Testosterone and Anastrozole starting dose for ED injections

optimizely · Sep 1, 2018

Can some of you knowledge gentleman help me formulate a starting dose for ED TRT injections. I am low SHBG, high free T, and high estrogen guy. Really stuck on how much test and anastrozole I should begin with given my situation.

Systemlord · Sep 1, 2018

I like to recommend 10-12mg (70-84mg weekly) for an every day protocol, its a good starting point that's not overambitious and it's not consider too low. Hold off on the AI until labs and symptoms indicate high estrogen, and start on the lowest dosages humanly possible.

In my experience 1/4th of .125 EOD after 3 doses is enough to drop my estrogen into the low teens.

optimizely · Sep 1, 2018

Systemlord said:
I like to recommend 10-12mg (70-84mg weekly) for an every day protocol, its a good starting point that's not overambitious and it's not consider too low. Hold off on the AI until labs and symptoms indicate high estrogen, and start on the lowest dosages humanly possible.

In my experience 1/4th of .125 EOD after 3 doses is enough to drop my estrogen into the low teens.

Systemlord thank you for your input and response. I will start with 12mg and see what the labs say. Also, just to clarify should I take anastrozole (if needed) ed or take it EOD?

btw, what's your current protocol?

Systemlord · Sep 1, 2018

optimizely said:
Systemlord thank you for your input and response. I will start with 12mg and see what the labs say. Also, just to clarify should I take anastrozole (if needed) ed or take it EOD?

btw, what's your current protocol?

You don't just decide to take the AI because you think you need it, labs first bro because your perception of low E2 could be something else, like T and E fluctuating or coming down with the flu.

I'm doing 20mg EOD and stopping the AI for awhile because no matter how much I lower the dosage, my E2 just will not come back up on it's own.

optimizely · Sep 1, 2018

Systemlord said:
You don't just decide to take the AI because you think you need it, labs first bro because your perception of low E2 could be something else, like T and E fluctuating or coming down with the flu or not eating lunch.

I'm doing 20mg EOD and stopping the AI for awhile because no matter how much I lower the dosage, my E2 just will not come back up on it's own.

Ok, gotcha. When I was injecting 200mg/week M/Thr my estrogen was thru the roof and required a whopping 2mg anastrozole/week to control it. But, I guess with the ed injections and lower dose this may not be an issue.

Systemlord · Sep 1, 2018

optimizely said:
Ok, gotcha. When I was injecting 200mg/week M/Thr my estrogen was thru the roof and required a whopping 2mg anastrozole/week to control it. But, I guess with the ed injections and lower dose this may not be an issue.

My first TRT protocol was 200mg every 3 weeks and levels were 1200+ and E2 unknown, 50mg twice weekly showed my Total T 677, Free T 29 (ranges 6.8-21.5) and estrogen at 70 pg/mL, free estrogen must have been insanely high and DHT was a real problem.

You'll feel a lot better on this daily protocol, estrogen will be significantly lower.

optimizely · Sep 1, 2018

I'm stoked to try this out. I've learned alot from lurking this forum from you, coastwatcher, vince, madman, and vincecarter. I'm hoping it fixes my libido issues and general well being. Realizing I have low SHBG was one helluva come to jesus moment.

murrayh · Oct 16, 2018

optimizely said:
Systemlord thank you for your input and response. I will start with 12mg and see what the labs say. Also, just to clarify should I take anastrozole (if needed) ed or take it EOD?

btw, what's your current protocol?

have you had a chance to run your labs yet? I just read systemlords advice and finally am realizing that a lower dose is better for me. I had it in my head that less than 100mg was no good but realized how much better I felt on lower doses. I just started 12mg a day and already am feeling better but was wondering what kind of labs and or if you had added an AI on this protocol.

optimizely · Oct 16, 2018

Hey bro. I did run labs. Check them out. It’s bizarre I’m not feeling well on this protocol because my labs appear textbook. I’ve had pretty bad insomnia where I wake up 3-4 times throughout the night. Also low libido and some ED. I’m running anastrozole .25mg EOD. I’ve always been a heavy aromatizer. Is it possible I need to lower my estrogen even more since I have such low SHBG. I’ve heard sometimes you want these numbers to match (SHBG and estradiol). Also, my Free testosterone is a bit high. Isn’t 25 pg/ml optimal? Mines 30.

murrayh · Oct 16, 2018

labs look good. Bummer your not feeling well. Have you had those as high E symptoms in the past? I am in the same boat where I've been trying to dial myself in for going on 6 months now. I'm beginning to agree with systemlord in regards to us low SBGH guys needing lower total T numbers to feel good because of the high free T and high free estrogen. Dr. John was on earlier saying he doesnt bother with the free E test because of its cost, just evaluates SBGH and e2. Maybe lowering your e2 a tiny bit more might help out. I've tried daily shots in the past but always got bad anxiety, but that was with much higher doses. Helps me get over the mental issue of lower dosing is better. Those are good numbers with only 84 mg of test a week. Keep me posted.

optimizely · Oct 16, 2018

Yes I have. I usually know when my E2 is high when my bp gets high and I have those symptoms I described. What is your dosing schedule like? It’s funny you mention anxiety from daily injections. I almost feel the same from it. I swear I felt better on twice a week injections.

murrayh · Oct 16, 2018

optimizely said:
Yes I have. I usually know when my E2 is high when my bp gets high and I have those symptoms I described. What is your dosing schedule like? It’s funny you mention anxiety from daily injections. I almost feel the same from it. I swear I felt better on twice a week injections.

I started the daily injections about 2 weeks ago and at first felt really good, then started noticing the completely random anxiety showing up. I read that Dr. John believes he has a theory on anxiety and low sbgh but haven't been able to find his answer. Have you tried EOD at all? I may go back to that just at a lower dose than before. What made you go for daily?

optimizely · Oct 16, 2018

I went for daily because I have extremely low SHBG and it would be easier to remember when to inject as opposed to EOD. I’m thinking of lowering my dose to 12.5mg. What free T number are you aiming for?

murrayh · Oct 16, 2018

Top of the range is what everyone seems to say is best. I'm just aiming to feel good. I thought you were at 12 mg daily but you said lower your dose to 12.5. What dose were those labs pulled at?

murrayh · Oct 16, 2018

Also whats your last SHBG? Mine previous one was 23 but just got one back at 18

optimizely · Oct 16, 2018

16mg/day, not 12. Also, what estrogen number do you aim for?

murrayh · Oct 16, 2018

my thought has been 20, but ive yet to hit that right on. Last test was 28. When you were on twice a week what dose? Whats your latest SHBG?

optimizely · Oct 16, 2018

Gotcha. I was originally on 200mg split into two doses Monday and Thursday with 1mg of anastrozole on injection says. I actually felt great lol. I only switched to daily because of this site and because I wanted to try and cut back on my arimidex dosage.