Search results

Great info, DG. I did do the DNA thing a while ago through familytreedna - off to research if I can get any info from that! My gut reaction would be no simply because I've been on unusually high doses of TRT for the last few years (240mg/week most recently) - just dropped down to 140/week and...

Hey Systemlord - I totally misunderstood. I just finished reading through the big thread on here about the protocol and see that you were quite active in the discussion, so you're clearly familiar with it. I think that when I was searching for a reason as to why it didn't work, I misinterpreted...

Here's the procotol: https://vorck.com/erythrocytosis.html#ferritin It's that vitamin C and D, or apparently too much meat, suppresses hepcidin, which this protocol boosts, allowing iron to be released from your own RBC. This guy seems to seriously know what he's talking about and apparently...

Hey System - thanks for the replies. I'm actually only talking about the week of doing the iron chelate protocol for raising ferritin fast, which was basically invented by a member here and now even Defy prescribes it. He does mention where one of the very few failures of the protocol that he is...

Bump to the top - anybody have any experience they can weigh in on? Would love any advice on which foods to eat or stay away from during the process. Many thanks!

Hey all - my ferritin was at 16. I did the "Raising ferritin fast" protocol, taking the recommended pills at the recommended dose for 7 days without missing any doses, no vitamin C or D supplements, and checked ferritin three days after it was over - 16!! A. I read the whole thing through and...

Thanks, Joseph - I feel your pain on a lot of that! I know it's taking longer than usual for me to get dialed in but I'm optimistic that I'll get there eventually. At least I have a great doctor who actually understands TRT - it's mind-blowing how many do not. About IM vs. subq, I just re-read...

Thanks for all this, madman - I've read through all the articles and although a lot of it is still over my head I got the jist of each one. I'm fully prepared to find that my body adjusts to this new protocol and things don't improve, even though it would be great if it were that simple. I do...

Thanks for this detailed reply, MadMan - I've read a LOT of your posts in this forum!! It's an honor to welcome you to the rollercoaster of my TRT. All good questions - I'd been on 70mg x3 for 6 months prior to my appointment where I upped to 80mg x3. My labs weren't exactly at trough for...

Thanks for the replies, all. I should have mentioned that I'm 5'11 and 270 lb, mostly muscle. I've been lifting or running every day for many years and even before TRT, with my total T at 232 (in my late 30s), I was very muscular. Let me assure everyone that I have never had any interest in...

Sounds like a good plan, Vince. I think I'm going to stick with my current protocol for another 11 weeks (so 12 total) and then evaluate. Then the question is should I try the same dosage but IM - or should I try daily injections starting at 10mg. Or oral... I'm sure this is all painfully...

Thanks, System - if I strike out after these experiments I will absolutely try oral. Only concern is that my hair began to thin rapidly in the last year or two, likely due to higher DHT from TRT, so I'd once again have to make a difficult choice. Mast, I switched to subQ probably three or four...

Funk, you're absolutely right - I do inject SubQ! The late Dr. Crisler convinced me and my current doc approves as well. I think I respond slightly better than IM but it's definitely way easier if nothing else. System, I too have noticed on several occasions that an increased protocol tends to...

Hey all - long story short, I've been on TRT about 5 years. At age 38, total T was 230 and my symptoms were zero energy and terrible ED. I've been trying different regimens ever since and making slow progress. Finally got a great doctor and slowly improving. Erections have been about a 6 out of...

Hey all - I've had really good results taking 750 mcg pf PT-141 (if my math is right, it's .15ml of 10mg/ml), and decided to try Melanotan 2 for the added tanning benefit. I'm just a little confused on the right way to dose it; at 750 mcg of PT-141, I get substantial nausea (less if taken on a...

OK - many thanks, all. Since I'm making positive progress I'm going to slightly increase my dose to 80mg x2/week - I think I'd like to see how far the x2 regimen takes me, but if I get into the above-800 range and it's still not where I want it to be, I may try daily injections. I have read...

Hey all - got my results today. A few things piqued my attention for sure. I'd like to report that in the last two weeks libido and sexual function have been better than at any point since starting TRT - I'd give function a solid 6/10 and libido maybe a 5. But I am hugely grateful that I am...

OK, added Prolactin into the mix just because why not. Checking out of LEF.org and now it's talking about shipping everything to me? Are these tests not done at a LabCorp site?

OK - trying to cover all the bases here - Male Basic Hormone is $56, CBC is $26, SHBG is $25, and DHT is $38 - I think that also covers everything on your list TLawyer except Prolactin. That's $145 but seems like a year or so into TRT would be nice to get a good look at everything. Surely you...

Thanks, Cataceous - sorry which basic male panel are you referring to?

Yeah, I somewhat panicked the first time I saw LH and FSH near zero, then had it explained that that was normal. Okay, so thinking I'll do that TRT monitoring panel at Quest and then drive to LabCorp for SHBG and DHT. So I definitely understand why SHBG is important - would you mind schooling...

That's a plan then. So how the crap do they calculate free T without also calculating SHBG?? I thought that was a necessary part - but I of course have plenty to learn.

Hey all - still staying the course and waiting a bit more to test. I am trying to plan ahead and get the right tests. There is a Quest quite close by and a LabCorp quite a ways away that I've had some truly crappy service at, but it's looking like LabCorp will have the cheapest tests. Several...

All great advice here, gents - thank you very much! I'm going to sleep on all of it. Since I'm in the club for life it's really nice knowing that there's a great amount of collected wisdom in this forum. I'll holler back in a few weeks with some labs! Thanks again, all.

Thanks, TL - so I know numbers don't mean nearly as much as results, but would I be incorrect to be aiming for 800-1000, or even 1100? Basically if I get 675 back, would I be wrong to increase my dose slightly? I appreciate everyone's patience very much!

Hey all - thanks for the continued input. I do have a great PCP and a urologist but after a single day of research when I was diagnosed with low T I knew more about it than them, so I'm in the driver's seat. I do have a script for 200/wk, which is more than I would ever need, but that's great...

Ok, I'll add DHT to my labs - I think I was already planning the rest. I have an excellent PCP who is very supportive of my TRT but doesn't know anything about it, and my urologist was happy for me to stay on 200mg/wk indefinitely as well as crashing my e2 with AIs. I'm just happy I got a script...

I don't think I've ever tested DHT - should I add that to my next labs? I have been hesitant to add any ED drugs yet simply because I'm hoping that the correct dose of TC will correct things, and I feel like I really wouldn't know if I was taking something else. If it comes to that I...

Man, that's tough - so then will libido be my major indicator of correct dosage, then wait a year to see if ED follows suit? Ouch - but I do have to figure it out somehow. I have heard that ED is the last thing to sort itself out, but that does present a challenge for me since I don't have...

Thanks for the reply - let me make sure I'm hearing correctly. So minimum six weeks until my body adjusts to the new dosage - so basically though I've been on this dosage for six weeks now, I actually haven't felt the effects? I have no problem shooting straight with you all - I'm a very fit...

You know I've noticed that on this forum a lot of people are on substantially smaller doses than other places online, and that has piqued my interest. I started on 200/wk and it shot me >1500, which in addition to reversing most of the benefits of TRT, made me uncomfortable as it was completely...