2 weeks post Testogel 1 sachet blood results. Help to interpret

[oliverduke]

From what I can tell it looks pretty promising? Estrogen seems okay given test level? I have been moved on to 2 sachets due to my symptoms initially improving and then falling backwards which i believe would be due to my natural level declining simultaneously.

Awaiting the thyroid panel to come back...

Thanks for any input

 

[halfwit]

Honestly, it's all about how you feel. I personally still felt miserable at those T levels, but that simply may mean that my body isn't as efficient as yours.

While technically within range, I'd definitely investigate that FT3, thyroid issues CAN be repaired if they came from low T over an extended period of time, but something to be mindful of.

My .02c

 

[oliverduke]

Honestly, it's all about how you feel. I personally still felt miserable at those T levels, but that simply may mean that my body isn't as efficient as yours.

While technically within range, I'd definitely investigate that FT3, thyroid issues CAN be repaired if they came from low T over an extended period of time, but something to be mindful of.

My .02c

What T levels did you feel good on? and when did you decide it was time to switch to injection?

Yh my thyroid labs aren't the best...

TSH 3.8
FT4 17.7
FT3 3.13

Im hoping this will improve with improved T levels but we shall see...

 

[Havasu]

From what I can tell it looks pretty promising? Estrogen seems okay given test level? I have been moved on to 2 sachets due to my symptoms initially improving and then falling backwards which i believe would be due to my natural level declining simultaneously.

Awaiting the thyroid panel to come back...

Thanks for any input

I'd want to get my levels up a bit. However, it's harder to understand, for me at least, without seeing Total Testosterone. That number looks like the Bio Available Testosterone. If you know your albumin, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, and total test you can find your Bio T with a calculator. My TRT Doc likes to see that number between 18-25. I'm in the 25 range. Also if that is the sensitive estrogen number, it looks a bit high, if that isn't the sensitive test then what I'm not saying isn't accurate. However, if you aren't experiencing any side effects of high e2, then it doesn't really matter.

 

[Chiefy]

Your total testosterone doesn't look great. That converts to about 489 ng/dl, which is low for somebody on TRT. Estradiol also looks low, which would be expected when testosterone levels are low ish. Hopefully you'll see improvement by upping your dose.

Be sure to add free testosterone and/or bioavailable testosterone to your next set of labs.

 

[TRTnooby]

My trough was about the same as that on 50mg e3d and I felt shitty on the last day, so I bumped it to 60 e3d, getting labs done this month to confirm, but I fee great and have had zero high E2 symptoms, so hopefully the numbers will agree. I can't say what that converts to with the gels, Ive never used them, so I have no idea about that.

 

[halfwit]

What T levels did you feel good on? and when did you decide it was time to switch to injection?

Yh my thyroid labs aren't the best...

TSH 3.8
FT4 17.7
FT3 3.13

Im hoping this will improve with improved T levels but we shall see...

It wasn't until I broke 750ng/dL that I really started to notice feeling better. I prefer to stay around 1000ng/dL as I've been dialed in and enjoy the benefits at this range. Some guys feel fantastic at lower numbers, some require more - I just happen to fall into the latter category.

Edit: I started with injections as I have a wife and child that I didn't want to inadvertently expose to the hormones.

 

[oliverduke]

Your total testosterone doesn't look great. That converts to about 489 ng/dl, which is low for somebody on TRT. Estradiol also looks low, which would be expected when testosterone levels are low ish. Hopefully you'll see improvement by upping your dose.

Be sure to add free testosterone and/or bioavailable testosterone to your next set of labs.[/QUOTE/]

Thanks, got blood test and follow up in 2 weeks time.

I'd be keen to move to test e, due to gf and hassle of not being able to shower/gym in the morning from the gel washing off...
However Id only be interested if I can self inject (cba to go doctors every time) but I can't see a uk endo allowed me to self inject at 22? Even though I'm bright enough to figuire it out haha

 

[oliverduke]

It wasn't until I broke 750ng/dL that I really started to notice feeling better. I prefer to stay around 1000ng/dL as I've been dialed in and enjoy the benefits at this range. Some guys feel fantastic at lower numbers, some require more - I just happen to fall into the latter category.

Edit: I started with injections as I have a wife and child that I didn't want to inadvertently expose to the hormones.

