Inspired by @Cataceous, I have been tinkering with Enan/Prop blends for the past year. The idea behind the daily blend is to re-introduce daily T fluctuation. Inject first thing in morning to peak early in day and let levels come down overnight.
For example, Cat’s personal data based on 4:3 blend ratio showed trough at about 62% of peak. In theory, you could peak at TT 700-800 by midday followed by overnight/early morning trough of TT 400-500.
In my experience so far, the main benefits are two-fold: less water weight due to addition of Prop and more importantly, better sleep due to overnight trough.
SEEKING BALANCE
I've been playing with the blend variables trying to find the right balance. Too much Prop and I get hyped up in the AM, a bit scatterbrained. Too much Enan negatively impacts my sleep due to elevated trough levels overnight.
I have tried several blend ratios ranging from Enan-heavy 4:1 to Prop-heavy 1:1. My sweet spot seems to range from 2-3mg Prop + 4-5mg Enan with total around 7-8mg daily. It is surprising how much of a difference only +1mg makes on a daily basis, especially with Prop!
DOSE FOR BLOOD TEST
I eventually settled on 3:1 blend of 8mg daily (6mg Enan / 2mg Prop) for total of 56mg per week. Taking into account the ester weights, this results in actual T of 6mg per day (which is consistent with average natural T production of 6-7 mg daily). Note this blend formulation is heavier on Enan than Cat’s blend of 4:3, meaning less daily fluctuation.
No HCG, AI or any supplements except for occasional creatine and Vit D for deficiency
All injections are subq belly in the AM.
BLOOD TEST
Tested 3 hours post-injection (near peak of Propionate):
TT 633 (264 - 916)
FT (Piss Poor Direct) 9.1 (7.2 – 24)
FT (Vermeulen) 11.6 (1.83%) / Bioavailable 302 (47.8%)
FT (Tru T) 18.8
Estradiol (sensitive) 17.4 (8 – 35)
SHBG 40.3 (19 – 76)
Hematocrit 50 (37 – 51)
Albumin 4.8
DHT 35 (30 - 85)
DHEA 186 (71 – 375)
TSH 1.57 (.45 – 4.5)
What’s cool is that I’ve been on TRT long enough to accurately predict my test results beforehand based solely on feel (I projected mid-600s to 700). Unfortunately, I rarely test because I am a lazy bastard.
Note that I did NOT test the trough level (pre-injection). Cat has projected trough of roughly 75% of peak for the 3:1 blend (versus 62% of peak for his soon-to-be-famous 4:3 blend).
All other results were in range except glucose was low. Hematocrit is creeping up, but I spend a lot of time at altitude this time of year in the mountains.
Does E2 seem on low side in proportion to TT?
SUBJECTIVE RESULTS
I have tried just about everything on TRT. Traditional Cyp dose 2x weekly, straight daily Prop, cream-only and several trials with nasal gels. I have tested at low end of range as well as supra-physiological (1200+). The blend has provided me with the best results so far. @Blackhawk has had similar success with the blend.
That said, my experience was mixed on 3:1 blend @ 8mg daily (6mg Enan / 2mg Prop). I felt good physically, athletically and mentally. However, my libido still sucked. This was not unexpected since TRT has never done anything for me in the libido department (see separate thread on dopamine). Lots of nocturnal activity, but none of that glorious libido desire.
The biggest downside for me was shitty sleep – i.e., waking up too early feeling wired. It just wrecks you after a while. Almost as if the body never takes a break.
MY CONCLUSIONS
My conclusion is that I need a blend with more fluctuation. Peak higher in early part of day to boost Free T while troughing out lower at night for better sleep. Of course, this has led me back to @Cataceous original suggestion of 4:3. (I should have listened to the man!). Sure enough, my sleep improved within days of moving to the 4:3 blend.
Many of you would find such a small dose to be laughably low. But I keep thinking about what @readalot has mentioned several times - that we all have different tolerance levels for exo T depending on what our body was designed to handle. Looking back, I don’t think my T levels were ever that high even when I was younger.
I continue reminding myself that 633 TT is 2.5x my pre-TRT levels!
BLEND ALTERNATIVES
Mixing Prop with Enan is not the only way to add daily fluctuation. One could also try adding fast-acting Natesto or Empower nasal gel to a steady injection base. Another alternative is to use small amount of daily cream to top-off low-dose injectable base. IMO, this option has great potential, but I am not sure if the cream clears out of the system fast enough for good night's sleep.
