Injections not working

[Cooper]

I have been on TRT for approx 3 years - the first year on Androgel and the last 2 on once a week injections. Most recently 160 per week. My latest test results are as follows (6 days after injection):

Total T – 529 (249.0-836.0)
E2 – 51.6 (7.6-42.6 pg/mL)
SHGB - 27.2 (16.5-55.9 nmol/L)
HEMATOCRIT - 49.5 (37%-51%)
TSH - 2.95 (0.45 - 4.5)

When I first started the Androgel I had a lot of energy, starting exercising (even started running half marathons), lost a lot of weight, put on lean muscle and generally felt good. I then switched to injections and continued to feel good for awhile. However over last year while on injections I have gained a lot of weight back, lost energy to the point where I don't even feel like exercising. On top of this I now even find myself starting to fall asleep during the day.

One final note - libido improved while on Androgel but dropped off again when I switched to injections and my ED never really has improved. I do have morning wood most mornings but unable to achieve full erection even during arousal.

Not sure what to do - thinking about switching back to Androgel because of the suceess I had with it but don't know if that will actually address current issues.

 

[DHM]

If it ain't broke don't break it... Why did you switch in the first place? E2 is over range, what did it look like on gels?

 

[ERO]

Your E2 is high compared to a total T of only 529. You may want to try injecting half your dose every 3.5 days to keep a more stable and higher average T level and likely lower E2 conversion as well. Most of us here inject twice weekly for those reasons.

 

[CoastWatcher]

A twice-weekly injection schedule makes a lot of sense. In my case, I was able to achieve a peak reading of 1035. Since my estradiol shot up, I'm now cutting my dose from 60mg/3.5 days to 50mg/3.5 days and have hope I'll avoid an AI.

In do wonder though, why did you switch to injections when you report how well you felt on topicals.

 

[ALEX]

Aren't you on HCG as well ? I think It could improve your ED issues ... Have you tried Anastrozol to lower your E2 ?
Maybe with this association well balanced you could solve or improve the ED.

 

[Cooper]

In do wonder though, why did you switch to injections when you report how well you felt on topicals.

CoastWatcher - I switched to injections because they are so heavily endorsed on forums that I felt it might better improve ED issues which it has not.

Aren't you on HCG as well ? I think It could improve your ED issues ... Have you tried Anastrozol to lower your E2 ?

ALEX - I am not on HCG but have tried Anastrozol off and on but hate to admit I have not been consistent with it

 

[Vince Carter]

I answered this on ATM forum but will repeat it here, what I think:

160mg once per week is a huge one time dose. I'm certain your E2 spikes right along with the T. The half life of TCyp is about 72hrs. Your SHBG is fine. My advice, go E3.5D with your injections. This should smooth out your week. That's simply too much T to be shooting at one-time. I'd work on that before doing anything else.

You really can't equate in any way the experience on gel, a daily application, to on major injection per week.

 

[Gene Devine]

E2 is high and some men can respond very negatively to even the serum level you are at. Many negative side effects to elevated E2 as you can learn here on Excel Male.

Your TSH level are somewhat suspicious as well as we like to see this value below 1.

TSH is a shitty marker for Thyroid health BUT it can point to potentially Hypothyroidism...which...can have may of the same side effects of Hypogonadism and in fact cause lower Testosterone levels.

The reason your libido was strong on the transdermal was due to the higher conversion to DHT and not uncommon to be honest...it's one of the benefits for men who do well on TDs.

If you had success on a transdermal and don't mind the daily applications and transference concerns then it may make sense to go back.

The biggest thing in the TRT game is HOW YOU FEEL...period.

Chasing numbers in this game is not a smart.

If what worked for you using TDs worked, you felt good and had a strong libido...then going back may make sense.

Give it some serious thought.

G