Hi folks, 71 YO male recently diagnosed with low T (1.68 ng/mL, ref range 1.68 to 7.81). In the past I have been fit for my age, but several bone fractures and low back issues have slowed me down. I did the first IM shot, 200 mg on 11/25. I am directed this dose every 2 weeks. I’ve noticed a bit of increased energy but also sore nipples. I was Rx’d the test cyp by my primary at the VA clinic, but I don’t believe he is well versed in TRT. From reading posts here I see that there are other drugs/supps to prevent excess estrogen, which I believe may be causing the sore nipples.
I would appreciate any advice re which other drugs I should consider.
The VA is so backward on TRT. I have first had experience.
You sound like your having e2 symptoms. It is probably because of your injection schedule. The VA is so backwards, BUT you should be able to ask to self inject at home, in which case, you can start doing, 50mg 2 times a week. This will help with estrogen conversion BIG time.
This mimics natural release better, so there aren’t spikes in test, which cause spikes in e2. Be careful though, you could easily get over 800 TT doing this, and the VA’s limit is 870 I believe. So be careful, maybe pay for some labs on the outside before going to your VA labwork.
If your still having trouble with E2 after this, you can supplement with things like, Zinc/copper, DIM, Calcium -D Glucarate, or eventually an AI if you cannot control estrogen. Its highly personal the rate at which you aromatize, so some people get away with no estrogen control or minimal, and some need AI. Othewise they don’t get the benefits of the TRT because of high E2.
These protocols of every 2 weeks are ancient, they do not work! The body favors consistency and this protocol is as far from consistency as one can get, the VA will be the last place on earth to get the memo that injections every 2 weeks just doesn’t work. You wouldn’t take an SSRI and allow it to deplete out of your system before taking your next dosage would you, your dosage would be constantly changing throughout the 2 weeks. Amazing they would put a 71 YO male on 200 mg, talk about not thinking things through. Braindead!
VA ranges are idiotic. No one in the real world has those low range limits.
Your E2 was very low and with high E2 your body will be over reacting as well.
With 50mg T twice a week most mange E2 well with Rx 0.5mg anastrozole at time of injections. Further reading required!
Bones: You need calcium, magnesium and boron as well as Vit-D3. T is needed to support the collagen matrix in your bones. Your assumed very low E2 was also not helpful.
Vit-D3: Find tiny 5000iu oil based gel caps and take one per day, take 25,000iu for first 5 days. Take with meals that have more fats/oils avoiding high fiber foods.
Evaluate your overall thyroid function by checking oral body temperatures as per the thyroid basics sticky. Thyroid hormone fT3 is what gets the job done and it regulates mitochondrial activity, the source of ATP which is the universal currency of cellular energy. This is part of the body’s temperature control loop. This can get messed up if you are iodine deficient. In many countries, you need to be using iodized salt. Other countries add iodine to dairy or bread.
KSman is simply a regular member on this site. Nothing more other than highly active.
I can be a bit abrupt in my replies and recommendations. I have a lot of ground to cover as this forum has become much more active in the last two years. I can’t follow threads that go deep over time. You need to respond to all of my points and requests as soon as possible before you fall off of my radar. The worse problems are guys who ignore issues re thyroid, body temperatures, history of iodized salt. Please do not piss people off saying that lab results are normal, we need lab number and ranges.
The value that you get out of this process and forum depends on your effort and performance. The bulk of your learning is reading/studying the suggested stickies.
Thanks everyone for the informative advice. I do inject at home and have done interferon and Forteo injections in the past. The 50mg 2x weekly routine makes more sense to me to avoid peaks & valleys. I’ve seen some discussion on IM vs subQ for test cyp The subQ is easier for me as that’s what I’ve done with Forteo & INF in the past. Also that 1.5" 18ga needle is more suitable for a horse than a human (ouch).
I believe I’ll try the 50mg 2x/week on this next vial and see if the E2 symptoms subside.