I’ve been searching for answers but have came up short in the forums. So any guidance would be appreciated.
I’ve started TRT (Cyp 250) 14 weeks ago.
My labs in the beginning were low. Total T 383 and estrogen 9.4. When I started Cyp 250 I’ve been in and stayed at 1ML per week split into 2 doses T/F IM.
I had labs done at 12 weeks and was shocked at the “low dose” considering on a single ML per week.
Here are the labs.
Estradiol E2 - 60.2
Total Testosterone - 1852.4
Free Testosterone - 31.83
SHBG - 30.8
No signs of Gyno in the beginning had sensitivity but it has since gone away but I’m holding water like crazy. I eat fairly clean 90% of the time. Good water intake and do my cardio on top of lifting.
Since getting the labs back I have cut the dose in half to .5 ML a week split in half T/F.
Definitely feel levels are coming down but the main reason for the post is I’m holding a crap ton of water I can feel it in my back, stomach, and face. Feels soft.
For reference I’m 6’3 starting weight 190 CW 211 (14 weeks in) I’m an ultra endurance althelte that exercises outside 12-14 hours a week and lift heavy 5X a week on top.
Im trying not to get an AI but the water retention definitely has me questioning and searching for answers to bring it done.
200mg/wk is typically the maximum prescriptible dosage for TRT purposes. Meaning 200mg is still very high and will put you at the absolute top end of the TT range - if not over.
You being over the reference range is not surprising in the slightest.
… You’re still taking the same amount of test per week. You are not feeling the levels coming down - if anything they are going up with respect to area under curve.
If the only high estrogen symptoms you’re having is water retention, then AI probably isn’t warranted.
Dropping your dosage down to maybe 200mg/wk is a better solution to your water retention issue.
Appreciate the reply. Makes sense. What I ment by low dose is “establishing” the base line before starting in others.
I felt amazing on the full dose was just incredibly soft and felt/feel the extra water. Since cutting the dose down to .5 (split per week) I still feel good but water is definitely holding. What’s your view on DIM and or Tongkat Ali for the retention?
If its really just water retention, then its not hurting anything.
Most water retention is caused by sodium intake.
Any retention caused by excessive estrogen means you may want to just reduce your estrogen… best way of doing that is by reducing the compounds making you so watery OR just taking an AI strictly for aesthetic purposes.
I’d rather keep test injections lower such that an AI is not needed.
You could also accomplish this by reducing your test dosage and taking something like masteron or primo as neither will aromatize. This is what I do as I’m quite estrogen sensitive (running 100 test 200 mast at the moment - its not TRT)
Everything @Andrewgen_Receptors mentioned is correct. I take 160mg and my levels are likely above range most of the week but they are in range on trough day. 250mg is not a low dose. I’d recommend speaking to your doc about cutting it down at least 30%. Retake labs in 6-8 weeks