My hrt story so far - Do anti-estrogens !!!!

[petrolv]

I am 47 and was diagnosed hypogonadal by my doc . Total test 140 and I was a mess, had every symptom and got to the point I would stay in bed all weekend. Put me on Andro Gel for 6 months and it did nothing for me. Last October put me on test cyp, 200mg per week. Within three weeks I was rockin...in the gym...libido back....basically my whole life was turned around. Life was worth living again, depression gone.

When I started the test cyp I told my doc that I wanted to also start an anti estrogen, had to explain to him why and also named arimidex as the one I wanted to use. I got this info from reading on this site. My doc denied me and told me I didnt need. As a consolation he said we will check my blood test after 6 weeks and see where we are at.

At the six week point my total test was 1214 and my estrogen was within limits. My doc told me he wanted me to cut my test in half and I was able to talk him outta that for awhile, he gave me a basic "I told you so" for the anti estrogen.

At month four I started running into problems. My strength in the gym started to drop. My libido and sex performance waned. I broke out with terrible acne on my back and shoulders. I felt like I was heading backwards. I started feeling sick and week. I went through an independent HRT clinic and got a blood test.

Estradiol range 0-10 my estradiol at 95

Estrogen range "0-50 my total estrogen 206

Total Test 1257


I was told my estrogen levels were the highest that they had ever seen. I believe I was taken advantage of by my rep at the hrt clinic as he charged me double what an aquaintance I know is being charged for the same course of treatment. Five months into hrt and I think I have finally put together an effective course of treatment. Now I just need to find a clinic that is reasonable. I have gone from my insurance paying 100% to having to pay out of pocket so I can get a reasonable course of treatment with anti estrogens.

After a week of straight anastrozole every day my estrogen related problems began to clear up. Bloating allmost totally gone, acne starting to fade and I'm startin to feel good again.

If I have learned anything it is that you need to read and educate yourself and stick to what you learn. If you just putter around these forums, odds are you will know way more about hrt than the doctor you are dealing with. Unless you are lucky and get a good doc, better be ready to take responsibility for yourself or you might get estrogen toasted like I did.

If not for this site Ild be in sad shape right now.

[zaggahamma]

no doubt petrolv...i had to do persuading to get the injects and eventually arimidex and was lucky enough to find a family doc that writes for both...knock on wood...pardon the pun

[MorganKane]

how much test did you do a week?

[fbcoach]

Petrlv,
Great story....I know it is similar to mine. Like you, I have found that NOBODY (including experts) cares or or knows your own body like yourself. I feel the key is to educate yourself, and not only can you get your health back (hopefully with the aid of a good Doc), but you can strive for optimal wellness.
Question: Are you still using 1mg arimidex daily? Are you adding in any other ancillaries (HCG , HGH, ETC.)?

[Warrior]

Yeah - I wish I could have a photo of the general pract doc that reviewed my blood work results last time... he was flippin' through it and sayin, "Good, good, good - oh my God!"

Estradiol: 244.51

I told him it was expected for how much testosterone I was taking...

[ojibwajohn]

I am 54 and spend a lot of time in bed too...finally found a doc who started me on Test Cyp....100mgs a week...last test was total test was 1868 and estraidol was 80...anybody know why it is so high?...I have cut the shots back to 75mgs a week...I am still tired most of the time?

[fbcoach]

I am 54 and spend a lot of time in bed too...finally found a doc who started me on Test Cyp....100mgs a week...last test was total test was 1868 and estraidol was 80...anybody know why it is so high?...I have cut the shots back to 75mgs a week...I am still tired most of the time?

I have read..the optimal range for E2 is 20. It also depends on your SHBG levels. SHGB binds up your free test.

[AnabolicBoy1981]

I have gone from my insurance paying 100% to having to pay out of pocket so I can get a reasonable course of treatment with anti estrogens..

heres an idea. why not just let insurance pay for the test, and get the a-dex from HERE(AR-R )?
Thats what i would do. CHEAPER.
Ya know the lion stuff is real right? iv used all their stuff.

[Theatrix]

I'm 48 and just completed my labs. Test is down to 121 so I am seeing my Urologist friend tomorrow and he is putting me on HRT. I attribute my low test to not completing a proper PCT. I only did 2 weeks and now realize what I caused. Its been four months and still hasn't come back. I's also possible that I have done permanant harm and will need to do this for life. Time will tell.

[fbcoach]

I'm 48 and just completed my labs. Test is down to 121 so I am seeing my Urologist friend tomorrow and he is putting me on HRT. I attribute my low test to not completing a proper PCT. I only did 2 weeks and now realize what I caused. Its been four months and still hasn't come back. I's also possible that I have done permanant harm and will need to do this for life. Time will tell.

Theatrix,
I used steroids for bodybuilding and sports for 4 years about 20 years ago. I never ever did PCT. After my competitive days, I went to an endocrinologist and I rememeber not only did my bloodwork come back fine, he told me that it would be unusual for my body not to normalize back out.
Maybe your test is just naturally declining. Or it could be your thyroid or adrenals inhibiting your natural test.

[Theatrix]

Theatrix,
I used steroids for bodybuilding and sports for 4 years about 20 years ago. I never ever did PCT. After my competitive days, I went to an endocrinologist and I rememeber not only did my bloodwork come back fine, he told me that it would be unusual for my body not to normalize back out.
Maybe your test is just naturally declining. Or it could be your thyroid or adrenals inhibiting your natural test.

While younger, I also recovered without PCT. So I believe it may have something to do with age.
Began 100mg of Androgel on Friday. I have noticed an almost immediate (2 days) change in my sense of well being, e.g. energy level has improved, depression has subsided, muscle soreness has even gotten better. Libido has not improved as of yet, but he did give sample and the big three to deal with that. I'm good to go with Viagra, Cialis and whatever the one is for months!

If this is lifetime, than I have to work out what a cycle is going to look like. maybe its just HGH from here on out since I'm on 700mg of Androgel weekly.

[Kale]

While younger, I also recovered without PCT. So I believe it may have something to do with age.
Began 100mg of Androgel on Friday. I have noticed an almost immediate (2 days) change in my sense of well being, e.g. energy level has improved, depression has subsided, muscle soreness has even gotten better. Libido has not improved as of yet, but he did give sample and the big three to deal with that. I'm good to go with Viagra, Cialis and whatever the one is for months!

If this is lifetime, than I have to work out what a cycle is going to look like. maybe its just HGH from here on out since I'm on 700mg of Androgel weekly.

Why dont you think about Test shots. Man there are some high Estrogen readings in this thread I have been on HRT for three years, my Test leves are arounf 1000 and my Estradeol is 12. I take 0.25mg Arimidex EOD religiously. I am 52 today and never felt or looked better.

[Tapout]

I will be starting mine in a couple of days with the testim--after 6 weeks when doc tests me I will add my own cyp 1cc per week

its funny how some docs are great others are uneducated---I will try to get anti estros also--maybe thru a new anti aging clinic here in town