I’m a long-time follower, first-time poster on this forum – thanks for the wealth of information all of you provide!
I wanted to share my initial TRT progress and ask a few questions about my protocol.
Basic Stats:
49 years old (turn 50 next week!)
5’10”
165 lbs
~12% BF – been training hard and fueling right for the past 4-months to hit a personal milestone of getting shredded at 7%BF…still have a ways to go, but here’s a Dec-2019 to current pic comparison:
TRT history:
Previously on TRT for three years, but went off it for financial reasons while starting my own business – not a good combination of circumstances for sure!
Over the past 4 years, while I’ve been off TRT and had the insane stress of trying to build a business, I’ve experienced the usual low-T symptoms of low energy, libido on the floor, depression, short temper with the family, restless sleep, lack of motivation for the gym, really negative life thoughts…
Here are my pre-TRT lab results from Feb-2020:
Hematocrit: 41.0 (39 - 54) %
ALT/SGPT: 37 (5 - 46) U/L
AST/SGOT: 34 (1 - 35) U/L
Cortisol: 11.29 (6.2 - 19.4) ug/dL
IGF-1: 56.3 (17- 537) ng/mL
FSH: 5.89 (1.27 - 19.26) mIU/mL
LH: 3.02 (1.24 - 8.62) mIU/mL
Prolactin: 4.49 (3.3 - 20.8) ng/mL
Progesterone: 0.25 (0.14 - 2.06) ng/mL
Estradiol: 12 (11 - 47) pg/ml
DHEA-S: 123.4 (5 - 690) ug/dl
SHBG: 41.2 (12.5 - 68.6) nmol/L
Testosterone: Low 203.12 (300- 1200) ng/dL
Free Testosterone: Low 3.4 (5 - 26) ng/dL
Bioavailable Testosterone: Low 77.9 (126 - 661) ng/dL
TSH, 3rd generation: 1.1439 (0.5 - 5.0) uIU/ml
Free T3: 2.22 (2.0 - 4.9) pg/ml
Free T4: 1.01 (0.61 - 1.22) ng/dl
PSA, Total w/rflx to Free PSA 1.464 (0 - 4.0) ng/ml
I started TRT 8 weeks ago. My protocol is:
- Testosterone Enanthate: 160mg/week (0.8ML), split E3.5D
- HCG: 500U (.25ML) injected 2x/week
- Anastrozole: 0.25mg capsule 2x/week
And here are my labs from May 6th:
(Note: these were taken 24 hour before trough, so values are a bit elevated, and not all the tests from the first blood test were run again)
Hematocrit: 43.0 (39- 54) %
ALT/SGPT: High 76 (5 - 46) U/L
AST/SGOT: High 40 (1 - 35) U/L
IGF-1: 144 (17 - 537) ng/mL
FSH: Low < 0.2 (1.27 - 19.26) mIU/mL
LH: Low < 0.2 (1.24 - 8.62) mIU/mL
Progesterone: 0.44 (0.14 - 2.06) ng/mL
Estradiol: 24 (11 - 47) pg/ml
SHBG: 35.4 (12.5 - 68.6) nmol/L
Testosterone: 1151.35 (300 - 1200) ng/dL
Free Testosterone: High 29.6 (5 - 26) ng/dL
Bioavailable Testosterone: 641.8 (126 - 661) ng/dL
Estrone: (E1) 16.2 pg/mL
PSA, Total w/rflx to Free PSA 0.968 (0 - 4.0) ng/ml
Overall, I’ve been feeling great and so many of the crappy symptoms I had before have lifted in a big way. My energy level is way up, libido is back (happy wife!), I can’t wait to hit the weights every day, I’m sleeping better, my mental clarity is far better – and I just feel much more motivated about life overall.
I do have some questions for the forum:
Feedback on Labs – now that I’m 8 weeks in and my levels are starting to stabilize, I’d appreciate comments/recommendations based on your perspective of these labs.
E3.5 day vs EOD – I have read about the benefits of smaller amounts of T being injected more frequently. What’s your opinion of how frequently is good enough to eliminate the need for an AI?
AI – I’d like to get off the anastrozole if I can get away without it, but as of right now, it looks like it’s keeping my estradiol in about the right range. What do you recommend as a target estradiol value while on TRT? Want to see if I can get there without the AI.
IM vs SubQ – I injected IM for the prior years I was on TRT with no issue. I’ve tried a three subq injections since getting back on with horrible results! These injections into the sides of my abdomen area caused huge hard spots after three days and painful, dark black & blue bruising that hasn’t fully gone away after 4+ weeks. Won’t be doing that again! Question: what would cause this bad a subq reaction? I know a lot of guys here swear by sub-q, but does it just not work for some people? Also does the suspension oil make a significant difference? This T prescription is in sesame oil, anyone have better results with other base oils?
HCG – I understand how more frequent injections reduce the amount of T converting to estrogen, hence eliminating the need for AI. But how does it reduce/eliminate the need for HCG? I thought HCG was to prevent testicle shrinkage, since they’re not receiving LH to be activated due to the external T.
Peptides – any thoughts on running a peptide while on TRT? I’ve been recommended to try Ipamorelin+CJC1295, IGF-1 or BPC to complement my T protocol. Anyone have experience they can share on the synergistic effect of doing these together?
Thanks for listening and your comments and suggestions are much appreciated!
