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  1. #1
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    very low dose of testo enthante for female

    Hi
    I have some health issues and trying it improve my quality of life and exercise ability.. the endo is letting me try a low dose of test enthante.. 20mg a week.. so i am into my fourth week and noticing about 5 days after the 20mg dose i am crashing.... but after the injection i feel "normal" can go to gym and do other things.

    wondering if i should try splitting the dose in 2 injections.. or giving it more time to build up in my system.. lets hope i dont get the polycythmia.. becasue i can not donate blood.and they will charge me 85$ to take it out.. i know from many years ago on much larger doses of t.. but at least during that time i had a life..

    i know this isn't "medically approved" but mainstream medicine is doing little to help me and i keep crashing.. hoping i get some quality of life.. it really makes me feel more confident and less sad and depressed...

    thanks
    q

  2. #2
    HRTstudent's Avatar
    HRTstudent is offline HRT Specialist ~ Knowledgeable Member
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    We almost exclusively deal with males on TRT here, but I imagine the similar advice goes for females as far as more frequent, smaller injections being superior. I would, of course, talk this over with your doctor. The side effects of too much T can be far more "damaging" and permanent for women than for men.

  3. #3
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    i thought 2omg was a pretty low dose? then endo wanted to give me 50mg a week? i said i felt uncomfortable with that.. so more frequent injections would be dividing the 2omg into 2 10mg x2 injections? how many days apart? thanks

  4. #4
    flyrs's Avatar
    flyrs is offline New Member
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    some like to do an injection every 3.5 days so there is less peaking and troughing of test in the body....so, in your case 10mg every 3.5 days or possibly 15mg every 5 days might work (it would equate to 21mg per week but a couple less pins per month)

  5. #5
    38onTRT's Avatar
    38onTRT is offline Associate Member
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    I thought 20mg was high.. I thought women were to take 5-10mg a week..

    When you say "crashing" what are the symptoms you are having?

  6. #6
    bullshark99 is offline Senior Member
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    How are you administering, IM or SubQ?

  7. #7
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    i could try 10mg a week in 2 injections. it is hard to measure out in the syringe. I am doing IM.. i would rather do sub Q but my dr didn't know about it and therefore doesn't work with it.. why don't they learn.

    what i mean by crashing is low energy and feeling unmotivated and depressed kinda sad .. usually after the injection i feel much "smoother" if that makes sense
    but considering I have cfids low energy is kinda a norm for me.. i have been able to push through it for years becaause i like to be active but the past few years working out has started making me sick.. so i am hoping the testo will help..

    thanks for the ideas and thoughts.

  8. #8
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    15mg every 5 days might work (it would equate to 21mg per week but a couple less pins per month) - this might be a way to go if i can figure out how to find it on the syringe.. i have a 1ml and using 200mg/ml solution delatysteral- thanks

  9. #9
    Allaaro is offline Associate Member
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    My sister is just as messed as myself.....so she is at hormone doc also.

    She has test levels way below normal(not even range) so the doc gave her a cream. She felt great then started to convert to DHT big time(same as me) but her hair started to fall out really bad so she ended up stopping. She probably will try injections but just from talking to her, female TRT is extremely more complicated than male TRT. Also,be very careful upping your dose since I'm sure you don't want a deeper voice, facial hair....etc. I wish you luck though. As most people who I talk to(not many though) about female cycles think staying away from testosterone is best in most cases since it can be so complex.

  10. #10
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    i have been on a low dose compounded gel of Testo for quite some time.. it has actually helped with my monthly cycles and keeps the cramps at bay.. i can not tolerate progesterone as most women can.. it balloons me up big time. the gel seems to covert to DHT more than he injections i think the endo told me. another option for some women is the pellets..
    maybe this will help your sister http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4uSddap_f0
    i think the key is finding the right balance of things. i know when i was taking bigger injections before ... i felt really good.. but i developed polycythemia.. which is dangerous.
    if waxing off a little peach fuzz gives me a better quality of life-- it is worth it..for me.. at this point without the t i have cramps 3 weeks out of the month.. and i am really into the "pill" that seems to be a "catch all for women" and it has side effects too! it is true we need drs' that better understand bioidentical hormones for both men and women. i have been listening to suzanne sommers she looks great at 65 but has the resources to try dr's and things i dont have..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTijQ...F83BB59E075BE5

    good luck to you and your sis!

