Restart story after 20 weeks on TRT

[bbbjames]

I began using IMT for my TRT. Things were going great like most of the stories we hear on this thread. Before starting TRT I was in the low 400's for TT and feeling like shit. After 20 weeks on TRT I decided to do a restart (I had my own personal reasons). With the help of IMT I did 5 weeks of HCG mono therapy. The protocol was 1000 iu twice a week and the last week I did 1500 iu for my final two injections. After 4.5 weeks I went to my family doc and got some blood work done. My TT was 547 which was over 100 ng/dl higher then when I started. I just began clomid (4 days after my last HCG injection, i'm four days in) and things are going well so far. I am planning on getting some additional blood work after the clomid. Oh, and the clomid protocol is 50 mg every day for 30 days. Hoping all goes well the rest of the way.

 

[Alpin]

good luck

 

[jomamma007]

Clomid should boost your numbers fairly high, hopefully they stick.
If you can afford it I'd get bloods every 4-6 weeks after stopping clomid.
I finished restart with clomid with a total T of 1116, but eventually fell to 348 after 3 months, so you need to keep up the blood work!
good luck

 

[bbbjames]

Thanks for the advise. I plan on doing that. I can get my doc to do at least one more (I plan on doing one month after) which insurance will cover and then I will have to go my own route.

Clomid should boost your numbers fairly high, hopefully they stick.
If you can afford it I'd get bloods every 4-6 weeks after stopping clomid.
I finished restart with clomid with a total T of 1116, but eventually fell to 348 after 3 months, so you need to keep up the blood work!
good luck

 

[Alpin]

I'd like to see labs on your pituitary hormones especially when this is done....as well as TT....
Do you mind getting 2 labs done? immediately after stopping clomid and then six weeks off SERM therapy ?

 

[bbbjames]

I don't mind at all, I'll see what I can do. I will have to go my own route as my family doc won't do a full pituitary workup.

I'd like to see labs on your pituitary hormones especially when this is done....as well as TT....
Do you mind getting 2 labs done? immediately after stopping clomid and then six weeks off SERM therapy ?

 

[jomamma007]

I began using IMT for my TRT. Things were going great like most of the stories we hear on this thread. Before starting TRT I was in the low 400's for TT and feeling like shit. After 20 weeks on TRT I decided to do a restart (I had my own personal reasons). With the help of IMT I did 5 weeks of HCG mono therapy. The protocol was 1000 iu twice a week and the last week I did 1500 iu for my final two injections. After 4.5 weeks I went to my family doc and got some blood work done. My TT was 547 which was over 100 ng/dl higher then when I started. I just began clomid (4 days after my last HCG injection, i'm four days in) and things are going well so far. I am planning on getting some additional blood work after the clomid. Oh, and the clomid protocol is 50 mg every day for 30 days. Hoping all goes well the rest of the way.

Any Updates?

 

[Alpin]

Ya whats the uodate ?
hows clomid going ?

 

[newtohrt]

I am curious as well since HRT has never been of any real benefit to me. If I could get back to natural albeit low production I could at least save a ton of $$$ on blood tests and scrips.

 

[jomamma007]

same, I'm about to attempt the restart that Cashout posted a while back.
23 on trt is just too much drama as I still don't quite feel right

 

[bbbjames]

Sorry, I have been offline for a while. Things are going well with the Clomid. Noticing that my erections aren't like I am 18 anymore and morning erections aren't as frequent. I still have a good libido and desire to have sex. Overall feeling of well being is still good. I am almost 20 days on Clomid and when the 30 days are up I plan to get bloodwork. I will give another update then.

PS. Jo I replied to your PM. Let me know if you need anything else

 

[IMT staff]

Hey Bro! Nice to see your doing well!

Def post those labs for us!

Todd

 

[Alpin]

Good job!
Please post labs with results of (especially) LH, FSH, Prolactin, Estradiol e.t.c.

 

[Alpin]

I am curious as well since HRT has never been of any real benefit to me. If I could get back to natural albeit low production I could at least save a ton of $$$ on blood tests and scrips.

Are you serious ?
You would trade TRT in for "low production" of T ?
What went wrong with your protocol ?

 

[jomamma007]

Sorry, I have been offline for a while. Things are going well with the Clomid. Noticing that my erections aren't like I am 18 anymore and morning erections aren't as frequent. I still have a good libido and desire to have sex. Overall feeling of well being is still good. I am almost 20 days on Clomid and when the 30 days are up I plan to get bloodwork. I will give another update then.

PS. Jo I replied to your PM. Let me know if you need anything else

Almost 30 days huh, look forward to blood work results.
How are you feeling?

