Week 20 BW Results - 6 weeks since SubQ

[HealthyMan]

Current Protocol:

Testosterone Cypionate , 50mg Every 3.5 days
HCG , 250 IU twice a week, a day before Test C pinning.

Old Protocol leading up to Week 12:

Testosterone Cypionate , 100mg/mweekly (Sunday)
HCG , 250 IU twice a week (Friday & Saturday)

Weight 188
Height 5'9"
No clue on BF but I would guess I'm below 10.

I had an issue with high E2 and various negative side effects leading up to my last blood work at week 12. Here is the link to Week 12: http://tinyurl.com/ctoocn7

I will ask questions once some feedback comes in. However, some things for note. I've had a minor issue with facial acne since changing my routine. Other than that, I feel amazing. Very on point and strong.

[steroid.com 1]

Just a few observations:

Thyroid: Fine.

IGF-1: Excellent: No HGH for you pal

E2: Excellent.

Total Test: 607 is a nice lab, but...

Free Test: 42.43 is almost twice over the reference range!

% Test Free: 6.99 is super high when you consider the ideal range is 2% to 3%

You have a ton of bioavailable testosterone and your SHBG is nearing the high end of the reference range so binding activity is happening.

You may want to think about cutting back some on you weekly dosage amounts.

Overall, you look pretty dialed in.

How's training? Strength and mass?

[HealthyMan]

GD,

What does binding actually do, specifically in my case with having such high bio available testosterone . What is my body doing with it all? If I were to cut back, to what degree should it be? Can changing the pinning frequency really make that significant of a change in just 6 weeks?

My training has been great. I am literally stuck at 188 and have been for nearly 3 months. My diet is good and I work out 5 days a week. I feel stronger and my gains are proving that. However, it seems that I am not gaining size just strength.

What is the story with Bilirubin, I do not have any skin disease and healthy. Why is it increasing?

[steroid.com 1]

Three things can happen to testosterone serum:

1. It can be converted to E2 via aromatase.
2. It can bind with SHBG rendering the Testosterone molecule useless
3. It can bind with Albumin rendering the Testosterone molecule useless for a duration of time before it becomes bioavailable

At this point in your protocol Total Testosterone is less important than bioavailable and/or percent free.

In your case, SHBG is near the top of the reference range so it's binding to your Testosterone but not too excessively.

Your E2 is at an ideal range and you are getting some aromatase activity and it's fine.

In other words, you have too much of a good thing going on...

Some of the top TRT Docs are starting men out on 60 mg to 80 mg a week and getting great results.

It just might be that you don't metabolize well so your serum levels are high...reducing your dosage by 20 mg will not only save you money but bring these levels down to optimal levels...right now you are suprephysiological in that regard.

Lets see what the others have to say.

[HealthyMan]

I know the common response will be diet but with too much of a good thing, why can't I gain any size? I hydrate well, post w/o protein, eat good, sleep well and offset heavy weeks with lighter weeks to keep the muscles in a state of shock.

[HealthyMan]

A few BW threads were created today, just a bump for more feedback.

[kelkel]

I've yet to see SHBG on the BW. Am I blind? Regardless, your panels look good op and I agree with GD. Don't worry over the total that much and don't think your lessening effects if you titrate down a bit as recommended.

When it comes to putting on weight and size maybe it's time to re-evaluate your diet and training. Hit the nutrition forum and post your normal diet and let the guru's break it down for you. You'd be surprised how many guys "think" they are eating enough to gain size. It's really harder than you think.

kel

[harley121]

Is it possible that his levels are higher, even though its the same mg. of Test Cyp. / week, due to the more consistent and possibly building up levels of Test in his body w/ the 2x sub Q injections? In other words, does 2 - 50mg injections =, or > to 1- 100mg/ week injection over time to your system?

[HealthyMan]

I don't see any SHBG results, but could it be related to another line item?

Kel - I'm not cycling but would these numbers be reflective of something that is just firing off a good Test production or could it simply be the SubQ change? Also, do you know anything about Bilirubin?

[HealthyMan]

Is it possible that his levels are higher, even though its the same mg. of Test Cyp. / week, due to the more consistent and possibly building up levels of Test in his body w/ the 2x sub Q injections? In other words, does 2 - 50mg injections =, or > to 1- 100mg/ week injection over time to your system?

