[quote]KSman wrote:
Do not test DHEA, test DHEA-S[/quote]
Is that what I posted above? Or something different?
Actually found a 2nd test of DHEA Sulfate.
The first one was before beginning my first ever regiment of HRT which was just HCG shots. The second was 6 months later after having been on HCG for 5-6 months.
DHEA Sulfate - 166 (110 - 510)
DHEA Sulfate - 184 (110 - 510)
So my DHEA went up slightly 6 months later after starting HCG. I assume the HCG had nothing to do with this and it was just a natural fluctuation, but I could be wrong.
[quote]Mman wrote:
[quote]Jax26 wrote:
Yeah E2 seems pretty high optimal is at 22 - I’m having E related issues with an E2 of 35 but of course everyone is different and my weekly dosage is 200mg of T which puts me in the 800s. I’ve switched to EOD injections and added an AI. Might something to look into[/quote]
What are the issues you’re having if you don’t mind me asking? In the past when I was on just HCG and my dose was too high my E2 shot up to close to 90 and I could feel something was weird. First sign indicator was my nipples were tingling and itchy. One google search will tell you that is a tell-tale sign of your estrodial being too high. At 54 though right now, I don’t feel anything like that.
Is there something else I should be looking out for?[/quote]
Both physical and emotional. From the physical aspect, abdominal fat that was virtually impossible to lose - I have very little fat on my body anywhere except there. ED issues, fatigue and low energy.
Emotionally was freaking horrible - I would break down and cry over news stories (especially any involving child abuse as I have a young son) and tear up at any inspirationally stories no matter how lame. Kinda of hard to explain to the folks here at work.
Bump in hope that Hardasnails can comment on the above TSH and DHEA numbers. My TSH was just below 1 and then just over 1 … and my DHEA while in range was on the low side.
I have since been on HCG for 2 years and now T-Cyp + HCG for 6 weeks. Are my DHEA numbers probably shot right now?
Mman: a TSH below 1 or in the low-1s is usually not a problem. DHEA-S is slightly low for a male; should be 200+ mg/dL (high normal is 300-400 mg/dL, which may be preferable).
[quote]Mman wrote:
Hi all,
You were very helpful the first time around and I’m still trying to grasp all of this. I know the basics, but most of you guys know more, ask great questions, and tell me what to look out for. Much appreciated. And yes, I read the stickies. 
First labs were taken after 3 weeks of TRT - 100mg shot of T-Cyp once per week:
TT - 806 (241 - 827)
Estradiol - 54 (< 54)
Free T - 205.2 (35 - 155)
SHBG - 17 (8 - 48)
Pregnenolone - 10 (13 - 208)
You guys suggested other things for me to test so I did here in round 2. I also cut my dosage in half and began shooting 50-60mg, twice per week rather than 100mg once per week.
TT - 653 (241 - 827)
Estradiol - 42 (<54)
Free T - 188.7 (35 - 155)
SHBG - 16 (8 - 48)
TSH - 1.10 (0.40 - 4.5)
T4 Free - 1.1 (0.8 - 1.8)
T3 Free - 349 (230 - 420)
DHEA Sulfate - 152 (110 - 370)
PSA Total - 0.4 (<4.0)
PSA Free - 0.1
PSA % Free - 25% (>25%)
Estim. Probability of Cancer - 1%
Estradiol is still higher than most here would like to see it, and while my T dropped from 800+ to 653, my Free T still remained higher than their designated range.
Please offer suggestions and opinions. Thanks in advance![/quote]
picking back up in the same thread.
any problems with your original leg pain or cramping?
what are your current symptoms/problems/issues?
what is your current supplement routine (vitamins, medications, etc)?
what day was the shot compared to the blood draw (for both tests)?
Pregnenolone of 10 is a problem. potentially serious.
Thyroid looks good, but low preg indicates potential low cortisol which could drive up Reverse T3 and cause higher rates of aromatase of T to E2.
DHEA supplements (which were discussed earlier) have been known to bypass T and result in increased E2.
[quote]PureChance wrote:
any problems with your original leg pain or cramping?
what are your current symptoms/problems/issues?
what is your current supplement routine (vitamins, medications, etc)?
what day was the shot compared to the blood draw (for both tests)?