Keep on experimenting!!!
For example, Cat’s personal data based on 4:3 blend ratio showed trough at about 62% of peak. In theory, you could peak at TT 700-800 by midday followed by overnight/early morning trough of TT 400-500.
In my experience so far, the main benefits are two-fold: less water weight due to addition of Prop and more importantly, better sleep due to overnight trough.
SEEKING BALANCE
I've been playing with the blend variables trying to find the right balance. Too much Prop and I get hyped up in the AM, a bit scatterbrained. Too much Enan negatively impacts my sleep due to elevated trough levels overnight.
I have tried several blend ratios ranging from Enan-heavy 4:1 to Prop-heavy 1:1. My sweet spot seems to range from 2-3mg Prop + 4-5mg Enan with total around 7-8mg daily. It is surprising how much of a difference only +1mg makes on a daily basis, especially with Prop!
DOSE FOR BLOOD TEST
I eventually settled on 3:1 blend of 8mg daily (6mg Enan / 2mg Prop) for total of 56mg per week. Taking into account the ester weights, this results in actual T of 6mg per day (which is consistent with average natural T production of 6-7 mg daily). Note this blend formulation is heavier on Enan than Cat’s blend of 4:3, meaning less daily fluctuation.
No HCG, AI or any supplements except for occasional creatine and Vit D for deficiency
All injections are subq belly in the AM.
BLOOD TEST
Tested 3 hours post-injection (near peak of Propionate):
TT 633 (264 - 916)
FT (Piss Poor Direct) 9.1 (7.2 – 24)
FT (Vermeulen) 11.6 (1.83%) / Bioavailable 302 (47.8%)
FT (Tru T) 18.8
Estradiol (sensitive) 17.4 (8 – 35)
SHBG 40.3 (19 – 76)
Hematocrit 50 (37 – 51)
Albumin 4.8
DHT 35 (30 - 85)
DHEA 186 (71 – 375)
TSH 1.57 (.45 – 4.5)
What’s cool is that I’ve been on TRT long enough to accurately predict my test results beforehand based solely on feel (I projected mid-600s to 700). Unfortunately, I rarely test because I am a lazy bastard.
Note that I did NOT test the trough level (pre-injection). Cat has projected trough of roughly 75% of peak for the 3:1 blend (versus 62% of peak for his soon-to-be-famous 4:3 blend).
All other results were in range except glucose was low. Hematocrit is creeping up, but I spend a lot of time at altitude this time of year in the mountains.
Does E2 seem on low side in proportion to TT?
SUBJECTIVE RESULTS
I have tried just about everything on TRT. Traditional Cyp dose 2x weekly, straight daily Prop, cream-only and several trials with nasal gels. I have tested at low end of range as well as supra-physiological (1200+). The blend has provided me with the best results so far. @Blackhawk has had similar success with the blend.
That said, my experience was mixed on 3:1 blend @ 8mg daily (6mg Enan / 2mg Prop). I felt good physically, athletically and mentally. However, my libido still sucked. This was not unexpected since TRT has never done anything for me in the libido department (see separate thread on dopamine). Lots of nocturnal activity, but none of that glorious libido desire.
The biggest downside for me was shitty sleep – i.e., waking up too early feeling wired. It just wrecks you after a while. Almost as if the body never takes a break.
MY CONCLUSIONS
My conclusion is that I need a blend with more fluctuation. Peak higher in early part of day to boost Free T while troughing out lower at night for better sleep. Of course, this has led me back to @Cataceous original suggestion of 4:3. (I should have listened to the man!). Sure enough, my sleep improved within days of moving to the 4:3 blend.
Many of you would find such a small dose to be laughably low. But I keep thinking about what @readalot has mentioned several times - that we all have different tolerance levels for exo T depending on what our body was designed to handle. Looking back, I don’t think my T levels were ever that high even when I was younger.
I continue reminding myself that 633 TT is 2.5x my pre-TRT levels!
BLEND ALTERNATIVES
Mixing Prop with Enan is not the only way to add daily fluctuation. One could also try adding fast-acting Natesto or Empower nasal gel to a steady injection base. Another alternative is to use small amount of daily cream to top-off low-dose injectable base. IMO, this option has great potential, but I am not sure if the cream clears out of the system fast enough for good night's sleep.
Keep on experimenting!!!