Curious as well. My Bio Available nearly doubled in 6 weeks. All SubQ in the stomach.

[steroid.com 1]

Is it possible that his levels are higher, even though its the same mg. of Test Cyp. / week, due to the more consistent and possibly building up levels of Test in his body w/ the 2x sub Q injections? In other words, does 2 - 50mg injections =, or > to 1- 100mg/ week injection over time to your system?

No, the ester cleaves at about same rate either SQ or IM.

I could have sworn I saw SHBG but I looked a number of panels today so I could have been confused.

I am willing to bet SHBG is low.

[HealthyMan]

GD,

Is everything else you suggested per my current BW? I am trying to make the decision to change my pinning amounts if that is what will address the Free Test amount. I am still perplexed as to why it increased in such a short period of time. Maybe it has been explain but I might of missed the technical piece.

[steroid.com 1]

Yes, based on current blood work.

Just notch it down 20 mg per week for 6 weeks and than re-test...just dialing in is all.

Everything else looked great!

[kelkel]

G no doubt shbg is low. It kept being mentioned and I must have looked 10 times determined to find it. Real funny! IM/SQ doesn't matter as much as frequency of injections. It's a change in your protocol and some when switching to twice per week will have to adjust down. We all respond differently and how you respond may be completely different than me. Time and frequent BW is the key. Remember with your new protocol there really is no valley, only a peak.

[HealthyMan]

GD & Kel,

Bilirubin - Any knowledge you can provide regarding my increased level?

I will plan to lessen the Test-C amount per pin. I'd like to bring it down a notch but wanted to know about the suggestion of 20mg. Is it more than 1/2 per pin and am absolutely worried that I might develop negative sides because I feel so good now.

[kelkel]

Well, bilirubin basically comes from red blood cells being broken down in the liver, which is a constant thing. After that they should be flushed basically via your digestive tract. There are ton's of reasons that can cause it, some quite scary actually. Were you a heavy drinker at one point in your life?

Note on your report the word "icteric" which means jaundice. Are you? The high bilerubin is not really the concern. The concern needs to be what is causing it. Is there something in your lifestyle causing it, etc.

Regarding cutting back dosage, you'll be fine. Don't get caught up in the more is better thought process. In TRT it's the opposite: Less is more!

[M302_Imola]

I've yet to see SHBG on the BW. Am I blind? Regardless, your panels look good op and I agree with GD. Don't worry over the total that much and don't think your lessening effects if you titrate down a bit as recommended.

When it comes to putting on weight and size maybe it's time to re-evaluate your diet and training. Hit the nutrition forum and post your normal diet and let the guru's break it down for you. You'd be surprised how many guys "think" they are eating enough to gain size. It's really harder than you think.

Like you Kel, after gdevine said SHBG was high I must have looked at those panels 10 times...I was beginning to think I was loosing it! lol

kel

No, the ester cleaves at about same rate either SQ or IM.

I could have sworn I saw SHBG but I looked a number of panels today so I could have been confused.

I am willing to bet SHBG is low.

I agree, SHBG is probably low...wish they would have tested it!

[HealthyMan]

Well, bilirubin basically comes from red blood cells being broken down in the liver, which is a constant thing. After that they should be flushed basically via your digestive tract. There are ton's of reasons that can cause it, some quite scary actually. Were you a heavy drinker at one point in your life?

Note on your report the word "icteric" which means jaundice. Are you? The high bilerubin is not really the concern. The concern needs to be what is causing it. Is there something in your lifestyle causing it, etc.

Regarding cutting back dosage, you'll be fine. Don't get caught up in the more is better thought process. In TRT it's the opposite: Less is more!

Kel,

I have been a heavy drinker in the past but I also do drink now. I do drink and truth be told, I drink every day and not to excess but maybe it's just a drink with dinner or a few watching TV. I've debated removing it all together and if this is causing my Bilirubin then I will either remove it from my lifestyle or limit it. It isn't important to me other than I am a creature of habit.

[HealthyMan]

Yes, based on current blood work.

Just notch it down 20 mg per week for 6 weeks and than re-test...just dialing in is all.

Everything else looked great!

GD,

I'll do that. And on a side note, WHO does that ass belong to? My god you are making it hard to look away.