Latest Update on my treatment

[UpstateNY]

Saw the doc today and got my results. First off, bloodwork was done on day 8, one day after I would have given my weekly injection. I held off since I had to get bloodwork done. I had been taking 1ml of the 200 Test E. once a week.
Free Testosterone : previously 3.2pg/ml on scale of 6.8-21.5
Current- 28pg/ml

Total Testosterone: previously 162.2 ng/dl on scale of 241-827
Current- 1018 ng/dl

All other blood test were excellent levels. Put on 7.5 lbs in 1 month with no real excercise to speak of sue to severe allergies of late. Getting that treated!
The only thing I can think of that helped boost things up so much is that I have weaned myself off mostof the meds the Docs have had me on for some time. They are al known to supress Test. production for starters, and I don't feel I need them mearly as much since my levels are now up. Feeling much better.
Doc was a little shocked at the levels and not 100% comfortable with them but we agreed to try going with 0.5 ml every 4-5 days for 3 months to see how I feel an what it does to the levels.
I do feel the swing as the 6 & 7th day approach even with my levels at 1018 and 28 respectively. I have had no side effects that I can tell other than some very minor acne towards day 6 and then it seems to be soemwhat effected by diet and other variables. Alcohol for one, that has been like that since I had my first drink!
FYI, for anyone experiencing acne regardless of it's from HRT or not, I have found I get fantastic results (and recommended to my teen son) with the Zirh product line. It's a bit pricey, but you don't use a lot if you do it properly so it lasts a long time. For me, I can get by with just a couple of products, mainly the "Clean and Scrub". I'm not a guy who buys into all that specialty stuff but I got this as a gift and found it worked great for me. Just my 2 cents. www.zirh.com, I believe.
Anyone with opinions on the frequency change for my injections? Doc was thinking 5- 6 days but it seemed to me that the levels could remain more consistant at 4 or 5 days. I'm hoping to keep the levels someplace between mid to upper level on the scale as long as I feel well and have no side effects. If by chance I find I feel better at a lower level, that's where I'll stay. What are the odds the levels will drop a lot by going from 1ml/wk to 0.5ml, twice a week? Any idea how much they would?
Good news is that my Doc is now much more interested in this and my health! I still plan to talk to another Dr with more experience in this treatment and I'd like to see if we can talk my Ins. Co. into HGH testing at the very least. Inofrmation is everytihng when it comes to your health!!!!
BTW, thanks to all I have learned here, my son will get his Testosterone testosterone next year at age 18 and then at 20 and every year there after. I want to establish a baseline for him for the future.
More later.....

[zaggahamma]

Good to hear Upstate. Glad your feeling better. Your email is really upbeat...more so than usual.
About your levels...Woa! I'm wondering if they were frikin higher around day's 2-4 like I've read. I wish it was easier to get tested more frequently just to be sure. Then we would know for sure if bi weekly is better. You did mention you were feeling better but with a slight swing. Do you mean energy/mood?

[Kale]

My levels were about 1400 ng/dl on 125mg Test E a week so I had to drop it back to 60mg. I didnt feel any difference.

[fossilfuel7]

Wow!...That's a high Test level for HRT...IMO. Good Doc you got there

[UpstateNY]

I to wonder if the levels would be higher around day 2-4. I was shocked at th jump as was my Doc. He kept asking how much I took, how often and when the test was done. The swing I refered to is both in mood and in general feeling. One thing I have found to be true for me is that the amount of sleep I get is key to how well I feel regardless of my level. I seem to feel much better and with more energy when I'm getting a regular amount of sleep. I know that sounds and is very basic, but I used to run on a lot less in the past. I guess it's just age catching up to me some. The best part as far as I am concerned has been less everyday pain, and less depression. Having been disabled, that's been a battle for me. Starting Monday, I'll take the 1/2ml injections every 5 days and we'll see how that makes me feel and what it does to my levels. The Doc doesn't seem too concerned about the high level, he didn't want bloodwork for 3 months. God for me I guess! I'll keep you posted.
BTW, it was this site and it's stickies at the top of the page the sold my Doc on testing and treating this way. He was dead set against it at first!! It is honestly amazing how much better I feel!!! Thanks again to all.

[UpstateNY]

So far I've picked up 8 lbs with little work. Starting to feel good enough to try some training. I'll have to go slow and easy, not used to that though I've been down for a long time. Yard work feels good, but I have to be careful, the damage is still there. Been looking into "micro laser surgery" as an option. www.bonati.com Anyone been that route? No negative side effects with 1018 for a test result. It's only been 1 month at that level. I'm taking 1/2ml of 200 Test E. every 5 days now rather than the 1ml once a week. So far there is less of a sensation of "coming down" near injection time. Trying to adjust my diet as well. Hoping to drop fat and keep lean muscle along with the quality of life benefits. Trying to talk Doc into testing HGH and checking with Ins. They seem to want a Doc's reason why before the ok. My Dr is ok, but I', hoping to find a more informed and agressive thinker. Any input is appreciated!!!! Thanks to all
R.

[Mobligator]

Since you are taking testosterone from a vial having the strength of 200 mg per ml, you will now be taking 100 mg every 5 days. That is the recommended normal maintenance dosage for one week. Since the average half life of Test E is about 9 days you will be accumulating slightly more than the normal dose by taking it every five days but I think its safe to say your level will drop well below 1000, probably more like in the 700 range. Depends also on your particular elimination rate for Test since not everyone uses it up at the same rate. I took Test E for approximately 12 years, 100 mg per week and my range stayed right around 500-600.

[UpstateNY]

Thanks Mobligator. That's what I was looking for. I'll have to see how I feel with the every 5 days. Felt great on the 1ml/1Xwk. I like the idea of having enough T in my system to help me build a little muscle quick since I'm trying to come back from major injuries and surgery. It's been a tough road due to pain mainly. That's been reduced somewhat thanks to getting my levels back on track. My theory is, if I can get my low back strength back, I can stabilize that area some and hopefully enjoy a more normal life once again. It will take time especially since doing the more normal exercises & lifting are out for now.
Since I'm doing this for HRT(health reasons), I'm not really concerned with size or strength other than it being relative to my rehab. Anything else you want to share or think may be of interest, let me know. I"m open to email and will set up a PM acct soon. Thanks again.
R.

[UpstateNY]

Still feeling great. Began a light stretching routine and easing into light exercises. Pain has been mild to moderate which is a great improvement! Strength is much better too. Libido is great. Put on about 10 lbs and most is muscle. It's been noticed a great deal by others. I still need to drop some body fat but I'm not in dire need so I'll take it easy. No special diet yet so i expect to see dramatic improvements once I up my aerobics and non aerobic exercise and alter my diet to fit the better lifestyle. I'd love to see what a little HGH or Deca would do for the pain I always have, but that won't happen with my current Dr. I'm happy just the same. My muscle growth was not anticipated so it was a nice surprise. NO negative side effects so far. I have noticed that eating chocolate or drinking alcohol does cause me to break out with acne on my face. Mostly very small and mostly around my chin and cheaks. I can live without them! Other than that, it's all been good!!
My Dad is back on his TRT and added working out and has dropped 10 lbs in a month! Not bad for a 76 yr old guy with a bad back and a knee replacement that was troubling him!
Thanks to all.

[zaggahamma]

Glad to hear upstate. Love your attitude. and Fabulous Kudos to Dad's!