Prior to TRT | +8 weeks on TRT | Ref range | |
Total Test | 314 | 555 | 250-1100 |
Free Test | 91.6 | 168 | 35-155 |
E2 | 35.98 | 36 | <=29 |
TT/E | 8.73 | 15 | |
SHBG | 14.4 | 12 | 10-50 |
PRL | 8.25 | 12 | 2-18 |
So overall, I feel much better. Like life changing better. But I know there are further optimizations.
- I wear a CGM, I quit taking metformin as the TRT has significantly improved my glucose / insulin response
- The persistent pain from 2 herniated discs & RA has almost completely disappeared
- Gym performance is undeniable.
- Recently got a bit more aggressive on my cut and seeing results
- Mental well-being is undeniable
I know people love to “let their e2 run high” but generally speaking, Thea e people tend to have optimal or even high SHBG. I am in the opposite camp. My numbers are based on daily injections.
My libido is marginally better, but no where near where I want it.
My current hypothesis is… my SHBG is too low to get the high TT and FT without e2 increasing too much in lockstep.
I’m insulin sensitive. I workout 6 days a week (4 heavy lifting and 2 cardio)
My liver markers are all on point.
The two things that stick out to me in terms of liver / SHBG
1. Systemic inflammation from RA
2. Elevated visceral fat (amazon smart scale says 11.5 and suggested less than 9)
I’m busting my ass to get the visceral fat down and hopefully that does it.
I tend to be more sensitive to e2. Long time back, it was 27 and I still didn’t feel great as my TT, FT, and SHBG were even shittier relative to that 27 e2
Questions:
- aside from getting rid of visceral fat, anything else I should be on the lookout for in regards to optimizing SHBG?
- in the interim, I’d like to attempt to tame the e2 such that I can experience the missing benefits… I have anastrazole and Letrozole on hand… what should I begin with? .5 adex e3.5d?
Thank you