  11. #11
    Vettester is offline Banned
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    gkcam, 20mg is WAY too high!! 4mg to 8mg is usually the maximum for a female protocol.

    As you know, there are a lot of variables with this, and the goal is to achieve balance. For starters, it seems more times than not that women on BHRT are usually low upstream with pregnenolone, and especially DHEA, which if administered properly will also help convert downstream to other hormones (test, E1,2,3, and progest).

    It would be very beneficial if you have some labs. Beyond the normal hormone assays, it would be great to see your free/bio test, LH & FSH, SHBG full thyroid panel (including antibodies), Iron, B12, ferritin, and the obvious lipids, CBC's, metabolics. We also need to know your estrous cycle phase at the time of the labs (follicular, ovulation or Luteal).

    On the subject of testosterone ... I fully concur that you need that hormone just as we do, and for the same reasons we do. There's a good chance that you will find your free/bio test to be low, so please review that assay along with the SHBG lab. My wife was at 1% free test when she initially started BHRT, that is closer now to 2%. That is the actual testosterone that's not binding to SHBG or albumin; making it readily bio-available. If that variable is out of balance with you, it will be helpful to focus on that in conjunction with your total test serum, but without having raise your serum levels real high to achieve optimal well being.

    There's a great sticky in our forum that was put together for the female members. Many threads to read, and there is quite a bit of experience on this board that will chime in time to time. I'm sure we can channel PPC to chime in, and BengalWoman, S4MS, SlimmerMe, and others as well. And yes, Suzanne Sommers has some great information in her book, "Ageless".

  12. #12
    flyrs's Avatar
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    Dr. Gordon has many women patient videos at thehiddendisease he often seems to give them as much test as he can as long as they don't grow more hair or at least not much more....but I bet that there are guys and gals here that can fine tune your hormones just as well and probably better.

  13. #13
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    just had alot of labs last friday..but they didnt include LH & FSH, SHBG
    i have had thyroid antiboides come back fine.. and these labs will show free T3 and Free t4 and reverse t3.. i have been taking a low dose t gel.. so my T levels are high.. but when my testo was measured 10 years ago.. i was at 0.
    dhea and preg was low so i supplimented with that as well.. and those new levels will be on labs as well as the levels at my current injections. iron is tested.. b12 was fine last nite.. i forgote to check ferritin off on the lab slib.. but cbc and lipids are getting measured.
    i will ask the dr to add these next time... LH & FSH, SHBG

    meeting a new dr on tuesday in the sacramento area that is supposed to be good with bio idental hormones. i hope to have all my labs by then..

    i do have some test results from a couple months ago with shbg.. .. just want to feel better and be able to workout without getting sick.. i wish it werent so complicated but the medical system is no help.. i will look for the stickie.. thanks!

    how are women taking such low doses 4 and 8? is that daily or weekly? thans

  14. #14
    Vettester is offline Banned
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    Sub Q on the injections with a 1/2cc insulin pin. 31g x 5/16" works great! Load test to 2 or 4 on the syringe and gtg with 4mg to 8mg. My wife also adds 250mcgs of B12 methylcobalamin.

  15. #15
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    i have asked a couple drs to show it to me.. but they wont touch it with a ten foot pole.. saddly. how often are they injecting? would love some good b 12 i had some from an antiaging dr a while back but can't afford him.. they used two types of b12 m and H i can't remember the names.. but WOWO IT WAS GOOD!

    so i got to start all over looking for the 1/2 syringe and the tiny pins... right now i have 1ml syringe and a 18 to draw 25 5/8 in inject.
    should i have my dr write a script for this set up? she isn't comfortable with during sub q she already said.. but maybe my endo might.. dont see her till mid feb. thanks

  16. #16
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    trying to rememmber what all the put in that b12, glutathione, amp, nadh, 2 types of b12.lidocane, thymus. it was'nt a bad deal $35 a shot or order 5 for $25 it had too much stufff for me.. i wasn't sure what was doing what and ended up getting sick.. but i also tried the IM gamma gloublin injecdtions to see it it would boost my immune system..which only made me sicker!
    the dr visits there are too price i can't afford to go..;

    thanks for the help!

