I am a fat unt, I'm using trt as trt not a ped however I do plan on upping it to ped levels when I am settled into the gym a bit more than I am now and diet is fully in control.

I am also here to learn so thank you for teaching me :)

Keep in mind that if you are overweight and carrying excess adipose than you most likely have low/lowish SHBG and you are going to be an overaromatizer.

If it turns out that you have low/lowish SHBG than you will not need to drive your TT high in order to achieve a healthy let alone high FT!

Again you need to know where your trough FT sits!
 
We do not get blood work done weekly as horones will be in FLUX during the weeks leading up until blood laevels have stabilized (4-6 weeks (TC/TE).

Blood work is done 6 weeks in at true trough (lowest point) before your next injection.

Where your levels sit at week 1, 2 or 3 means nothing!

Wait 6 weeks than see where your trough level truly sits.

Do not get too caught up on TT you need to know where your trough FT sits as this is critical!

Although TT is important to know FT is what truy matters as it is the active unbound fraction of T responsible for the positive effects.

You can easiy calcuate your free testosterone using the linear law-of-mass action Vermeulen (cFTV) which is available online for free but you will need to know where your SHBG sits.

TT, SHBG and Albumin is needed to calculate your FT,



The bloods are being done non t related I just chuck it on as an extra why not it's only cheap, but the real reason for bloods being done is not testosterone related.


Thanks for the calculator I will have a look now and when I go for my actual T bloods in a few weeks I will make sure to get all of what you suggest.

If you can give me a whole blood routine that you'd suggest I wouldn't mind that :), I've got an AI generated one at the moment.
 
Keep in mind that if you are overweight and carrying excess adipose than you most likely have low/lowish SHBG and you are going to be an overaromatizer.

If it turns out that you have lowlowish SHBG than you will not need to drive your TT high in order to achieve a healthy let alone high FT!

Again you need to know where your trough FT sits!
I can get my prescription trt levels but that's pointless so I will follow up here in a few weeks with my new bloods and use the alculstor you suggested to get my FT levels
 
I'm having my bloods done weekly at the moment i started at 120 total test (free test, sensitive e2 are both no available in my country), so Endo started me at 125mg a week, .25mg AI on injection days (e2 was above 85) and HCG but I have dropped the HCG as I wanted it for fertility and that's no longer needed :).

my bloods on week 4 were 360 total test, 97 e2 but I didnt have a blood panel done that will come in week 6 or 7, as for blood timing, I can only get done on thursday morning as its the only time the private clinic here work so it should't be an issue as to the highs or lows.


I appreciate what you said though, and 180mg was my plan not drs, I was just planning on it as 3x 60mg is a bit easier to measure than 2x 62.5 since I am currently using amples but I did order some test E for a UGL that will be here in vial.

also I am a fat unt, I'm using trt as trt not a ped however I do plan on upping it to ped levels when I am settled into the gym a bit more than I am now and diet is fully in control.

I am also here to learn so thank you for teaching me :)
I would drop the AI, or at the very least let your body settle in naturally for a few months then decide if it’s needed. Losing body fat should be an important goal, and if you haven’t already started hitting the gym I recommend finding a good trainer or workout routine ASAP. An added benefit is that lower body fat will often reduce E2 levels, as fat increases aromatization. Also, most people find IM(intramuscular) is preferred to sub q, so that’s another thing to consider.


Also to note, your starting natural levels don’t really tell you much about what your ideal dose will be. In other words, just because someone starts with a lower level it doesn’t mean they’ll need a higher dose. You are offloading the production of test by replacing it exogenously… so what your body was capable of producing and utilizing doesn’t mean much with regard to what your dose should be.


I’d suggest settling in with your current protocol, dropping the AI, and getting consistent with lifting if you aren’t already. This will give your body a chance to find its own optimal homeostasis with regard to test/E2 levels. Plus more is not always better… in fact, most guys tend to overshoot the sweet spot when it comes to trt. They then start chasing their tails trying to adjust different variables that are actually caused by improper dosage and/or timing of their protocols. There will always be time to bump it up higher down the road if needed(or even just wanted). But starting out I’d say it’s better to ease in and let your body adjust over time(as in years) instead of shooting levels to the moon then trying to balance a delicate system.






As far as the original poster, @Tonyved does your doc require you to get your injections at their clinic? If not then just adjust as needed on your own. If they do, that might be a red flag… particularly if they are unwilling to adjust after hearing your concerns and reasoning.
 
The bloods are being done non t related I just chuck it on as an extra why not it's only cheap, but the real reason for bloods being done is not testosterone related.


Thanks for the calculator I will have a look now and when I go for my actual T bloods in a few weeks I will make sure to get all of what you suggest.

If you can give me a whole blood routine that you'd suggest I wouldn't mind that :), I've got an AI generated one at the moment.

TT, FT, estradiol, SHBG, DHT, prolactin, PSA, full thyroid panel, 4 point cortisol, VIT D, DHEA, lipids, CMP, CBC and iron/ferritin.

CBC will include critical blood markers RBCs hemoglobin and hematocrit!
 

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