Thanks for the question and background. Currently injecting 70 mg TC once per week and just recently added back u-hCG at 400 IU twice per week (which has also helped with mood and well-being). I’ve tried to be meticulous over last year as I recovered from A-FIB episode. 70 mg TC every week puts me at 900-1000 ng/dL peak and 400-500 ng/dL trough.
If a picture is worth at least a few words then here you go (some data points from another lab omitted):
On >=120 mg/week of TC I was routinely above 51% Hct (17 g/dL hemoglobin). I can now manage my Hct at 46-48% no problem and am getting the benefits of TRT without the ridiculous sides. Of course doesn’t apply to everyone, but for some subset of the TRT population they need to realize there is a huge difference in the ratio of rewards/sides in going from say 80 mg/week of TC to 125-150 mg/week.
That’s why I maintain that starting dose should be closer to 100 mg/week of TC rather than 150 mg/week (@dbossa, let me know Danny when you officially lower your mean recommended starting dose of TC down to 125 mg/week :-). Good job going from 200 to 150 mg/week and I know you will eventually get down to the 100-125 range.)
I’m with you, frequent blood donations just aren’t workable. I love donating, but a 1 unit whole blood donation uses a 16 g needle (harpoon). If you want to go up to 18 g needle, you need to do a double red donation, which while wonderful and live-saving for the recipient, also pumps a bunch of DEHP (xenoestrogen plasticizer) back into your bloodstream (damned if you do and damned if you don’t!).
Be methodical and titrate your dosage understanding it will take 3-6 months to pick up the difference on CBC. If you have a knowledgeable hematologist, they can order a reticulocyte test to get a sneak peek in advance but you need a baseline while you are on the higher dose that is causing issues. Take care and I wish you well on your journey.