Protocol, Labs to get etc

[bcwill250]

Hey Guys,

I'm hoping for some advice. I'm in Canada if it makes any difference.

I've had low T and most symptoms of it for years I am 36, 185lbs, average build and not very fit over all. (Looking forward to changing this)
I've suffered the low libido and results of that losing a very important relationship, depression and more.

I was tested a couple years ago, and was found that my testosterone was right at the bottom of the "normal" scale.

I was referred to an endocrinologist, and he said yes low test is very likely your issue however due to having relatively high hemoglobin numbers, he wasn't willing to go beyond 5mg Androgel (which had no effect)

So I continued suffering for another whole year, and then finally found a doc willing to prescribe and trust that I will keep an eye on my hemoglobin levels and go donate some blood if necessary.

I am currently taking 50mg ed3 of Test-e, I started approximately 2.5 months ago, I've noticed some improvement libido wise, but not much else. And I've still taken cialis to ensure things go well. But definitely noticed more interest.

My issues are this: I haven't noticed any improvement mood or energy wise, I am still pretty tired very often, for a guy who doesn't have to put out a lot of physical effort every day, it just doesn't feel right.

I asked for a standing order for labs to keep an eye on test and hemoglobin, however the dr didn't feel that it was necessary to order anything beyond basic blood chemistry and basic testosterone, No Free Test and no Bioavalible.

I've also started noticing the boy's shrinking a bit.

I've shared my concerns with him and he's open to ideas and logic if I can show him the information.

I know these are rookie questions so please go easy on me.

What labs should I be getting ideally and why?
He understands the reasoning for my wanting to add HCG to my regime. I recommended he read this article

https://menshormonalhealth.com/testosterone-therapy.html

Does the protocol there seem to make sense?

I can't afford to pay a specialist when I have a good dr, he's just not a specialist with this stuff.


Hopefully this makes sense. I just really want to feel better and get back to being me.

Thank you

 

[Systemlord]

It's going to take time for TRT to get to 100 percent effectiveness, it took me about 6 months to feel more consistently better and lots of back and forth improvements. Still I get to feeling a little off for a few hours in the same day, it used to be weeks apart and 6 months later it's hours apart. You really need SHBG tested to know which protocol is best for you, low SHBG and you need more shots due to the fact you're excreting your testosterone into your urine, high SHBG and you need larger fewer shots to suppress high SHBG. SHBG together with measuring testosterone helps you determine free testosterone which is more important since it's the stuff that gets the job done. Total testosterone it's just a reservoir, free T is the bread and butter!

 

[Entourage_Doc]

Need TT FT shbg Lh FSH and estradiol to get good picture for treatment. As the previous poster had said,it does take some time to get dialed in, However this is not very difficult to do.

In regards to hcg while being on it is now the standard of practice within the HRT community. Many good peer reviewed articles on the internet.

Good luck
Dr B

 

[bcwill250]

Thanks gentlemen, I will pursue this with dr and see where it goes, I appreciate you taking the time to offer advice.

 

[bcwill250]

Also what would be a good starting doseage of HCG to go along with 50mg Test e ED3

 

[bcwill250]

Thanks for the reply.

I had this labwork done
Results are as follows. This is after having been on 50mg Test E every 3rd day for past 2 months.

SHBG 12.7 nmol/L
LH 0.1 iu/L
Free test 390 pmol/L
Total test 12.7 nmol/L
Bio avail Test 9.1 nmol/L
estradiol 79 pmol/L
FSH 0.2 iu/l

Fyi draw was on day 3 before my shot

Any recommendations?
I haven't felt any energy benefits yet, a bit better libido. But still poor mood and energy levels.

I'd like to start HCG with this but am unsure of starting doseage.

 

[bcwill250]

In regards to this someone commented on another forum that my SHBG being so low could be causing issues as well.
I went back thru labs to find on pre-TRT and the most recent labwork that had SHBG was from 2014
but the level even then was quite low. heres what my labs looked like pre-trt

Again any information, suggestions or thoughts appreciated

Testosterone 7.8 8.4-28.8 nmol/L
Testosterone Free Calculated 250 170-630 pmol/L
Testosterone Bioavailable Calculated 5.9 4.7-15.0 nmol/L
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 14.9 10.0-70.0 nmol/L
When assessing testosterone status,
testosterone and SHBG should be tested on
the same specimen.

Thanks for the reply.

I had this labwork done
Results are as follows. This is after having been on 50mg Test E every 3rd day for past 2 months.

SHBG 12.7 nmol/L
LH 0.1 iu/L
Free test 390 pmol/L
Total test 12.7 nmol/L
Bio avail Test 9.1 nmol/L
estradiol 79 pmol/L
FSH 0.2 iu/l

Fyi draw was on day 3 before my shot

Any recommendations?
I haven't felt any energy benefits yet, a bit better libido. But still poor mood and energy levels.

I'd like to start HCG with this but am unsure of starting doseage.