I have a few questions about TRT, drug testing, competitions etc.

[rinkerx]

The reason I ask is that it doesn't make any sense. If 200mg every 2 weeks gives you acceptable trough levels, then switching to the same dose every 4 weeks is pretty much guaranteed not to.
Alternatively, doubling the dose and the interval 400mg/4wks doesn't make much sense either - that would be an unusual amount to inject for TRT and result in a big spike followed by weeks of decline - really the opposite of what you want.

I had briefly talked to the nurse when I had to call in to make my appointment and I asked "the half-life of testosterone is 5-7 days right?" and she said yes I followed by "well wouldn't my testosterone be low by the end of the 2 weeks period?" and she said "No because it builds up in your body"

I'm not entirely sure but I think the Dr wanted to keep at 200mg when we switch to the monthly injections.

I have came up with a little list to ask when I go in on 27th, I will also try and find some clinical studies to take with me, I mean like you said essentially I'm not trying to get MORE testosterone I just want it more consistent

 

[Mprtz]

I had briefly talked to the nurse when I had to call in to make my appointment and I asked "the half-life of testosterone is 5-7 days right?" and she said yes I followed by "well wouldn't my testosterone be low by the end of the 2 weeks period?" and she said "No because it builds up in your body"

I'm not entirely sure but I think the Dr wanted to keep at 200mg when we switch to the monthly injections.

I have came up with a little list to ask when I go in on 27th, I will also try and find some clinical studies to take with me, I mean like you said essentially I'm not trying to get MORE testosterone I just want it more consistent

The nurses comment is just a brush-off, or she is uninformed. 200mg is a good size dose, so you may not be clinically low after 14 days, but it's pretty much guaranteed that you will be (very low) after another 14 days. It just doesn't add up, and even spread out to 50mg per week is unlikely to put you where you want to be.

 

[rinkerx]

The nurses comment is just a brush-off, or she is uninformed. 200mg is a good size dose, so you may not be clinically low after 14 days, but it's pretty much guaranteed that you will be (very low) after another 14 days. It just doesn't add up, and even spread out to 50mg per week is unlikely to put you where you want to be.

after 6 weeks of taking 200mg once every 2 weeks my test went from 217 to 370

So I should shoot for 100mg a week? I just don't want to have to go through the monthly injection a couple times to convince her its wrong, today is the last day of the 2 weeks and I am dragging ass I feel like the last 3-4 days I have to take naps during the day and I never had my entire life took naps

sucks too because I'm paying out of pocket for all this 100$ for 10ml of test cyp plus the dr visits (15$ ea)

 

[Megatron28]

Get a new doctor if you can't talk sense into her by presenting facts.

 

[Mprtz]

after 6 weeks of taking 200mg once every 2 weeks my test went from 217 to 370

So I should shoot for 100mg a week? I just don't want to have to go through the monthly injection a couple times to convince her its wrong, today is the last day of the 2 weeks and I am dragging ass I feel like the last 3-4 days I have to take naps during the day and I never had my entire life took naps

sucks too because I'm paying out of pocket for all this 100$ for 10ml of test cyp plus the dr visits (15$ ea)

Well that 370 is very close to my guess of 400 trough. 100mg a week is a reasonable dose, and your trough will be higher, maybe 500-600. Still not where I would want to be given all the trouble and expense.

I just went to a clinic and now they test me every 6 months now that I'm dialed in on 200mg/week. I do extra blood work on my own and have learned enough here not to need too much hand-holding. I have reasonable autonomy but everything I take is by prescription. The price is reasonable (to me). PM me if you want to know. Have you considered forum sponsor IMT? I forgot if you mentioned where you live.

 

[rinkerx]

Won't let me PM you? Do I not have enough posts or something? I live about 2 hours east of pittsburgh

what is forum sponsor IMT?

 

[Mprtz]

Won't let me PM you? Do I not have enough posts or something? I live about 2 hours east of pittsburgh

If you live 2 hours from the nearest major city a walk-in clinic may be harder to find, but online might still be an option. I'll PM you.

 

[rinkerx]

Thanks for the info what about the online option?

I'm also not really sure what studies I should take in to show her? I googled a few but nothing looks really legitimate

and a clinic like this? themenshealthclinic.com/ not sure if posting links is against the rules

 

[Mprtz]

Thanks for the info what about the online option?

I'm also not really sure what studies I should take in to show her? I googled a few but nothing looks really legitimate

and a clinic like this? themenshealthclinic.com/ not sure if posting links is against the rules

Online I'm only familiar with IMT, who are sponsors of this forum and have many satisfied clients here. I have not (yet) used them personally, but you can bet that you're going to get a state-of-the-art program from them.

