My Journey to Normalcy

Pharma TRT
1

This forum has meant so much to me as I begin my journey towards normalcy.

I am a 51 year old male and for as long as I remember I have suffered the symptoms of lower-than-normal testosterone. At one time, I was very athletic, but over time have lost my conditioning. I was lethargic with a decreased libido and the beginning signs of cognitive decline. I awoke every morning exhausted and spent my day in a fog, of sorts.

For years, the only assistance provided by doctors has been a trial version of Androgel, which proved useless.

However, I was blessed to find a new, modern, up-to-date doctor who immediately ordered some new tests:

20 December 2012

Testosterone, Serum Result: 299 Range: 348 - 1197
Free Testosterone Result: 10.7 Range: 7.2 - 24
Estradiol Result: 23.4 Range: 7.6 - 42.6

In April, I decided to begin TRT with the following protocols:

100mg Testosterone Cypionate injected once per week IM
250iu HCG SC injected once per week

The results have been extraordinary, but I have begun feeling a bit nervous and emotional and suspected Estradiol issues.

On May 30, I had a follow-up test the following results:

Testosterone, Serum Result: 739 Range: 348 - 1197
Free Testosterone Result: 26.1 Range: 7.2 - 24
Estradiol Result: 47.1 Range: 7.6 - 42.6

As I suspected, Estradiol is a problem and I have already contacted my physician to prescribe an aromatase inhibitor.

Also, after this week, I will be handling my own injections and plan on injecting twice per week to flatten the curve somewhat.

Am I looking at this logically? Do I have other issues besides E2? Is this consistent with results I should be seeing without starting on an AI?

I would value any advice.

2

The E2 looks fairly obvious. Some guys here start complaining anytime their E2 goes above 27. Many say 22 is optimal. When mine was in the high 40’s like yours was, I felt horrible. Couldn’t perform sexually. Tired, achey muscles – joint pain, etc.

Good luck!

3

hCG should be 250iu EOD SC. Once a week is not enough. Research showed that 250iu EOD was a replacement dose that maintained intratesticular testosterone levels when LH was shut down. You need 3.5 doses of 250iu per week, not one.

Take .5mg anastrozole twice a week, at the same time as your injections.

For those that inject T EOD, anastrozole, T and hCG can all be dosed at the same time which simplifies things.

Or try 437iu hCG twice a week at time of T injections.

EOD for anastrozole and hCG plays better with the half-life of these products.

4

[quote]KSman wrote:
hCG should be 250iu EOD SC. Once a week is not enough. Research showed that 250iu EOD was a replacement dose that maintained intratesticular testosterone levels when LH was shut down. You need 3.5 doses of 250iu per week, not one.

Take .5mg anastrozole twice a week, at the same time as your injections.

For those that inject T EOD, anastrozole, T and hCG can all be dosed at the same time which simplifies things.

Or try 437iu hCG twice a week at time of T injections.

EOD for anastrozole and hCG plays better with the half-life of these products.[/quote]

KSMan:

Thank you for weighing in as this is very good information. My physician just prescribed me Anastrozole .5mg x three times per week. Based upon your protocol above, perhaps that is a bit of overkill, however, I may do it initially to more rapidly bring down my E2. I feel absolutely miserable, but now I know how to tell when my E2 is increasing. How do you feel about his recommended protocol?

I feel like HCG has been a huge benefit for me and I can tell a huge difference between testosterone injections alone and the combination of testosterone and HCG. What additional benefits will I gain by 3.5 doses per week? Can you help educate me? Where can I learn more?