  17. #17
    Vettester is offline Banned
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    The most common form of B12 is cyanacoblamin. Methylcobalamin is harder to get, but it's by far the best! It's the type found in tissue, and it's absorption and effectiveness is far superior to the other form.

    My wife has been taking Sub Q for at least 2 years now, and I've been at it for more than a year as well. My wife takes it 1x per week. You can just as easily get the insulin pins at Walgreens or most drug stores. 30g work fine too. The 1/2 cc is the feature that you want though for accurately measuring out that small amount.

    BTW, my wife is able to sustain at/around 60ng/dl of total test serum with 4mg to 6mg per week. That appears to be a decent level when factoring in keeping the other hormones balanced too. On the DHEA, she was introduced to the Keto 7 version from PPC, and she has never looked back. Not sound too personal, but if you're experiencing dryness issues, the Keto 7 might just be the solution.

    And like the guys, stay on top of your Vitamin D-3. That is actually a hormone itself, and it can play a role with balancing SHBG, thus helping to improve free testosterone .

  18. #18
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    Where does she take her sub q? i need to get some of those 1/2 ml syringes.. thanks for the suggestion.. i just took a little shot and it seems like there was still oil in afterword- i guess the measurements don't count for the part that is in the tip of the needle?

    got my labs back.. T values are pretty high on that "little dose" of 20 i have been doing.. and HDL has really taken a dump!
    i also take D3 .. dont have issues with dryness..other than behind my ears right now-

    i am also taking some Cortef for adrenal "fatigue " recovery..someone told me not to take dhea as it lowers the cortisol.. who knows.. i will look into the Keto - thank you!

  19. #19
    Vettester is offline Banned
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    Ms cam, Bengal takes Sub Q in the naval region, works slick! Yes, the 1/2cc makes all the difference in the world.

    I'd be curious to just what those lab results were if you don't mind sharing. I'm guessing you might have been around 130ng/dl. I definitely want to see your free & test with that, and/or SHBG, which can be calculated with the F&B.

    Yeah, check the Keto 7 out. It's noted for being more stable with not causing spikes with women's estrogen, which is a factor for a lot of the ladies taking DHEA. Great energy associated with it as well, and noticeable feminine moisture, which is beneficial with the ladies who are starting to experience symptoms pre-menopause.

  20. #20
    flyrs's Avatar
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    *seems like there was still oil in afterword- i guess the measurements don't count for the part that is in the tip of the needle*

    ..........could maybe try having a little bubble of air next to the plunger of the syringe, so the bubble is last...there is a video on youtube with a guy injecting test that did this trick...

  21. #21
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    hey guys..thanks for the support!
    i will share my numbers.. dont' freak out.. what is calculated with F&B?
    total t 191
    free 26.6
    bio 54.7
    shbg 28
    HDL 28 L big plummet!

    how much keto 7 to start? thanks!

    do you know anything about thryoid? i am in a mess. so these t levels were only with 3 injections.. 20, 10 and 20 because i messed up the second one- i need to get those 1/2 cc syringes.. you say any pharmacy and i dont need a script? also can i put the bigger needle on to draw this up and then switch to the subq? why are dr's so far behind. i asked one dr. for help with sub q and a lower dose and he said no he wouldnt help me untill my numbers came down.. they were high from the gel. i wanted a lower dose bio ident gel.. as the one i have is 100mg/gram.. which is hard to measure out small amounts.. I didn't want to stop cold turkey- like he wanted me too.. what a dweeb he was..

    i feel like i am at my wits end!

