Is Running Testosterone above range a problem?

**TMan96** · 10-13-2012, 12:28 AM

Rignt now I am on Test Cyp 200mg a week (I split into 2 100mg injections a week).

My latest labs show:
Testosterone , Serum 1296 ng/dl 348-1197
Estradiol 19.5 pg/Ml 7.6-42.6

Question:
Are there any long term issues with running over the range? My doc is okay with these levels and has not asked me to cut back on my Cyp.

**jwws9999** · 10-13-2012, 08:00 AM

those are the numbers I run, and I couldn't be happier. I get regular blood work, watch for sides such as increased bp. lipid profiles etc. but I think most of the people on this board would recommend against it

**Brohim** · 10-13-2012, 08:11 AM

Those numbers aren't over the top by a large margin.

**fit2bOld** · 10-13-2012, 08:18 AM

At the top yeah but not way over the range....I like somewhere above 800 but feel a bit aggressive when i get to the 1200 mark..

**MickeyKnox** · 10-13-2012, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by TMan96

Rignt now I am on Test Cyp 200mg a week (I split into 2 100mg injections a week).

My latest labs show:
Testosterone , Serum 1296 ng/dl 348-1197
Estradiol 19.5 pg/Ml 7.6-42.6

Question:
Are there any long term issues with running over the range? My doc is okay with these levels and has not asked me to cut back on my Cyp.

the only way to really know is with bloodwork. what are the rest of your hormone values, with reference ranges?

as an aside, how do you feel at that level?

**kelkel** · 10-13-2012, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by MickeyKnox

the only way to really know is with bloodwork. what are the rest of your hormone values, with reference ranges?

as an aside, how do you feel at that level?

^^^^There's your answer. Keep an eye on your hemoglobin & hematocrit levels as well and it would probably be a good idea to begin giving blood on a regular basis. Good for you and society as well. Be nice to know more of what your complete protocol is beyond just T. HCG ? AI?

I maintain around 1300 myself and do well. BW is your guide here like Mick said.

kel

**GotNoBlueMilk** · 10-14-2012, 11:39 AM

I hate allowing my levels to get that high because I get way too horny and my hemoglobin and hematocrit levels go through the roof even when I donate as often as allowed. But my baseline hemoglobin and hematocrit were close to the upper levels before I started HRT. My pre-HRT baseline horny level was also high. If I felt and did better at higher levels, I would be there.

So keep an eye on how you feel and your BW values and not just T/E2 numbers. Watch DHT, SBGH, lipids (higher T numbers actually drive HDL down not up acccording to my doc), and all the health indicators.

**Chx beach 79** · 10-14-2012, 12:29 PM

I'm taking 3 pumps of androgel daily and 2 pumps of axiron. I get blood test every 90 days and all is good. I've been on TRT for 5 years. Should I switch to injections? My test is always between 900 - 1100. My doctor says everything else in bloodwork looks good every time. Should I add more test if I want to run a cycle of aas or just continue with what I have been taking threw the cycle?

Any info would be great!

**Times Roman** · 10-14-2012, 01:22 PM

I produce alot of hemoglobin & hematocrit so I'm just below 800 and my rbc levels etc are pretty high. even after i give blood....................

**kelkel** · 10-14-2012, 03:41 PM

I'm doing pretty well there so far. Gave blood last Thusday and my hemo was 14.3 on scale of 12.0 - 17, can't remember hematocrit but good. BP 120/72 and RP @ 55. Very happy. Have full BW myself in about two weeks.

**bass** · 10-14-2012, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

I produce alot of hemoglobin & hematocrit so I'm just below 800 and my rbc levels etc are pretty high. even after i give blood....................

Same here TR, that's why I run a low dose TRT, my level now is well into 900s, and my free is well above normal, hemo and rbc still keeps creeping up despite donating every 8 weeks.

**kelkel** · 10-14-2012, 09:17 PM

Bass doesn't your shbg run low as well resulting in your high free T allowing you to keep your total serum down? My shbg does not run as low as yours does therefore keeping the serum up a bit helps compress my shbg, keeping my free T in a better range.

**LevMyshkin** · 10-14-2012, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

I produce alot of hemoglobin & hematocrit so I'm just below 800 and my rbc levels etc are pretty high. even after i give blood....................

Have you checked on donating double red blood cells, Roman?

**sirupate** · 10-15-2012, 09:32 AM

I'm donating on Thursday after work and am somewhat overdue. The bloodmobiles here don't all have double red cell capability, but I'd like to try that sometime. It will be interesting to see what my hemoglobin levels are Thursday.

My endo, when I was seeing him, didn't really mind me being above level as long as it wasn't too far. I think when I reached 1600, he cut me back. The testopel pellets I am receiving now have not put me outside of the normal range even at peak levels. I have been receiving 12 of the pellets each time so far.

**bass** · 10-15-2012, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Bass doesn't your shbg run low as well resulting in your high free T allowing you to keep your total serum down? My shbg does not run as low as yours does therefore keeping the serum up a bit helps compress my shbg, keeping my free T in a better range.

yes Kel, my SHBG is in the tank! i wish i knew how to raise it a little.

**TMan96** · 10-15-2012, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Bass doesn't your shbg run low as well resulting in your high free T allowing you to keep your total serum down? My shbg does not run as low as yours does therefore keeping the serum up a bit helps compress my shbg, keeping my free T in a better range.

Kelkel, could you explain this a little?? Still a newbie here. I don't think I have had a shbg as part of my blood work, it that something that should be checked on a regular basis?

**kelkel** · 10-15-2012, 08:30 PM

SHBG is a glyco-protein made in your liver (mostly) and then hits the bloodstream. It binds to androgens and estrogens. The higher the shbg level the more your binding Testosterone and the less "free T" you will have. Free T is where we get the bang for the buck. It's what's useful to us. Only a small percentage of T is free, usually just 2-3 percent.

If you have hereditarily low shbg like Bass and a few others I know you can easily have very high Free T levels even though your serum T is lower. But too low shbg is not a good thing long term. There are ways to reduce shbg that is high but really not much you can do for low shbg to my knowledge.

For higher shbg, including vit D3 in your protocol will help to lower it. Most people are inherently low so test for it. Stinging Nettle Root may help as well.

kel