TRT Issues - where the hell is my testosterone?

[Tangles112]

Hey guys and girls,

I have been a long time reader, but have not posted much. I have a few issues, but will give my medical history first.

I am 35 and have had symptoms of low test since I was 27. In 2011, I contracted Lyme disease in Austria. No on in Australia tests for that, and don't believe it exists..so I was undiagnosed for several years. I was absolutely f**ked for three years of my life. Weight blew up, thyroid slowed down, no libido, no energy, always sleeping (up to 18-20 hours a day)... I was treated well by a very well informed doctor, and after 2 years of heavy treatment, I was free of lyme...finally.

After my body started to recover from the barrage of antibiotics, treatments, stress, disease and chronic fatigue, I noticed something... I wasn't the same man as before. I had my testosterone checked while I was undergoing treatment, and it was always in the red. My total testosterone was excellent (has dropped a lot since then), but my free test was in the red. It hardly ever made it over 250nmol (i think that was the measurement). I was told the average is 600-1000. My best result in the past 5 years has been 349nmol. My e2, however, has always been borderline high..or high. Not too high, but it's been classed as high on a few tests before the sustanon250. I am thinking about investigating the genetic link to see if my old man has high e2 as well. Could there be a genetic link to high aromataze levels?

I have been seeing this great hormone doc, and he has put me straight on Sustanon 250. It was one injection per week. After no increase in test after 6 weeks..test was sitting at 340 on my day before the jab. Doc was not impressed. E2 was borderline high, again. But being in normal ranges, I guess a lot of docs don't focus on that as much as they do borderline low test..

Anyhoo, doc asked me to front load 2 injections. Within a few hours, I was tired and emotionally weird with some anxiety. Since then, I have trialed 2 shots per week (wed/sat) and have noticed myself putting on bloat, weight, fluid, being extremely tired at times and no motivation at all. My libido is non existant, or low...and I have trouble maintaining wood at times. I

I am also now on HCG to keep the little fella's alive and kicking. That's 30umol every wed and sat.

I have not been on TRT very long, and I know this affects everyone differently. I haven't had a blood test since I started the 2 a week and the HCG, but will be going to get one when I actually wake up early enough to get one...

Does this sound like a typical estrogen rise?

If I can jump on one jab a week with hcg and an ai to balance myself, I would be over the moon. Two a week, prescribed by a doctor, is very expensive in Australia. 1 shot is 60 bucks, 2 is 120. HCG is 300 for a 6 weeks supply, and an AI would be more cost on top of that. I don't want to become a bodybuilder. I want to return to my active life which I love. I miss the gym, I miss being outdoors and having energy to run around and do things.. I haven't felt like myself for quite some time, and I would love to receive any tips or advice on what I can do or approach the issues...


Is there anyone out there who could shed a bit of light on this conundrum I seem to be facing?

Thanks a heap

Tangles

[Simon1972]

Your Dr needs to do this.

Start at a standard dose and regimen that will get you to a stable test level and blood test away until you get dialed in.

I would ask him for the following.

2 shots of sus250 each week. 50 mg each jab.
Do a blood test at 5 weeks. Check total t and e2. At a minimum
If test is too low, bump it up to up to 75mg each shot.
Do blood test after 3 weeks, check total t and e2 at a minimum
If e2 is too high, take anstrozole at half a tablet when injecting.
Get blood test after 3 weeks.

In Australia anastrozole will cost you $40 for 5 months supply. Test $40 for a month.

I take primoteston, which is just test E, I also inject myself into stomach fat called subcutaneous injection.

This will be a good base to start from, hcg is not really needed unless you plan on kids, someone else may advise a good starting dose for hcg,I don't use it.

[Tangles112]

Simon,

thanks for the advice! My doc did have me on a dose for 6 weeks, which was one shot every 7 days. When that wasn't enough, we jumped it up to 2. I should have gotten a blood test, but my TRT is prescribed and it's a lot more expensive than the prices you quote. 60 per Sus 250 shot. 50 a week for compounded HCG (30umol 2 x wk). Adex is the cheapest and i can prob get that from ADC when i get my pre paid visa, along with some clomid for safe keeping. But I have been quoted 180-200 for a bottle of adex pills (unsure of capacity). I seem to need to know better doctors.. hah

I missed my 2nd shot on Saturday on purpose. I'm now feeling a fair bit better. I do plan on kids, someday. The partner wants in the next 5 years, so I will have to keep my guys alive and kicking.