  22. #22
    Vettester is offline Banned
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    It's OK, I anticipated that your serum would be fairly high. Your free test % is at 1.39%. A little higher wouldn't be a bad thing on that, but that's (IMO) not the priority at this time. If you can get your dosage down to the 4mg - 8mg range that was mentioned, you should be able to get your serum level at an acceptable level.

    Shifting gears a bit ... How does your diet and exercise regiment look?

    On your thyroid, can you post all the labs you took, plus the antibodies?

    On the DHEA Keto ... Start at 25mg/day, see how it does with you, then up to 50mg/day. Some ladies go as high as 100mg/day, but 50mg/day works for Bengal and some of the other ladies that have posted here.

    On the insulin pins, YES, you should just be able to run down to Walgreens or Rite Aid, whatever you have there. We do it all the time. Every now and then we get someone behind the counter that starts asking questions. Just tell them to go blow, it's none of their business, and they're not the authority. You can draw with the same pin. For your dosage it will take all of about 10 to 15 seconds. Add some B12 with it if you like.

    Got to run for now, but hang in there, take one step at a time, and with some patience you will get this on track. There are probably a lot of variables out of balance due to the high test right now, and possibly a few other things. Again, let's take one at a time ...

  23. #23
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    Vettester.. my diet isn't bad..been working on it. i found out i have an egg and a whey allergy.. so i use pea protein..and have oatmeal with pea protein and walnuts for breakfast...pretty much cut out "hard sugars" only have fruit . trying to get more greens in.. and make sure i have at least 4 small meals a day with protein.. exercise: i love and miss and do when i am able.. i have "cfids" or whatever..but if i am not careful with exericse i end up sick and or exhausted and that sets me back for days to weeks.. luckily i have been practing pacing myself.. mostly light walks or like spins on the bike in short increments so i am able to be more consistant. i did do about 30mins of weights at gym today, that counts rest btwn reps.. i used to go to the gym almost everyday- but started getting sick alot- long story- i have some low immune functions -
    thanks for helping me with this stuff.. it has gotten really complicated.
    wondering if there is a perferred kinda of keto dhea? I guess Bengal feels pretty stable with the weekly injections? I like the idea of adding B12. i am going to see a new dr on tuesday that is supposdly good with hormones will ask him about B12 Rx.

    thyroid is actually worse since i have been on thyroid meds- it's crazy
    free T4 1.0 ( .8- 1.8) this is up from .8 since i increased the nature desicated thyroid by 1/2 grain.
    free t3 3.8 ( 2.3- 4.2) this is up since i added cytomel
    revesre T3 21 ( 11-32)
    tsh .02L

    thyroid peroxidase antibodies <10
    it is odd without the cortef i couldnt tolerate any thyroid meds.
    I will work on taking a lower dose of T i like the idea of starting at 8 or 10? i was drop dead exhausted on weds and thurs..but did my shot on friday and a few hours later had the energy to go for a walk, take the trash out and do dishes.. not a lot but when you can't get out of bed for 2 days -- those few things mean alot. !

    i will try to find the forum where other women are or have posted about the Keto7 dhea..

    thanks alot for your time! i appreicate it! hope to get my exercise ability back and some semblance of a life soon!

  24. #24
    SlimmerMe's Avatar
    SlimmerMe is offline ~Knowledgeable Female Extraordinaire~
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    Following your thread qk. And I just hope some day some time soon you find the RIGHT doctor to get to the bottom of all of this.

    I am thrilled your are getting Vette's scientific wisdom. He has a heart and a mind!!! Winning combo.

    You will figure it out. You will.
    Life is too short, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly.
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  25. #25
    jwws9999 is offline Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vettester View Post
    The most common form of B12 is cyanacoblamin. Methylcobalamin is harder to get, but it's by far the best! It's the type found in tissue, and it's absorption and effectiveness is far superior to the other form.

    My wife has been taking Sub Q for at least 2 years now, and I've been at it for more than a year as well. My wife takes it 1x per week. You can just as easily get the insulin pins at Walgreens or most drug stores. 30g work fine too. The 1/2 cc is the feature that you want though for accurately measuring out that small amount.

