Feedback On Protocol

Trying to get some feedback on my protocol and possible changes.

I am zeroing in on 10 weeks of Test Cyp at 200mg/week E7D. 33m, free test prior was 49 pg/mL. Total was 245.9 ng/dL.

My doc who is also a 30’s male, also taking TRT, gave me a protocol of weekly
Injection of 200mg. No other medications. He’s going to check for estrogen levels at my next appointment and also look at other levels. He seems legit, though he is only a PCP.

I’m scared of all the normal side effects - gyno in particular obviously. I have some nipple sensitivity for sure. Also feeling a bit more fatigued than I think I should.

I have labs in 3.5 weeks. Doc does not want to do them any sooner.

Does the dosage seem high? I’m thinking of changing to 100mg E3.5D at the very least, but have also thought of dropping it to 50mg E3.5D. Any harm in cutting it in half?

I’m 6’1 240, lift 3x week but overweight.

My feedback is the same as over at EM. But fear not, here you may get quite a few sympathizers for starting off a guy at 200 mg/week test cyp for TRT . I will get my popcorn. Standby.

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200mg/wk is probably twice what is actually required for TRT, but for TOT (Testosterone Optimization Therapy), 200mg/wk is often prescribed.

This dosage is fine if you feel fine on it, but if you are having high E symptoms (which I believe you are likely to have at this dose, particularly considering nipple sensitivity) - I would recommend lowering dose a bit to allow your body to have less aromatase activity.

Are you injecting IM or SubQ? If not SubQ - I would give that a shot (no pun intended) for less aromatase as well.

Also recommend working to lower bodyfat stores. Less fat = less aromatase activity.

@tareload is being humble here - he knows full well that 200mg/wk is medically unjustifiable, but there are many who feel better on higher doses… ultimately, that is the goal though - so its subjective.

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Your dosage does seem high, but without labs we are just walkling down a dark hallway.

If you change your dosage now, testing in 3.5 weeks is pointless. I would just stay the course and see where you are and then make a decision.

Also when cutting your dosage in half, the side effects are usually greater. The difference in going from 200 mg weekly to 150 isn’t as bad as going from 200 mg to 100 mg weekly.

Maybe, plenty of guys take this dose with once weekly injections and do just fine.

Maybe, your doctor may not appreciate you changing your dose without discussing it with him. I wouldn’t care (he might) if you decrease it, but I’d be pissed if you increased it. You have a PCP who is not only willing to work with you, but he takes testosterone himself. Better yet, reasonable, he doesn’t have you taking 200mg once every two or three weeks, or 50mg once a week. I would not want to screw that up.

Besides, 200mg a week may be too high, but 100mg a week is likely to low.

Agreed here. Stay the course until lab follow up and then adjust with your docs approval post labs.

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@highpull Thanks so much. Curious your opinion on developing gyno from 200mg. No history of it when younger, but starting to feel some high E symptoms. Do you see a lot of it in your clinic?

Gynecomastia, no, rare, less than 1%. Mastalgia, some, maybe 5%, less than 10%. Usually subsides as they adapt to new hormone levels.

Thank you. Is that due to the use of AI? I’d prefer to stay off AI’s based on what I’ve read here.

That’s a pretty good indicator you’ll never have a problem gyno. It’s the guys with a previous history with gyno that seemed to have problems.

I’ve heard of guys getting gyno with estrogen in the normal range while on AI’s, that’s because gyno is caused by an imbalance of testosterone, estrogen, DHT and prolactin.

I’ve had my chest burning hot and sensitive nipples when my androgens were sky high and no swelling or gyno.

The chest burning is happening to me too! It’s really weird.

No, very few need them.