***updated blood work*** - This not seem odd?

[FRDave]

I am trying to get dialed in still, and just got some lab results back today.

After week 8 of TRT, my testosterone total was 746 ng/dL (range of 348-1197) and my estradiol was 53.1 pg/mL (range of 7.6-42.6) - HIGH. My protocal at the time was as follows:

- 50mg Test Cyp injected in glutes twice weekly (Sat & Tues) via sub-Q (100 mg weekly total)
- 400iu HCG injected twice weekly (Fri & Mon) via sub-Q in belly (800iu weekly total)
- 100mg micronized DHEA taken daily at breakfast
- 100mg micronized Pregnenolone taken daily at breakfast

After seeing the high estradiol, I changed my protocal as follows which is what I have been doing the past 6 weeks:

- 40mg Test Cyp injected in glutes twice weekly (Sat & Tues) via sub-Q (80mg weekly total)
- 250iu HCG injected Mon/Wed/Fri via sub-Q in love handles (750iu weekly total)
- 50mg micronized DHEA taken daily split into 2 doses of 25mg (breakfast and lunch)
- 100mg micronized Pregnenolone taken daily split into 2 doses of 50mg (breakfast and lunch)
- 180mg Zinc & 6mg Copper taken daily split into 3 doses (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

With the above CURRENT protocal, both my testosterone and Estradiol have risen with a total testosterone level of 878 ng/dL (range of 348-1197) and estradiol now a woppin 75.1 pg/mL (range of 7.6-42.6).

Does is not seem odd that both my testosterone and estradiol have risen when I dropped test from 100mg to 80mg weekly as well as cut DHEA dosage, take high amounts of Zinc and lower dosage of HCG?

I am more tired now, clearly due to the imbalance of test to estrogen, yet assumed my test was going to come back low and estrogen would have been in range...

Anway, I made a Dr's appointment for this Monday to get a script for Armidex but thought I would get some opinions from the experts here on the board. Also, when I start Armidex, does .25mg the day after my test injection (.5mg per week) sound like a good starting point?

By the way, test injections via sub-Q seem to work well for me :-P

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[calstate23]

I am trying to get dialed in still, and just got some lab results back today.

After week 8 of TRT, my testosterone total was 746 ng/dL (range of 348-1197) and my estradiol was 53.1 pg/mL (range of 7.6-42.6) - HIGH. My protocal at the time was as follows:

- 50mg Test Cyp injected in glutes twice weekly (Sat & Tues) via sub-Q (100 mg weekly total)
- 400iu HCG injected twice weekly (Fri & Mon) via sub-Q in belly (800iu weekly total)
- 100mg micronized DHEA taken daily at breakfast
- 100mg micronized Pregnenolone taken daily at breakfast

After seeing the high estradiol, I changed my protocal as follows which is what I have been doing the past 6 weeks:

- 40mg Test Cyp injected in glutes twice weekly (Sat & Tues) via sub-Q (80mg weekly total)
- 250iu HCG injected Mon/Wed/Fri via sub-Q in love handles (750iu weekly total)
- 50mg micronized DHEA taken daily split into 2 doses of 25mg (breakfast and lunch)
- 100mg micronized Pregnenolone taken daily split into 2 doses of 50mg (breakfast and lunch)
- 180mg Zinc & 6mg Copper taken daily split into 3 doses (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

With the above CURRENT protocal, both my testosterone and Estradiol have risen with a total testosterone level of 878 ng/dL (range of 348-1197) and estradiol now a woppin 75.1 pg/mL (range of 7.6-42.6).

Does is not seem odd that both my testosterone and estradiol have risen when I dropped test from 100mg to 80mg weekly as well as cut DHEA dosage, take high amounts of Zinc and lower dosage of HCG?

I am more tired now, clearly due to the imbalance of test to estrogen, yet assumed my test was going to come back low and estrogen would have been in range...

Anway, I made a Dr's appointment for this Monday to get a script for Armidex but thought I would get some opinions from the experts here on the board. Also, when I start Armidex, does .25mg the day after my test injection (.5mg per week) sound like a good starting point?

By the way, test injections via sub-Q seem to work well for me :-P

Thanks in advance,
Dave

Yes, you need an AI. Once you start the arimidex your estrogen should go right back down

[Moparman]

Yup. I agree

[jasondd1]

It is odd though that lower test cyp increased total test.

[FRDave]

It is odd though that lower test cyp increased total test.

Exactly. Everything I did should have lowered both my total test and estrogen so I was quite surprised.

I think I'm going to keep everything as/is but drop the high dose of zinc/copper and start with armidex 2x a week at .25mg

Dave

[booku]

what was the timing in relation to injection on both blood draws?

[FRDave]

what was the timing in relation to injection on both blood draws?

Both blood draws were on Tuesday morning and I inject test every Tuesday night and Saturday morning. HCG I inject every Mon, Wed and Fri night.

Dave

[FRDave]

Got my script for arimidex today as well as a free trial of 5mg cialis (30 pills) :-D

[phaedo]

I had very similar numbers awhile back. Instead of introducing an AI (like you have), I all together dropped the Pregnenolone and DHEA (I was taking 50 mg of each, split AM and PM).

Three weeks after ceasing supplementation, my E2 was 28 - with no AI. I felt much better (less fatigue, brain fog, and bloating). Now I'm not saying this is the *right* answer, as I feel each TRT protocol is very patient specific, but I do think that less is better to achieve "hormonal normality."

I've switched to 7-Keto DHEA as of yesterday and will see how I respond.

... food for thought is all. Keep us updated!

[FRDave]

I had very similar numbers awhile back. Instead of introducing an AI (like you have), I all together dropped the Pregnenolone and DHEA (I was taking 50 mg of each, split AM and PM).

Three weeks after ceasing supplementation, my E2 was 28 - with no AI. I felt much better (less fatigue, brain fog, and bloating). Now I'm not saying this is the *right* answer, as I feel each TRT protocol is very patient specific, but I do think that less is better to achieve "hormonal normality."

I've switched to 7-Keto DHEA as of yesterday and will see how I respond.

... food for thought is all. Keep us updated!

I actually dropped my DHEA dosage from 100mg per day in the AM (previous protocal) to the current 25mg breakfast & lunch (50mg daily) based on blood work from my last set of labs in February. Pregnenolone is good based on blood labs but I may drop from the current 100mg to 50mg daily. Honestly, I don't think this is the culprit though since my estrogen should have dropped, not risen and I was taking both DHEA and Pregnenolone long before starting TRT...

I also was taking 500iu twice weekly of HCG (1,000iu per week) before starting TRT and my estrogen did not increase at all...

Wonder if supplements such as high doses of vitamin D3 or fish oil could have any effect? From everything I have read, they would help regulate hormone levels though.

All I have to say is im stumped, but the arimidex will work for sure so i'll give it a go as I do more research.

Thanks for the replies,
Dave

[Joseph956]

Could it have been the combination of HCG and Test?

I'm only speculating because I would imagine your E level would rise with an increase in test.. but you said you were doing HCG before and your E was fine,

so maybe by adding both your T levels were high and your E levels followed..