3 months on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) plus labs-Needing Analysis

[FL_Native]

3 months on TRT plus labs-Needing Analysis

Hi- I am your average 39 year old with a wife and 3 kids and all of the rest of the American dream. I was active in sports through high school, competitive power lifter through college, and have lifted weights since I was 13. My weight has always yo-yoed from 210 to 275 depending on the season (hunting) and how I relax my dieting efforts. Around the time I hit 39 my wife started asking my I was being a dick all the time. Co-workers were asking me what's wrong all the time. My sex life had diminished. My weight sustaining regiment of 20 miles a week of cardio, 1 1/2 hrs. of gym time 5 days a week, and aggressively watching my intake was no longer effective. So I went to my GP with these same details and he said I do to much and need to do less exercise. I encouraged him to do testosterone test and this is where I am at:

1/31/2013

Total Testosterone: 407 241-827 Range
TSH: 1.44 .40-4.50 Range

Weight was ~215 and blood was drawn late afternoon. Ask the Doctor why the hell he did such a low rent blood work up and went for the next blood test. Additional panels were done (lipid, CBC, etc.) and everything came back mid-range.


4/3/2013

Total Testosterone: 594 250-1100 Range
Free Testosterone: 79 35-155 Range
TSH: 1.19 .4-4.5 Range
LH: 4.8 1.5-9.3 Range
FSH: 9.0 1.6-8.0 Range H
DHEA Sulfate: 79 110-370 Range L
Estrogen, Total: 138 130 or less H
IGF I: 159 53-331 Range
Z Score: .2 -2 to +2 range

Fasting. Weigh was ~215. Doctor said take a DHEA supplement and everything will be fine. I pointed to the fact that I feel like shit, everyone thinks I am an asshole, my sex life is borderline forced, my energy is nonexistent, and the list goes on. He said life has its ups and downs. I found a specialist. BTW- all other blood panels were done and everything came back in the mid range.


5-15-2013

No Testosterone Tests since they were so recently completed. However 30 vials of blood were drawn for additional testing.

Sex Hormone Binding: 25 10-50 Range
Dihydrotestosterone: 84 16-79 Range H
IGF I: 180 53-331 Range
Z Score: .5 -2 to +2 Range
DHEA Sulfate: 148 110-370 Range (I had started taking 75 mg since last blood test)
Estradiol: 29 < or=39 Range
Cortisol: 10.5 4.0-22 Range
Progesterone: <.5 <1.4 Range
Pregnenolone: 51 13-208 Range
TSH: 1.84 .27-4.2 Range
T4: 10.3 4.5-11.7 Range
T3, Free: 2.0-4.4 Range
Reverse T3: 21.1 9.2-24.1

A massive amount of additional panels were completed- fasting. Weight was ~215. I was deficient in some vitamins and not allergic to anything . The Doctor gave me an office injection of .7 cc of 210 mgs Watson cypionate with a script and instructions .5 cc E7D intramuscularly and a long list of vitamins, minerals, and etc. I bought everything on the list from life extension vitamin outlet. The testosterone must be shipped to me which is really annoying, but they insisted it is the only way they provide a script. Package arrived in a couple days by regular postal mail.


6-27-2013 Blood drawn on day following injection day

Testosterone, Total: 541 250-1100 Range
Testosterone, Free: 68.7 35-155 Range
DHEA Sulfate: 237 110-370 Range
Estradiol: 20 <or =39 Range
Sex Hormone Binding: 51 10-50 Range H
Dihydrotestosterone: 36 16-79 Range

weighted in at ~210. Started feeling better about life most of the time. Generally people are less irritating. Have more energy at the gym. Sex life is about the same- nothing great. Next blood test is tomorrow on 4th day from injection day.

Since starting injections they have been .5 cc of 210 mgs cypionate.

Professional and non-professional opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Mprtz]

At a TT of 600 I personally would keep looking for other causes. I don't think it is that likely that a conservative dose like 100mg per week is going to meaningfully raise your TT, but it will shut down your decent natural production. Remember, this is NOT a boost - it doesn't work that way. In your situation I would weigh the downsides very carefully before committing.

 

[FL_Native]

After reading this forum for awhile .I think the ideal range would be a bit higher. Closer to 800 as well as lowering my estrogen level.

 

[Megatron28]

After reading this forum for awhile .I think the ideal range would be a bit higher. Closer to 800 as well as lowering my estrogen level.

