Coming Off TRT, Can Anyone Help? Labs

Pharma / TRT Testosterone Replacement
1

@systemlord @enackers @blshaw @swoops39 @rusty_hammer @readalot @hardartery and/or anyone with experience or expertise in the below issues

Hi All,

Last time I posted I asked about coming off TRT due to fertility and other issues. Just not ready to start TRT for life. I’d been on TRT for approx 5/6 months, firstly Nebido (3 months) and then Sustanon 250 x 2 weeks (for approx 2 months)

I came off TRT, waited approx 2 weeks and used HCG as follows:

Week 1 - Mon 2500 iu, Thurs - 500iu - 29/05
Week 2 (EOD) - Sun - 500 iu, Tues - 500iu, Thurs - 500iu - Sat - 500iu -
Wk 3 - (Today) Mon - 750iu, Wed - 1000iu
Sun - 800/900 iu
Fina shot done! - 18/06/2023 - finished

Tried Nolvadex for one day but took 20mg and then 20mg an hr later and had some visual issues, so stopped after that day (was goimg to take 40mg pwr day and drop to 20mg (but was advised might not even need it).

So I thought I’d give diet a proper go with the right supplements and animal fats before depending on TRT for life i.e, beef steak, liver which I never ate before… (got some really strong beef liver capsules which are freeze dried so all grass fed, no antibiotics or crap in them really), eat beef steak once per week too which I never did … plenty of eggs, fish oil, salmon and tuna, zinc, magnesium, b vits etc, premium style protein powder.

So it’s been just over 9 wks since last Sustanon 250 shot. 5 weeks till last HCG shot. I decided not to do Nolvadex (Serm) as was advised HCG may be enough (balls were not shrunk really anyway)… and just went cold turkey. I wanted to get bloods/labs which have just been ridiculous to get in for!

Anyway they did a major balls up and didn’t get my testosterone result! Came back as NA for some daft reason, prob hospital error.

The labs I did manage to get are as follows, I had to plead and make excuses why I needed them or they just wasn’t prepared to do so on NHS! (even though drs said I didn’t need to know them, the endo is absolutely useless on the NHS too)

This was done approx 2 weeks ago:

LH: Serum LH level (XM0lv) 1.5 iu/L [1 - 9]
FSH/Serum follicle stimulating hormone level (XM0lx) 3.8 iu/L [1 - 9]
SHBG: 13 Male reference range (15 - 113)
Oestradiol: 70 (Dr didnt say what reference this was but previously measured in pmol/L so I’m guessing this is the same!).
Testosterone: NA!
Thyroid/Serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration (XabCy) < 28 kU/L [< 100]
Prolactin/Serum prolactin level (XaELX) 176 mu/L [< 550]

Levels to be tested next week after I complained that testosterone level check is needed!

Full Blood Count (FBC) (Postponed)
Thyroid Function Test (TFT)(TSH)

Haemoglobin A1c (HBA1C) (Postponed) this was checked a few months ago and was 28 but i’ve asked them to give this another check over to rule out any type 2 diabetes issues as since come off HCG, feeling numbness in foot and finger/hand and severe itchiness in legs and hands.

Total Vitamin D (VitD)(GP) (Postponed), Serum Vitamin B12 & Folate (Postponed), NEW - CRP - GP (Postponed), Full Blood Count (FBC) (Postponed), Serum Ferritin (GP 1st line) (Postponed), Testosterone (Male) (Postponed).

So my questions are:

  1. Since I was doing HCG, started itching badly in fingers and hands?
  2. Do I need to do a SERM - Nolvadex, or am I OK to just keep cold turkiying?
  3. Overall comments on my labs?
  4. SHBG is low and Oestradiol seems low? Mood is up and down?
  5. Not been able to train as since come off, I’ve had major fatigue and needed to sleep/rest through day… Will this subside?
  6. HCG - Forearms been really aching and had major legs aching, not as bad now but was terrible before? Starting having few bad headaches though, through day and at night seem to subside and then repeat next day :tired_face: could this be due to low estrogen? I was told should be within 100-120 range?
  7. Any natural supplements that you advise will keep assisting recovery from here and would be beneficial
  8. I am getting hot sweats now and then? Hopefully this is subsiding over time, but is this due to E2 dropping (70) used to be 116?
  9. Fingers and joints seem a little stiff, arthritic feeling, any ideas how to assist this?

One thing I have noticed I’m growing hair quicker than before! Beard etc… ?

Please let me know your thoughts guys? You guys are more helpful than the bloody endos I’m getting referred to… apparently he’s looked at my previous records, some were 8.1, 10.8 and he said there’s nothing wrong there!! :man_facepalming:t5::man_facepalming:t5:) absolutely useless, my Dr said the endo said levels are fine… so he can’t really do anything… if/when go on TRT in future, will defo be private clinic… these lot can’t find their ass with both hands!!!

Thanks guys and much appreciated :pray:t4:

2

Your estrogen is 19 pg/mL, but that was 2 weeks ago. Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the day. Hot flashes is low estrogen.

So your endo determined your testosterone is fine, without any labs?

Not surprising, our medical system gives a s*** about quality of life. You’re alive and breathing and that’s good enough.

3

Is this ridiculously low? Is it supposed to be between 10-40 picograms as sources say or is that incorrect?
How can increase this without docs assistance, as you know they are pretty much useless. Will this increase over time? .

What would you say about these labs after 9 week pls?

4

These will be completed next week

Should i have got on a SERM? Or is there any point doing this now?

5

Any idea of why numbness and itching hands bad? This seem to happen when administering HCG, is this indication of low estrogen?

Please let us know your thoughts on all above if possible and thanks much appreciated