Got some "Tuning" questions, need quick help.

[SilverBackGorilla]

Need some info.
Saw the doc today to review my blood work and he put me on Anastrozole 1mg a day. I know, I know, way too much right? Especially for only taking 50mg of Test CYP every 3 1/2 days for a total of 100mg a week. My CYP bottle is 200mgml for reference.
I love my doc, he is the genuine article so please don't bash on him. I mentioned that 1mg was thought to be way too high but he said at my weight (310lbs, 6'2", 35% body fat) it should help me get down to 20-25pg/ml Estradiol which is where he wants me at. My labs are as follows taken 4 days after a 100mg shot of CYP.

Estradiol 47 Range is < or =39
Free Testosterone is 232.2 Range is 35.0 to 155.0
Total Testosterone is 785 Range 250 to 1100

I am back to pinning 50mg every 3 1/2 days to try and help smooth out the highs and lows.

So, the big question is, my next pin is Sunday morning and then again Wednesday night. I want to start the Anastrozole tonight but don't know how to dose it. Doc did say I could take half a pill a day to ease into it but I feel I should start lower. Should I take a whole pill tonight to start and then where do I go from there?

Thanks for reading!!!

 

[Megatron28]

Find out which type of estradiol lab test was performed. Regular or Sensitive? The sensitive is more precise at the lower levels seen in men. The regular test is not accurate the lower your estradiol is. What we have generally seen here is that you can take 10-20 points off the regular assay. That means you would have estradiol between 27-37. That's perfect.

Before you start taking an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) find out which estradiol assay was used. Do yourself a favor. Crashing your estrogen sucks big time.

Let us know and then we can help you with how much to take. But you right in that 1mg per day is way too much unless you have ovaries and breast cancer.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

He said it was just the regular but he will do the sensitive 6 weeks from now. What surprised me was that he was spot on with wanting my E to be at 20 - 25. He made it sound as if he wanted it to be there on the regular Estradiol range and not on the sensitive. I definitely don't want to crush my E2. Thanks buddy.

 

[Megatron28]

He said it was just the regular but he will do the sensitive 6 weeks from now. What surprised me was that he was spot on with wanting my E to be at 20 - 25. He made it sound as if he wanted it to be there on the regular Estradiol range and not on the sensitive. I definitely don't want to crush my E2. Thanks buddy.

When you had your labs done, for how long were you on the protocol of injecting every 3.5 days instead of 7? If not long, switching to 3.5 days will lower your estradiol more.

I wouldn't start taking an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) if I were you given your lab results UNLESS you are feeling symptoms of high estrogen. Have any?

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

I started out every 3 1/2 days for two weeks in a row. Saw the new doc and he said to do 100mg every 7 days for 4 weeks then wait 3-4 days and have a blood draw, which I did do. During that 4 week period of once a week injections, I pretty much started feeling crappy, perhaps from an estrogen spike. Immediately after the blood draw I went back to every 3 1/2 days and since the switch back, I have been feeling better. It's only been 2 weeks that I'm back on my every 3 1/2 day injections though. I'm still not "high" like I was before going to the once a week injections. I want that back soooo bad!!!

 

[Megatron28]

I started out every 3 1/2 days for two weeks in a row. Saw the new doc and he said to do 100mg every 7 days for 4 weeks then wait 3-4 days and have a blood draw, which I did do. During that 4 week period of once a week injections, I pretty much started feeling crappy, perhaps from an estrogen spike. Immediately after the blood draw I went back to every 3 1/2 days and since the switch back, I have been feeling better. It's only been 2 weeks that I'm back on my every 3 1/2 day injections though. I'm still not "high" like I was before going to the once a week injections. I want that back soooo bad!!!