    BTW, my wife is able to sustain at/around 60ng/dl of total test serum with 4mg to 6mg per week. That appears to be a decent level when factoring in keeping the other hormones balanced too. On the DHEA, she was introduced to the Keto 7 version from PPC, and she has never looked back. Not sound too personal, but if you're experiencing dryness issues, the Keto 7 might just be the solution.

    And like the guys, stay on top of your Vitamin D-3. That is actually a hormone itself, and it can play a role with balancing SHBG, thus helping to improve free testosterone.
    thanks for the response vette, my girlfriend has been trying to find info like this forever. she's on the cream now, and it's expensive. annoying to apply everyday. but it has worked wonders. completely wiped out her hot flashes, restored her sex drive, and cleared up her brain fog.

    But she would like to switch to the injections. I was wondering if sub q would work (not sold on it for the guys), and the dosages, this is the first post I've seen anywhere answering these questions. glad it's working out for you and your wife

  26. #26
    jwws9999 is offline Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by qkcam View Post
    Where does she take her sub q? i need to get some of those 1/2 ml syringes.. thanks for the suggestion.. i just took a little shot and it seems like there was still oil in afterword- i guess the measurements don't count for the part that is in the tip of the needle?

    got my labs back.. T values are pretty high on that "little dose" of 20 i have been doing.. and HDL has really taken a dump!
    i also take D3 .. dont have issues with dryness..other than behind my ears right now-

    i am also taking some Cortef for adrenal "fatigue " recovery..someone told me not to take dhea as it lowers the cortisol.. who knows.. i will look into the Keto - thank you!

    by the way, how do you feel

  27. #27
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    I am so grateful for help.. i really want to have some kind of life.. i did increase my thyroid 3 days ago...by 1/2 grain.. it feels a bit too much..
    thanks Slim for looking out for me.. it helps me not to feel so alone..having chronic illness (maybe it is just unbalance hormones?) is isolating! I feel gald to have Vettesters help too! very very grateful.
    jwws.. yes doing the cream daily seemed like a pain in the butt to me.. gald it is helping your wife-- i am thinking of doing the sub q.. i feel pretty good on the 2omg..but it is tossing some other things out of whack.. of course i was already out of whack before i started the Testo.. i was on a interferon therapy 16yrs ago..for a year that basically knocked out my endo system i feel..
    we'll see what happens.. ! sounds like the low dose subq is working well for bengal!
    i have a pretty cheap source for compounded Tgel/cream.. i was getting 100mg/grm.. for$55 and considering i didnt really need a gram it tended to last a long long time- i seem to notice better muscle mass with the injections though.. although the t levels are about the same.. hope this makes sense.. i am excited i feel like going to the gym today.. 2 days in a row.. ! have to be careful not to "overdue" myself then i end up down for a week..
    thanks all!
    q

  28. #28
    jwws9999 is offline Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by qkcam View Post
    I am so grateful for help.. i really want to have some kind of life.. i did increase my thyroid 3 days ago...by 1/2 grain.. it feels a bit too much..
    thanks Slim for looking out for me.. it helps me not to feel so alone..having chronic illness (maybe it is just unbalance hormones?) is isolating! I feel gald to have Vettesters help too! very very grateful.
    jwws.. yes doing the cream daily seemed like a pain in the butt to me.. gald it is helping your wife-- i am thinking of doing the sub q.. i feel pretty good on the 2omg..but it is tossing some other things out of whack.. of course i was already out of whack before i started the Testo.. i was on a interferon therapy 16yrs ago..for a year that basically knocked out my endo system i feel..
    we'll see what happens.. ! sounds like the low dose subq is working well for bengal!
    i have a pretty cheap source for compounded Tgel/cream.. i was getting 100mg/grm.. for$55 and considering i didnt really need a gram it tended to last a long long time- i seem to notice better muscle mass with the injections though.. although the t levels are about the same.. hope this makes sense.. i am excited i feel like going to the gym today.. 2 days in a row.. ! have to be careful not to "overdue" myself then i end up down for a week..
    thanks all!
    q
    glad you're doing so well, and the key is to give it time to get it all dialed in. my girlfriend had breast cancer 3years ago (she's doing great), and we both feel it was the testosterone that finally got her over her radiation fatigue (you can't imagine what that's like). she's working out now, looks great, and feels alot better. but it's amazing the hassle you have to go through to get a prescription for test even when your test level comes back at zero

