I have recently switched from Test Cyp over to a topical gel and wow the first five days I felt fantastic. Energy level was high,libido was great, and my over all well being was better than ever. Today is day 8 and my libido and ability to get a good hard on is starting to take a dive I’m guessing my E2 is on the rise as I’m not taking any AI until we do blood work and I got to wait another 10 day’s for that CRAP.
Anyway I’ll post all my labs when available and update any pros and cons I experience from the switch. Anyone else have anything to share about topical treatment?
Current Proto .5cc of 100mg/cc topical gel in the AM and .5cc in the PM, 250IC HCG E3D, and 5mg cortef AM and PM.
I have been on the topical treatment now since the 9-1-10. The fist 7 days was Androgel 5g 2x/day while I waited for the compound which was started on 9-8-10 at the same dosage 2x/day. Like I said above I had been complaining about symptoms of High Estrogen for awhile now even before the switch. I emailed my Dr. many times stating my symptoms and addressing that I wanted to start my AI dosage. The reply if I got one was not until we retest. I finally got tired of complaining and waiting for the next test and started a low dose AI at .25mg EOD on 9-7-10. I have noticed a little bit more libido, can get full wood again, and today 9-12-10 was the first sign of morning wood which has been gone since the stop of the AI. I suppose my HRT Dr. is going to be upset with me doing so but after all this is my well being I’m dealing with. So far it feels like it was the right choice. I guess labs will show right or wrong.
I think it takes about 2 weeks for your E2 changes to level out after starting AI, so you’re cutting it close. I personally wouldn’t have started the AI yet so you can accurately assess your baseline while on the gel, but that ship has sailed. Are you going to tell your doctor you started it? I hope you would.
Why did you switch from the shots to a topical (especially since you still have to inject hcg)? What was your old protocol?
Absolutely I will tell my doctor nothing to hide. I had always taken this dosage before with every other treatment. That protocol was 50mg test cyp 2x/wk hcg 250ius 2x/wk with the AI and my E2 levels held at 28 and I felt great. They wanted me to stop the AI when I switched to them to see if I even needed it I didn’t want to stop but I did. I’ve already experienced the High E2 issues with every Dr. and treatment prior to the current ones to know what was going on. I’m only going to allow myself to feel like shit for so long. I switched over to a topical because we thought I might be having an allergic reaction to the oil having to inject was not the issue. It seems to have helped. I hope I’m a good absorber because I like the fact that I get the same dosage everyday. I feel more leveled out but will see after a few months how I feel.
roger that mate…it looks like you have a pretty good handle on your health care yourself, and its great youve found a doctor to work with your knowledge ant not shut you out.
One thing I did notice that I forgot to mention is your usage of Cortef, which I assume is for adrenal fatigue? Adrenal issues are often accompanied by thyroid issues (hypo) and some hypo folks do not absorb topicals very well (will take initially, but not in the long run). Just something to keep in mind if your protocol ever seems to just not be working after a while.
No I know just enough to get by. The AI was the only thing that was changed and the symptoms appeared. So to me it was a clear cut choice. I still need help from a pro on many other issues. Yes the cortef is for my adrenals they were basically shut down. I was told we would do this for 2 weeks check and then move onto my thyroid, hasn’t happened yet although I keep asking about it. Both my T3 and T4 were like 1 point above the lowest range. So I am lacking in that area. Hopefully the next time I talk to Dr. we can move forward.
if you are having cortisol problems, then it is really critical that you check your Reverse T3 and Free T3 (along with the other standard Thyroid tests).
[quote]oscar31280 wrote:
Absolutely I will tell my doctor nothing to hide. I had always taken this dosage before with every other treatment. That protocol was 50mg test cyp 2x/wk hcg 250ius 2x/wk with the AI and my E2 levels held at 28 and I felt great. They wanted me to stop the AI when I switched to them to see if I even needed it I didn’t want to stop but I did. I’ve already experienced the High E2 issues with every Dr. and treatment prior to the current ones to know what was going on. I’m only going to allow myself to feel like shit for so long. I switched over to a topical because we thought I might be having an allergic reaction to the oil having to inject was not the issue. It seems to have helped. I hope I’m a good absorber because I like the fact that I get the same dosage everyday. I feel more leveled out but will see after a few months how I feel.[/quote]
I initially felt great on the gel but I believe I stopped absorbing it like I should have; never got AM wood they whole time which was about a year. Been getting it though while pinning test cyp and it has only been 3 wks.
Also, sorry to go off subject slightly but you mentioned you and your Dr’s “think” you were getting any allergic reaction to the oil. I think I might be as well - PLEASE post your symptoms; it would really help me. I cannot discuss the situation with a physician for several reasons. THANKS!!
Transdermal T can increase E2 and DHT. All the more with 1% gels that are applied to large skin areas. Less so with high %T creams where less skin area is involved.
TRT without hCG will shut down the testes and pregnenolone levels can drop, that can lead to lower DHEA.