I’m currently taking 140mg test cyp divided over 2 doses week and .25 mg arimidex for the two days following the injection (for a total of 1 mg/week). I also take finasteride 1.25 day, have been for years to great success, and not willing to drop it.
As of today, my labs are
Total T - 1244
Free T - 26.4
E2 sensitive - 11 (I know that’s too low)
I believe that is an unnecessarily high T and that my hair loss has accelerated at that level.
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I believe I tried T at 120mg once and that my T level was around 800. Is that possible? Can a 16% dose increase in T result in a %55 increase in blood levels? Is the dose response curve that non-linear? If I’m wrong about this, what is a typical dose response curve?
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If I’m taking my T down, whats a good level to aim for to find a minimum effective dose without taking it too low?
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Is there a known dose response relationship between arimidex and Test? If I lower my test by x% is lowering the ai by the same x% the best guess?
Thank you very much to those who take the time to answer. - Mike
Dose vs. blood T levels def. aren’t linear, so sometimes a relatively small change to dose could make a large impact to blood results. I think it’s one of those “try it and see what happens” kind of things IMO. What are the lab ranges on your results for Free T? Your total T isn’t crazy (I’ve been over 1100 completely naturally before) but if you can get by with less and still get the benefit, then why not
I’d drop down to maybe 120mg/week at first and see what happens
Have you had DHT checked?
I think you already know that everyone is going to tell you to drop the AI… there’s no reason for it, estradiol is GOOD (assuming you don’t have gyno)
And you KNOW everyone is going to tell you to drop the finasteride, haha. I was on the stuff, it has screwed a LOT of people up. I have pretty awesome hair but I would shave it today if it meant feeling like I felt before ever touching it. TRT is helping, so maybe I’ll get there and keep my hair for a while. But that’s all I’ll say about that, I know you don’t want to hear it.
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Pretty sure this is fairly common. For me, going from 80 to 100 was a huge jump just like that.
This is gonna be all your opinion my guy. Some dudes are good on WAY lower doses. Some guys are ok with TT in the 500’s, some need 1000+. Your SHBG is a good indicator of how MUCH Test you will need to feel good.
Your e2 is 11. You have no business taking an AI. Period. Throw that shit in the garbage.
If you keep your e2 that low, you WILL have problems, speaking form experience.
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Arimidex causes hair loss. What you need are frequent injection to control estrogen, because drugs ALWAYS have side effects. So what you are doing is taking finasteride to combat hair loss and arimidex is causing hair loss.
Hair loss associated with aromatase inhibitor treatment
Detailed hair loss questions, including those pertaining to family history and specific location of hair loss, were added during the study period when study staff noticed that hair loss and thinning were commonly being reported on the symptom checklist after initiation of AI therapy. The most frequently reported time period of onset of the AI-attributed hair loss was between 3 and 6 months post-AI initiation (43.2%), with 67.6% of patients noting hair loss in the mid-scalp (top of head).
No one can answer the second question, it’s unique to you.
My free t is definitely high. The range is 7 to 24 and I’m 26.4.
Currently my SHBG is 26.2. Lab range is 19.3 - 76.4. can infer anything from that?
Regarding the estradiol, the range shows 8-35. So here’s my history with the ai, gyno,etc. No need to tell me I’m an idiot for what I’ve done - I’m well aware.
Back in feb, I dropped 25 lbs fast. My sex drive tanked so I figured I was aromatizing less T and should lower my ai. I started researching again and read a bunch of threads and a video by an MD saying you shouldn’t take an ai unless you experience symptoms, so I dropped the ai. Three months later, my nipples started hurting. It was a week before my labs were due, but I got scared so took one or two doses of arimidex around the week of my labs.
My sensitive E2 was 54.
After being on the ai for 2 weeks my nipple sensitivity went away then, even at same dose - the dose I’d been on for a year - my nipples got sensitive again and remained sensitive for about 3 weeks up till about 3-4 days before my latest test with an e2 of 11. They still feel a little off.
Back when I first started TRT, my doc started me at 160 mg, blood work came later at
T - 1150
Non-sensitive E2 - 84 (didn’t know about sensitive test then)
So at this point I’m willing to try a much lower dose with no ai. I figured I’d go 120 (60 x 2) to be safe. Does that sound reasonable. Does my SHBG predict anything? Thanks a bunch - you guys are always really helpful.
Fuck. Ok I’m sold. So glad I asked about this. Hey you’re always super helpful - If you have a minute, check out my reply to alphagunner. I’d love to hear your input too. Thanks man.
I don’t think anyone said that.
No judgment here. My first year plus of trt was a fuck up.