I’m a 69 year old man, yes I know that’s old but most people think I’m in my 50’s and I have a young, 36 yr old gf to keep happy haha. I’ve been an athlete of one sort or another for 45 years and currently lift x 5 days a week and do cardio 3-4 time’s per week. I’m 6’1", 175 and have always maintained a lean 6-10% bf range.
I’ve been on TRT for about 2 years through an online service and am trying to balance my hormones without using an endo, I don’t like Dr’s. I’m currently using Test Cyp 100mg 2 x per week. Exemestane 25 mg 2 x per week. HCG 25 IU 2 x per week.
I just got my labs back and the numbers seem crazy, Total Test 2034, SHGB 70, Free Test 320.6, Available Test 970.8 and E2 34. I did not check my Prolactin recently but 6 months ago it was in “normal” range. I feel pretty good, my libido is really high but my erection quality is not what I want it to be or even what it was prior to starting TRT.
I’m thinking about cutting the Test, AI and HCG by about 25% as a start to get my numbers into a “reasonable” and healthy range. I’m also thinking the cause of my ED issues is my estrogen level being too low at 34. I’d really appreciate and opinions, feedback, suggestions etc. Thanks Michael
I’m not surprised at all because 200mg weekly is at the upper end for replacement doses and only hyper metabolizers require this much and sometimes more.
The side effects of too much T are down regulation of sexual parameters and is more common than you know, men on cycles report problems with sexual parameters.
I would cut your dosage down to somewhere around 120-150mg. I would aim for 150mg since your SHBG is high.
It would be helpful to have the normal ranges for the Free T.
It’s doubtful, an estrogen at 34 pg/mL is normal and healthy. LabCorp’s sensitive E2 ranges are 20-35 pg/mL.
The HCG is known to cause ED, just so you know but at your ridiculously low dose I doubt you’re getting any benefit at all. Normal dosing for HCG is 1000-1500 iu per week and most men should never inject more than 500 iu per injection.
HCG can cause problems with libido, erection problems and feeling unwell.
I’m basing this on user reported experiences, even at lower doses. Also, guys who go on HCG mono therapy report not feeling good even with good labs, go on TRT at similar levels and report feeling great.
Those are high, given the dose. Were you tested at trough?
You may do better without the AI. Estradiol can be tricky, some report improved sexual function with higher levels, but the opposite if too high. The question is, what is that level for you? I see more with problems with relatively lower levels, compared to higher, above range, levels.
Let me guess, you are taking 25 units (0.25mL) and using an insulin syringe? If so, that is 250 IUs. What is the purpose for using hCG? Most guys do fine with it, even monotherapy. Guys on the internet are like you, experiencing less than desired results and looking for possible solutions. Some who read about these examples mistakenly assume they apply to the majority, or at least many. In the world, very few have trouble with hCG, especially at your dose, which I assume is for testicular atrophy. However, unless you are using it for that, or fertility, I would not.
More guys take 200mg once a week than any other dose. However, when using more frequent dosing, you can do well with less. I think, if I am you, I’d drop the dose, maybe to 150-160mg weekly and discontinue the AI and hCG, unless it is for fertility (then it’s not enough) or atrophy. I know that is a significant change. Are you getting any support/advice from your doctor?
By the way, good for you for staying in shape, and staying in the game…
Thanks for your feedback, yes, I’ve been using the HCG for testicular atrophy, trying to at least keep what I still have haha. I’ve read the same about cutting AI and that if the test is dosed correctly, it’s not needed. I had tried dropping the AI before and my E2 shot up but I’ve not tried the lower dose of test. I’ll try the lower dose test and cut the AI to 1/2 the dose and do more labs. I’ve not found Dr’s very helpful in regards to bio hacking, It’s all a science experiment, Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!
To me you’re on the classic poor protocol of throwing the kitchen sink at you. For example you got put on a high dose of T, so then you got put on an AI to combat a T dose thats way too high, and for a polisher HCG at 69 years old because… ball size?
IMO I would start from scratch and just run a reasonable dose of T solo. Your body and your wallet may not need the other drugs. Just food for thought and for you to consider. At the end of the day you have to make your own choice because as you said…
