50 and need Info

[montana greek]

I'm a 50 year old male who lives a clean life style. I'm a non competitive bodybuilder who lifts 5 times a week and does cardio 30 to 45 minutes a day. In addition I snow ski 2 times a week during the winter and mountain bike that amount in the summer.
Last summer I became very fatigued and depressed. I researched and have a very basic understanding of HRT. I then was prescribed 300mg of test cypionate per week at a test level of 475 for my 511 207
pound body. I did that prescription for 20 weeks resulting in great rebound on energy and mood. I improved my muscle quality and some fat loss, 7 lbs. My libido improved from the dead sea to that of a 20 year old. I would frequently urinate and have control issues which completely cleared up. I had blood results 1384 total test and 49 free toward the end of the 20 weeks. I've since change physicians due to cost and proximity to where I live and to have a face to face personal relationship with the clinic.
4 weeks ago I started a 150mg a week cycle. Since then I've had descent energy and mood, however my muscle quality is disappointing and my libido sucks and my frequent urination and control issues are back.
I know a total test of 1342 is beyond the normal range for HRT but the improvement of quality of life was incredible.
Is there any reason I couldn't maintain a test level in the vicinity of 1342 if that number gives those physical improvements? And could that be maintained for quality of life purposes without unfavorable side effects?
Please, educated feed back and opinions would be greatly appreciated.


I know that 1384 is above the

[HRTstudent]

This is really something to consider with your physician. 300mg is a very very high dose for TRT. Was your bloodwork showing 1342 done just prior to your next shot?

Perhaps there could be something underlying we have no idea about. Also, the effects of living at such a high dose are not very well documented, whereas there is extensive research touting the benefits of more physiologic levels.

Also, have you tried HCG? Some people notice subjective benefits in well being when on HCG.

What's your estradiol?

[montana greek]

Took injection on a Friday and had blood drawn on a Monday. Estradiol was 20. Thanks

[steroid.com 1]

OP - Can you post all of your most recent blood work with ranges?

I see nothing in your post regarding E2 management and what does 20 mean...pg/ml?

If you went to a TRT clinic they most likely did a complete male hormonal panel on you.

Honestly, we need blood work to help you.

[keep fightin]

maybe this should be a new thread, but GD, didn't you touch on T receptor sensitivity possibly being an issue for us " seasoned" guys?

[steroid.com 1]

maybe this should be a new thread, but GD, didn't you touch on T receptor sensitivity possibly being an issue for us " seasoned" guys?

Yea, it was in the post I think about losing the high on a TRT protocol.

Up and down regulation of T receptors can and probably is a factor but nothing I can go into here without seeing blood work...and that still may not do it....very complex and somewhat subjective discussion as well.

But you are right, it probably is a factor for many men over 40.

[montana greek]

20 pg/mL

[steroid.com 1]

20 pg/mL

Borderline low but depends on a lot of factors like when the blood was pulled and wether or not you are on an AI.

Post the rest with ranges Montana and you will get a lot of help.

[bass]

300 mgs! yup sounds like a clinic alright!

Montana Greek, post ALL your blood work with RANGES, very important. i know i repeated what everyones said already, but i thought I'll say it too. Also Post your complete PROTOCOL.

[zaggahamma]

that "20" e2 score might have been prior to starting the replac ement protocol....and on 300mg of test for "20" e2 could have been creepin up on "a hundo"????????????????????????????
symptoms are sayin so
like stated, check e2 that quack i mean doctor should have had you checking for that(e2) more like 3-5 weeks into your protocol and discussed the test to estro conversion(Aromatization)with you
welcome to the site
could you share how you found the site?

[bullshark99]

Copy that, 300 per week very high for TRT, never heard of that, almost like a small steriod cycle continuos. My guess is E2 as well. Once again, broken record, but all BW will give better idea.

[JAMIE07652]

You had a test level of 475 before htr . My primary doc wouldn't put me on test at 190 . Wow

[APIs]

It's been stated that these symptoms really should be discussed with your Dr. You can get some good reference info fromm this board, but no one here has a degree in medicine. For what it's worth, @ 200 mgs/week I've been living at levels of 1300 to 1500 over two years now with no sides, but everyone is different.

[ecdysone]

Is there any reason I couldn't maintain a test level in the vicinity of 1342 if that number gives those physical improvements? And could that be maintained for quality of life purposes without unfavorable side effects?

Yeah, you probably could. It's simply one of those cost <--> benefit type of analyses. At 1300+, or as importantly, 300mg/week the main long term risk is cardiovascular. If you religiously monitored that organ system with the help of a medical
expert then you could probably minimize most risks. For certain, you will want twice annual checkups with complete bloodwork. And of course, no regular MD is going to support your therapy, so you've have to work with at least two groups.

[Ratt]

Took injection on a Friday and had blood drawn on a Monday. Estradiol was 20. Thanks

I know for myself I get the blood work done on the day of my injection before I pin. That way the levels will be near the bottom. The way you are doing it has your levels peaking when you get your blood work done.
Hope this helps.

[steroid.com 1]

Guys - He's no longer at 300 mg/wk. For the past 4 weeks he's down to 150 mg/wk which is much more realistic.

Still, for a guy who tested 475 to be put on 300 mg/wk is excessive for sure.

[zaggahamma]

Guys - He's no longer at 300 mg/wk. For the past 4 weeks he's down to 150 mg/wk which is much more realistic.

Still, for a guy who tested 475 to be put on 300 mg/wk is excessive for sure.

Yeh I forgot to type that unacknowledged that he lowered dose but doesn't change what I stated one iota have we concluded that the "20" e2 was pre het and that e2 is the primary concern, no?

[bass]

he also asked if he can maintain higher levels of T, meaning staying on 300 mgs ew.

[zaggahamma]

he also asked if he can maintain higher levels of T, meaning staying on 300 mgs ew.

r u talking to me?
he can maintain as high a level as he wants

[bass]

sorry no i was responding to GD, the reason most responded on the 300mgs ew is because thats what he was asking also.

[zaggahamma]

ok
yeh, do you agree that the e2 is the priority here...the op hasnt confirmed but i'd bet that the 20 level he posted up later was pre hrt and unless has a jv liver e2 gonna be up there

[bass]

absolutely! and i think you are correct about when that test was done, and yes its unusual for a 50 year old to have e2 level of 20!