Week Five on TRT - Too Much AI?

[POwerliftingBear]

So, I'm on week 5 of TRT after attempting a Clomid restart with Defy.

I realize that it takes a few months to really see major improvements. Still, I was hoping for at least something by now! Honestly, it feels like my libido hasn't really changed a bit. Erection quality and morning wood has either held steady or decreased a bit. One definite change, is that the volume of ejaculate has drastically decreased! I'd also say that penile sensitivity has been reduced.

Here's My Protocol:
Test-C 80mg 2 X Week
HCG 2 x Week (I forget the dose...it's .4 mL on the insulin syringe)
Anastrozole 0.5 mg 2 x Week

I've since been trying to educate myself more on TRT and been reading a lot of warnings (on here at least) about overly aggressive AI dosing. From the different protocols that I've been reading it sounds like 1mg per week is a pretty high dose.

Thoughts?

My last bloodwork before I quit the Clomid showed E2 at: 32.5 (range 7.6 - 42.6)
E2 from my initial tests before starting any therapy: 36.7 (7.6 - 42.6)
(Hmmm...my doc said I ordered the wrong E2 test on that first go-round. But now looking at the two they both use Roche ECLIA with the same range. Is it possible that my second test, ordered by Defy, is also not the "sensitive" test?)

Edit: So it looks like both tests were performed with the non-sensitive immunoassay. IIRC, my Doc at Defy said he wanted the sensitive assay, which I assume is analyzed by mass spec. Given this realization, I'm wondering what the best course of action might be...

 

[Vince]

I find it hard to believe that Defy Medical would give you the wrong E2 test. Can you post your labs.

 

[POwerliftingBear]

So I double-checked. I use insurance so they e-mail me the script that I take to my lab. Defy wrote the lab prescription as "estradiol sensitive" (with the sensitive underlined). Labcorp gave me E2 results from the ECLA assay!

I was more intending this post to be about my AI dosage...not the labs. But the mods moved it to the "Blood Test Discussion" for some reason.

 

[CoastWatcher]

The AI dose was prescribed by the medical team at Defy, right? I'd send a quick email to them, marking it for the attention of the medical team. I'd break down what you've described to us, both your symptoms and the mistakes made by the lab in regard to the estradiol level. Ask them for direction. Dr. Saya has posted here a number of times indicating that Defy patients should do just that when faced with confusing choices. Raising the question of your AI would be appropriate as well.

 

[POwerliftingBear]

Thanks! I emailed them.

 

[johndoesmith]

Labcorp almost always runs the wrong test, you can do what I did, which was to write down the labcorp test codes on a piece of paper and give it to them with the script.

The phlebotomists actually kept my sheets when I went back and they thanked me for how helpful they were.

Looking at their available tests, it can be confusing for someone who didn't go to medical school. If it's less than 14 days since it was drawn, you can request that labcorp run the sensitive test with your blood they already have.

 

[POwerliftingBear]

Labcorp almost always runs the wrong test

SMH That is just so convenient! Only in an industry where the customer has zero visibility into pricing and holds no power of choice can a company get away with shit like that on a consistent basis. It makes me so angry!

write down the labcorp test codes

I assume those are available and published somewhere?

 

[CoastWatcher]

SMH That is just so convenient! Only in an industry where the customer has zero visibility into pricing and holds no power of choice can a company get away with shit like that on a consistent basis. It makes me so angry!


I assume those are available and published somewhere?

Presumably on the order you were sent by Defy. Every commercial lab has a unique, internal set of codes coresponding to a respective lab test/procedure. You want to be sure the individual entering your data pouches in the correct estradiol code, the one for sensitive, not standard.