The trip so far

[ragnorakb]

So MAy 4th this year, my endocrinologist ran a blood test for T levels. first test came
back at 5.5 and 161ng/dl, 2nd test a week later was 221ng/dl. so he prescribed me Androgel 1.62% at 2 pumps a day applied. Did not notice a whole lot but did feel a little better for a few weeks, but then felt like i crashed. come early August my Dr retested my test levels and I was at 159 ng/dl. so after months of using the smelly gel I was lower. So i requested that he change me to injectible. which he did, Now i inject 100 mg split into 2 doses 2 times a week. I get retested in 2 weeks. currently I am on week 2 of the new regime and have had my 3rd injection that i self administer. while I do feel a little more energetic, i still dont feel clear headed, able to focus, still have some ED issues, still lack libido and still sleep like crap. I go get bloodwork done in 4 more weeks to check on test levels again. I am 6ft, 335 lbs. waist currently at 50 inches. 39 years old. never cycled/juiced in my life. I do do 30 minutes cardio per day and weight train 3 times a week using stronglifts 5x5 program. What else should I be having my look at? Anything else I should be asking for besides my Test?? Any other suggestions or comments greatly appreciated.

 

[kalaran]

First, you haven't been on injections long enough to really tell how they will work for you. Takes more than 2 weeks to get effects. Id give it a month or so.

Second, 100mg of T per week may not be enough for you to really get the benefits you are looking for. You won't know until you give it more time to work, but you may need to adjust dose. This is where things could get annoying when your doctor sees you are in the "normal" range on 100mg T and doesn't want to help bring you up to the top of normal.

If your doctor refuses to help you at that point I would just go with IMT (board sponsor). They have seriously been awesome so far for me, going on four months of use now.

 

[300winmag]

You havent been on it long enough to really tell your age it may take a solid 3-4 weeks. I would also get thyroid check, and have estrogren levels checked. Some people are on an HCG which stimulates your balls to still work and keeps your sperm count high, also some people are on an anti estrogen or Aromatase inhibitor (AI). You can ask about those. Big thing though is that Testosterone when injected regardless of method will actually convert into extrogen, now you are going twice a week and a small to average dose and may have an issue. Also the more overwight you are the more estrogen you will see. Im sure low T helped get you to be over weight just like me, but you'll have to make an effort at lifestyle change to lose weight which will help. I am 5'10 220 at the moment and really need to drop another 20lbs, but would like to drop 30lbs. But over the last 3-4 weeks I have made a real efford and dropped 7-8lbs and actually feel better.

 

[zgx]

So MAy 4th this year, my endocrinologist ran a blood test for T levels. first test came
back at 5.5 and 161ng/dl, 2nd test a week later was 221ng/dl. so he prescribed me Androgel 1.62% at 2 pumps a day applied. Did not notice a whole lot but did feel a little better for a few weeks, but then felt like i crashed. come early August my Dr retested my test levels and I was at 159 ng/dl. so after months of using the smelly gel I was lower. So i requested that he change me to injectible. which he did, Now i inject 100 mg split into 2 doses 2 times a week. I get retested in 2 weeks. currently I am on week 2 of the new regime and have had my 3rd injection that i self administer. while I do feel a little more energetic, i still dont feel clear headed, able to focus, still have some ED issues, still lack libido and still sleep like crap. I go get bloodwork done in 4 more weeks to check on test levels again. I am 6ft, 335 lbs. waist currently at 50 inches. 39 years old. never cycled/juiced in my life. I do do 30 minutes cardio per day and weight train 3 times a week using stronglifts 5x5 program. What else should I be having my look at? Anything else I should be asking for besides my Test?? Any other suggestions or comments greatly appreciated.

So your doctor checked your T levels, how about E2, prolactin, T4, etc.? Have you gotten these results? If so what are they?

Based on your body type you have a lot of fat and the more fat you have the more of the aroma enzyme you have and therefore the more you will aromatize which consequently raises your estrogen levels which ultimately may negate any of the good and positive feelings you will get out of injecting exogenous T.

You need to get tested again if you haven't already done so for E2, prolactin, IGF-1, T4 free/total, T free/total, lipids and post the results here.

You may/most likely need an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) (arimidex, aromasin, letro) to prevent the exogenous T from converting to estrogen (E2).

Also you may need more T based on your current levels, but remember if you're already aromatizing a lot and you add more T then you will have more E as well, this is why an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) is very important. If you're doctor won't prescribe you an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) you can buy it from board sponsors until you find another doctor willing to help you.

You're on the right path, you just need a bit more research.

 

[ragnorakb]

My Dr did test allot of those back in May, but sadly I dont remember the numbers off the top of my head. I do remember E2 was in a normal range cause I was very concerned about that given my body structure.

 

[300winmag]

My Dr did test allot of those back in May, but sadly I dont remember the numbers off the top of my head. I do remember E2 was in a normal range cause I was very concerned about that given my body structure.

I would stay on what you are doing and make an effort to drop 20-30lbs quick like and see how you feel. You probably already know but somebody your height should probably be in the 180-220lb range, even if you got to under 300lbs I bet youwould feel a ton better.

 

[ragnorakb]

just had more blood work, Dr. called and said i was up to 245 ng/dl. i told him i am having some water retention, emotional stuff, and itchy nipples. he said he does not believe in giving AI's. He has now upped my does to 100 mg one week and 150 the next, then back to 100. I am thinking it may be time to find a different Dr. Any thoughts??

 

[kalaran]

He doesn't "believe in it?"

This isn't religion it is medicine. 245 ng/dl is a horrific level and your doctor is talking about giving you apparently random differing doses on a week to week basis? This sounds like a shitty doctor. Why don't you talk to IMT?

 

[ragnorakb]

Left a message there just now. We will see were it goes from here.

 

[methos]

Get a new doc. I agree with the above. You need to drop weight. It most defintely sounds like you need to manage your estrogen. My largest culprit with my protocol was my SBHG levels. If they are high, they bind with testosterone and lower your free (usable T) levels.

The largest point I wanted to suggest is to keep a daily log of how you feel. I have been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for about a year now and I have a spreadsheet with my protocol dosages, my weight, body fat, how I feel. And most importantly, I get copies on my bloodwork and store them in the same spreadsheet. This will greatly shorten the amount of time it takes to get dialed in. I get my bloodwork every 2 months. I also get it when I feel great or if I start feeling like crap. This has really helped. I am 6'5 220 and 10% bodyfat and it takes me a dosage of 250mg per week to keep my total Testosterone levels at 1400. I also take Aromison every other day at 12.5mg to combat high estrogen.

Your ED syptoms will proabably get much better when you start to manage your Estrogen and SHBG levels. Dropping weight may help as well since circulation and hydration are key to keep things working. For your doc to say that he does not believe in antiestrogens suggests that he is way behind modern research. I would dump him asap.