20 weeks into trt... starting to see acne
- Thread starter DeltaZulu
- Start date
bbbjames
New member
Are you using an AI, if so what is your dose? What is your protocol? How much test, how many injections a week? This happened to me as well and by splitting doses into two injections a week you may be able to help the issues. You may need an AI also.
bbbjames
New member
I would talk to your doc about it and get some bloodwork done. Make sure you get your estradiol checked and see if that is what the cause is. If your E2 is high you can try to split your injections or raise you Arimidex to twice a week. It would be a good idea to find a doc that will let you do your own injections.
DeltaZulu
New member
I get my bloodwork done every 5 weeks, I can supply you with any levels you would like.... I am due next week for bloodwork... I was hoping they would do a split Monday and Thurs or Friday... I am going to talk to him tomorrow when I go in. Let me know what I should be asking...Thanks again so far for the info.
Delta Zulu
Delta Zulu
DeltaZulu
New member
They test for Estradiol every 10 weeks, I was on 1/2 tab day after injection, they moved me to 1/4 tab day after injection. I will ask to get injections twice a week. I will post tomorrow and let you know what he says. They do nt want self admin of Test, might be time to get a different doc on this. Thoughts on this?
Delta Zulu
Delta Zulu
bbbjames
New member
I think it is time for a new doc. I would hate not being able to do it myself. Most descent doctors will let you do it. I'm not sure if you are getting this covered by your insurance but if not you can take a look at the sponsor IMT. A lot of guys on this forum use them for TRT. You said that they have tested for estradiol. What have you numbers been? Moving to 1/4 tab may have caused it to rise and your acne.
DeltaZulu
New member
First it was 52.2 (very high) they put me on 1/2 tab to lower it, then it went to 12.5 (low) moved me to 1/4 tab 1x a week. I was at 42.7 (.1 high) My level should be between 7.6 and 42.6.... Any ideas? Blood work either this week or next... I am just looking to see what I should ask tomorrow morning.
Delta Zulu
Delta Zulu
I have used formestane for years to control estro. 150-200mg/day keeps my estro levels at the low end of normal (12-18). Some people have joint issues at this level but it doesn't seem to bother me. I have experimented with Letro (very strong) and Aromasin. Both work well. Letro eliminate my estro but also got rid of my gyno and libido. Aromasin is somewhere between formestane and Letro as far a strength is concerned. From what I have read you want to keep your estro levels below 30.
E2 isn't the only thing that causes acne. My E2 has always been ideal (15-23ish) and I have had terrible acne on my shoulders and back...Testosterone and DHT both cause acne in some people that have sensitive androgen receptors. If you're prone to acne, you will be dealing with a never ending battle. Austinite's acne protocol is quite helpful (B5, zinc, pycnogenol) but its not a sure thing. Everyone will say Accutane but I've been on Accutane twice now and I still deal with cystic acne. Accutane will heal everything up and shrink the oil glands but if you're on TRT, those glands will begin to overproduce within a year. Repeated cycles of Accutane would be a terrible idea for one's health.
The latest thing I talked to my dermatologist about is photodynamic therapy. I managed to get my insurance to cover it; a lot of them wont because its considered cosmetic....basically it does the same thing as Accutane but through various forms of light on the skin's surface, without all the Accutane side effects. This isn't something that's a permanent fix either...I plan on having to go for another treatment every 6-12 months.
The latest thing I talked to my dermatologist about is photodynamic therapy. I managed to get my insurance to cover it; a lot of them wont because its considered cosmetic....basically it does the same thing as Accutane but through various forms of light on the skin's surface, without all the Accutane side effects. This isn't something that's a permanent fix either...I plan on having to go for another treatment every 6-12 months.
I stick with tea tree oil wash, Nizoral 2% (blocks DHT in the skin) a couple times a week and 10% benzoyl wash...I've tried Aczone, Minocycline, Duac, clindamycin, and of course the Accutane courses years ago. Honestly the most effective thing I've done is Austinite's protocol...10g of powdered B5, 50mg zinc picolonate, and 100mg pycnogenol. We'll see how the photodynamic therapy goes...should start it within the next week or two.
DeltaZulu
New member
Heres where we are at after todays visit... He will split the 190 into twice a week injections, they will not do a prescription and let me self admin... Not a terrible thing since the doc is around the corner here. It would however be nice to do my own.
They drew blood work today and I should get the results either tomorrow or next Monday. I will keep you updated when I get my results back.
Delta Zulu
They drew blood work today and I should get the results either tomorrow or next Monday. I will keep you updated when I get my results back.
Delta Zulu
I order everything from Amazon...these are daily amounts. I mix 5g of B5 with orange juice in the AM and another 5g in the PM. the Zinc and pycnogenol are both taken at bedtime. The first week of these supps I did 15g of B5, 100mg Zinc, and 200mg pycn. then the maintenance dose is what I take now. You most likely will not find B5 as a raw powder in the pharmacy or GNC and likely wont find zinc picolinate either. Most likely zinc gluconate but it doesn't absorb as well as Zinc P. Whatever you do, don't buy the B5 caps...you'll end up having to take about 20 pills a day of just B5. As a side note...I spoke to my dermatologist about megadosing B5 and she was all for it.
These are the ones that i'm currently taking:
http://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-B5-50...UTF8&qid=1401307566&sr=8-1&keywords=b5+powder
Amazon.com: NOW Foods Zinc Picolinate, 120 Capsules / 50mg: Health & Personal Care
Amazon.com: Source Naturals Pycnogenol 100mg, 60 Tablets: Health & Personal Care
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