Give the injections every 3.5 days a month and then get labs drawn again. Read the stickies for how to get cheap blood work done without you doc and which panels to get. I would stay off the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) for now. At 50mg every 3.5 days you most likely will not have an estrogen problem.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Forgot to add that I'm not noticing any gyno issues other than a couple weeks ago my man boobs felt a little "fuller" than normal but that seems to have subsided. I carry all my fat in my stomach and chest which is very embarrassing when I am changing at the gym. I'm trying to lose the weight but it is extremely difficult. I had hoped the increased testosterone would make it easy but so far, that's not happening.

I was thinking of getting the blood work done at privatemedlabs in two weeks which would make it a full month back on my every 3 1/2 day protocol, should I wait two additional weeks? What day should I have it drawn, the morning of my Wednesday pin before I inject? That would be my low, right?

 

[Megatron28]

Forgot to add that I'm not noticing any gyno issues other than a couple weeks ago my man boobs felt a little "fuller" than normal but that seems to have subsided. I carry all my fat in my stomach and chest which is very embarrassing when I am changing at the gym. I'm trying to lose the weight but it is extremely difficult. I had hoped the increased testosterone would make it easy but so far, that's not happening.

I was thinking of getting the blood work done at privatemedlabs in two weeks which would make it a full month back on my every 3 1/2 day protocol, should I wait two additional weeks? What day should I have it drawn, the morning of my Wednesday pin before I inject? That would be my low, right?

One month on the new pinning schedule should be fine. I usually get labs on the day I pin before I have pinned that day. On a 3.5 day schedule I.m not sure it matters as much though since your levels are more stable.

I am guessing it took you a long time to put all that weight on. It isn't going to come off in 6 weeks. It takes time -- even with restored T levels. Best thing you can do is evaluate your diet, add muscle by lifting weights which results in burning more calories 24/7 and finding a sport to play that you enjoy. Soccer, hockey, basketball, etc.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Let me just say Megatron, I really appreciate the time you and the other regulars spend helping us newbies.
I hear you about the weight, I'll keep plugging away at it. I have discovered racquetball recently and have been playing in the mornings before work and lifting at lunch. Just one more thing... After my next blood work, I was thinking of bumping my total Test up towards the top end of the range, what number should I shoot for? My Free T is already above the normal range, is this ok?

 

[Megatron28]

Let me just say Megatron, I really appreciate the time you and the other regulars spend helping us newbies.
I hear you about the weight, I'll keep plugging away at it. I have discovered racquetball recently and have been playing in the mornings before work and lifting at lunch. Just one more thing... After my next blood work, I was thinking of bumping my total Test up towards the top end of the range, what number should I shoot for? My Free T is already above the normal range, is this ok?

In my case, I told my doc that I was going to play around with my dose and pinning protocol to find what worked and felt the best. My doc was fine with that -- he just wanted me to stay within the normal range for TT. I shared with him everything I was doing and provided frequent lab tests from privatemdlabs. Ask your doc for the same "leash". I think as long as you keep your TT within the normal range that you are fine if you can keep your estradiol, hematocrit, blood pressure, kidney and liver function, etc all within healthy levels. As Halfwit says, if you are going to all the trouble of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) you might as well get to be at the top end of the normal range.

BTW: I pulled together a spreadsheet with all my blood work history. I log every new test in there and share it with my doc. It really helps you spot trends before things get too high or low.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Thanks for the info! I will have some new blood work done in a couple weeks but I am having trouble finding the stickey on blood work you were talking about. Could you point me in the right direction on what labs should be.done this go round? My doc also said he "wasn't able" to prescribe HCG when I asked him about it and I had also asked him about peptides at the same time. He referred me to another place for those things and I know we don't talk about that stuff here, at least peptides and such. I only mention that because I believe it shows his willingness to help get me where I'd like to be with my body. I will ask him next time I see him about playing with my test numbers, I don't think it will be an issue. Thanks again for your time guys.

