Like test, it decreases with age.
Are you saying Iām getting old?
Geesh 
Hate to tell you, 64 is worse.
Actually no, because at 57, I was not doing TRT.
Highpull whatās your current protocol?
210mg testosterone cypionate once per week
Highpull,
Considering starting DHEA, and had read quite a few people feeling bad and or depressed after starting this.
Do you know why? Is it because of conversion to E2?
Also, what dose do you recommend?
I think I want to start low and then check my Estradiol levels.
That is the assumption, Iāve used it off and on, canāt say I can tell much, or any, difference. But, I take it most of the time, 50mg.
Iād say about half of those doing TRT use it.
Highpull and Systemlord,
Been a while since I posted. I decreased my AI dosing from 1.5 twice a week to 1.25 in March to help my libido, energy, and mood . Here was my protocol from March till now:
TestC 40 SubQ 2x / week Sunday am and Wed eve
HCG 333u 2x / week Sun/Wed
Amidex .125 mg 2x/week Sun/Wed
Here are my labs from March before deceasing my AI :
Total Test 841
Free T 18.3
DHEA 34 - low
Estradiol 28 (7-42)
Estradiol Sensitive 16 (8-35)
and then in May :
Total Test
Free T 18.3
DHEA 37- low
Estradiol 22 (7-42)
Estradiol Sensitive 13.4 (8-35)
so I felt really good for a few weeks.
My mood, energy and libido really improved, but then waned again after a month or so. My libido is just OK and my energy level and mood seem to wax and wane.
So I just got new labs on Sept 27,2019 while still on the lower AI of 1.25 twice a week:
Total Test 758
Free T 25.8 -much higher than I have been.
DHEA 36 - low
Estradiol 15 (7-42)
Estradiol Sensitive 18.2 (8-35)
So, I guess I need to lower my AI dose more? And what do you think about having a Free T of 25, which is much higher than it had been while keeping my dosing schedule the same - other than having decreased my AI a little bit. I still have not started any DHEA.
Any thoughts guys?
Thanks,
Strings
My thinking is the AI conuted to decrease estrogen over time and is why your mood, energy and libido waned. Your estrogen is too low, your need 25mg DHEA, the later should increase estrogen a little.
If you feel better with FT at 25, then you need a dosage increase, that will increase estrogen, but I think your AI is too high for long term. You should switch the AI to 1x weekly. If I were you I would fine tune the protocol with no AI and drop the HCG if it meant not needing an AI and you donāt care about a little testicle shrinkage and are not looking to have more kids right now.
Your joints need DHEA.
I agree with decreasing my AI dose, which I definitely will do.
I am going to read a bit more about DHEA while evaluating the decreased AI effect. Prefer to only change one med at a time so I can evaluate the result better.
Somewhat hesitant to go much higher with the TestC dosage as my climbing Hct is requiring occasional blood donation and I am prone to DVTās; I had my fifth one 6 weeks ago after sinus surgery .
Thanks for the quick response.
If I go to AI one time weekly will I have too much fluctuation in estrogen levels? What is the half life?
Wonder if I found just cut my dose in half and take it 2x per week?
Arimidex half life is 2 days, steady state in 10 days.
I would stop the aromatase inhibiter first. Then I would discontinue hCG. Last, add 25mg DHEA. Reevaluate from there.
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Wow, that would be a big change. I am almost 60, but I still feel a little worried and have a difficult time accepting the testicular atrophy.
Not all report this, but yes, it is significant in some. It is personal preference and if a major concern for you, then in that case, hCG it is.
Well, I finally dropped the AI totally for the last 3 weeks.
Still on HCG and my same Test-C dosage.
Getting a little better libido, but no swelling, no gyno, and no bitchyness.
I guess everyone is now saying itās OK to let your E2 get high without consequence? No need to shoot for the magic 22 level?
Nothing magic about that number. Most guys prefer a higher nymber than that.
You can stay on HCG but I minimize the E level spikes by microdosing 100iu or so EOD. Balls stay looking nice and healthy.
Greetings,
Wow, read through that whole blog.
Surprisingly dropping the AI seemed to do the trick huh?
On a side note, did the tendonitis/tendonopathy get any better? Just by being on Test C or did you end up incorporating hGH or semorelin?
Stay strong
Tendinitis is better thru meds and massage.
But now have torn cartilage in my knee,
and I got rear ended in Jan with a whiplash injury to my neck.
I have 3 large disk herniations, 2 of which are compressing my spinal cord.
I am going to need surgery, 3 level fusion vs artificial disks.
Getting a second opinion in 3 weeks.