Starting TRT: Naturally low estradiol but prescribed Anastrozole...Should I hold off on taking it?

[Belmundo]

11/15/16
Age: 30
Total Test: 303 ng/dL (348 - 1197)
Free Test: 8.6 pg/mL (8.7 - 25.1)
Estradiol: 5.0 pg/mL (7.6 - 42.6)

I'm about to start TRT and I've been prescribed Anastrozole along with Test Cyp + HCG. I understand that my estradiol level will rise with treatment, but should I wait a week or 2 before taking this stuff? I'm already suppressed and miserable. Low T and Low E2. I'm trying to get in touch with my Dr. and find out what's what because he didn't mention that I would need Arimidex when we initially spoke but when I went to pick up my stuff from the pharmacy there was a bottle of it (1x a week .25mg).

Anyone with a similar background and experience with this? I'd like to try and get some info while I'm in the process of getting in touch with my doctor (weekend coming up so may be some time).

 

[James]

I'd advise to get your docs take on it. Express your concern that your E2 is currently pretty low. I will say .25mg once a week is a fairly low dose. Although I'm not near as anti AI as some guys, if I were you, I'd hold off for 5 - 6 weeks and make the AI decision based on labs and how you feel. Emphasis on how you feel. Good luck.

 

[johndoesmith]

11/15/16
Age: 30
Total Test: 303 ng/dL (348 - 1197)
Free Test: 8.6 pg/mL (8.7 - 25.1)
Estradiol: 5.0 pg/mL (7.6 - 42.6)

I'm about to start TRT and I've been prescribed Anastrozole along with Test Cyp + HCG. I understand that my estradiol level will rise with treatment, but should I wait a week or 2 before taking this stuff? I'm already suppressed and miserable. Low T and Low E2. I'm trying to get in touch with my Dr. and find out what's what because he didn't mention that I would need Arimidex when we initially spoke but when I went to pick up my stuff from the pharmacy there was a bottle of it (1x a week .25mg).

Anyone with a similar background and experience with this? I'd like to try and get some info while I'm in the process of getting in touch with my doctor (weekend coming up so may be some time).

Hey welcome to the forum. Most men find this forum because of their lack of confidence in their doctor's trt knowledge.

I, like you had low E2 as well and I think I'd choose waterboarding over that again. It was insanely miserable and I had no idea how many symptoms I had until they went away. I had excessive urination, excessive thirst, hot flashes that itched like you wouldn't believe, and horrible anhedonia. I truly didn't know this, and never complained, until they went away.

I would strongly strongly avoid AI if I were you. Your T/E2 ratio is 60. Normal healthy men are closer to 20. I highly doubt you'll need an AI at all.

Post your protocol with trt and hcg so others can give feedback there. Do you happen to have other labs? The more information the better the feedback you can receive.

Also your E2 was measured with the wrong test, the sensitive test is what you need, as the standard test overestimates E2 in men. Having said that your E2 is already below range so it must be near undetectable. Things will get better from here, I can almost promise you that, possibly in ways you thought were just normal.

 

[ERO]

Its a red flag when a doc uses a "cookie cutter" protocol on every guy. I would definitely NOT take the AI unless I had overt high E2 symptoms or high levels as shown on the sensitive E2 test 4-5 weeks after starting TRT.

 

[Vince]

11/15/16
Age: 30
Total Test: 303 ng/dL (348 - 1197)
Free Test: 8.6 pg/mL (8.7 - 25.1)
Estradiol: 5.0 pg/mL (7.6 - 42.6)

I'm about to start TRT and I've been prescribed Anastrozole along with Test Cyp + HCG. I understand that my estradiol level will rise with treatment, but should I wait a week or 2 before taking this stuff? I'm already suppressed and miserable. Low T and Low E2. I'm trying to get in touch with my Dr. and find out what's what because he didn't mention that I would need Arimidex when we initially spoke but when I went to pick up my stuff from the pharmacy there was a bottle of it (1x a week .25mg).

Anyone with a similar background and experience with this? I'd like to try and get some info while I'm in the process of getting in touch with my doctor (weekend coming up so may be some time).

According to your labs you will never need an AI, you may need a good doctor though. Why do so many TRT doctor prescribe AI, when your symptoms and labs show you don't need one.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Its a red flag when a doc uses a "cookie cutter" protocol on every guy. I would definitely NOT take the AI unless I had overt high E2 symptoms or high levels as shown on the sensitive E2 test 4-5 weeks after starting TRT.

The points ERO makes are on the mark. The observation of johndoesmith regarding the incorrect test is another, significant red flag. Consider the fact that a doctor ordered the wrong estradiol test for you and on the basis of those results ordered an AI. It suggests a physician who is not familiar with fundamental elements of androgen therapy.

 

[Vince Carter]

According to your labs you will never need an AI, you may need a good doctor though. Why do so many TRT doctor prescribe AI, when your symptoms and labs show you don't need one.

Never? Really?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I would not take anastrozole unless your sensitive estradiol is over 40 pg/ml at week 8.

 

[Belmundo]

Thank you all for the great feedback and support. It's really appreciated. When I initially spoke to my doctor he said he would start me with 100mg Test Cyp a week and around 250iu HCG or so 2-3x a week (I apologize as I forget the exact amount). However, my scripts say 200mg Test Cyp 1x a week and .5ml (500iu) 2x a week, plus the AI. I was able to get his email so I'll be asking for an explanation shortly.

Here are screenshots of my lab results. I hope you're able to see them clearly.

 

[Vince]

Never? Really?

well unless you become a carb addict and get a santa claus belly

 

[Belmundo]

I heard back from my doctor and he apologized for the mix up. He said to take 100mg 1x a week + 350iu 3x a week and to not take the AI. @nelson vergel, I saw your video on combining the 2 into a single shot to limit the amount of pinning but I was wondering and others, please chime in, what would you recommend as far as an injecting schedule with this protocol? I want to try and keep as much of a balanced test level as possible. I'll probably experiment with something along these lines and then maybe try the combining.

M: 50mg
T: 350iu
W:
Th:50mg
F: 350iu
S:
Su: 350iu

 

[johndoesmith]

I heard back from my doctor and he apologized for the mix up. He said to take 100mg 1x a week + 350iu 3x a week and to not take the AI. @nelson vergel, I saw your video on combining the 2 into a single shot to limit the amount of pinning but I was wondering and others, please chime in, what would you recommend as far as an injecting schedule with this protocol? I want to try and keep as much of a balanced test level as possible. I'll probably experiment with something along these lines and then maybe try the combining.

M: 50mg
T: 350iu
W:
Th:50mg
F: 350iu
S:
Su: 350iu

I would personally inject the test and hCG together, and do 1 day of just hCG. That's a lot to remember, may as well make it easier on yourself.