HRT update, need your opinions...

[lycan]

If this is not the appropriate forum, mods please move it, and I apologize. OK, been on HRT for 6 months now. First was taking 200 mg of test cypionate every 2 weeks, felt fine for about a week, then energy dropped dramatically. When I went back for my blood work, my test level was 260, still not worth a shit. I suggested to my Dr. to let me take 100 mg weekly, to try and keep my levels more steady. He stated that I might be better off with 200 mg a week. Sounded good to me. Have felt better than I have in a long time. Have dropped 20 lbs in the last 3 months, doing cardio, cleaner diet along with training. Plus, I have a very physically demanding job, 12 hr. shifts. Well, I go back for a check up last week, and with my usual battery of tests and blood work. Now get this, my test level was 1324, WTF!!! I should be a walking, talking erection. But that is not the case, I still figured my levels were low. Dr. wants me to go back to the 200 mg every 2 weeks schedule. Fuck that, I remember how I felt when my energy would drop. I may cut the dosage to 100 mg a week, but not doing the other suggestion. Cholesterol was 133, down from 225. Can anyone explain how my testosterone reading was so high? Thanks for any ideas and comments.

Best regards,

Lycan

 

[morepain]

may have had something to do with tthe timing of the labs. for instance before you were doing a shot every 14 days...lets say you took your shot then the blood draws were done 12-13 days later...you would be at the lowest point. Then you switch to the new protocol and you are hitting the same amount but every seven days...so the furthest from teh shot day you could have been was 6 days when they drew the blood ... probably even closer. In short the second labs were taken much closer to the injection day. Also your libido is comprised of much more than just your test level. If your doctor is not also monitoring your thyroid, adrenal function, pituitary functtion and estrogen levels you really don't have a good picture of what is going on. At the least your estrogen levels should be monitored to see if an AI is warranted such as arimidex.

 

[GoneForever]

Thats not too abnormal. I was on 150mg cyp per week with 500iu hcg 2x per week and my levels were close to 1200. I suggest you use 150mg per week. Thats the perfect dose imo.

 

[Tom]

half the picture

Hrt is a complex balancing act and it is imperative to monitor other parameters than just testosterone. For instance Estradiol, Cortisol, Etc. I will follow up with more info.

 

[Tom]

tests

this info comes from a hrt doc who is part of a men's forum from another board.

Total Testosterone
Bioavailable Testosterone (sometimes called “Free and Loosely Bound”)
Free Testosterone (if Bio T is not available)
SHBG
DHT
Estradiol (specify by the “Extraction Method” or “Ultra-Sensitive”)
Total Estrogens
LH
FSH
Prolactin
Cortisol
Thyroid Panel (TSH, FT3, FT4)
CBC
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Lipid Panel
Homocysteine
PSA (if over 40)
IGF-1 (if HGH therapy is desired)
Fasting Insulin


At the one month point, I follow-up with these assays:
Total Testosterone
Bioavailable Testosterone
Free T and SHBG (if Bio T is not available)
Estradiol (specify by the “Extraction Method” or “Sensitive”)
DHT (if patient is using a transdermal delivery system)
SHBG
FSH (3rd gen "sensitive" assay)
CBC
Lipid Panel
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
(if ALT/AST from above are elevated, then get a GGT)

...I hope this helps!

 

[phatkid77]

everyones different. simple as that...

when did u get blood drawn...IE. if you injected monday and got blood work weds.....you'd be high..

you want the blood taken the day of the shot, BEFORE the shot...