IMT jump in any time here

 

[rinkerx]

Online I'm only familiar with IMT, who are sponsors of this forum and have many satisfied clients here. I have not (yet) used them personally, but you can bet that you're going to get a state-of-the-art program from them.

IMT jump in any time here

I checked the site for IMT better to get a hold of someone on here? or do the phone consultation?

 

[Mprtz]

I checked the site for IMT better to get a hold of someone on here? or do the phone consultation?

I'd try phone - more interactive.

 

[rinkerx]

I go for my next shot tomorrow, what should i say to my nurse about her telling me that my testosterone builds up in my body? I mean I know it doesn't but how should i explain it to her?

I wish I could PM you to talk more privately when is PM unlocked?

 

[Megatron28]

She is correct in that the various doses to build up in your body. It is a function of the half lives. But there is still a range. You still have a peak and trough. The range is greater the less frequently you pin.

Talking to the nurse won't change anything though. You need to get the doc to let you self inject as often as you want to.

You need 50 posts to PM.

 

[rinkerx]

Alright thanks, like I said I'm still unfamiliar with it I read the first thing you posted but haven't had a chance to read the others

 

[Megatron28]

Keep reading until your eyes fall out.

 

[Mprtz]

I go for my next shot tomorrow, what should i say to my nurse about her telling me that my testosterone builds up in my body? I mean I know it doesn't but how should i explain it to her?

I wish I could PM you to talk more privately when is PM unlocked?

The only way that "build up" can be justfied is that one dose will not be completely worn off by the time the next dose is administered. So there is some overlap between subsequent doses, but this process doesn't continue indefinitely.

Example: Let's say you're taking 200mg every 2 weeks, and that 2 weeks represents 2 half lives.
If you are at 400 at the end of the first two weeks (after first dose), then that 400 will drop to 100 in another 2 weeks, plus a contribution of 400 for the new dose for an ending level of 500. After another two weeks, the three doses will total 400+100+25=525. After another 2 weeks: 400+100+25+6.25=531.5. After another 2 weeks: 400+100+25+6.25+3.125=534.75

So as you can see in this scenario you might approach 540 with overlapping doses after which there will be no further build-up because doses eventually decay to basically zero.

It aint going to do much for the 200 every four weeks (four half lives) scenario:

Level after 4 weeks: 100
after 8 weeks: 100+6.25=106.25
after 12 weeks: 100+6.25+0.390625=106.64, etc.

This is even optimistic, since 7 days is probably on the long end for the half life of test C.

EDIT: agree with mega that there's probably no point trying to talk her out of it.
EDIT: if someone wants to nitpick, the process DOES continue indefinitely, but this is a convergent infinite series with a finite solution

 

[rinkerx]

Well I seen the PA today (who I usually see) before I got my injection I presented her with all the information I've gotten from you guys and the studies I looked into.

I told her about the half life and how injecting every 2 weeks didn't seem like the best option, I asked about testing for estrogen, I asked about injecting at home.

And to my surprise she agreed with me and said I could get weekly injections of 100MG until she confirmed it with the doctor who shot me down again. He said we don't do weekly injections that my levels would equal out after a few more weeks or even months of taking bi-weekly injections. He also said that estrogen is not something they test when doing TRT.

I got the nurse to print me out all of my Labs since Oct.

9/5/13 - t4,free 1.5NG/DL, Total Testosterone 245 NG/DL (a bunch of labs ask if you want to see any more, thyroid, etc.)
10/25/13 - t4, free 1.3NG/DL no other labs
1/24/14 - t4,free 1.5NG/DL, Total Testosterone 216NG/DL no other labs
3/13/14 - Total Testosterone 370 NG/DL no other labs

so basically my testosterone is the only thing I know, no idea whats going on with any other hormones

 

[Gossamer]

He also said that estrogen is not something they test when doing TRT.

In my 8+ month experience on trt, estrogen is THE most important thing to test for.

Please, do yourself a favor and start looking for another doctor. Or give IMT a call.

The effects of low and high estradiol are horrible. You don't want to play guessing games with estradiol.

 

[methos0123]

In my 8+ month experience on trt, estrogen is THE most important thing to test for.

Please, do yourself a favor and start looking for another doctor. Or give IMT a call.

The effects of low and high estradiol are horrible. You don't want to play guessing games with estradiol.

Hematocrit is just as important...don't forget HCT. It can kill you.

 

[rinkerx]

I just went with IMT after talking with Daniel