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks for the info! I will have some new blood work done in a couple weeks but I am having trouble finding the stickey on blood work you were talking about. Could you point me in the right direction on what labs should be.done this go round? My doc also said he "wasn't able" to prescribe HCG when I asked him about it and I had also asked him about peptides at the same time. He referred me to another place for those things and I know we don't talk about that stuff here, at least peptides and such. I only mention that because I believe it shows his willingness to help get me where I'd like to be with my body. I will ask him next time I see him about playing with my test numbers, I don't think it will be an issue. Thanks again for your time guys.

Go to Private MD - Buy Lab Tests Online. They offer basically any lab work you could want. You can order individual test (al la carte), but I think you get your best value in their panels. I type the word "panel" into their search bar and they all come up. Flip theough them and compare to see what works best for you.

Lots of guys just get the Hormone Panel for Females. That isn't a typo. It is for men too. You just list male as you go through the process of selecting it. With a coupon code, it costs $50 and you usually get your results a day later. Here is a code that is good through the end of July. gsmtr45f

The panel above includes:

CBC
Metaboliv Panel
LH
FSH
Total Testosterone
Estradiol (regular assay)

The regular assay is less accurate, but often good enough to tell you if you are high or low. But sometimes adding the Estradiol Sensitive assay as well is worth the added cost.

There is a male panel for about $150 that includes the above along with:

Sensitive Estradiol
Thyroid Panel
Free Testosterone
PSA
Lipids panels

So depending on what you want there is a panel for you.

Some others worth thinking about are:

- Vitamin D
- Prolactin
- There is an anemia panel too that is worth considering too just to make sure your iron levels are good. It also checks B12 and folic acid.
Cortisol perhaps.

I know there's lots more. Kind of depends on your budget and your health history. Like I said though, getting the Hormone Panel for Females has the key things you need while one testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), it is cheap, and you get the results quickly.

Look through the choices and let us know if you need help choosing. If you haven't checked your thyroid recently, I would recommend getting that panel too.

 

[Megatron28]

I think it is ok to talk about doctor prescribed and/or recommended peptides. Perhaps not... I have looked into them a bit but I haven't used them. I would like to learn more as it related to TRT. I considered TB-500 for tendinitis I am experiencing. Some guys look at the ones related to Growth Hormone.

What was your doctor recommending?

And don't forget, there is the peptide forum too.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

I did get the hormone panel for females about a month ago but it seems that if you don't have the Free Testosterone and sensitive estrogen tests done it's kind of a waste of money, I don't know, just an observation. I'll do the male hormone panel in a couple weeks and then in 6 weeks when I go back to get my blood work at the docs I'll ask if he can run those other things for me. I asked the doc about GHRP-2 and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), he said the HCG is cool if I want my nuts bigger and to get my body producing some of It's own test again. The GHRP peptides... He said he'd rather see me on a regular HGH. It's difficult for me to take in all the info he tells me, mostly because I don't understand much of it. I wish there was just one panel that had everything we needed, I would just get that no matter the cost. I have a couple of coworkers on test and a steady diet of HCG and GHRP-6, they are in pretty good shape and both love the GHRP. I am going to talk to the guy that my doc recommend to me tomorrow and I'll let you know what he has to say. He deals specifically with HRT.

 

[Megatron28]

I did get the hormone panel for females about a month ago but it seems that if you don't have the Free Testosterone and sensitive estrogen tests done it's kind of a waste of money, I don't know, just an observation. I'll do the male hormone panel in a couple weeks and then in 6 weeks when I go back to get my blood work at the docs I'll ask if he can run those other things for me. I asked the doc about GHRP-2 and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), he said the HCG is cool if I want my nuts bigger and to get my body producing some of It's own test again. The GHRP peptides... He said he'd rather see me on a regular HGH. It's difficult for me to take in all the info he tells me, mostly because I don't understand much of it. I wish there was just one panel that had everything we needed, I would just get that no matter the cost. I have a couple of coworkers on test and a steady diet of HCG and GHRP-6, they are in pretty good shape and both love the GHRP. I am going to talk to the guy that my doc recommend to me tomorrow and I'll let you know what he has to say. He deals specifically with HRT.

