regularguy
New Member
New Member looking to take control of my TRT from a PCP who doesn't provide many options. My main question concerns dosage, but I'll take any advice I can get. Sorry if overly wordy below -- I'm not entirely sure what's relevant.
57. I was diagnosed with low T in June. I had symptoms -- poor EQ, poor sleep, lethargy, etc. I was considerably overweight and out of shape. Test came back 235 ng/dL. Total T was the only test my PCP ran. He suggested gel or 200 mg IM every 3 weeks. I went with injections. I had very significant benefits in short order -- temperament, mood, EQ, energy. I've lost about 80 pounds since, while maintaining muscle and even adding a little. It has changed my life.
After three injections or so, the peaks and valleys were too much for me, and I told him it was too much of a yo-yo. He offered gel or switching to 200 mg every two weeks. I went with IM -- I don't want the gel hassle. I've been doing that ever since. It's not ideal, obviously. But the benefits have outweighed the positives. That said, I'm ready to start managing this myself. He does not prescribe for home injections, but I've concluded that every 2 weeks if for the birds. I'm ready to move to 2x/week Subq. I've also had considerable testicular atrophy and reduced semen volume, and some sensitivity issues, so am considering HCG at a low dose.
I am looking for a doctor locally who will manage this better, but not optimistic. I'd really like to stick with my guy and have him just write me a script for vials of test c so I could inject 2x or 3x a week, but I don't think he will. I was able to get a prescription for an HCG add on through a telehealth company, and so I have a vial of compounded at home, but I haven't reconstituted it or started it. I was going to, but then decided maybe I would get my T routine down first.
My initial question is, what test C dose should I start with? (Assuming I can get a telehealth company or someone to prescribe it.) 50 2x a week seems right -- my levels are pretty good on 200 mg every 2 weeks? If I add the HCG, should I start them together? The online clinic suggests 250 mcg every 3.5 days.
Here are some recent lab results (some of these were dr ordered and some I did myself). CBC, Hepatic Function, CMP, Lipids all good. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit high normal. PSA 1.91 (<3.99 reference).
Total T about 2 months ago was high normal, 11 days after 200 mg injection -- 980 ng/dL. Then last month, I did more hormone testing 4 days after my 200 mg injection, which is when I feel a spike: Total T 1574 (250-1100 reference), Free T 260.6 (35.-155 reference), E2 (regular not sensitive) 75 (<39 reference), SHBG 49 (22-77).
So, the 200 mg every other week is giving me high levels. Maybe that's also a function of being in better shape than when I was originally diagnosed? Dunno.
The E2 was obviously high right after my shot. I kind of think maybe that's largely a function of the every-two-week protocol? Free T was also very high and ratio is almost exactly 20:1. I don't have any high E symptoms. Libido great. Nipples fine. I cry at sad movies, but I always have done. :0) I'm hoping maybe moving to a more reasonable T injection schedule at home would smooth out the E2.
Anyway, sorry if this is tl;dr. I'm really looking forward to becoming part of this community.
57. I was diagnosed with low T in June. I had symptoms -- poor EQ, poor sleep, lethargy, etc. I was considerably overweight and out of shape. Test came back 235 ng/dL. Total T was the only test my PCP ran. He suggested gel or 200 mg IM every 3 weeks. I went with injections. I had very significant benefits in short order -- temperament, mood, EQ, energy. I've lost about 80 pounds since, while maintaining muscle and even adding a little. It has changed my life.
After three injections or so, the peaks and valleys were too much for me, and I told him it was too much of a yo-yo. He offered gel or switching to 200 mg every two weeks. I went with IM -- I don't want the gel hassle. I've been doing that ever since. It's not ideal, obviously. But the benefits have outweighed the positives. That said, I'm ready to start managing this myself. He does not prescribe for home injections, but I've concluded that every 2 weeks if for the birds. I'm ready to move to 2x/week Subq. I've also had considerable testicular atrophy and reduced semen volume, and some sensitivity issues, so am considering HCG at a low dose.
I am looking for a doctor locally who will manage this better, but not optimistic. I'd really like to stick with my guy and have him just write me a script for vials of test c so I could inject 2x or 3x a week, but I don't think he will. I was able to get a prescription for an HCG add on through a telehealth company, and so I have a vial of compounded at home, but I haven't reconstituted it or started it. I was going to, but then decided maybe I would get my T routine down first.
My initial question is, what test C dose should I start with? (Assuming I can get a telehealth company or someone to prescribe it.) 50 2x a week seems right -- my levels are pretty good on 200 mg every 2 weeks? If I add the HCG, should I start them together? The online clinic suggests 250 mcg every 3.5 days.
Here are some recent lab results (some of these were dr ordered and some I did myself). CBC, Hepatic Function, CMP, Lipids all good. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit high normal. PSA 1.91 (<3.99 reference).
Total T about 2 months ago was high normal, 11 days after 200 mg injection -- 980 ng/dL. Then last month, I did more hormone testing 4 days after my 200 mg injection, which is when I feel a spike: Total T 1574 (250-1100 reference), Free T 260.6 (35.-155 reference), E2 (regular not sensitive) 75 (<39 reference), SHBG 49 (22-77).
So, the 200 mg every other week is giving me high levels. Maybe that's also a function of being in better shape than when I was originally diagnosed? Dunno.
The E2 was obviously high right after my shot. I kind of think maybe that's largely a function of the every-two-week protocol? Free T was also very high and ratio is almost exactly 20:1. I don't have any high E symptoms. Libido great. Nipples fine. I cry at sad movies, but I always have done. :0) I'm hoping maybe moving to a more reasonable T injection schedule at home would smooth out the E2.
Anyway, sorry if this is tl;dr. I'm really looking forward to becoming part of this community.
