New Protocol Questions

[Leroy Jenkins]

My prior doc had me on test-c 200mg every two weeks. Would not test estrogen or consider HCG . I think I was having e2 issues. New doc is testing for it now.

New doc: Test-c 125mg weekly. He mentioned twice a week injections but I really don't like shots and will do once a week. He suggested injections on Thursday so my weekend will be more enjoyable.

Anastrozole - .5mg e3d. Is that too much to start with?

HCG - 250iu twice a week. I have searched and can't find the ideal spacing around my injection. Any recommendations?

My new doc is knowledgeable and told me he is on a similar protocol that works well for him. He also mentioned for me to consider Progesterone for prostate health. I researched the net and I read about its benefits but found nothing here.

How does this protocol look and any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

[zaggahamma]

i can talk with you about e2 and the anasrazole but i havent started my hcg yet but it came yesterday so will soon and prolly will have questions myself

first off...what do you mean you "was" having e2 issues? do you mean you think you ARE having e2 issues/symptoms?

explain...

but it would be expected and .5 eod would be ok to START but would prolly be too much for long term...

so talk symptoms i asked and when do you have bloodwork planned again

[bullshark99]

I beleive Cristler suggests to do the Hcg the day before and 2 days before injection. regarding the Anas, I think .5 twice a week is fair based on your T dosage, but make sure you keep an eye on E2 with BW. Good chance you were having E2 issue's with prior protocol. I pers only inject once a wk also frankly because I dont like it, but many here do Sub Q shots so maybe that is an option for you to look into.

[HRTstudent]

Is that too much anastrozole to start with? We have no idea what your estradiol even is.

If you haven't had your estradiol (sensitive assay) tested yet I would do that before you start any AI.

But to answer the general question .5mg e3d is a moderate to high dose on average. A lot of people get away with half that dose. Maybe you can too. I always favor at least amount of drug as possible.

I wouldn't add progesterone until you figure if you actually need it. HCG helps "backload" the hormonal pathways, as Crisler puts it.

Crisler uses HCG on the two days prior to your T shot. It works well for many of his patients. 250IU is a good dose too.

To sum up, get your estradiol tested before you jump on an AI. Frankly, I would not add HCG until I got the desired T level I was after. Then add the HCG. HCG would be expected to further raise your estradiol as well. I would like to see/recommend 1 change at a time if it were me.

[bass]

sounds like you got a good doctor. since you were on 200 eow without AI you probably have elevated e2, so taking AI as suggested by your doctors is fine especially since he's checking for it anyway. and since he's on TRT he'll know what to do later on. your protocol is good for now.

[steroid.com 1]

It looks like you got a Doc that has some idea of what he's doing.

IMO, .5 mg E3D is way to much AI and you will probably tank. I'd go with 1 mg of AI 24 hours after your Test injection.

You'd be much better served injecting twice a week and split that AI into .5 mg 24 hours from each injection.

I am updating the hCG sticky soon with injection protocols but note that there are no clinically prescribed injection protocols for hCG.

I like smaller doses more frequently of hCG like 250 iu EOD...you may want to consider that.

Crisler's protocol seems to be a standard with many TRT Physicians as well.

[zaggahamma]

still swearing by twice a week i see

[steroid.com 1]

still swearing by twice a week i see

Yea, less spikes better E2.

Think about guys on gel/cream...they hardly need an AI because of daily use with almost no Test spikes.

Same with SQ injections.

Seems to be working for me and a lot of guys J.

[bass]

been on eod Test/hCG for about a week or so and feeling great. no AI so far!

[flatscat]

I thought the lack of conversion was due the method of delivery and absorption process gd. Did i miss something?

[steroid.com 1]

With SQ injections the theory is that there's less of a "zig zag" in serum levels thus lower spikes in conversion.

I personally think having some "zig zag" in serum levels is good as it mimics the bodies own levels.

That being said, the more we can get away from drugs like an AI...the better.

Guys who use daily gel/cream have almost no "zig zag" and thus no need for an AI.

IM peaks and ebs more than the former here.

[flatscat]

I was referring to your example of gets and creams and your reasoning for lower rates of conversion. not sub q although i have a feeling the lower conversion rates can be attributed to the same thing and it is not all related to steady serum levels. You comprede?

[zaggahamma]

Yea, less spikes better E2.

Think about guys on gel/cream...they hardly need an AI because of daily use with almost no Test spikes.

Same with SQ injections.

Seems to be working for me and a lot of guys J.

exactly...you and a lot of guys...i'm not doubting the theory at all...if u recall i recently went to twice a week since i ran out of AI to give it a try...no bloodwork to see how it went and now have my ai so i wont be able to ever know..

BUT

i do know MY e2 went from 25 to 78 ON GEL!!!!!!!!

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT...we cant tell someone they are better off doing twice a week injections right off the bat...
they have to find their own protocol and the op even stated he doesnt like shots and was willing to do only once a week

[Leroy Jenkins]

Thanks everyone for the responses. This is a great board.

JPK, I believe that I "am" an "have been" experiencing high E2 levels. A lot of the same low-t symptoms are back and water retention/moodiness have been problems. We are going to get my E2 levels back before setting how much we dose. My doc feels certain my E2 will be high.

None of the pharmacies in my area have Anastrozole in 1mg. I was prescribed .5 so I would cut in half if I use that dosage. How hard is it to cut those even smaller? I will purchase a pill cutter but have no experience with them.

[kelkel]

Some good advice above Leroy. Yes, pill cutters will work for you. Another thought would be to take your script to a compounding pharmacy and get it done at .25mg. That way you may have an easier time adjusting dosage as you titrate up/down. Hopefully down.

[flatscat]

Just an fyi. Since it went generic, most compounding pharmacies are not making it anymore. If they are you are paying more for it than you would the other.

[zaggahamma]

Thanks everyone for the responses. This is a great board.

JPK, I believe that I "am" an "have been" experiencing high E2 levels. A lot of the same low-t symptoms are back and water retention/moodiness have been problems. We are going to get my E2 levels back before setting how much we dose. My doc feels certain my E2 will be high.

None of the pharmacies in my area have Anastrozole in 1mg. I was prescribed .5 so I would cut in half if I use that dosage. How hard is it to cut those even smaller? I will purchase a pill cutter but have no experience with them.

its not that hard to quarter them(anasrazole) if needed with same pill cutter