Another new guy with questions...

[dfwo]

Ok, I've spent the last couple of days reading through the threads tacked at the top of the forum and I have a couple of questions.



First off, I'm 43 and just saw my family doctor a few weeks ago. I was already taking an SSRI for depression and I knew that my blood sugar and triglycerides were slightly high. So, I was already working on cleaning up my diet and getting some exercise to lose weight.

I specifically had my testosterone checked because I felt I had some of the symptoms of it being low. Low energy/mood, low libido, poor sleep and so on. The test showed my total testosterone was 155 ng/dL. Based on that, my doctor prescribed testosterone cypionate injections. 200MG/ML, 1.5CC every two weeks. There was no mention of estrogen or free test. He just said to do the injections and come back in two months. I'll also mention that I've never had cancer of any kind and my PSA was .5 ng/mL.

After doing some reading, I decided on my own to do the injections ~.75CC once a week. I did my first injection 14 days ago, so this afternoon will be my third.

So, my first question is about further testing. From my reading, it looks like I probably should have had a couple of other tests done. I don't have insurance, so I'll just order the test online and use a private lab. Should I have at least a total/free testosterone and E2 test done? Now, or wait until I've been taking the injections for a while longer? Do I really need any of the other tests; DHEA, DHT, LH, etc?

I've got a couple of others, but I guess that's it for now. Thanks in advance!

[JohnnyVegas]

Happy to hear that you are doing weekly injections. That will help keep your levels more consistent. Less of a roller coaster for you that way.

150mg/week probably won't send your free Test or E2 through the roof, so my opinion (wait for others) would be to have more compete testing done after your levels have stabilized. You can see where you are at and make adjustments from there. I would do that maybe eight weeks after your start date?

Others can give you a better list to test for than me. My doc has a standard panel he does and I forget what is on it.

[jamotech]

^^X2
Nice to see someone reading the stickys, you'll get much more help from everyone! You MAY find an ssri wont be necessary once you get your hormones balanced (low t or high E). Ive had a couple docs want to prescribe happy pills, glad I didnt agree. I always knew it wasnt a brain thing, and the results after 3 weeks of trt has pretty much confirmed that. There are no tests I know of to check if your brain is low on serotonin. More docs should be checking for hormone imbalances before they start throwing ssri's around like candy.

[dfwo]

You MAY find an ssri wont be necessary once you get your hormones balanced (low t or high E).

I don't want to get my hopes up, but the thought had crossed my mind

[SlimmerMe]

WELCOME and also happy to hear you read some stickies! This is music to everyone's ears~

[zaggahamma]

welcome

good guys and gals on your side already

i'd like to add that 150mg is a good trt dose and should hopefully help with some of the symptoms you were mentioning...have u noticed anything thus far?

about e2...yes, get it tested...nothing dire but when u can and then u can retest....as long as u keep that in range along with your new higher T levels you will feel like a champ...

there are other compounds like hcg , dhea,etc. that you will be reading/hearing about if u keep on this forum and may want to try to add in to your protocol...but imo, coming from levels in the 100's...you should be feeling like a new man anyday now

best of luck

[dfwo]

i'd like to add that 150mg is a good trt dose and should hopefully help with some of the symptoms you were mentioning...have u noticed anything thus far?

About three days after the first injection I felt like my mood and energy level was better. And I was CONSTANTLY horny, waking up with erections, etc.

That lasted for three or four days and then it all seemed to tank right back to where it was before.

And now I'm questioning if it was all in my head. Frustrating...

[JD250]

It's not in your head, your body will take time to adjust, weeks at least and probably months to be complete......there is a stickie that gdevine started about how long it takes for trt to be effective........ Hang in there bro , it's a process and it's worth the effort.....here you go.......

.http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...work...you-ask

[dfwo]

It's not in your head, your body will take time to adjust, weeks at least and probably months to be complete......there is a stickie that gdevine started about how long it takes for trt to be effective........ Hang in there bro , it's a process and it's worth the effort.....here you go.......

I saw that. That's what had me wondering if the initial reaction was just a placebo effect.

[devildog1967]

I would like to add That it is important that you have E2 checked. I thought going on 100mg a week would be ok but NO.. my E2 was through the roof . Me too was on ssri but since doing TRT im not on any.

