Doc wants me on anastrozole...not so sure

[The_Crawfish]

Protocol: 80mg t-cyp 2x/wk

BW on 4/30/15: day of injection before injection
Total T- 664 (292-1052)
Free T-21.5 (4.8-25)
e2-37 (<63)

BW on 6/5: day after injection- all my bloods are pulled pre-injection, except for this one...we just wanted to see what the high side was
Total T-757
Free T-23
e2-43.75

He's mentioned a few times about my ratio, not necessarily my number in the range. He prescribed me .5mg Anastrozole 2x/wk. IF i even need an AI, i feel that's way too high of a starting dose...Thoughts??

[APIs]

I'm on a larger dose, but I'm at 200 mgs/week. May be a little much for 43.75, but I dont think it's totally unreasonable. Especially if you're carrying more fat than what is optimal. Everyone is different. You should listen to him and adjust based on future BW results. Even if you crash your E2, you wont wither & die anytime soon. My 2 cents...

[The_Crawfish]

Thanks API, I just keep reading all these things about how powerful it is. What's your dosage, and how do u time it according to your pins?

[jimmyinkedup]

I think its good you have a doc willing to prescribe an ai, see how it goes.

[kelkel]

Agree with the (dare I say brilliant) guys above. Just try and press your doc to get a sensitive assay to be more accurate...

[The_Crawfish]

Kel, I've tried everything in my power to get a sensative. Nobody knows what I'm talking about (3 different labs and 3 different docs), I could go private (no ins) to a local lab for almost $300!!
Not to beat a dead horse, but do y'all think I should start at his dose, or maybe just try .25 2x/wk? And what is y'all's recommendation on timing??

[kelkel]

Take a look at discountedlabs.com they're price for a sensitive assay is the cheapest around at about $38 bucks I believe.
I'd err on the side of trusting your doc at this point. Test your estrogen again in about 4 weeks and titrate accordingly. Like API said, it's not the end of the world if you push your E low. It is on the higher side but your doc's face to face with you, we're not.

[The_Crawfish]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into the lab. I'll give it a go on the AI.
What's the most common protocol in regards to when to take it?

[kelkel]

Day of or day after injection. Either works.

[The_Crawfish]

Got new BW today. This was drawn about 2 hrs post injection and popping the anastrozole. Not sure how quick it gets in your system and how long the AI holds. Probably the biggest surprise was how low my HCT is. It's been almost 3 months since my last double RBC donation, and it was 56 then!!

HCT-49.4 (40-54)
HGB-16.5 (13-17)
Estradiol-19.9 (19-528)
Test total-717 (250-827)
T Free-209 (46-224)
SHBG-10 (10-50)
Albumin-5 (3.6-5.1)

Should I ease up on the AI, or let it ride??

[jimmyinkedup]

What does the Doc say? How are you feeling? If you feel ok Id stay right where you are with it.

[The_Crawfish]

The only issue I've seen is mood swings. I catch myself being in a pissy mood lately for no reason. Although there's no evidence that it's related to my E2.
Haven't talked to the dr or his nurse yet, they're usually a week behind on calling about BW. I just popped in the office and got the print outs.
On a positive note, my weight is dropping fast. I've been busting my ass with the cardio for the last 2 months with little to no payoff. Without changing ANYTHING (other than adding the AI), I've dropped nearly 10 pounds in the past 3 weeks, and have went down AT LEAST one pants size.

[kelkel]

Agree with Jimmy. Know that your test will be much higher 24-48 hrs after injection.

[SweepTheLegJohnny]

Well, it looks like your E2 is a tad low. I'd go with a lower dose of the AI, see how you feel and then get another E2 test done. Everyone is different but I was very moody and irritable when my E2 was low. I crashed it a few times and felt like total friggin death. Are you doing sub-q or IM injections? Sub-q injections are much better for controlling my estrogen levels; IM spiked them quite high.

[kelkel]

Just realized that you tested standard estradiol. That said, know that it reads higher than a sensitive E2 assay. So your actual reading is lower (Johnny's correct) than shown. But also know that as with testosterone spiking your estrogen level will follow it. But remember, you're not a number. Use them as a guide only, not the end all to be all of your protocol.

[2Sox]

And as a side note, anastrozole can be wicked. Develop a healthy respect for it because it can bring down your E2 as fast as an elevator with a broken cable.

[bullshark99]

All good stuff above^^^^, Kel is as usual correct because test was not sensitive, you are probably 7-10 puts lower. May be prudent to cut back to .25 twice a week.how you feel is obviously most important but the numbers are a good gauge and if you can keep 20-30 you are probably right on.

[The_Crawfish]

Injecting sub-q. Not sure how in the hell I'm gonna cut these little pills into 4ths, but I'll give it a shot!
Anybody have an idea how long it takes for the anastrozole and test to actually get into your system?? I'm assuming that injecting 2 hours before the blood was drawn didn't drastically change the outcome of the tests??
Also wondering if y'all have any input as to why my hct was as low as it was. I always stay hydrated, and drink at least a gallon of water/kook-aid (sugar-free obviously) a day. So, it wasn't a matter of being hydrated vs. not. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the tests, as this has been one of my main concerns with TRT, just curious if something I'm doing is keeping it in check??