madman
Super Moderator
Great replies, a big thanks! I understand your criticisms, but one that I don't understand is your displeasure at high free T trough levels. I've seen you mention it quite a bit. What is the specific problem with it? Side effects or health issues or both?
When I speak of these high trough FT levels I am talking about absurdly high levels as in 50-80 ng/dL.
Let me be clear here as I have stated numerous times on the forum over the years that many men will tend to do better with FT levels on the higher end 30 ng/dL.
Most doctors in the know would tell you the same.
A FT 5-10 ng/dL would be considered low.
FT 16-31 ng/dL (high-end) is considered healthy.
Some men may choose to run absurdly high FT levels 50-80ng/dL let alone at trough but most would never need to achieve such in order to experience relief/improvement of low-t symptoms.
Many claiming to need such levels most likely have underlying issues with thyroid/adrenals.
Brainwashed by that more T is better mentality.
Unfortunately, many men are jacked up on T from the get-go.
Many of these same individuals end up struggling with such protocols.
Most healthy young males in their prime are not running around with an FT on the high end 30+ ng/dL let alone at the trough and top it off definitely not steady-state!
I could care less where you choose to run your trough FT level whether high/absurdly high as I see no issue as long as blood markers are healthy, you feel great overall, and are not struggling with any sides.
Comes down to the individual and how they react to testosterone as some will struggle when running higher FT levels.
Excess FT levels can result in acne/oily skin (genetically prone), accelerated balding (genetically prone), drive down HDL, increased RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit (common), overstimulation of the CNS (common), bloating/water retention due to androgens effects on the retention of electrolytes (common).
Let alone many end up trying to manage estradiol with the use of an aromatase inhibitor.
Start low and slow we say as it is always harder to come down than go up.
Much more sensible to start low and go slow to see how your body reacts to T instead of blasting out the gate!