Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) Advice - ( Blood Test Results incl)

[paulera]

TRT Advice - ( Blood Test Results incl)

Hi All

Hope your all doing good.

After 4 years of Test Prop steroid cycles (with PCT's) I decided to stop last September. I did an extensive PCT for the last cycle but I just have never recovered properly.
The last 10 months have been hell as I have been to the doc 4 times and had blood tests and every time my free testosterone is dropping but they are telling me
that I just have to ride it out. They are really judgemental towards me due to the previous steroid usage. All I want is to feel normal again as im sick and tired of feeling
tired and having no libido.

Erections are infrequent and when they come they are not rock solid. I get married in two months and im absolutely desperate to at least be on the road to
recovery by then

My blood test results from last week are as follows

Serum Total Test - 10.8 (Scale 11.4 - 27.9) - Marked as low
Serum SHBG - 49 (Scale 18 - 54)
Serum Free Test - 158 (Scale 243 - 571) - Marked as low
Serum LH - 4.7 (Scale 1.7 - 8.6)
Serum FSH - 6.1 (Scale 1.5 - 12)
Oestradiol 17b - 63 (Scale 28 - 156)
Progesterone Serum - 1.9 - No scale but written next to it is Day 21 (day-7) progesterone <30 nmol/L suggests inadequate corpus luteum function - My doc said nothing about this. Should I be concerned?
Serum Prolactin - 135 (Scale 86 - 324)
Serum TSH - 3.77 (Scale 0.3 - 4.2)
Serum Free Thyroxine - 17.2 ( Scale 12 - 22)


I have a few questions and would really appreciate feedback if at all possible

1. My free test is obviously very low but does anyone see anything else on there that I should be concerned about?

2. I am looking at using Test Cyp - 60 ml x 2 shots a week but should I also administer Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Arimidex from the start?

3. If so when is the best time to take the HCG?

4. Is HCGenerate adequate in replacement of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) ( I have both but I just want to minimise amount of injections)

4 In the past I dosed slightly to high on Arimidex and it wiped me out so im going to do 0.25 x 2 a week. When should I take the Arimidex ?

5. How long would it take until I feel Test Cyp at that level dosage. I have read its 3 - 4 weeks but just want to confirm


Just to finish off my stats are as follows

34 years old
6 ft 3 inches
16 stone
UK based
Train as hard as I can but feeling like shit its hard to do more than 3 sessions a week at present and they are a struggle


Im reaching out to you all as I can read by your posts that a lot of you have or are experiencing what I am going through
and I really need some solid advice and help. Its impossible for anyone to understand what this feels like without having
experienced it


Thanks in advance for any help

Paul

 

[paulera]

Anyone? : )

 

[1693]

There will probably be some more comments later today.

Your TSH looks hypo to me.

You probably should take 6,000 to 10,000iu per day of vitamin D....it might help you have a higher % of free test.

It could take up 4-6 weeks to feel the exogenous test but you might start to feel it sooner.

 

[1693]

....

 

[paulera]

Thanks 1693 ill look into the vitamin d. Anything I can do to lower the TSH?

 

[1693]

You can go to this site and they should have suggestions:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/

 

[1693]

....

 

[Megatron28]

I'm going to reply within the body of you post below.

Hi All

Hope your all doing good.

After 4 years of Test Prop steroid cycles (with PCT's) I decided to stop last September. I did an extensive PCT for the last cycle but I just have never recovered properly.
The last 10 months have been hell as I have been to the doc 4 times and had blood tests and every time my free testosterone is dropping but they are telling me
that I just have to ride it out. They are really judgemental towards me due to the previous steroid usage. All I want is to feel normal again as im sick and tired of feeling
tired and having no libido.

Erections are infrequent and when they come they are not rock solid. I get married in two months and im absolutely desperate to at least be on the road to
recovery by then

My blood test results from last week are as follows

Serum Total Test - 10.8 (Scale 11.4 - 27.9) - Marked as low
Serum SHBG - 49 (Scale 18 - 54)
Serum Free Test - 158 (Scale 243 - 571) - Marked as low
Serum LH - 4.7 (Scale 1.7 - 8.6)
Serum FSH - 6.1 (Scale 1.5 - 12)
Oestradiol 17b - 63 (Scale 28 - 156)
Progesterone Serum - 1.9 - No scale but written next to it is Day 21 (day-7) progesterone <30 nmol/L suggests inadequate corpus luteum function - My doc said nothing about this. Should I be concerned?
Serum Prolactin - 135 (Scale 86 - 324)
Serum TSH - 3.77 (Scale 0.3 - 4.2)
Serum Free Thyroxine - 17.2 ( Scale 12 - 22)