I takes time to adjust things around till you get it right..Im still work in progress ..lol

[lovbyts]

.75 is a good place to start and keep it there for a month or two and get your blood work done again including your E2 this time just so you know. .75 is perfect for me to be at normal levels, around 500. 150mg a week put me around 1200+. It's nice to always have a little extra on hand if you need it later.

[zaggahamma]

.75 is a good place to start and keep it there for a month or two and get your blood work done again including your E2 this time just so you know. .75 is perfect for me to be at normal levels, around 500. 150mg a week put me around 1200+. It's nice to always have a little extra on hand if you need it later.

agree that .75 is a good starting dose as well but the op is on 150mg stating that he was shooting .75 cc

but i think good advice by all anyway i think hes understanding to keep things constant and monitor symptoms and bloodwork BEFORE changing/adding anything

[lovbyts]

agree that .75 is a good starting dose as well but the op is on 150mg stating that he was shooting .75 cc

but i think good advice by all anyway i think hes understanding to keep things constant and monitor symptoms and bloodwork BEFORE changing/adding anything

Maybe I read it wrong. I understood he was prescribed 300mg to start with but decided to self medicate at 150mg starting 2 weeks ago. .75 cc = 150mg due to 200mg/ml

Either way as long as he is getting blood work and keeping track on his levels and how he feels he should be good.

[dfwo]

Maybe I read it wrong. I understood he was prescribed 300mg to start with but decided to self medicate at 150mg starting 2 weeks ago. .75 cc = 150mg due to 200mg/ml

Either way as long as he is getting blood work and keeping track on his levels and how he feels he should be good.

Well, I was prescribed 300mg every two weeks, and I'm doing 150mg every week instead.

[steroid.com 1]

Well, I was prescribed 300mg every two weeks, and I'm doing 150mg every week instead.

Weekly much better then every two weeks at that amount.

Better control of E2 less peaks and valleys.

May want to consider splitting the 150 into two doses a week...even better.

[ecdysone]

May want to consider splitting the 150 into two doses a week...even better.

True, many guys prefer E5D (every five days) for test-cyp which will allow you to use an insulin syringe.

[steroid.com 1]

True, many guys prefer E5D (every five days) for test-cyp which will allow you to use an insulin syringe.

Huh?

Why would a E5D be any different then twice every seven days or once evey seven days injecting SQ?

[bass]

Huh?

Why would a E5D be any different then twice every seven days or once evey seven days injecting SQ?

i am assuming hes talking about the amount you inject at once, its easier injecting 50mgs as apposed to 100mgs!

OP, it would have been nice if you did a complete blood work just to see where your base line with everything so you can compare!

[ecdysone]

Why would a E5D be any different then twice every seven days or once evey seven days injecting SQ?

double huh?? Don't see the relationship between the two. Some guys do E3.5D, which is fine for them, but for me it's simply 9 vs. 6.

Also, wasn't specifying SQ or IM, just using an slin pin

[dfwo]

i am assuming hes talking about the amount you inject at once, its easier injecting 50mgs as apposed to 100mgs!

OP, it would have been nice if you did a complete blood work just to see where your base line with everything so you can compare!

Yeah, I wish I had done a little more research before my initial appt

[dfwo]

Tomorrow will be five weeks and I still don't really feel any difference. I plan to have follow-up BW done towards the end of next week just to see where everything is at. Still kind of disappointing though.

[steroid.com 1]

Tomorrow will be five weeks and I still don't really feel any difference. I plan to have follow-up BW done towards the end of next week just to see where everything is at. Still kind of disappointing though.

All men respond differently. Took me 3 months and than it was like someone turned on a light switch.

Ease your expectations some and don't think about it so much...trust me...it will happen.

See the stickie at the top of the thread on how long it takes for change to happen.

Stick with your protocol, get your BW done and adjust from there.

Have faith bro

[bass]

All men respond differently. Took me 3 months and than it was like someone turned on a light switch.

Ease your expectations some and don't think about it so much...trust me...it will happen.

See the stickie at the top of the thread on how long it takes for change to happen.

Stick with your protocol, get your BW done and adjust from there.

Have faith bro

exactly! i went through a roller coaster early on but once your body adjusts to the new hormones you will feel the benefits.