I just got my labs back and thought to share them with you to get your input and advice. I’m going to discuss the latest labs with my Physician this Friday, but I’m thinking of strongly advocating for an A.I. My back and shoulders are a minefield in terms of acne. It’s out of control. I also retain water like crazy (my socks leave an imprint for 5-10 minutes after I take them off).
I clearly respond to treatment well, but I am what I would call a “hyper aromatizer,” if that’s a term.
Thoughts from you guys?
Currently on Test. Cyp. only, no hCG. As the chart says, I’m injecting daily (due to my extremely low SHBG). I also take Cialis at 10mg daily for the BP and pumps. Working out 4x a week with high intensity. Please note that both test dates are after 8+ weeks of running the same injection protocol.
I think you would do better on Jatenzo, a twice daily oral TRT formulation. I started with an SHBG at 11 and am doing very well, have no water retention, no bloating even though I have diabetes.
My levels peak in 2-hours around 900 ng/dL, 645 ng/dL at 4 hours and 289 ng/dL at 12-hours.
This gives the body a break from constantly elevated hormones that not even daily injections can achieve.
I don’t know what my estrogen levels are on Jatenzo, not that I would need to check them as I have no symptoms. I do know I’m a high aromatizer if my previous experience on cypionate is any indication.
My thoughts on your protocol and issues related to water retention and bloating, exogenous T can cause this through sodium reabsorption via the kidneys, so it may have nothing to do with estrogen.
Your testosterone levels are virtually static on a daily protocol and Jetanzo may be a better option.
The Cialis can have an anti-estrogen effect by changing T:E2 ratios, so if you can increase the dosage without side effects, do it.
If you’re considering an AI after all else fails, start out at .125 mg anastrazole through a compounding pharmacy.
Agree with @systemlord here assuming you don’t switch to Jazento which I don’t have an experience or comments on. Your latest labs don’t show E2 being that bad but your ratio is about the same as it was 200mg/wk. Maybe you’re body isn’t sitting well with the higher end E2 or ratio you are at or as he stated maybe its not E2 related. Either way, AIs have their place its just not the first thing you should ‘go to’ and you clearly havn’t.
@TestQuest22
What makes you think these symptoms are because of high E2?
Your symptoms made me think back to the first couple of years that I was on trt. I had bad acne, and I couldn’t figure out the cause.
I was on an AI at the time, and my E2 was “perfect” according to my provider(low to mid 20’s, clearly not high). I think I’m very sensitive to hormone fluctuations and changes, and it took me a while to stop getting constant acne. Fwiw, I’ve been off an AI for a few years now, my E2 levels are higher than they’ve ever been, and the only acne I get now is diet related.
