HRT for 11 weeks now and labs are going south

[jlm2011]

I saw my GP in September with a number of complaints that led to an initial Testosterone level check. Initial Test was high 290s.
She Rx'ed Axiron. I used it for 4 weeks and then new BW.

Test came back low 290s.

So she suggested it was not absorbing well and Rx'ed TC IM, 200MG monthly.
Injected for one month.

BW in the mid 200s. like 240-250.

She then bumbed the dose to TC 200mg q2 weeks. Did this for two doses and rechecked labs last week and values were 1/3 of original numbers!
The last set of labs, I ordered personally and added a couple of values after lurking a bit on this site.
Test 96 348-1197
ES 37
Free 2.4 6.8-21.5

Symptoms have worsened, generally I feel like sh** everyday. I run my own business and at this point could give a Sh** if I go into work at all.
Joints are really sore after and workouts and in between. A few other symptoms too. All fall in the catagory of hypogonadism.

One final note about the labs, I have used two labs and the last lab was done on day 13 post injection.
Any help with interpreting the labs, ideas of where to go from here ( with regard to treatment plan) would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the help.

[SEOINAGE]

more frequent doses? I personally haven't started TRT, but maybe go from 200 every other week, to 100 each week. should make you more stable, do you feel good for a few days after your injection? maybe you flat out need more test.

[bigboy67]

the problem is that you have effectively shut down your body's natural testosterone production, but you arent getting your injections frequently enough to keep steady levels. so you shut down your own production so your body isnt producing testosterone, you get the injection of 200mg, it shoots your levels wayyyyyy up for like 5 days, then you bottom out b/c you are getting injections e2w. ask to be put on 100 each week, and have your bloods checked on that 7th day between shots right before you get your injection for the next week. That will give you a good idea.

you will have to tweak dosage from there

[JohnnyVegas]

^^^^^ I agree with bigboy67 above.

[bass]

exactly what BigBoy said! your doc should know the half life of any medication before they administer it to their patients. what is wrong with these doctors?!

[steroid.com 1]

Consider that half-life of Test Cyp is maybe 72 hours or even less. By day 13 your are tanked! And Bigboy is dead on correct; you are in HPTA suppression so no natty production.

Add to that elevated E2 and it makes matters worse when there's not enough in the tank.

You are not being cared for correctly.

Find a new Doctor or you will continue this path.

Ask you Doc if you can trial the following:

100 mg Test Cyp IM Weekly
350 iu of hCG SQ two and one day before injection
1 mg of Anastrozole 24 hours after Test injection

Test blood in 6 weeks.

Bet you feel a lot better and BW will look much better as well.

[bass]

Consider that half-life of Test Cyp is maybe 72 or even less. By day 13 your are tanked! And Bigboy is dead on correct; you are in HPTA suppression so not natty production.

Add to that elevated E2 and it makes matters worse when there's not enough in the tank.

You are not being cared for correctly.

Find a new Doctor or you will continue this path.

Ask you Doc if you can trial the following:

100 mg Test Cyp IM Weekly
350 iu of hCG SQ two and one day before injection
1 mg of Anastrozole 24 hours after Test injection

Test blood in 6 weeks.

Bet you feel a lot better and BW will look much better as well.

GD, have you ever considered opening your own clinic? if so count me in!

[jlm2011]

I made an appt. with my GP for tomorrow morning.

I dont know that I feel knowlegdable and comfortable enough to request HCG , but I do like the suggestion of changing the dosing to 100mg weekly.

I will mention it to her and go from there.

thanks for all of the replies and advice!

[SEOINAGE]

I want to know why she suggested 200 once a month, thats scary.

[bigboy67]

I made an appt. with my GP for tomorrow morning.

I dont know that I feel knowlegdable and comfortable enough to request HCG , but I do like the suggestion of changing the dosing to 100mg weekly.

I will mention it to her and go from there.

thanks for all of the replies and advice!

go to allthingsmale.com and look in his literature section, there is a complete write up on current cutting edge TRT protocols. then print, read, re-read, re-re-read, and take the papers into your doc and discuss. opening the dialogue and getting them on the right track can be very helpful if your doc is at all open to learning new things. if not, you are gonna have to try a diff doc

[bass]

I want to know why she suggested 200 once a month, thats scary.

simple, she doesn't know shit! like GD said, its "criminal" to give patients medication they don't understand.

[kelkel]

And it continues....damn!

[steroid.com 1]

And it continues....damn!

Sad but true kel...very sad.

[JD250]

Well fvck me!!! Everytime this happens I can't help but wonder how many times Docs have prescribed drugs to me/us improperly and without any knowledge of how they truly work.

[JohnnyVegas]

I have never understood why a doctor will work in an area where they have little knowledge. So dangerous.

[OutLaw8.5]

I know I count my blessings for this web site and each of you everyday. your all's knowledge and first hand experiences have kept me motivated to find the correct doctor and treatment. To have patients to do it the right way. TO not settle for anything less than appropriate blood tests and protocols. YOu've taught me to be pro active in my health.


So, to the OP... I was in your same shoes in April. ANd wouldn't take my first shot because I knew she was clueless. Don't give up. It will be well worth whatever effort you have to put forward in the end. YOu'll thank yourself!




Guys- any of you ever thought about sending a letter (somehow nicely,) to your original doctor, and recommending them to not treat any patients for hrt and sending them to a recommend place before they jack someone else up really bad?

[bigboy67]

I know I count my blessings for this web site and each of you everyday. your all's knowledge and first hand experiences have kept me motivated to find the correct doctor and treatment. To have patients to do it the right way. TO not settle for anything less than appropriate blood tests and protocols. YOu've taught me to be pro active in my health.


So, to the OP... I was in your same shoes in April. ANd wouldn't take my first shot because I knew she was clueless. Don't give up. It will be well worth whatever effort you have to put forward in the end. You'll thank yourself!




Guys- any of you ever thought about sending a letter (somehow nicely,) to your original doctor, and recommending them to not treat any patients for hrt and sending them to a recommend place before they jack someone else up really bad?

That would just serve to piss them off and make them dig their heels in even more lol. These doctors who stopped learning after medical school are not keen on people bringing up their inadequacies. last thing they want is to see someone who has done their own research, is knowledgeable, and unapologetic and refuses to take unknowledgeable from anyone , ESPECIALLY A DOCTOR!

[kelkel]

Well fvck me!!! Everytime this happens I can't help but wonder how many times Docs have prescribed drugs to me/us improperly and without any knowledge of how they truly work.

Extremely good/scary point!

[sirupate]

I want to know why she suggested 200 once a month, thats scary.

My PCP, who holds himself out to be a sports medicine doctor, also suggested once per month injection dosing. Guess they saw that somewhere in med school and think it is correct. This doctor is a great guy and I have no problem with him treating me for most everything else but TRT. Even my endo wanted to start me off on 14 day injection frequency...also pretty sub-optimal.

[jlm2011]

Just wanted to give an update.
GP appointment went well. She was very receptive to my input relative to what was discussed here.
New dose- 200mg QW and repeat labs in 30 days.