Recent labs...interpreting results for E2 and T

[Harot]

Still learning...so thanks for any help...

Got private labs done without my Dr., because of convenience and I was curious.

Previously, I was dosing 125 mg of T-cyp every 3.5 days with no AI. T was at about 2600 and E2 was at 135 (bad!)

So, we changed the protocol.

I am currently dosing 60 mg of T-cyp every 3.5 days taking .5 mg of Arimidex as an AI.

With this, the T was at 880 an E2 was at 23.6.

Now the questions.

Regarding T...

I think my T could be a little higher. I was feeling rather well with T at 2600, till the E2 happened and made me miserable, BUT, 2600 is certainly bad long term. I was going to shoot for 1100-1200. That would be about 35% higher...so, an increase of 35% in T seems to make sense, right? So, I might start dosing at 80 mg every 3.5 days and get labs in about 3-4 weeks.

Regarding E2...

E2 at 23.6 is rather good from what I read...I am feeling rather good right now. No more edema. Acne on arms seems to be under control, and 4 grams of B-5 per day seems to be helping with that as well. Doing rather well with energy and cognitive function...gym is great.

So...if I increase my T 35%, what will this do to my E2? It will go up right? Maybe to about 30? At what level is the threat of gyno not present for all cases?

This AI literally stops E2 from being produced, right? So, it will suppress the levels. Meaning this, if I did not take my AI, it would go through the roof again, right?

So, it would be safe to assume, that if I want T levels to be 800+ that an AI will be necessary?

 

[methos0123]

was the last test you did a trough, in the middle, or peak?

 

[Harot]

Well, I inject every 3.5 days, so I don't really know how much swing I would really have...but, I inject Sundays/Thursdays mornings, and the labs were in the afternoon on Friday...so I guess if anything, that would have been more of a peak, as the trough would be on Sundays and Thursdays...right?

 

[methos0123]

I would say it's probably shortly after the peak...How do you feel now? Do you feel like you need more T? I wouldn't get caught up too much in the numbers.

 

[Harot]

feel much better than at 387...not as good as 2600...wondering if 1100-1200 might be better...going to see...if no difference, then I will bring it down some...just wasting T if there is no difference.

 

[jasil]

I think it's in your head!! 2600 is not sustainable for life...............800-900 or 1100-1200 I doubt you will feel a difference. I would guess it's in your head.

TRT helps, but it can't reverse the clock you won't feel like you are 21 imo, but you do feel better. I think diet, sleep schedule, and the gym matters more personally.

I can still sleep the day away if I want too just like I could before I was on TRT, but now my workouts are better, body responds better, hornier, but it's not like being on speed or something.

 

[halfwit]

I wouldn't touch a thing. If you're not needing an AI at that total test value and your E2 is at that range, I think you're good to go. Don't become obsessed with a number, it's how you feel that's important. If you're DYING to see 1000ng/dL, you could bump it up a hair - but you do risk going over that edge where aromatization becomes a problem.

Don't fix it if it isn't broken in my humble opinion.

 

[Megatron28]

I wouldn't touch a thing. If you're not needing an AI at that total test value and your E2 is at that range, I think you're good to go. Don't become obsessed with a number, it's how you feel that's important. If you're DYING to see 1000ng/dL, you could bump it up a hair - but you do risk going over that edge where aromatization becomes a problem.

Don't fix it if it isn't broken in my humble opinion.

Halfwit has all those green bars for a reason.

 

[Harot]

I wouldn't touch a thing. If you're not needing an AI at that total test value and your E2 is at that range, I think you're good to go. Don't become obsessed with a number, it's how you feel that's important. If you're DYING to see 1000ng/dL, you could bump it up a hair - but you do risk going over that edge where aromatization becomes a problem.

Don't fix it if it isn't broken in my humble opinion.

Totally makes sense...but I do need an AI...as mentioned, I am taking .5 of Arimidex every 3.5 days, which puts my E2 at 23. And if I felt much better at 2600, 1200 verses 900 stands to reason feeling better. I don't know if I don't try. I can always revert back to 900.

 

[Harot]

But yeah...there might not be any difference between 900 and 1200...and if that is the case, I would prefer 900 then...

 

[halfwit]

Totally makes sense...but I do need an AI...as mentioned, I am taking .5 of Arimidex every 3.5 days, which puts my E2 at 23. And if I felt much better at 2600, 1200 verses 900 stands to reason feeling better. I don't know if I don't try. I can always revert back to 900.

Oh my bad, I thought you said you weren't using an AI at that dose. Of course you felt amazing at 2600ng/dL, but it's not something you can sustain long term without taking other health risks either. I do personally aim for 1000ng/dL, but that was based on my general feeling of well-being before I even pulled the bloods. If your doc is cool with you going up more, go for it - just remember to take baby steps. FWIW, I can't really tell the difference between say 900ng/dL and 1300ng/dL; but I can feel a difference at 700 versus 1000. Of course we're all different - so take from that what you will.

 

[Harot]

Interesting...yes, I don't know what to expect. My Dr is in Latin America...he allows the patient to drive the therapy...but he offers council and feedback, which I take seriously. Technically, I don't need him. I can go into any pharmacy and get whatever I need basically.

I have read that the difference between 350 and 700 is much greater than the difference between 700 and 1050...so, I expect little to not much...

imho, if I can not tell a difference, then less is more...after I see what 1200 is like...if there is no much change, I might take it down to 700 or 800 to see if I can eliminate the AI altogether, yet still feel good.

The fact that everyone is different is the very reason I feel like it is good to try different ranges...having testosterone is all new to me...LOL...so, have to feel these things out...

And yes, I understand that 2600 is not sustainable...LOL...that will never happen again, unless I do a blast...which I am not sure I really want to do...I can work out in the gym for years and still make good gains, because even these T levels are new to me...not sure why he started me out so high...Dr.s in the States seem to start low and go up if needed. He did the opposite. I got all kinds of E2 sides when that happened.

 

[Harot]

Thanks for all of your feedback though...all great and valuable info! ...highly appreciated to a newbie

 

[halfwit]

I hear that a lot actually. The docs here are pretty conservative, but it also has to do with the fact that testosterone is a controlled substance here as well I'm sure. Experimentation is all a part of the "fine-tuning" process as I'm sure you'll see. You're very fortunate to have the ability to have the room to experiment with your values, that's for sure. It's all about finding that happy medium, where you can feel good - but not have to worry about negatives like heavy aromatization.