Treating a disease with self prescribed roids...

[combobreaker]

So I read the stickies and have been browsing here for a week or so and noticed the vast majority of members are pretty well informed.

Starting my first cycle.

Why? I suffer from an extremely high TSH/T3/T4 levels. A few months ago my BP and HR were so high I had to be hospitalized. Doctors refuse to help me with Test, even though my total test serum is always between 900-1300, but my free test is usually 5-15.

I read that a side effect of steroids are reduced hypothalamus function, which results in lower thyroid production. Could this be my first month in 10 years of feeling "normal"?

I bought some Test-P from a buddy who has been using it for years and has never had a bad batch.

Test-P @ 75mg EoD - 40days
Arimidex @ .5mg EoD
PCT - HCG 10,000 IUs
Clomid 50mg ED

My current stats (never have taken a steroid before) are:

6'0"
205-210lbs
~15% BF
Bench: ~350lbs
Squat: ~400lbs

Because of my incredibly high thyroid, it has been very hard to gain weight and muscle. I am usually on a 5,000-7,000 cal diet and that just maintains what I have.

Not looking for thyroid advice, though I am open to anything you have learned and wish to share. Mainly looking for advice on this cycle. Oh, and I start this evening.

Thanks guys!

 

[UserAt204]

Looks like you have covered everything but I don't recommend trying to treat something on your own. With that said, hcg should be used the entire cycle at 250iu twice a week and since you are using test p, you would do a blast of 500iu-1000iu ED for 5 days after last test inject then take 3 days off and start serm.

Why won't your doc script something for hyperthyroidism ?

 

[combobreaker]

Well my TSH was .0008, and should be something like .1-2 (which means it's extremely high) and my T3/T4 was about 3 times normal. I went and got radioactive iodine to see if I had nodule(s) and the test came back my thyroid was at 0%. This would explain all of my highs and lows throughout the day... The only option 3 endocrinologists gave me was to surgically remove my thyroid, destroy it with a high dose of radiation, or start anti-thyroid meds that will eventually wear off and potentially cause horrific side effects.

Is it absolutely necessary to run HCG throughout the course of the cycle? By doing the math I have enough to run 500ius/wk as you suggest, and have enough for post cycle therapy (pct), but is this a must?

 

[MeatHead96]

Damn dude that sucks that you have to take in that many calories just to maintain weight. The test dosage looks low for a cycle. I would go for 4-500mg a week to start, especially if your total test is already that high. I really don't know how much you would benifit from 75mg EOD. Good luck with your cycle.

 

[Nordic11]

BP requiring hospitalization and going on a cycle sounds like a very bad idea.

 

[combobreaker]

Well my blood pressure is usually like... 140/70 - 175/80, which is very high, but my hopes are that the slowing hypo function slows my thyroid to offset the extra increase of BP from the test.

I shot 100mg this evening, and doing EoD, so roughly 300mg/wk.

I appreciate the responses guys!

 

[Nordic11]

If you want to go on cycle, just do it. No need to kid yourself that you are trying to "treat" a thyroid issue. Just watch your blood pressure carefully.

 

[Dreaded Pirate Roberts]

I'd be careful. Watch your BP and find a new doctor that will help you out.

 

[combobreaker]

Update? It's been 8 days since my first injection so I am updating for anyone interested:

My depression has 100% been eliminated. I no longer have any highs and lows, it's just a steady mellow and happy mood. I am no longer highly irritable either. My blood pressure (on day of first injection) was 170/80. Two days later I saw a NP to get it checked again and it was 114/60. I have never been below 170/80 for months, so either a coincidence or the test is helping. I have not had any BP side effects for the past 8 days. I got a LOT of blood work done 6 days ago, and will have more ran in a week or 2.

Here is how my cycle is going...

I've been alternating left and right glute with 1cc EoD. The injections are smooth as butter with zero pain (I actually like it). I am getting that knotting pain I researched. Feels like a fricking donkey has kicked me. Again, I enjoy the pain for some reason and it has little-to-no effect on me. Me and two other guys got the same stuff, one of them had to quit because the swelling and pain was so bad, but me and the other guy love it.

Starting weight 6-28: 209lbs
Today: 198lbs
Been eating like a viking and lost 10lbs, but it appears to be all fat. I noticed a rather dramatic increase in strength as well. Edit* Is it possible I actually lost water weight? I started Arimidex EoD .5mg on same day as Test injections. I assume maybe I'm just losing some water...

 

[combobreaker]

I was thinking of possibly increasing my dosage... instead of 100mg EoD, what if I switch to 150-200mg EoD? Could I inject 2cc into the same spot or will it just cause more pain? lol

 

[Nordic11]

8 days is really fast to be feeling anything. Are you pinning test prop?

 

[combobreaker]

Yes, rotating left/right glute EoD. Maybe it's mental? I really enjoy pinning so maybe it's getting to my head. Through my research I came to the conclusion that within 1-2 days the prop would be in circulation, but that's just google searching.

