I’m 53, 6’6 230lbs 22% BF. Just started TRT less than a month ago. My Test levels weren’t awful (T was 417) but I felt lethargic and low energy. Prior to starting my Free T & SHBG were in normal range, but my E2 was only 11, which I thought was odd since my BF% wasn’t exactly great.
Anyway, I was prescribed 140mg/week. I started off doing 40mg EOD and the day after my 2nd injection, I started getting this feeling in my chest like adrenaline or anxiety. It was uncomfortable and honestly a bit scary so I took a week off and every single day off it progressively got better until after day 5 it went away. I waited another 2 days and started up again. This time I decided to do 20mg every day. All injections are sub-q. After 5 days (today), the feeling came back although not as intense. This is my first time using Test Cypionate. I’ve used Test Enanthate twice before without any issues.
So here are my questions:
Has anybody ever had this happen or heard of it happening and is it something that will go away shortly? Is it just my hormones balancing from higher Test levels?
Is it possible that the Cyp ester is causing it?
I have 2 vials of UGL Enanthate unopened at my house (same lab that I used previously with no issue). Should I start tomorrow with the Enanthate and see what happens?
My bloodwork is great and I’ve had a CAC scan score of 0.00, blood pressure is 117/71, liver enzyme panel and lipid panel are all great so it’s not a medical issue.
I just can’t decide if I should power through it or drop my dose for a week to let my body get caught up or switch esters? I’ve always heard more frequent injections give less side effects which is why I opted to inject the way I did, but maybe I should spread the shots out more?
My diet and macros are perfect and I eat the same thing every day, I get 10,000 steps in and workout 3x a week. I just don’t know what this could be from. Any help or ideas appreciated.
Oh and these symptoms are likely related to CNS stimulation induced by the test
Increased beta adrenergic receptor expression/upregulation > more sensitivity to circulating norepinephrine and whatnot
air hunger feeling, tightness in chest feeling, heart palpitations, dysautonomia
Either that or you actually have an issue and need to get checked by a doctor
I get this real bad with or without test due to a genetic illness than I have… I just take a beta blocker
But you need to see a doctor, I’m not recommending you take meds
This side effect with AAS is surprisingly common, but many dismiss it as anxiety etc as they just don’t understand how AAS can affect the CNS and some are profoundly more sensitive to this than others
I appreciate your advice and response. I’ve taken Test E at 150mg per week and another time at 300mg per week (all within the last 4-5 years) with zero issues, so it’s hard to believe (unless it’s the ester or injecting subq now instead of IM).
I refuse to take medicine prescribed by a doctor unless it’s a life or death decision. I definitely wouldn’t take a beta blocker. Not judging your decision, just saying that for me personally I wouldn’t.
So right now it’s the day after and I barely feel the effects since I didn’t inject yesterday.
I think I’m going to lower my dose from 140mg to either 120mg or even 100mg and every 1-2 weeks add another 10mg until I get to 140mg.
I think I’m going to continue with the cypionate so that if lowering dosage fixes the issue I’ll know it was the dose and not from switching to enanthate. Then if this doesn’t work still, I’ll switch to enanthate and maybe inject IM instead and if that doesn’t work, I’m done.
Thanks for giving me something to research (upregulation/CNS issues). Supposed to snow here today so now I’ll be occupied and have something to read about.
I found a nice, natural way to block beta androgen receptors without decreasing estrogen also.
Pretty interesting stuff. You are obviously familiar with this. I’ll have to keep an eye on it and see if it keeps happening even at lower doses. Good to have an idea in my back pocket to experiment with.
Isoflavone is what naturally suppresses androgen receptor expression without altering beta estrogen receptors. It’s found in Soy Protein Isolate. In the study I read, patients were given 40g per day split into 2 daily protein shakes for 6 months and tested.
There’s no need to go 6 months to get results, but interesting natural way to suppress androgen receptors. This is also a protocol for men who are susceptible to prostate cancer or high prostate (PSA) scores.
I might get more bloodwork to see what my T/E2 levels are right now.
Again, I appreciate you opening me up to this possibility.
Serious question here. Please pardon my ignorance.
Why would one want to be on supplemental testosterone and at same time block the androgen receptors from using it?
Because of excessive beta androgen receptors that are making you feel like you’re running for your life at every minute of the day. Overstimulation.
Like if you were a marathon runner and every mile you needed to drink a cup of cold water. But for some reason you’d chipped multiple teeth and exposed WAY more nerve endings than should be exposed. You either drink the cold water and are in excessive discomfort while running OR you find a way to block those “extra” nerve endings from doing their job so that you can get back to normal and enjoy your marathon running.
I think you are confusing ANDROGEN and ADRENERGIC btw… Androgen receptors bind with androgens on muscle tissue, adrenergic receptors bind with adrenaline…