I have a few questions and would really appreciate feedback if at all possible

1. My free test is obviously very low but does anyone see anything else on there that I should be concerned about?

You should be concerned as well about your Total Testosterone which is low. Based on your low T coupled with normal LH and FSH it looks like you have Secondary Hypogonadism which means there is a problem in your pituitary (rather than your testicles). It might be worth trying another restart (basically PCT) before hopping on the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) wagon. Give it one last shot to get things working again on their own. You aren't that old yet. And as suggested earlier, your TSH is on the higher side. Might be worth exploring. Do you have previous labs to compare it to?

2. I am looking at using Test Cyp - 60 ml x 2 shots a week but should I also administer Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Arimidex from the start?

I am assuming you mean 60mg per injection. 60ml would be A LOT! I would not administer Aromatase inhibitor (AI) from the start. There's a good chance you won't need it on 120mg per week split into two injections. Get lab tests run in about 4 weeks and see if your estradiol is a problem. Running Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is up to you. Some guys like the way it makes them feel but it may not be necessary. I don't take it. Are you planning on having more kids? It is expensive.

3. If so when is the best time to take the HCG?

I will let others opine on this if you decide to add it.

4. Is HCGenerate adequate in replacement of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) ( I have both but I just want to minimise amount of injections)

4 In the past I dosed slightly to high on Arimidex and it wiped me out so im going to do 0.25 x 2 a week. When should I take the Arimidex ?

IF you need an Aromatase inhibitor (AI), that would be a good dose to start on to see how it works. Again, get blood work done frequently in the beginning to see how you are responding. Crashing you E sucks.

5. How long would it take until I feel Test Cyp at that level dosage. I have read its 3 - 4 weeks but just want to confirm

3-4 weeks is typical. Can take 6-8 weeks for some. Part of it I think is that is depends on what your starting natty T was at. The initial injections are being offset by your natty T being turned off. So it can take a little time to build up.

Just to finish off my stats are as follows

34 years old
6 ft 3 inches
16 stone
UK based
Train as hard as I can but feeling like shit its hard to do more than 3 sessions a week at present and they are a struggle


Im reaching out to you all as I can read by your posts that a lot of you have or are experiencing what I am going through
and I really need some solid advice and help. Its impossible for anyone to understand what this feels like without having
experienced it


Thanks in advance for any help

Paul

 

[paulera]

I'm going to reply within the body of you post below.

Megatron thank you so much I really appreciate you getting back to me. I am going to roll with this testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for the next few months at least. I have tried PCT and it was doing nothing and I desperately need to get my libido back and feel right for my wedding and I think this is the right route. I don't want to cycle again but I don't want to be Mr limp dick/no energy building up to my wedding. After that I may well try and extensive PCT again

Thank you again. Ill get bloods in 4 weeks and report back

 

[paulera]

ps. I don't have the paper with my blood results from the previous blood test to the one I intitally posted but I know the total test was 10.9 / free test was 187 and the TSH was 3.33 so they have all changed and not for the better

Ill do the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for 4 weeks just Test Cyp then get bloods and report back as I said above : )

 

[halfwit]

Is this self-administered testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or is your doctor finally giving in to your wishes? If you're serious about fixing your problem, I wouldn't go mucking around with your hormones as Megatron mentioned you may have a pituitary issue causing all this and adding exogenous test to the mix may make it harder for them to properly diagnose and treat you. I know there's no use in crying over spilt milk, but this attitude from your physician over previous AAS use is one of the many reasons we advise folks NOT to divulge previous AAS use to doctors. If they're smart they'll figure it out and keep it tongue in cheek, not go blaming and penalizing people that have a legitimate issue.

I really hope you get this taken care of man. Having low testosterone is a living hell and something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

My .02c

 

[paulera]

Thanks for your feedback mate. I would defo advice against declaring it at your docs to anyone else. If you don't have an understanding doc then it really hinders them helping you as I have found out.

They are not willing to help at present and say I need to wait for natural test levels to restore which they are not they are dropping. I am going to self administer for the next three months as I really need to feel better when im getting married. I don't want to cycle so im going to keep it sensible and administer testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) doses until end of Aug.

