Wanted to share my results after 90 Days on TRT.
Protocol: 140mg cypionate / 800 iu hcg weekly split in 2 doses, 5mg cialis is daily, 2 capsules nutrimeds thyroid daily, 50mg dhea daily.
High libido, good erections, huge appetite, enhanced mood and energy. The main negative is my face is red.
My cholesterol has dropped like a rock, particularly ldl! And this while eating a lot and not being strict with my diet.
Total T: 1485 ng/dL (trough) !!!!
Estradiol (sensitive): 101.3 pg/ml !!!!
I have my follow up consult tomorrow, I’ll update with whatever protocol changes are suggested.
Off testosterone since 10/2017 after being on TRT for 4 months.
Not sure what my testosterone level is currently, but I feel really good and my libido is high since my restart.
Man those levels are nearly double what they should be and honestly dangerous. You can easily drop your dose 20-30% and your hematocrit level definitely needs attention.
Which levels are dangerous, total t? You’re making me nervous here man!
One thing I didn’t mention is my SHBG is at 76, so I’d imagine total t needs to be higher than it would if SHBG was lower.
Your calculated free testosterone is 23 ng/dL or 1.5%, which isn't anything unusual. One hope would be that TRT starts pushing down SHBG so that you can lower the testosterone dose. That hematocrit is just getting into an area of concern. You can consider donating blood if lowering the dose would reduce free testosterone too much. The estradiol is possibly of concern; this is a case where it would be better if we knew more about free estradiol levels and statistics, because your SHBG might be making yours as normal-seeming as your free testosterone.
Your calculated free testosterone is 23 ng/dL or 1.5%, which isn't anything unusual. One hope would be that TRT starts pushing down SHBG so that you can lower the testosterone dose. That hematocrit is just getting into an area of concern. You can consider donating blood if lowering the dose would reduce free testosterone too much. The estradiol is possibly of concern; this is a case where it would be better if we knew more about free estradiol levels and statistics, because your SHBG mipoght be making yours as normal-seeming as your free testosterone.
Yeah it’s strange, my SHBG was 56 before I started trt, and now it shot up to 76. I’m suspicious of this thyroid medication I’m taking, my t3/t4 numbers were high. It’s something I started taking on my own and I don’t even think I needed it in the first place. I’m gonna ask the doctor if I should stop taking it.
I had red face for awhile in the beginning and sweat like crazy, both symptoms are long gone. Thyroid meds can absolutely affect SHBG levels.
All but your Cholesterol are extremely high, if your doctor does not change protocol, CHANGE DOCTORS!!!!!!!
I agree with justaskin, all your numbers are high except cholesterol and I bet your HDL is tanked. I have been told this stuff in the past regarding high shbg for years and have tried levels all the way uo tp 1950ng and anything over a total t of 7-800ng does not improve anything, speaking for myself. My shbg is higher than yours and I feel the best with free t in the 10-14ng range, better libido, sleep, less anxiety, no hot flashes, no ED. Your body, especially an aging body can only process so many androgens and will do whatever it can to attain homeostasis. I have been on these forums for nearly a decade and have polled a couple times myself, and I can tell you most guys, not all, end up feeling best in the 6-800ng range, regardless of shbg or anything else. Just offering you some advice, been down this road too many times, and those levels WILL cause health concerns if not lowered.
Interesting, had my Consult today and the doctor thought my testosterone numbers were solid, although estradiol and hematocrit are high.
Protocol change is to bump hcg to 500iu twice per week and add .125 mg of anastozol twice per week.
Apparently my high testosterone and estradiol are countered by the high SHBG. I’m gonna get off the thyroid meds which should lower SHBG, leading to lower total t and the same free t.
Congrats. Remember, though, to pull LDL-P sometime soon. That and Lp(a) are the two lipids numbers that matter the most.
The doctor actually wants me to stay at 140mg per week and add .125 mg of anastrozole, and optionally donate blood. Hopefully the blood donation and/or blood donation will resolve the issue. I'll report back if/when the issue is resolved.
I still can't believe the LDL dropping that dramatically. I never had cholesterol numbers like this even when doing a very strict esselstyn/mcdougall type diet. I thought my LDL was going to be very high because I have been eating more than I was previously, and I wasn't strict at all with my diet.
TRT lowered my bad cholesterol too, strange isn't it? I also run high on the Test levels (and estradiol) at the moment.