Pregnenolone of 10 is a problem. potentially serious.
Thyroid looks good, but low preg indicates potential low cortisol which could drive up Reverse T3 and cause higher rates of aromatase of T to E2.
DHEA supplements (which were discussed earlier) have been known to bypass T and result in increased E2.[/quote]
Apologies. Not posting the 2nd test results in this thread had nothing to do with “laziness” as implied in the other thread. It had to do with me not thinking everyone would want to weed through all the original posts to see the 2nd test results. I found this thread to copy and paste the original numbers from before making the new one. Now I wish I just posted it here instead.
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Calf cramping went away with acupuncture treatment. Doubt it was related now, just coincidental that it began literally the day after my first ever T-Cyp shot.
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Almost all symptoms have greatly improved. Much better energy, improved libido, better overall sense of well-being. Beginning TRT has been great for me so far.
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No medications. I take a daily multivitamin, an extra vitamin D pill, iron, fish oil, and began using transdermal pregnenolone after my initial tests came back so low.
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Doctor told me always to have my blood tests 48 hours after a shot. He said that is the time that both T, but more importantly estradiol should be at their peak. I told him my biggest fear with TRT was gynecomastia so we were both eager to see if estradiol numbers were getting out of control at the shot’s peak.
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I agree pregnenolone of 10 is a problem. I began taking 15mg of trandermal pregnenolone daily immediately after getting my first test results back. I have now had my second test scores for one week now yet Quest Diagnostics keeps sending me paperwork that says “Pregnenolone - pending.” As soon as I get the new preg test results I’ll post them. Have no clue why I received all others last week though and the preg is still “pending.”
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I’m hoping my E numbers will go down with the continued Pregnenolone use.
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I was wondering what people would suggest for my DHEA numbers. They are within the normal range, but more toward middle-low. Should that be a concern? Anything I can do to raise DHEA outside of taking over-the-counter DHEA which I’ve read is normally not successful?
Thanks in advance for any help. Was mainly posting the new results to see if anything jumped out as alarming and to get feedback from the more-informed on whether or not there is anything further tests or things I should be doing.
Oral DHEA is normally effective. OTC is not factor. If you find where someone has problems with DHEA, and others debate, the situation is self selective for those with issues and that does misrepresent the situation.
If the result is good, no problem. Otherwise just stop taking it. The the relatively expensive transdermal DHEA creams might be of benefit.
You only apply 15mg of pregnenolone to your skin?
TT=653 as a peak would be considered low by many.
If still injecting once a week, you need to be looking at injecting more often, for several reasons.
[quote]KSman wrote:
You only apply 15mg of pregnenolone to your skin?
TT=653 as a peak would be considered low by many.
If still injecting once a week, you need to be looking at injecting more often, for several reasons.[/quote]
I’m starting with the 15mg for the first two blood tests to see where that gets me and plan on adjusting up if necessary. Still waiting for that portion of the blood test.
I did switch to twice per week injections after the first blood test since my Estradiol came back at 54 with the higher-doses, once per week injection. Breaking it into two shots lowered my Estradiol from 54 to 42, but I did feel better the first time around when my T was 800+. For example, for the first 3 weeks when I was doing one shot and getting total T scores of 800+, I was waking up with morning wood often which I haven’t done consistently since I was 18 years old. For the past 3 weeks since I’ve been breaking the shots in half, I have awoken with MW a few times, but certainly not consistently.
Going to continue to try and get my Pregnenolone numbers up and see if that helps bring my E numbers down. If not, do you think I should discuss an AI with my doctor?
boosting pregnenolone should boost cortisol which in turn reduces aromatase of T to E2. pregnenolone itself does not have any impact on E2 (from what I have read and understand).
So I got the pregnenolone results back late last week.
Pregnenolone 74 (13 - 208)
This is up from 10 prior to starting the daily, transdermal pregnenolone so that is good. Still just barely out of the bottom 3rd though.
If you apply 15mg of pregnenolone to your skin, you might absorb 1.5mg
What is your new dose going to be?
Where are you applying it?
You need to lower E2 a lot, this is not fine tuning. You need to do what it takes to get your doc on board with that.
You cannot compare to initial sexual effects which are transient. Lowering E2 can have a large effect on mind, body and libido. E2 management is mission critical for most guys.