After that then ill run a post cycle therapy (pct) and if the doc is still not helping me then ill save and pay for private healthcare. I have looked into this and in the UK its £680 quid for the intial assessment so its very very pricey then god know how much they charge for the shots so ill have to save

I just want to say thank you to everyone that has replied today. Even finally getting some good advice has really helped me and cheered me up

P

 

[paulera]

Hi everyone

Just to update u all. Had second blood test after few
weeks of trt

serum test now at 37.6
Free test now at 797
Lh and fsh dropped massively to 0.1 i have been
using hcgenerate but im going to switch to actual
hcg
oestradiol is at 161 so im upping antrazole. Only been
doing 0.25 per week. Going to up to 0.25 x 2 a week

Thyroid has dropped to 3.15 so thats good

im doing 125 mg of test cyp evry thursday.
Sex drive still comes and goes but its more
here than not and im back in gym so its a massive
improvement.

Would love some feedback esp on antrazole dosage and timing.

This blood test was taken on Tuesdy and i had injection
and 0.25 of antrazole on the previous Thursday

thanks

Paul

 

[Megatron28]

We need you to include the reference ranges as well.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better.

 

[paulera]

We need you to include the reference ranges as well.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better.

Sorry

serum test 37.6 ( 11.4 - 27.9)
Free test 797 (243 - 571)
Serum sex hormone 38 (18 - 54)
0estradiol 161 (28 - 156)

Serum test and free test marked as high but i though 797
Is ok as have seen people say they are at 1000 mark
Oestradiol marked as high so need to look into antrazole dosing

Lh 0.1 iu/l (1.7 - 8.6)
Serum fsh 0.1 iu/l (1.5 - 12)

Both marked as low. Looks like i have complete shutdown
going on which is worrying so im going to do hcg as of next week.
Hcgenerate obviously hasnt done anything : (

 

[Megatron28]

It is normal to have a complete shutdown of lh and fsh when you inject T.

I think you estradiol is ok. Just barely above normal. Instead of increasing your Aromatase inhibitor (AI) dose, you may want to try splitting your test injections into two per week. So approximately 62.5mg every 3.5 days. You may not even need an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) if you do that.

Every lab has different reference ranges. The one I use says normal is something like 300-1100 more or less. I can't remember the exact numbers off hand.

I think you may have the Free T and Total T numbers flipped. Unless the scales they are measured on are different.

 

[halfwit]

Sorry

serum test 37.6 ( 11.4 - 27.9)
Free test 797 (243 - 571)
Serum sex hormone 38 (18 - 54)
0estradiol 161 (28 - 156)

Serum test and free test marked as high but i though 797
Is ok as have seen people say they are at 1000 mark
Oestradiol marked as high so need to look into antrazole dosing

Lh 0.1 iu/l (1.7 - 8.6)
Serum fsh 0.1 iu/l (1.5 - 12)

Both marked as low. Looks like i have complete shutdown
going on which is worrying so im going to do hcg as of next week.
Hcgenerate obviously hasnt done anything : (

LH and FSH are supposed to be near zero when you're taking exogenous testosterone. Your body recognizes that you're injecting the hormone so it has stopped making any on its own. Yes, you do need to look into an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) as elevated estrogen can and will cause you problems down the road. Your testosterone ranges don't really make sense to me, I get the serum would be total testosterone, but I've never seen a range of free test that has higher values than total test (serum). FYI: Your test serum levels are at 1084ng/dL, which is at the top end of what many labs report. Glad you're feeling better though.

 

[paulera]

Thank guys f*** knows how people did ths before the
internet.

The oestradiol was average on 0.25
Of antrazole a week if i ditch it completely will it shoot up?
Up?

Lastly due to no lh or fsh does that mean im now shooting blanks?

Thanks

paul

 

[paulera]

Ill get anoter blood test in 4 weeks and post results

 

[1693]

I could be wrong but I'll make my best guesses:

You are not in the US so your labs are different and they are showing your total and free test levels over the top of the reference ranges...I'd dial back your test dose to 100mg per week but I'd dose it 50mg every 3.5 days so it's easy to remember what days to pin and twice per week will help keep E2 down which is above it's reference range.

I'd take .25mg of your Aromatase inhibitor (AI) twice per week and try to get that oestradiol to around 92 which is the center of that range and try that.

Your lh and fsh are acting normal on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and are needless to test anymore but it by no means is saying you are shooting blanks, if you are real concerned about that get a sperm test but in the meantime take precautions if you don't want to impregnate.

You are relating your free test of 797 to US labs total test top range of 1000 which you can't do, you should get your free test below 571 so you don't cause yourself problems with high hematocrit ect.

If you get your E2 down by your next blood test you might consider then lowering your Aromatase inhibitor (AI) dose or eliminating it so you don't crash your E2 too low. (which is all too common)