  29. #29
    GirlyGymRat's Avatar
    GirlyGymRat is offline Knowledgeable Elite ~ Respected Female Leader ~
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    Qkcam nice to see ya around!!!

  30. #30
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    jjwws.. i can imagine what radiation fatigue is like.. interferon is very similar to chemo.i have been told. I am so glad your gf is a survivor and now starting to thrive! it is hard to get T for women.. my levels were 0 years ago.. i told them i fall under the "transgender" umbrealla... so they were ready and gave me large doses - ! too much! that is a whole other story and i hope i dont scare anyone away!. it was bad before the T and when my dose gets too low.. i have cramps 2 weeks out of the month and horrible pmdd- and i can't tolerate progestrone- it makes me swell like crazy! i guess i have an unusual system..

    GGR thanks for stopping by..! good to see you too.. congratulations on winning $100 wow! that is so cool! are those your legs?
    ok.. i am off to gym.. i like to go to the sf gym it has a lots of equipment and inspiration and lots of folks on steroids ! big high ceilings a cafe and a fireplace. some people in my life were judgeing my choice to go across the bridge and pay a toll. but i love that gym.. and i am trying to tell myself i am worth it.. there is a gym in oakland but i love the SF gym.. it is huge and they have weights in 2.5 increments- trying to believe i am worth it! i am amazed at how i am so weak inside and easily influenced by others opinions.

    thanks everyone for your support!

  31. #31
    Vettester is offline Banned
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    q, how were your thyroid levels prior to starting medications. Presumed in the beginning they diagnosed you with hypothyroidism? Any pathologies diagnosed as a contributor to the thyroid issues?

    You had mentioned that you didn't do too well with the progesterone treatments. Also curious on the application. If was an oral medication, or a cream for the arms, you might not be getting the proper treatment that most BHRT doctors are administering these days. Also, just to confirm, you are not on any BC pills, correct? Sorry to get a bit personal, but these are variables that make a difference.

    As I've mentioned before, take one step at a time ... IMO, the first major step is to back that testosterone WAY down to the ranges mentioned. On the lines of your fatigue, and feeling the 'crash', you could be experiencing some adrenal issues just the same. Has your doctor talked to you about an AM/PM cortisol test?

    Q, I'm not getting a rosy feeling about the doctor you're working with. It's one thing when a doctor is a bit liberal with prescription dispensing, but it's another story when you have a doctor willing to prescribe 50mg/wk of test to a female, and who is currently prescribing 20mg/wk. The objective of BHRT is to acquire a hormonal balance in your body. If you were to take 50mg/wk, you would be a huge mess in a matter of short time. At 20mg/wk, you can see that is taking your serum up to the 190's. A lot of docs in the know will treat BHRT by method of rhythmic cycling the protocol, which will naturally replicate the monthly cycle you experience.

    I know it's easier said than done, but I think you will have much better odds of achieving homeostasis if you get with a specialist. You're only a 40 minute flight down to Dr. Uzzi Reiss, who IMO is one of the very top HRT physicians in the country for women.

    Hang in there!!

