Greetings and thanks for a great forum.
I’ll try to keep it short but happy to reply with any more details if requested.
49 yo male. 5,10 196 lbs. Workout 5 days a week. Healthy diet. No alcohol, non smoker. Currently take Vitamin C, D, zinc, Magnesium, B Complex, and Fish oil daily.
Been on TRT since Jan. Still trying to educate myself and get dialed in. Currently taking about .35CC 2xs weekly for approximately 140mg a week.
Total T=1140 (264-916)
Free T- 22.7. (6.8-21.5)
Estradiol Sens= 66.3 (8-35)
Pregnenolone MS- less than 10
Dihydrotest- 98
DHEA sulfate- 129. (71.6-375)
DHEA serum= less than 20
SHGB- 28
Hematocrit- 51.8 (37.5-51) (need to give blood again?)
Liver good. Prostate good. Thyroid stable.
I am not on an AI. My first protocol was 200mg of T and an AI every other day. I felt terrible. After research I stopped the AI and lowered the T to about 140. I have had some benefits for sure, however I’m pretty sure I’m not “optimized”. I have a bit more energy and drive, but not super significant. Have noticed the morning erections a lot more as well. I am recovering a bit better from chronic pains. I’m a pretty beat up man with lots of old injuries etc. I started TRT to feel more like myself, get some more drive and vigor, and potential help recovery from the gym (read I want to gain strength and mobility not necessarily concerned with big muscle gains)
My questions- seems like free T isn’t so great. Any thoughts on getting that up a bit? It doesn’t appear that my SHGB is too high.
DHEA and Pregnenolone both look low. I ordered both of those but have not started as they haven’t arrived. I am very cautious in my approach because I tend to be sensitive and react to most things I ingest. If I start those I will start one at a time with a small dose, work my way up, and see how I feel.
anyways- so much knowledge here and I wanted to see if anyone sees anything obvious and has personal feedback. I’m also ok hearing that the current T is too much and that I can try working that back as well- I’m not wed to anything here, other than trying to feel better.
Thanks in advance!
Ranges and units please for Free T.
No, you’re fine as long as you don’t have narrowing of the arteries, calcification of the arteries or a blockage in the heart. Some guys that can’t handle 50%> hematocrit has other issues that otherwise prevent them from functioning normally with higher hematocrit and hemoglobin.
The majority of doctors don’t understand TRT induced erythrocytosis, doctors see an high level and freak out, yet people living at high altitude, with similar levels, are treated differently.
Same condition, different cause.
I used to have my hematocrit at 57%, felt great! Not everyone will.
The optimal hematocrit level according to the data is 52%, or the equivalent of living between 2000-3500 feet. This level is shown to decrease your risk of being admitted to a hospital, having a stroke and dying.
The mistake many make out of the gate, is dosing starts out too aggressive. 100 mg typically will see Total T and Free T in the mid to high normal ranges.
I strongly believe the reason you don’t feel optimized is because your dosage is too high.
LH, which is a precursor to pregnenolone, is almost fully suppressed on TRT. Symptoms of low pregnenolone, are memory problems and insomnia.
I would start pregnenolone and DHEA both at 25 mg check and adjust.
Were you hypogonadal?
You likely need less T and were not on TRT previously with a higher dose.
E and hct will likely come down if you lower your dose to 100 mg per week.
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thanks for the feedback. I gave blood about 5 months ago and seemed to actually feel better- my pulse and BP were both a touch lower after donating. Could be placebo of course.
My total T was about 300, free was I believe 9 before treatment.
I agree that I think I’m running a little hot right now and can and should back off a bit. I’m going to drop down slowly over the next few weeks and see how my symptoms do. thanks!
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You’re welcome.
What dose did your doctor prescribe after seeing this low value?
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Watch out with frequent blood donations, you risk crashing your ferritin levels.
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He put me on 200mg a week plus anastrazol every other day. He hit me in the office with 200mg day one and then I took 1 ai the next day. Felt super funky immediately. I think I took the second ai a few days later before doing some research and stopping. I reacted really strongly to that protocol, and not in a positive way. My estradiol has come down a little in the last four months, likely from diet and no
Alcohol. Again- I think I’m going to get that test level down closer to 100mg a week-
Slowly over the next few weeks. I want to find a different syringe than I use now- it’s really hard to get really precise with the ones I have. I am going to add the pregnenolone, starting with 10mg to see how I react.
That’s insane! Seems as your doctor is confusing AAS with TRT thinking the two are the same, a common mistake.
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What kind of doctor is this? A general practitioner?
Well known T dr actually. I’ve learned he’s really aggressive ha. Super nice guy and sharp- but goes full tilt it seems.
That sounds an awfully a lot like Dr. Rand McClain out of Santa Monica.
Dr. Rand is super knowledgeable, just a little behind on the estrogen front.
I agree. I really dig him.
oh man.