 

[bbbjames]

Almost 30 days huh, look forward to blood work results.
How are you feeling?

Feeling good. I think I have four or five days of clomid left. When would you guys recommend I get my first bloodwork done? I guess I will go the private labs route even though I am in NJ. I heard I can just pick a Labcorp close by in PA and that will work.

Since my last update I have been concentrating on my diet a little more and ensuring I am getting adequate sleep. I have also been taking a lot of supps for cellular energy. Feeling good, erections are better, and energy levels are good, not great. Can't complain thus far and I am curious about my bloodwork.

 

[jomamma007]

If you don't mind spending 50 bucks I'd get blood work the day after you stop. Then again in 8 weeks.

Keep in mind, clomid stays in your system for quite some time. Meaning if you get blood work in a few days your levels should be high.
But that doesn't mean much, you have to see if they stay elevated.

Still I'd get it now just to see where you're at, but don't think if you have a 900 test level rn that you're going to keep it.

Sorry that sounded rude, I just mean this blood work is to make sure your boys are responding and just too see where you're at.

 

[bbbjames]

If you don't mind spending 50 bucks I'd get blood work the day after you stop. Then again in 8 weeks.

Keep in mind, clomid stays in your system for quite some time. Meaning if you get blood work in a few days your levels should be high.
But that doesn't mean much, you have to see if they stay elevated.

Still I'd get it now just to see where you're at, but don't think if you have a 900 test level rn that you're going to keep it.

Sorry that sounded rude, I just mean this blood work is to make sure your boys are responding and just too see where you're at.

Got it, thanks man!

 

[newtohrt]

TRT never worked for me

Are you serious ?
You would trade TRT in for "low production" of T ?
What went wrong with your protocol ?

My protocols - and I have probably tried them all - have never done anything for me other than offer a very slight increase in energy. And this is after 3.5 years of working with the board sponsor and several other doctors. TRT has never - not even once - helped me get my libido back, helped with ED or given me that "I feel awesome" feeling that a lot of guys get. In fact, when it comes to libido and ED, I was better off BEFORE TRT.

My thyroid is fine. I have tests going back 3 years and all are in range. I am not diabetic and not severely overweight. I don't smoke or drink more than an occasional glass of wine. Never cycled in the past, never used street drugs, never was on SSRIs or any psych meds. Testosterone simply does little to nothing with my body chemistry.

I have low SHBG. 7-12 on a range of 20 - 70, typically, but other than that I have 3+ years of blood work that shows my E2 in the mid 20s, total T 800-1000 (depending upon the protocol)and free T in a good place. Still, I get nothing from it, except wasting a ton of $$$ over the years with blood work, doctors, scrips, etc...so at this point, why waste anymore money?

I should point out that this is not that uncommon, either. I have been on a lot of other boards, including Dr. Crisler's board and there are a significant number of guys that are "dialed in" on paper and not feeling sh*t for benefits and want to get back off.

This not a perfect analogy, but you know how some people get an infection and have their life saved by Penicillin? Another person that is allergic to Penicillin gets the same shot and dies. My point being that not everyone's body reacts to a given chemical in the same way.

 

[jomamma007]

My protocols - and I have probably tried them all - have never done anything for me other than offer a very slight increase in energy. And this is after 3.5 years of working with the board sponsor and several other doctors. TRT has never - not even once - helped me get my libido back, helped with ED or given me that "I feel awesome" feeling that a lot of guys get. In fact, when it comes to libido and ED, I was better off BEFORE TRT.

My thyroid is fine. I have tests going back 3 years and all are in range. I am not diabetic and not severely overweight. I don't smoke or drink more than an occasional glass of wine. Never cycled in the past, never used street drugs, never was on SSRIs or any psych meds. Testosterone simply does little to nothing with my body chemistry.

I have low SHBG. 7-12 on a range of 20 - 70, typically, but other than that I have 3+ years of blood work that shows my E2 in the mid 20s, total T 800-1000 (depending upon the protocol)and free T in a good place. Still, I get nothing from it, except wasting a ton of $$$ over the years with blood work, doctors, scrips, etc...so at this point, why waste anymore money?

Pretty obvious imo that you're most likely depressed, anxious, or a hypochondriac or have an underlying condition. If all your levels are in range and you feel nothing, it's usually in your head or un-realted to testosterone/estrogen levels.

Usually guys with low SHBG don't fair well on trt. If you feel better, then why not get off and save some money?

The three things you stated, ED, libido and "feel awesome" are in the head. You can have super high or low test levels and still have issues with them.

You should try a lower dose and put your total T around 600 and see how you feel... Nothing to lose, maybe the higher level just doesn't mix with your physiology. Happened to me...