  32. #32
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    thanks Vettester..
    thyroids before meds.. ft4 1.1 ft3 281 .. it is common practice for some of the "cfids/out of the box dr's "to give cfs patients t3 as a trial...unfortunately they didnt' know how to properly treat my adrenals.. that was when i had insurance and could go to expensive dr's and then submit bill to insurance..unfortunately i didnt get better.. so know i am on disability with medicare- so my dr's are limited.
    as far as cortisol..good thinking.. i am taking Cortef.. i have done a few saliva tests in the past and found my levels were pretty low the 2nd and last part of the day.. i am scheduled to do a 24hr urine cortisol to see if i am over replaced.

    the dr that prescribed the testo did so at my request.. she wanted to give me 50mg a week because that is the "low end" for transgender care- (long story) which is really what is needed to get testo from alot of dr's.. at this point my main concern s getting healhty so i can have somekind of life-- i wanted the T because when i was on it before 10yrs ago it made such a huge difference when nothing else would.. and No on the Birth control... the dr's tried to give it to me for the pmdd.. but i didnt want it.. i choose the T instead.. strange bird i am i guess. i am meeting a dr on tuesday up in sac that is supposed to be good with hormones.. we will see.. but he takes medicare at least- i looked at Dr. Uzzi Reiss site.. he sounds amazing .. i am not big on flying- (another story) but wonder if he takes medicare-i could always drive- maybe i will call them.. it is probably unlikely but worth an ask.

    i probably do have some adrenal issues going on .. it has been getting worse for a long time.. even before the t 10 years ago.. i think the interferon kicked my adrenals butts sad to say.. considering how before the cortef when i would get cold/flu it would last months.. now is a bit better...
    thanks for checking in on me and helping out! yes will back off and do a lower T does this week.. need to get the subq gear.
    have a good nite..

  33. #33
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    ps- with the progestrone i have tried two different types of creams over the past few years.. always get the same effect... swelling and alot of water retention- last time my belly expanded about 3 inchs.. and i stopped it and belly went back down. thx

  34. #34
    PPC
    PPC is offline Super Knowledgeable ~ Female Member
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    Hi gkcam! Progesterone can cause water retention in some women. For others it actually helps shed water weight. We are all so unique in our responses.

    I don't see any levels for estradiol and progesterone your two other important sex hormones. I'm sure when you find a good Doc, he or she will try to balance those against your testosterone . Using T if E levels are insufficient can cause many unwanted side effects and personality changes. Estradiol is also energizing to women and it is our happy hormone so both are needed in optimum levels. Balancing all this is not for the faint hearted for sure, but it can be done.

    Vette has given you fantastic guidance. 10 mg is usually the max for injected T per week for females. I started at 10, didn't feel too much for a month so went to 12 - big time changes. Too much! I ended up testing 10mg again, still felt overly juiced, went down to 8 then ended up injecting around 6 mg per week sub q. I used the back of my hip area to inject.

    Hope you get the help you are seeking but for now I will just reiterate that 20mg is too much. We always want to shoot for physiological levels when overall health is desired, but I'm not going to freak out at you. Ha Ha.

  35. #35
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    "On the insulin pins, YES, you should just be able to run down to Walgreens or Rite Aid, whatever you have there. We do it all the time. Every now and then we get someone behind the counter that starts asking questions. Just tell them to go blow, it's none of their business, and they're not the authority. You can draw with the same pin. For your dosage it will take all of about 10 to 15 seconds. Add some B12 with it if you like."
    question about the drawing of t in the thin needle..when i tried this before i got alot of tiny tiny air bubbles.. not sure what i was doing wrong?

    PPC - thank you for the input! i do have estradiol and pg levels from some saliva tests... both were low- what were you personality changes like on a higher dose of T? for me it is kinda odd. i feel really pretty good and more confident.. and am better able at setting boundaries- am doing to do a lower dose inject this week.. we dont have to aspirate with sub q right? so i have been doing 20mg week for a tad over a month.. thinking is it good to drop all the way down to 8 or 6? or should i taper?

    i look forward to trying to get a better balance.. i have to say with the T.. it feels like a miracle.. i was at the gym for an hour.. came home had energy to go particpate in a meditation group. .and then did alot of good self care at home.. having energy is wonderful- but i need to be mindful of the health issuse.

    i really appreciate everyone's support and non judgement!
    here are the e and pg levels.. it was after this i tried pg for the 2nd time and had huge bloating..my legs felt like swollen tree trunks!
    PG 84.39 pg/ml ( 127- 446) i am trying primrose oil.. to see if that helps..
    E2 1.52 ( 1.0- 10.8)
    ration of pg to E2 55.52 L ( 200-600)
    dhea 40.87 L ( 106- 300)
    does this mean estrogen dominance? i hope this dr tmrw has a picture- a bit nervous some of them are really jerks..

    thank you !

