New Member, Looking for Opinions on Latest Lab Results

Pharma / TRT Testosterone Replacement
1

Hey everybody, 45 yrs old, 180, estimated 25% BF, exercise 3-4 times a week, body weight, bands and DB’s for now, cardio 4-5 times a week. started TRT this past January, low T symptoms for 10 years prior. I’m looking for advice on my latest lab results, and I also have some questions before I see my doctor on Friday. I’ll list labs pre TRT to latest.

-Pre TRT, med center lab
TT-256ng/dl(250-900)
FT-49ng/dl(50-585)
HCT-45.0%(39-48)
Prolactin-27.1ng/dl(3.7-17.9)TBI, no pituitary tumor

-3 month’s at 100mg test cyp a week, 50 E3.5D, IM, fasting and peak, med center lab
TT-336ng/dl(250-900)
FT-81ng/dl(50-585)
HCT-47.1%(39-48)
Prolactin-15.2ng/dl(3.7-17.9)
Estradiol non sensitive-37pg/ml(26-61)
SHBG-45(10-50)
Cortisol-9.3ug/dl(2.3-19.4)
TSH-1.42ulU/ml(0.30-4.20)
FSH-0.10mlU/ml(1.5-12.4)
PSA-0.58ng/dl<3.90

-1 week at 120mg, 60mg E3.5D, IM ,fasting and trough, LabCorp (freaking out about man boobs)
Estradiol sensitive-46.1pg/ml(8.0-35.0)

-6 weeks 120mg, 60mg E3.5D,IM, fasting and trough, LabCorp
TT-933ng/dl(264-916)
FT-16.1pg/ml(6.8-21.5)
HCT-47.3%(37.5-51.0)
Prolactin-24.3ng/ml(4.0-15.2)
Estradiol sensitive-39.6pg/ml(8.0-35.0)

I couldn’t afford a more comprehensive panel right now, I apparently used up all my “insurance paid labs” for the year, so I’m on my own for another six months.

So I had some pretty good success going from 100mg to 120mg. Estradiol is a little high, but I only experience some slight nipple burning occasionally, usually after injection up to peak, no swelling or lumps. Prolactin has always been higher, all though I did have some clear discharge in the first month of TRT. I have a few questions, opinions/advice on any would be greatly appreciated.

-How’s the FT looks compared to the TT?
-How do I compare the FT 16.1pg/ml to the previous 81ng/dl?(tried to convert this ,but didn’t understand it)
-Any guess on what the peak numbers could be?
-Since I’m a higher SHBG guy at 45(10-50)would there be any reason or benefit besides convenience, to switching from 60mg E3.5D to one 120mg a week injection, or would this affect E too much?

Again, any input is greatly appreciated. thanks, Chris

2

Some men just have higher prolactin than others. Free T looks good giving your prior SHBG level, should have dropped a little.

High prolactin and high estrogen can lead to gyno, you need to get serious about estrogen management. You could also just lower test dosage.

If working with a compounding pharmacy you can order custom compounded doses of Arimidex to whatever your heart desires.You can also dissolve 1 mg tablet of Arimidex in 1 oz of vodka and dose that way.

Some men can come off the AI after getting in shape and losing a little weight. You need to keep alcohol out of the picture, this will increase your aomatase action within your body.

3
  1. FT looks OK.
  2. 16.1pg/mL is 1.61ng/dL. Given the lab range (50-585), I am guessing they used a different testing method.
  3. Peak numbers? Do you mean the highest level, immediately after injection?
  4. Yes, you could, but it might increase E2, at least early in the week.
4

I thought about lowering the dose, but my numbers weren’t that great at 100mg, might compromise and go 110mg, Right now I feel good. Strength is definitely up, I’ve gained roughly 17 pounds in the past 6-8 weeks, with not really any noticeable fat gain, maybe a little on my gut, but that may be water retention from the E, as a matter of fact my size 34 pants are fitting a little looser now. As far a alcohol goes I haven’t had anything stronger than red wine in well over a year. I’ll talk with my doctor again this week about the AI, if she’s not willing , I’ll look into getting it own my own. thanks

5

My first labs were done at about 42 hours after my injection, with most people saying peak is at about 48 hours, so I was pretty close, and my latest results were trough. I was just trying to estimate what the TT-933 and FT-16.1 might have been at about the same time after injection. Thanks

6

Estrogen is big reason I never tried the single shot a week for my high SHBG.

The first Total Test number on 100 a week looks like maybe it was a lab error. (336?)

I find it really hard to believe that with the high shbg your total test was that low. Then adding 20mg a week put you at 933? Yea, I think that number is wrong. Just speculating though.

The line I draw for E2 symptoms is nipple itchiness. I wont just let that symptom go. Mild acne, and the occasional non morning wood, are acceptable (to me). Once my nipples started itching, I lowered my dose.

How did you feel on 100 a week? Likely you would be OK on that dose, and your e2 would be manageable. 100 a week was the very limit for me, I had some itchiness.

Now at 90 a week, no issues. I have high shbg like you.

7

Just a guess, 1050-1100 and 20.

8

I had a few days or so about a month in where I felt really good(placebo?), then back to felling like crap again. It wasn’t until about 8 weeks ago that I really noticed a difference, strength increased and put on some weight. The decision to up the dose was based off the TT-336, FT-81. Maybe if I had gone another 6 weeks or so then retested myself, I would have had different results, I don’t know. I’ll probably lower it a bit then retest in 6-8 weeks, I have a feeling my doctor’s gonna freak over the levels anyway, SHE was fine with the TT-336.Thanks

9

I was thinking maybe 1100-1200 also. Thanks

10

You might want to consider that maybe that first TT was an error. Like I said, I find it really hard to believe you were at 300 TT with a SHBG of 40+ and on 100mg a week.