New to hrt

[bigdil511]

I'll I'll be starting HRT next Thursday, completely new to everything steroids I've been reading a lot on the forums and I have learned a great deal.

This therapy will be completely for health reasons and not so much gains in the gym. I have neurological disorder that I take immunoglobulins every week. I get all my blood work and everything back on Thursday but my initial bloodwork my free testosterone was 6.5 I didn't get the total testosterone number I just saw it on the paper. I really like the clinic and they seem legit they are going to start me out between 100-150 cypionate per week. They said they would give me vitamins to control estrogen. If my levels increase too much they prescribe something probably arimadex. By the way I'm a 33 old man 6 foot.

What should I expect in the beginning anything to watch out for anything to help get benefit. Any help would be appreciated.

[2Sox]

You can start here:

"Before you start HRT- what your doctor probably hasn't told you or doesn't know!"

Then read the other stickies at the top of the forum page to help you. If you have specific questions, we're here to help.

[kelkel]

Welcome bigdil. So what exactly is the issue that is suppressing your T level? I ask as many clinics won't really look into diagnosing other issues that may impact T levels as they simply want your business. Immunoglobulins won't effect T but the reverse is true. Be careful with some clinics please.

[bigdil511]

My neurologist thinks it's a response to the many immune system failings. My body is constantly trying to fight different antibodies from the many different immune problems so it's just overworked. My immune system and endocrine system are not in harmony and at least to some degree this might be the cause.
What should I watch out for? They seem legit but one never knows. They will be starting with a small dose of test cypionate about 100-110 is what I was told but I'll have a consult with them next Thursday with all my bw. Anything in particular I can ask to make sure they are legit? Thanks for response.

[Brett N]

100mg per week isn't really a small dose. It's pretty standard. Personally I think the 200mg that lots are using is crazy. Too much and then you have to worry about ai and all that.

Right now I am only taking 75mg pre week and 500iu HCG and I feel great. No ai. If you start thinking that the amount of your dose is a significant issue (like being small) you will subconsciously start talking yourself into thinking that you need more to benefit from it when that is not necessarily the truth.

Blood work and how you feel together will reveal the truth. Don't let the numbers get in your head. Good luck.

Not sure how you tell if they are legit. They should be checking your total T, free T and your estrogen to start. They should also recommend or prescribe HCG and talk of the possibility of anastrozole as an ai along with test.

Your case is a little more unique than regular TRT though.

[kelkel]

My neurologist thinks it's a response to the many immune system failings. My body is constantly trying to fight different antibodies from the many different immune problems so it's just overworked. My immune system and endocrine system are not in harmony and at least to some degree this might be the cause.
What should I watch out for? They seem legit but one never knows. They will be starting with a small dose of test cypionate about 100-110 is what I was told but I'll have a consult with them next Thursday with all my bw. Anything in particular I can ask to make sure they are legit? Thanks for response.

Well if your body is constantly under stress then full BW is really key here. Many things can effect T levels with one being cortisol, which rises under stress. BTW vitamin C helps with that, maybe a gram a day imho.

I'd ask them if they prescribe HCG and and AI if needed as well.


I'd suggest calling LowTestosterone.com - $199 All-Included Testosterone Treatment and compare programs.

[bigdil511]

Thanks kel, I'll post all my blood work when I get it on Thursday that will be two different draws. I'll ask about hcg as well. Thanks for the advice.

I take vitamin c,d3, b12, zinc everyday because with my normal bw when I get infusions all my levels have been low in the past. They are all at normal levels now.

[bigdil511]

So my second round of blood work showed everything similar to the first round. Waiting for copies. Other than low T my cholesterols hi my good cholesterol is low my liver function is hi my protein is hi my sugar is a little elevated. Currently dieting and so far have drop 10 pounds ran another bloodwork today to see if my cholesterol came down at all I ordered NAC and slow niacin will be taking that every day hopefully along with the weight loss this will help out.

My liver function was also high and have to go and get an ultrasound of my stomach and liver I think this is high directly related to my immunoglobulins that I receive every week.

I'm starting trton an 80 mg test c dose per week for the first two months. They want to monitor me closely just in case the testosterone creates a side effect with my CIDP. They gave me grapeseed oil to take two times a day to help control estrogen, adex if needed. I think I mentioned this before but I can't take the hCG because of work it would disqualify me so I would have to get that on my own somewhere. I'm worried about my liver function so I'm taking a break from my immunoglobulins for a couple months to see if it will normal out.

[bigdil511]

Thanks everyone for the support and the online community it's really nice to go somewhere and I could find people with similar experiences, in the knowledge on here is just incredible.

[bigdil511]

This is first bw

[kelkel]

Your LH level is good. Meaning your pituitary is functioning fine and not suppressed. This indicates the issue may be downstream. Any testicular issues in your life? Trauma, varicoceles, etc? May be worth looking into before implementing test therapy. Maybe an ultrasound?

Interesting articles below:


Influence of Selected Exercise on Serum Immunoglobulin, Testosterone and Cortisol in Semi-Endurance Elite Runners

The effect of testosterone replacement treatment on immunological features of patients with Klinefelter's syndrome

Testosterone inhibits immunoglobulin production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. - PubMed - NCBI

[bigdil511]

Kel thanks for the response. As a kid I had at least three separate occurrences where I smashed my testicles on something and laid in pain for long periods of time, although no hospital trips or actual damage as far as I know. I did get a sonogram of testes and showed no varicoceles . Could it be as simple as smashing my balls on roller blades? Good reads thanks for posting, it actually gives me some hope of the test having multiple benefits for my body. Potential for helping my immune system sounds like it could be a great benefit. My trt told me that it could help or hurt my symptoms and just to be very aware of what's going on, which I always am anyway. That's why they started at 80 per week just in case I had some adverse effects.

[kelkel]

Glad it helped. Yes, trauma can cause issues with your testicals just as head trauma can with your hypothalamus - pituitary gland.
Starting at 80 mg's per week is perfect.
Update this thread with your progress please.

[bigdil511]

Will do Kel thanks again for help.

[bigdil511]

So first set of bw was done after 6 full weeks of 80mg test cyp a week. The bw was done one week a after last pin first thing in the morning.

All levels are the same with the exception of total t and free t dropping. Total test was measured at 179 when I started at 297. Free test down to 5.5 when started at 9. They increased my dose to 110 per week to start than go up in a few weeks to about 130. See how I feel from there. Any thought on why test would drop?

I also felt great between weeks 3-5 crazy libido and a lot extra energy than the last few weeks my libido disappeared and so has my energy. Would my body reject the test for some reason? I'm also working on them to give me hcg I should be getting a script next week to start. Any thoughts appreciated.

[ab037]

Its not that your body rejected the Test, once you inject all natural production of Testosterone halts.. It may take some tweeking to get you to the right dosage, as everyone responds a bit differently

[bigdil511]

Any other thoughts? Is it really just bc my system is completely shut now? So now I'm waiting a few more weeks to start feeling the beneficial effects again, also guessing the hcg would have helped avoid this situation.

[The_Crawfish]

You should look at pinning twice a week. One week after pinning, you're at the half life of your test, and possibly lower depending on how fast you metabolize it. As ab said above, once exogenous test is introduced, your body stops producing it. So weeks 3-5 I would imagine you were riding high on the natural test left in your body plus what you injected. After that, you're just going for a testosterone roller coaster.