Starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) next week, I'm a little scared and have questions.

[SilverBackGorilla]

Starting TRT next week, I'm a little scared and have questions.

I've been diagnosed by my general practioner and my urologist after having done two sets of blood work that I have low T. My urologist gave me 30 days of "testem" to start which I refused because of the unbelievable cost and the possibility of contaminating my kids. He agreed and wants to prescribe me test cypionate (not sure of doseage) and wants me in next week to teach me to shoot it properly. I plan to split whatever the dose is into two shots each wek 3 1/2 days apart from what I have been reading on here. My guess is I'm getting 100mg a week and splitting into two 50 mg shots. My question is, he has never heard of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) being used to keep the testicles working. Should I run, not walk to the next doctor? What should my starting protocol be? My free T is 165, range is 175-781. Thanks for reading.

 

[1693]

Your doc might be willing to learn so I wouldn't fire him yet.

Many just get Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) on their own without a script when their doc won't listen.

There are injecting videos on youtube that can help you get more comfortable with the process.

 

[1693]

....

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

If I can, I would prefer to keep my doctor in the loop with what I am injecting. How much Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) should I ask him for each week? Thanks!

 

[Megatron28]

Lots of guys on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) don't take Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) -- especially if they are done having kids. I don't. I am done having kids. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) would be just one more thing to manage in your protocol that would make things harder to get dialed in. Not to mention the very high cost of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) as well. Your insurance may not cover it either.

In the last few days there have been some discussions on Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Read through those and make your own decision about whether or not you need it.

Did you talk to your doctor about an AI? At 50mg 2x/week you may not need it. But you might need it. It would be good to know that your doctor would prescribe it if your estradiol levels become elevated. If he would not be willing to prescribe I would look for a new doctor. Continue reading on this forum and you will see the ill effects guys get from not managing their estradiol while on TRT.

Were you diagnosed with primary or secondary hypogonadism? Did they check your prolactin? You listed Free T -- what is you Total T at? Sometimes it helps to list all you lab results and let the guys on here look at them. If you do, also include the referenced normal ranges. Did they talk to you about watching your hematocrit?

Sounds like you have been doing your homework so that should help you successfully manage your treatment. And good decision regarding the Testim for the reasons you listed.

 

[1693]

Alot of guys seem to like to dose 250iu of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) 2 or 3 times per week....there are many differing opinions all about Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and what doses to use. You need to figure out what works for you.

Since you gave a lab range of 175-781 then I think that 165 is your total test (TT)?

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Thank you so much for your reply! I am done having kids, I'm 42 and had a vasectomy 10 years ago. I do believe my insurance will cover it based on a coworker being on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as well. I have gotten lots of info from him but he is at a totally different level of body building than I am right now and he is not under a doctor's supervision right now. With that being said, I want to make my own decisions rather than follow a protocol that someone else is doing. We did not talk about Hematocrit, I don't really know what that is. I mentioned the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) and he said that sounds like bodybuilder stuff so I left it at that. My latest blood test numbers are as follows before TRT:
Free testosterone 4.4L Range 6.8-21.5
FSH 3.0 Range 1.3-19.3
LH 2.9 Range 1.2-8.6
Prolactin 6.8 Range 2.6-13.1
Testosterone 165 Range 175-781
Free T4 0.96 Range 0.61-1.35
T3 Uptake 39 Range 23-37
SHBG 15 Range 10-50

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Alot of guys seem to like to dose 250iu of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) 2 or 3 times per week....there are many differing opinions all about Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and what doses to use. You need to figure out what works for you.

Since you gave a lab range of 175-781 then I think that 165 is your total test (TT)?

Yep, it was late when I first posted last night. Sorry.

 

[Megatron28]

What's going on with your thyroid? Are you looking into why your numbers are off?

Looks like you are secondary given your low fsh and lh.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

What's going on with your thyroid? Are you looking into why your numbers are off?

Looks like you are secondary given your low fsh and lh.

Megatron, was there something with my numbers that suggest a thyroid problem or did I not have any numbers for you to see what my thyroid is doing? I have not done anything as far as trying to find out why my.numbers are off, I just figured it was age. What should I have my Dr. Test? Thanks!

 

[Megatron28]

Megatron, was there something with my numbers that suggest a thyroid problem or did I not have any numbers for you to see what my thyroid is doing? I have not done anything as far as trying to find out why my.numbers are off, I just figured it was age. What should I have my Dr. Test? Thanks!

I'm not an expert on thyroid issues, but your T3 Uptake is a little above normal. Anytime things are outside the normal ranges you should probably be asking what is going on. May be nothing -- may be something.

Here's a link to more info.

Interpretation for 81792 T3 (Triiodothyronine), Uptake, Serum

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Thanks Megatron, I will ask some thyroid questions tomorrow when I see him. He is supposed to be teaching me how to pin tomorrow morning but I'm wondering if I am ready to start under his supervision if he is not willing to prescribe Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) or an Aromatase inhibitor (AI). From what I have read, the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) keeps us still producing our own T which is something I am liking.

 

[1693]

There are even some docs that are on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) who don't seem to have a good understanding of what Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) or an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) does for a guy. testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is still in it's infancy.

Some docs because of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) diet don't want to be anywhere near prescribing it because they probably think it threatens their license and sometimes they think an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) is only for female cancer.

Some guys wanted to keep their docs even though they wouldn't prescribe Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) or an Aromatase inhibitor (AI), so the guys sometimes end up purchasing them without a script and sometimes the doc is fine with that.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Just picked up my script, 1/2ML twice a week. If my math is correct, that's 200mg a week correct? Probably a little too much from what I've read, LoL!

 

[Megatron28]

Just picked up my script, 1/2ML twice a week. If my math is correct, that's 200mg a week correct? Probably a little too much from what I've read, LoL!

Probably 200mg. Depends on how strong the Testosterone is they prescribed you. It will tell you on the vial. It says how many mg per ml.

200mg per week is a common dosage. Standard testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) protocol is generally 100-200mg per week. Just get blood work done in about a month and see how you are responding. Remember to check your estradiol too.

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Yes, it's 200mg/ml. Testosterone cypionate. Other than the hematocrit and the estradiol, is there anything else I should ask to be tested other than what's posted in my first blood work? Thank you very much!

 

[IMT staff]

Many just get Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) on their own without a script when their doc won't listen.

So basically you are on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) but your ordering Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) from China? Have any idea of the contaminants in underground pharmaceuticals?

 

[1693]

It's from India and a ton of our meds are made there.

 

[Megatron28]

Yes, it's 200mg/ml. Testosterone cypionate. Other than the hematocrit and the estradiol, is there anything else I should ask to be tested other than what's posted in my first blood work? Thank you very much!

Every time:
CBC
Metabolic Panel
Total T
Estradiol

Optional:
Free T -- it is expensive
Vitamin D would be good to check occasionally.
Once in a while you could consider an urinalysis.
Lipid Panel
PSA if you are concerned about your prostate and have high risk factors.

I am sure there are others but that is what I can think of for now.

 

[IMT staff]

It's from India and a ton of our meds are made there.

Obviously you did not watch the video, almost ALL underground meds are comprised of materials from China.

On top of that it could be counterfeit, or it could be real and still be counterfeit. You will notice in the video he refers to a newspaper who orders from 3 online sources, none matched label and all had multiple contaminants.

The point of the video is that these days when obtaining meds without a prescription, you just don't know what your gonna get.