 

[MeatHead96]

Yes, rotating left/right glute EoD. Maybe it's mental? I really enjoy pinning so maybe it's getting to my head. Through my research I came to the conclusion that within 1-2 days the prop would be in circulation, but that's just google searching.

Yeah prop does kick in much faster and 8 days you could def be feeling the effects of it. Glad your cycle is going well so far. Keep us updated and be carefull with that blood pressure.

 

[combobreaker]

Just got off the phone with my Dr with my blood results. I got my blood taken on the 2nd day of my cycle.

Everything was fine except elevated liver function (of course, but was also elevated months ago)
Test in Jan 2011 - Serum: 997, Free test: 14
Test on July 30th 2011 - Serum: 880, Free test: 297 (normal is 30-150)
Estrogen levels all normal
This possibly explains my elevated moods...

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone from Pituitary) in Jan 2011: .008 (which means it's very high)
TSH July 30th 2011: 5.4 - With "normal" being .4-4.5

**Please note - For the past 10-12 years (since puberty) I have suffered these symptoms. I also used to get strep throat 4-6 times a year, and I had a cold or flu TWICE a month, EVERY month. I also complained about being tired and sick.

My conclusion at this moment is that my LOW FREE test levels contributed to a crappy immune system, increased HPTA and PIT function in terms of T-4 production from my thyroid, and the dramatic highs and lows of the test would lead to my mood swings, depression, etc.

I'll get more work done with my Endo in a couple of weeks and keep you guys updated. I now must find the source of culprit lowering my free test...

Thanks everyone for showing interest

 

[Nordic11]

This is interesting. You went from TSH indicating hyperthyroidism to indicating hypothyroidism. Any thoughts on how to get it to a healthy middle?

 

[combobreaker]

It's very odd. My previous doctor diagnosed me with Graves Disease and wanted to start anti-thyroid meds asap or destroy my thyroid with radioactive iodine. The test for Graves requires a lab tech to physically locate thyroid anti-bodies and this test proved negative... and he still diagnosed me.

I assumed there is a correlation between test and thyroid levels just like with cortisol. Maybe since my test should of been 30-150 but hovered possibly between 5-15, my body compensated by releasing more thyroid hormones? Maybe if I lower my injections to say... 30-50mg of test EoD, I could hop into that 100-150 range.

I still don't understand why my free test is so low... I'm seeing a new doctor within the month and will keep posting!

 

[Mudge]

Well my blood pressure is usually like... 140/70 - 175/80, which is very high, but my hopes are that the slowing hypo function slows my thyroid to offset the extra increase of BP from the test.

Many believe that systolic matters more than diastolic, but still that 140-175 is pretty damn high (140 being me on all KINDS of things).

Your strength is pretty good for your stats otherwise... That being said, you aren't 140 pounds, so I'm not sure precisely why you are treating "thryoid conditions" with juice when you are somewhat normal and not tiny, other than the fact that you probably just want to juice. I don't know that it would overcome huge thyroid activity.

 

[combobreaker]

Well, I've suffered for 10-12 years. Its not so much going from 217 to 170 in 2 months all the time, or eating 6000 cals to maintain, but its constant depression and mood swings. I've never felt so good in my life. the difference between 14 and 297 in free test is amazing. If i wanted to just "juice", i would of stacked or took 800mg/wk you know? Im just sharing my experience.... maybe someone in my shoes will find there way here from Google and possibly find answers! Testosterone does so mch more than big pharma wants is to be aware of... You cannot patent test, but you can patent medicine.

 

[UserAt204]

Combo glad to hear all is well. Keep up with blood work and continue to monitor your BP. My only concern is what happens when you come off? Are you going to crash and fall back into depression? I just don't want to see you go from feeling great to feeling bad again.

I would look for another doc who's more willing to try other options. Docs are great but I've had several experience where they were wrong and could have made some bad bad choices for me but luckily I got second opinions. Best of luck.

 

[RocktheRack]

Combo: Ok, dude, sorry to hear about your health issues. I always suggest gettting a few opinions from docs with different upbringings and philosophies to see what jives best with you. Sometimes it's not one-stop shopping.

I hope I can be even slightly helpful. I have had life-threating issues in the past, so I do my research, ALOT of it before taking anything. Did your doc mention Amiloride to protect your liver/kidneys? It has a duiretic effect but is a highly suggested to protect those organs. Depression: ahhhh, well the relief of it can be tempory caused by your excitement over this, OR can be resultant of something you started taking. It would depend one which of the 4 major brain function directors it's hittting. That gets wayyyy too complex. However, be careful whatever you are taking is not also a down regulator of your central nervous system and just research what effects it could have on your mood.... if something comes up, that would be an area I could really help you out. I get paid to deal with that stuff, so it's up my alley.

Last: have you considered alternative medicines from other cultures? At what age did this proble arise and were there any other things within a year and half that were relevant>?