Thanks, will be interesting to see what double the dose brings me in at. Would like to move to test e but only if I can self inject. What protocol are u running? No Ai or HCG being in the UK which makes me apprehensive of injecting with no AI incase, got a bit of gyno from puberty...

 

[halfwit]

Thanks, will be interesting to see what double the dose brings me in at. Would like to move to test e but only if I can self inject. What protocol are u running? No Ai or HCG being in the UK which makes me apprehensive of injecting with no AI incase, got a bit of gyno from puberty...

I'm a bit bigger than most folks, so it was not a surprise that I would need more to achieve the same results. My TRT protocol is 250mg/wk, but I do require an AI. I take 0.35mg of letrozole and do take 500iu of HCG a week as well. None of this is covered by insurance, so I pay out of pocket much like you likely will need to if they refuse your needs.

I know Bigben is on TRT in the UK, but I don't remember if he uses an AI or not. On the bright side, AAS/ancillary use there is legal, so I'm sure you could make due if needed by outside sources.

 

[oliverduke]

I'm a bit bigger than most folks, so it was not a surprise that I would need more to achieve the same results. My TRT protocol is 250mg/wk, but I do require an AI. I take 0.35mg of letrozole and do take 500iu of HCG a week as well. None of this is covered by insurance, so I pay out of pocket much like you likely will need to if they refuse your needs.

I know Bigben is on TRT in the UK, but I don't remember if he uses an AI or not. On the bright side, AAS/ancillary use there is legal, so I'm sure you could make due if needed by outside sources.

Thanks, Yeh I can already get hcg and Ai easily enough Id just rather the endo pescribe and monitor it...

Last question on the hcg, I'm finding it hard to figuire out or justify if it's something worth using long term? (Iv stored sperm for babies), hard to find any long term studies with anything to do with hcg, alongside estrogen complications hard to work out if it's worth adding long term, given then the time and money of adding it...

 

[halfwit]

Thanks, Yeh I can already get hcg and Ai easily enough Id just rather the endo pescribe and monitor it...

Last question on the hcg, I'm finding it hard to figuire out or justify if it's something worth using long term? (Iv stored sperm for babies), hard to find any long term studies with anything to do with hcg, alongside estrogen complications hard to work out if it's worth adding long term, given then the time and money of adding it...

When you shut down the HPTA by using exogenous testosterone, your pituitary gland stops releasing leutinizing hormone as well as follicle stimulating hormone. LH is what is chiefly responsible for testosterone production, but also serves as a signaling hormone for various other pathways in the male body.

Without this constant signal, many notice that the production of other hormones suffer such as DHEA and pregnenolone. While the effects of having these (among a few others) isn't as drastic as testosterone while low, there is definitely a difference. HCG mimics this LH signal, and allows for the continued production by the body even while suppression is present. I personally used to take micronized forms of these two, but it didn't have nearly the efficacy of HCG, and they cost more as well. If you want to play it by ear, and see if you can be fine without - that is certainly your prerogative.

FSH is responsible for fertility, and even with very low levels of the hormone, you may still be able to produce sperm. HMG is actually the preferred hormone used to stimulate the desired effect, but prevention of atrophied testes most certainly helps (HCG) in this area as well. Smart thinking by banking swimmers by the way.

I really think it comes down to personal preference and how sensitive you are to lacking certain hormones. I feel much better on HCG, but could care less about the size of my testes - which is a common aesthetic reason many use HCG as well.

FYI: DHEA is responsible for mood and is associated with the sense of well being. It has been linked with depression when at lower levels in the male body. Pregnenolone is a chief hormone responsible for metabolism and is involved in healthy thyroid/adrenal function.

 

[Alpin]

Your FT3 is terrible.

 

[oliverduke]

Your FT3 is terrible.

Agreed my other thyroid bloods are poor too

TSH - 3.8
Ft4 17.70

The only problem is my endo's (seen a few) don't seem to care? Maybe their hoping increased T will help?

 

[Alpin]

Agreed my other thyroid bloods are poor too

TSH - 3.8
Ft4 17.70

The only problem is my endo's (seen a few) don't seem to care? Maybe their hoping increased T will help?

TRT will help thyroid....
lets see in 2-3 months.