TRT 6-week PRE/POST LABS-How am I doing?

[TxTrojan21]

This forum has been very helpful. Thanks to all who contribute. Started TRT 6 weeks ago after being diagnosed with secondary hypogonad.

28 year old male, slightly overweight, currently dieting and exercising 4X a week(cardio & strength)

Current protocol:

140 mg of test cypionate 1X per week
half a tablet anastrozele 48 hours post-injection(control estradiol)
500 units on days 3 and 5 post-injection of HCG/B12(maintain fertility)

PRE TRT LABS:

Total test: 259 & 295(two labs one week apart taken in the morning)
SHBG: 27.0
Estradiol: 30.6(note that I have a history of gynecomastia that was surgically removed at the age of 23)

POST TRT(6-week mark):

Total test: 755
SHBG: 21.8
Estradiol: 31.7

Qualitative: I feel like I have more energy(I have a stressful job) throughout the work week. Sex drive has gone up along with erection quality and I'm finally making some gains in the gym. All and all, this was exactly what I was hoping for and I know it should get relatively better over time.

Thoughts on my current protocol and test results? The only thing that is a bummer is that my SHBG went down, which as I understand it, plays a factor in how much free test enters your systems at the cellular level. Any idea how I can bump this number up?

Thanks!

 

[Systemlord]

Protocol could use some tweaking, it's usually best to split those injections into two smaller ones and take the AI at the time of injection to maintain steadier levels. Testosterone and estrogen peak within 24-48 hours so taking the AI 48 hours after injections makes no sense, this means estrogen is peaking and then you're knocking it down rather than maintaining a steady estrogen level.

You may even be able to reduce or eliminate the AI injecting smaller doses more frequently. If you decide you want to try injecting twice weekly, you need to split to AI dosage in half and take it twice weekly at the time of injections. It's normal for SHBG to decrease after starting TRT, some see an increase while most see a reduction. There's very little you can do to increase it, you must play it where it is.

 

[BigBamBoo]

Posting up full labs will allow folks to critique your results with better responses.

For me, right off the bat, I see you are only taking one injection a week. Why?

With a E2 of 30, you might drop the AI and switch to 2 X a week injections of T.

Again, without full labs know way to see the bigger picture....no thyroid panel, etc.

 

[TxTrojan21]

Protocol could use some tweaking, it's usually best to split those injections into two smaller ones and take the AI at the time of injection to maintain steadier levels. Testosterone and estrogen peak within 24-48 hours so taking the AI 48 hours after injections makes no sense, this means estrogen is peaking and then you're knocking it down rather than maintaining a steady estrogen level.

You may even be able to reduce or eliminate the AI injecting smaller doses more frequently. If you decide you want to try injecting twice weekly, you need to split to AI dosage in half and take it twice weekly at the time of injections. It's normal for SHBG to decrease after starting TRT, some see an increase while most see a reduction. There's very little you can do to increase it, you must play it where it is.

Unfortunately, multiple injections a week is not an option. The clinic I go through(Low T Center) only will do weekly injections. Your comment regarding the AI is interesting. I'll definitely inquire with the NP next week. My estradiol levels seem to be staying steady and within range, so it certainly doesn't seem like the AI is crashing my estradiol by taking it 48 hours post-injection.

 

[Systemlord]

Unfortunately, multiple injections a week is not an option. The clinic I go through(Low T Center) only will do weekly injections. Your comment regarding the AI is interesting. I'll definitely inquire with the NP next week. My estradiol levels seem to be staying steady and within range, so it certainly doesn't seem like the AI is crashing my estradiol by taking it 48 hours post-injection.

The only reason they force you to come into the office for the injection is for their financial gain and how they pay their nurses wages, I hardly see how that is your problem. That's 52 office visits a years, over 10 years that's 520 visits. Have you thought about how this will inconvenience your life or vacations? I never hinted AI was crashing estrogen levels, only that estrogen levels aren't stable throughout the week taking the AI 48 hours after injection.

You should never take an AI once weekly, later in the week estrogen levels will change and will never be stable do to the shorter 2 day half life of anastrozole. This clinic is doing what's best for them and not what's best for the patient. Once weekly protocols are old school, your levels are fluctuating throughout the week, this is far from ideal.

This is convenient for the clinic at the sacrifice of a less than optimal protocol for the patient.

 

[Vince]

Testosterone peak 72 hours after injection, the half-life of an AI is 50 hours, so it's best to take an AI 24 hours after your injection so they both peak at the same time. Like everyone said lower shbg more frequent injections.