Don't go on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to gain 200 points in your Total Test levels. Excuse the harsh language, but that would be fucking retarded. You won't notice the difference. Perhaps a marginal improvement at best. Hardly worth all the cost and complications of shutting down your natty T and doing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for the REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Just supplement with DHEA and some OTC stuff to lower your estradiol. By the way, checking total estrogen isn't the preferred lab. Check your estradiol. That is what matters.

 

[FL_Native]

I do hear and appreciate the advice. For the most part since I started injections I have felt much, much better. The majority of my symptoms have disappeared. My wife says she has noticed a positive improvement. I have more stamina at the gym and more desire to go to the gym as well as less overall life fatigue. The doctor suggested 800 to 900 would be an ideal range. I have a blood test scheduled for this morning.

 

[IMT staff]

I agree with others, it seems you may be on a bit of a conservative dose

Might want to look into HCG too, that will keep your T from bottoming out and keep sensitivity from diminishing when ejaculating from decreasing, which is common for T only guys.

 

[robpasc1]

 

[FL_Native]

The doctor had increased the dosage last month to .7 from .5, but I chose to keep the dosage the same at .5. At this time and this dose all of the symptoms I was feeling that are on the low T checklist have disappeared. I had a tough blood test yesterday and considering the advice in this as well as from my doctor I will determine how I proceed. I would continue at this dosage for the REST OF MY LIFE to maintain they way I feel now versus the way I felt. Since I have no desire to get stronger (already did that) and no desire to get bigger (already did that) I have no desire to over indulge in increasing my dosage rapidly. I have never cycled AAS.

 

[FL_Native]

updated blood work

Updated blood work completed on 8-19, current weight 214 lbs:

Testosterone, Total: 743 250-1100 Range
Testosterone, Free: 121.1 35-155 Range
DHEA Sulfate: 346 110-370 Range
Estradiol: 23 <or =39 Range
Sex Hormone Binding: 40 10-50 Range
Dihydrotestosterone: 35 16-79 Range
TSH: 2.24 .40-4.50 Range
T4, Free: 1.3 0.8-1.8 Range
T3, Free: 4.0 2.3-4.2 Range

CBC, Iron, Vitamins levels, PSA, and etc. all were in the normal range.

My libido has diminished and my I have been more argumentative with my spouse. The doctor has split my dose of 210mg cyp E4D .4 cc and removed DIM from daily supplements.

Workout 4-5 days a week and cardio 3 days a week. Relatively clean 5 small meals a day diet.

 

[Megatron28]

Updated blood work completed on 8-19, current weight 214 lbs:

Testosterone, Total: 743 250-1100 Range
Testosterone, Free: 121.1 35-155 Range
DHEA Sulfate: 346 110-370 Range
Estradiol: 23 <or =39 Range
Sex Hormone Binding: 40 10-50 Range
Dihydrotestosterone: 35 16-79 Range
TSH: 2.24 .40-4.50 Range
T4, Free: 1.3 0.8-1.8 Range
T3, Free: 4.0 2.3-4.2 Range

CBC, Iron, Vitamins levels, PSA, and etc. all were in the normal range.

My libido has diminished and my I have been more argumentative with my spouse. The doctor has split my dose of 210mg cyp E4D .4 cc and removed DIM from daily supplements.

Workout 4-5 days a week and cardio 3 days a week. Relatively clean 5 small meals a day diet.

Are you taking 210mg of test every 4 days? That's the equivalent of 368mg a week which is essentially considered to be a dose for a cycle.

And what have you split that into?

 

[Mprtz]

Are you taking 210mg of test every 4 days? That's the equivalent of 368mg a week which is essentially considered to be a dose for a cycle.

And what have you split that into?

I read it as taking .4cc of 200mg/ml (with typo) every four days, so 140mg/week

 

[Megatron28]

I read it as taking .4cc of 200mg/ml (with typo) every four days, so 140mg/week

That sounds much more reasonable! Why can't people just stick with mg instead mixing in volumes? So much easier.

 

[FL_Native]

.4 cc of 210mg/ml E4D. Sorry bout that.

 

[Megatron28]

.4 cc of 210mg/ml E4D. Sorry bout that.

That's good! For future reference, it is easier (and better) to just say 84mg every four days.

 

[3J]

im wondering why your estrogen was so high on your first test

and i have to agree with the others.. you had decent test levels..and your estrogen came down.. there was absolutely no need for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with levels like that

 

[FL_Native]

The doctor suggested it is possible to have an increase in estrogen after losing a lot of weight- about 50 lbs.
All of the symptoms of low T that I had are mostly gone. My libido is inconsistant and the doctor instructed stopping the DIM and saw palmetto for a couple weeks and revisit the situation at next appt. with the split dose I should see an improvement.