Has Anyone Felt Better After Adding in an AI

[DixieWrecked]

Just a random question that I am curious to hear the answer to. "Better" could mean anything and I would like to hear what better meant for you. I know AIs are used as a last resort so I am not encouraging anyone to take an AI, I really just want to hear experiences.

 

[Systemlord]

I was prescribed .125 mg of anastrozole and did feel better for about 1-2 hours, it was all downhill from there. I even tried 0.050 and outcome was the same.

 

[MarcoFL]

I have been off for last two months and everything much better now. I found the best thing was to lower my dose from 180 to 150, 120,100 now 12mg per day. My TT last labs at 14mg per day was 880 FT 155.8 range 35-155, E2 was 50. All tests were using the Mad Man Quest-Discounted labs. There are so many factors that go into being optimized not just seeing how large of a dose of T you can take. Focus on clean diet and make sure you do not have a lot of body fat! I run about 14% and just seems to make things run smoother. If I could give one piece of advice after 7 years would be LESS.

 

[DixieWrecked]

I was prescribed .125 mg of anastrozole and did feel better for about 1-2 hours, it was all downhill from there. I even tried 0.050 and outcome was the same.

what did you feel systemlord?

 

[Systemlord]

what did you feel systemlord?

I was tired and exhausted on my 20mg EOD protocol and e2 was 49 pg/mL and I took the AI and energy 1-2 hours later was unlike anything I ever felt on TRT.

On my way to work later that day I felt pain behind the eyes, a classic sign E2 has dipped to low which affects the nerve behind the eyes. I couldn't stop yawning, another indication E2 is low.

I tried dim, a natural supplement that helps estrogen metabolism and over-responded to that as well.

You might consider Cialis to counter any excess aromatization. I starting using 5mg daily Cialis for the first time in conjunction with TRT in early November and in the middle of my Cialis/TRT protocol, all aromatization problems I have experienced on TRT in the last 3-4 years waned over the course of 4-5 days and aromatization doesn't seem to be an issue at all in the 5th week which is usually very unpleasant.

I have since stopped the Cialis to avoid taking things too far one one direction and everything is still the same several weeks later. Cialis can change T/E2 ratios (anti- E2) over time in some individuals.

 

[Robotics]

yes. as a low shbg guy ai was the missing piece of the puzzle.

 

[M.J]

Don’t use it anymore, lowered my T dose and I don’t feel major symptoms.

 

[DixieWrecked]

If one is on HCG, wouldn't it be almost impossible to tank your e2 since arimidex doesn't touch Estrogen made in the testes?

 

[MNguy]

If one is on HCG, wouldn't it be almost impossible to tank your e2 since arimidex doesn't touch Estrogen made in the testes?

Pretty sure there are plenty of people that have tanked their E2 that have also been on HCG. Honestly if you’re so curious just give it a go. I would def start with a micro dose and work your way up though. And keep an eye on your labs. I think this is where most people fail.

 

[Cataceous]

If one is on HCG, wouldn't it be almost impossible to tank your e2 since arimidex doesn't touch Estrogen made in the testes?

This is sometimes the case with respect to overall serum levels, but there's still the question of what happens locally. Anastrozole has less penetration of the brain than other AI's, so maybe it's not an issue there. But what about in other tissues that have aromatase, such as the vasculature, skin, bones, etc.?

 

[Outcome]

I feel better without them. I have Anastrozole .125 on hand but use them very very sparingly.

 

[gerardo]

I was tired and exhausted on my 20mg EOD protocol and e2 was 49 pg/mL and I took the AI and energy 1-2 hours later was unlike anything I ever felt on TRT.

On my way to work later that day I felt pain behind the eyes, a classic sign E2 has dipped to low which affects the nerve behind the eyes. I couldn't stop yawning, another indication E2 is low.

I tried dim, a natural supplement that helps estrogen metabolism and over-responded to that as well.

You might consider Cialis to counter any excess aromatization. I starting using 5mg daily Cialis for the first time in conjunction with TRT in early November and in the middle of my Cialis/TRT protocol, all aromatization problems I have experienced on TRT in the last 3-4 years waned over the course of 4-5 days and aromatization doesn't seem to be an issue at all in the 5th week which is usually very unpleasant.

I have since stopped the Cialis to avoid taking things too far one one direction and everything is still the same several weeks later. Cialis can change T/E2 ratios (anti- E2) over time in some individuals.

As I understand it, you suspended Ia and used Cialis. Does Cialis lower E2? Or if you used the lowest dose of Ia and less times a week?

 

[Outcome]

Cialis lowers my e2...

 

[gerardo]

I was tired and exhausted on my 20mg EOD protocol and e2 was 49 pg/mL and I took the AI and energy 1-2 hours later was unlike anything I ever felt on TRT.