  36. #36
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    the 7 keto should arrive today.. i am looking forward to trying it. I saw a new dr yest.. who knows if or how he will work.. he told me to think about testo in a sub lingual form.. wonder what others have experienced with this? he does bio idents for women.. only thing is he said it sounds lke i can't take the pregest becausei am on of the type that convert it to cortisol..that makes sense with the major bloating- but i am wondering how i will be able to get the pms/pmdd issues under control without taking progesterone? the visit was over an hour and he takes insurance- on the way home i got a few major pains in the middle of my chest.. i dont know it is from the larger doses of T i had been taking over the past few weeks.. (causing the polycythemia) or the slight increase in thryoid- in any case.. i am backing the thryoid back down and this week when i do the injection it will be what you all discussed. a much much lower dose-
    thanks for your support- i feel like i am at my wits end with all this- glad i was able to have 3 days of decent workouts! that seems like all i get at this point in my life- i really feel like life is passing me by and i have to chose btwn workouts or "other activites" otherwise my body tends to poop out on me..
    how does one make that choice? I am really grateful for this group.. i know you all get this.. maybe not the health challanges but the desire to have a better stronger body.. the love of exercise and you all are not judgemental about testo.. thanks

  37. #37
    ElectraMaddox is offline Banned
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    Quote Originally Posted by qkcam View Post
    the 7 keto should arrive today.. i am looking forward to trying it. I saw a new dr yest.. who knows if or how he will work.. he told me to think about testo in a sub lingual form.. wonder what others have experienced with this? he does bio idents for women.. only thing is he said it sounds lke i can't take the pregest becausei am on of the type that convert it to cortisol..that makes sense with the major bloating- but i am wondering how i will be able to get the pms/pmdd issues under control without taking progesterone? the visit was over an hour and he takes insurance- on the way home i got a few major pains in the middle of my chest.. i dont know it is from the larger doses of T i had been taking over the past few weeks.. (causing the polycythemia) or the slight increase in thryoid- in any case.. i am backing the thryoid back down and this week when i do the injection it will be what you all discussed. a much much lower dose-
    thanks for your support- i feel like i am at my wits end with all this- glad i was able to have 3 days of decent workouts! that seems like all i get at this point in my life- i really feel like life is passing me by and i have to chose btwn workouts or "other activites" otherwise my body tends to poop out on me..
    how does one make that choice? I am really grateful for this group.. i know you all get this.. maybe not the health challanges but the desire to have a better stronger body.. the love of exercise and you all are not judgemental about testo.. thanks

    That's awesome im glad you found a new doctor.... I hope this works out for you! Good luck!

  38. #38
    SlimmerMe's Avatar
    SlimmerMe is offline ~Knowledgeable Female Extraordinaire~
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    qk: you WILL get to the bottom of this. You have the "will" to do so and that is the most important ingredient.
    Life is too short, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly.
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  39. #39
    qkcam is offline Female Member
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    Thanks Slim and EM-
    I just went to look for the sub q and 1/2 cc synringes.. wow.. it freaked me out they are really small.. and it kinda triggered my days of misspent youth.. not sure i feel good about having those burgers around.. i will have to try to figure out how to get 6mg on the 1ml syringe- faint of heart i am i guess..


    yes i would like to get to the bottom of this and get more of a life! logging my food again into calorie count.. thanks . i appreciate the support and encouragement!

  40. #40
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    GirlyGymRat is offline Knowledgeable Elite ~ Respected Female Leader ~
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    Qkcam. See u are getting great guidance. You have tenacity!

    Btw. Them my legs. It's all that working out. And your preferred gym sounds really cool. I was driving some 40 miles round trip to get to an instructor I really got a great workout. who gives a care what the naysayers say!!!

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