Low E2 beginning TRT with sensitive nipples

[finloopio]

Hey everyone, I think I have an interesting case here and I'd like some opinions.

My doc just put me on on TRT, 200mg twice/month because of the test results below

Testosterone 312 (Range 348-1197 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone 7.4 (Range 8.7-25.1 pg/mL)
LH 5.1 (Range 1.7-8.6 mIU/mL)
FSH 8.1 (Range 1.5-12.4 mIU/mL)
Prolactin 10.9 (Range 4.0-15.2 ng/mL)

10 minutes prior to my first injection I had blood drawn for SHBG, PSA and Estradiol (E2). I just received the results but my Doctor is out of town through next Tuesday so I can't get a grasp on what they could mean.

SHBG 46.4 (Range 16.5-55.9 nmol/L)
Prostate Specific Ag 0.4 (Range 0.0-4.0 ng/mL)
Estradiol <5.1 L (Range 7.6-42.6 pg/mL)

Obviously that E2 level is freaking me out a little bit. I've had senstitive nipples and they began to be quite painful. I noticed small lumps forming under them so I started on Raloxifene (60mg ED) about a week before this test. I do not understand how I could have painful nipples and lumps from LOW estradiol. Anybody have thoughts for me? I read that Ralox can actually slightly raise E2 so I am going to continue on that to see about eliminating the lumps. Will TRT with no AI help raise my E2 levels out of the gutter? Also, what does the "<" sign mean in front of 5.1? They can't measure levels any lower? Like I said, I have no medical interpretation of these last results and will not until Tuesday.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Megatron28]

The < sign means that your E2 was less than 5.1. The test you had done is not sensitive enough to report a result below 5.1.

Yes, exogenous test without an AI will likely result in increased aromatization and higher E2.

E2 is often low in hypogonadal men and they don't have much teat available to aromatize. I wouldnt be freaked out by it being low prior to TRT.

When did you first notice the gyno? Could it be pubertal? Did the doctor examine you and diagnose you with gyno? It is common for guys to think they have gyno when they really don't.

By the way, taking 200m of test every two weeks is a terrible TRT protocol. You are going to be on a roller coaster ride of really high TT levels and really low TT levels during that time period. You need to inject test cyp (assuming you got Test Cyp) at least once a week. Many of us actually do it twice a week to help keep our hormone levels more even. I would encourage you do research the concept of Half Lives.

You may also benefit from reading the Basic TRT Overview sticky thread found in this forum.

 

[finloopio]

By the way, taking 200m of test every two weeks is a terrible TRT protocol. You are going to be on a roller coaster ride of really high TT levels and really low TT levels during that time period. You need to inject test cyp (assuming you got Test Cyp) at least once a week. Many of us actually do it twice a week to help keep our hormone levels more even. I would encourage you do research the concept of Half Lives.

Thanks for the reply. Good to know low E2 levels are normal prior to TRT.

I know 200mg every two weeks is not ideal. I just had to take the first injection in the Dr office so i put up with it. I'll be dosing 100mg once/week at home. I'm 31 and never had sensitive nipples before recently. And the lumps are painful. My doc didn't examine them though. I'm really baffled by what could have caused this. I ordered the E2 test myself because I was sure I had HIGH E2... then it came back as lower than readable. Any other thoughts out there as to what could cause sensitive nipples? Should I back off the Ralox?

 

[Megatron28]

Could be the T-shirt you wore that irritated them. Could be breast cancer. Could be gynecomastia. Could be lots of things.

I get the sense you have used steroids before. Want to give us your full medical history?

 

[Alpin]

Ya primary hypogonadism. ..

 

[finloopio]

Could be the T-shirt you wore that irritated them. Could be breast cancer. Could be gynecomastia. Could be lots of things.

I get the sense you have used steroids before. Want to give us your full medical history?

I've only run orals in the past. I ran five weeks of Epi in Feb-March and PCT with Nolva. I started running Trest and Epi stack in early July but only ran for one week before nipples started hurting and noticed a small lump forming. At that point I quit and started on Ralox for a month before I had no nipple pain and the lump was gone. I had been fine since then until about 3 weeks ago when they started hurting again. I went in to get my testosterone levels checked at that point and chalked it up to low T but possible high E2. Then the <5.1 result came in and surprised me. May be the Epi killed my estrogen levels and it never came back?

Think I should continue on Ralox?

 

[Megatron28]

I think you should have a doctor perform a physical examination to make sure it is gyno.

And stop running bad cycles.

 

[finloopio]

I think you should have a doctor perform a physical examination to make sure it is gyno.

And stop running bad cycles.

I thought those were pretty mild cycles and I only ran one of them to the fullest. Oh well. I don't really trust my doctor with much. He just chalked my sensitive nipples up to low testosterone levels and didn't bother examining. I didn't persist because I just figured he knew what he was talking about. In reading more, it doesn't seem like low T alone would cause sensitive nipples, especially with E2 in the gutter.

 

[3J]

I think you should have a doctor perform a physical examination to make sure it is gyno.

And stop running bad cycles.

thats what i was thinking