On my way to work later that day I felt pain behind the eyes, a classic sign E2 has dipped to low which affects the nerve behind the eyes. I couldn't stop yawning, another indication E2 is low.

I tried dim, a natural supplement that helps estrogen metabolism and over-responded to that as well.

You might consider Cialis to counter any excess aromatization. I starting using 5mg daily Cialis for the first time in conjunction with TRT in early November and in the middle of my Cialis/TRT protocol, all aromatization problems I have experienced on TRT in the last 3-4 years waned over the course of 4-5 days and aromatization doesn't seem to be an issue at all in the 5th week which is usually very unpleasant.

I have since stopped the Cialis to avoid taking things too far one one direction and everything is still the same several weeks later. Cialis can change T/E2 ratios (anti- E2) over time in some individuals.

How was your E2 with cialis? Has the dose of testosterone EOD always been 20Mg?

 

[Systemlord]

How was your E2 with cialis?

Don't know yet, but had mandatory labs done last Friday and testosterone levels were 463 ng/dL (HCT 51.9%, Hgb 17.6) and I predict my Total T levels to be at least 500 ng/dL which puts my Free T between 20-25 pg/mL (per Labcorp) and previously E2 would be in the 40-50's.

I'm going to check my E2 levels at 8 weeks and see where things sit.

Has the dose of testosterone EOD always been 20Mg?

This protocol is a long term protocol and always gets me good results.

 

[gerardo]

Don't know yet, but had mandatory labs done last Friday and testosterone levels were 463 ng/dL (HCT 51.9%, Hgb 17.6) and I predict my Total T levels to be at least 500 ng/dL which puts my Free T between 20-25 pg/mL (per Labcorp) and previously E2 would be in the 40-50's.

I'm going to check my E2 levels at 8 weeks and see where things sit.



This protocol is a long term protocol and always gets me good results.

thank. Did you use anastrosol or similar in what period and dosage? I understand that you stopped anastrosol and used only cialis and keeps 20Mg EOD subq. It is?

 

[Jon H]

When I use an AI correctly, I feel much better. I have a pretty narrow range of E2 that works for me, so AI dosing is a little tricky (regardless of what testosterone dose I have each week).

My humble opinion - Using a certain dose of an AI isn't a good recipe for success. If someone uses too much, which can be different for everyone, they'll experience all the negative side effects and long-term health consequences of E2 that is too low. If someone is adamant about never using an AI...fine, but they may eventually discover it's causing ED or emotional symptoms short-term that could've easily been avoided, and 10-20 years later that it's a factor in accelerated BPH and other prostate problems.

You'll eventually find that there are tons of guys who feel great using an AI, and tons of guys that feel horrible using them. Flip side is that there are tons of guys that feel great using no AI, and many that feel terrible without using them.

 

[Jon H]

If one is on HCG, wouldn't it be almost impossible to tank your e2 since arimidex doesn't touch Estrogen made in the testes?

I can say for a fact that it's very easy to tank E2, even while using HCG. I've personally used higher levels of HCG, and crashed E2 by not respecting the dose of AI I took. ....not fun for a few days. I've since learned my lesson and have estradiol on-hand for those very rare times that it gets too low.

 

[gerardo]

When I use an AI correctly, I feel much better. I have a pretty narrow range of E2 that works for me, so AI dosing is a little tricky (regardless of what testosterone dose I have each week).

My humble opinion - Using a certain dose of an AI isn't a good recipe for success. If someone uses too much, which can be different for everyone, they'll experience all the negative side effects and long-term health consequences of E2 that is too low. If someone is adamant about never using an AI...fine, but they may eventually discover it's causing ED or emotional symptoms short-term that could've easily been avoided, and 10-20 years later that it's a factor in accelerated BPH and other prostate problems.

You'll eventually find that there are tons of guys who feel great using an AI, and tons of guys that feel horrible using them. Flip side is that there are tons of guys that feel great using no AI, and many that feel terrible without using them.

You are right. When you used AI your E2, TT and FT were where and what dosage and frequency did you use AI to find E2 balance?

 

[Jon H]

You are right. When you used AI your E2, TT and FT were where and what dosage and frequency did you use AI to find E2 balance?

I can't really give you good advice in that department. For me, it's never been about E2 balance. It's simply about keeping my E2 in a range somewhere between ~18-30. It doesn't really matter if my TT is 700 or 1700, or if my FT is 23 or 50. I have to keep my E2 in that tight range, otherwise I'm miserable. Same thing with frequency...no set days or dosage; just enough to self-correct the E2. Most of the time I use .25mg, but no set schedule.

I'll never suggest that anyone else follow my lead, since most guys do better finding a certain ratio of E2/TT/FT. I don't know if it's because my SHBG is really low, but that's just the way it is.