The male panel has IGF-1. There is a lab for growth hormone too.

 

[Megatron28]

Get the Male Athletic Anti Aging Panel. $350 before the 15% discount.

-Lipid Cholesterol Profile
-Complete Blood Count w/ Differential
-Estradiol, Sensitive
-Hemoglobin A1c
-Cardiac C-Reactive Protein Test, High Sensitivity
-Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
-Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT)
-Insulin, Fasting
-Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
-Luteinizing Hormone(LH)
-Testosterone, Free (Direct), Serum With Total Testosterone
-Sex Hormone binding Globulin, Serum
-Urinalysis, Routine
-Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
-Magnesium, Serum
-Thyroxine (T4) Free, Direct
-Ferritin, Serum
-Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
-Iron Serum w/TIBC
-Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S)
-Prolactin
-Tri-iodothyronine (T3), Free, Serum

Add in Vitamin D too.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

So get this Mega... My doc had referred me to an Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) outfit he deals with when it comes to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Peptides. I talked to the guy today and he wants to see my last physical and last blood work I had done so we can talk about maybe fine tuning some of my testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and possibly starting some other stuff. I told him what my numbers were and he recommends I just take .5mg of Arimidex with my Wednesday night pin only and see where that gets me. He says It's best to take the Arimidex at night because it works better? He said not to take it with my Sunday morning pin just yet. Also, when I told him what my free test came back at he said it sounded like my body wasn't using the test properly and I need to check my SHBG and I may possibly need another drug to correct this issue. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Megatron28]

So get this Mega... My doc had referred me to an Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) outfit he deals with when it comes to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Peptides. I talked to the guy today and he wants to see my last physical and last blood work I had done so we can talk about maybe fine tuning some of my testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and possibly starting some other stuff. I told him what my numbers were and he recommends I just take .5mg of Arimidex with my Wednesday night pin only and see where that gets me. He says It's best to take the Arimidex at night because it works better? He said not to take it with my Sunday morning pin just yet. Also, when I told him what my free test came back at he said it sounded like my body wasn't using the test properly and I need to check my SHBG and I may possibly need another drug to correct this issue. Any thoughts on this?

I think it would be better to take .25mg of adex with each injection every 3.5 days. But like we have talked about, you may not even need it if you inject 50mg every 3.5 days. I would let that play out and get labs run before adding an AI.

I don't get the night thing for adex. Doesn't mean it is true, but I have never heard that before. Did he say why it is better to take it at night?

As for Free T, I was surprised how high your is compared to your TT. But I have always been under the impression that higher Free T is better. This is the unbound T that you body is supposed to be able ti use. But he could be right. Your Free T could be high because your SHBG is low. I don't know what you can do though to raise SHBG. NewToHRT has this problem -- sorry for probably misspelling your name.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Thanks Mega. Still gonna wait on the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) like you suggested.
I'll ask again about taking the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) at night. He said something about being horizontal while sleeping and water weight. I was overwhelmed at all the things he was telling me plus a bad cell phone connection didn't help. He did say he thinks I should raise my test but only after my next blood work. He is also a big fan of twice a week pinning. Gonna get that big mama of a panel run in two weeks that you suggested and that should spell it out pretty clearly. Gonna find out more about the free T and SHBG and how they work.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Hey Mega... Got a call from the Docs office today. The nurse told me that the Doctor had ordered the "Sensitive" Estrogen test and I can come in whenever I want to get the blood drawn. Since I am pinning Sunday morning and Wednesday night, when is the best time to get tested for the estrogen? I know that in a couple weeks when I do that big blood panel I will do it Wednesday morning. I could opt to not even do this doctor ordered "sensitive" test and just wait for my own panel to be done in a couple weeks???? What do you think? Thanks again!