AI needed or not

[clarkster]

I've been reading many posts and some people have said they do not need to take an AI when it comes to TRT. In my research it seems that T+hCG +AI is pretty much the blueprint to successful and long lasting TRT. How did some of you come to the conclusion that you don't need to take an AI? Was it your labs or how you are feeling? The reason I ask is that I've been out of my anastrozole for about a week and I have to say, my fatigue is gone and so is the brain fog. I've been taking 50mg. of Test Cyp Sub Q on Tuesday and Friday and 250iu's of hCG EOD and anastrozole .25mg. 2X a week (usually after my T shots.) I'll be getting labs done in about 3 weeks. If someone has some input, I'd love to hear it.

[Vahevahe]

Sometimes with gel versions of testosterone a AI is not needed because there isnt a large amount being absorbed into the system. For example someone using the gel uses their dose for that day only. Someone taking shots may have the shot once a month bi/weekly or once a week which means that the supply that is injected in intended to be for that duration of time until the next shot. This means that alot more testosterone is converted to estrogen with shots than per say gel because your dose is broken up each day instead of each week. More testosterone usually means more conversion to estrogen thus a AI being needed. This is a rough idea of why AI isnt used as frequently with gels than shots. These arnt absolutes though because every body is different and one may need a AI on gels and one may not need a AI on injections. But the general consensus on this forum (from what i read) AI is sometimes not needed with gels but is used more with testosterone shots.

Check your Estradol levels and see how they are without a anastrozole you may not need a AI because you are injecting twice a week at a fair dose.

Also why did you start using a AI did your estrogen/estradol levels increase with injections?

[kelkel]

Everything should be based on BW. A persons metabolism comes into play as well as heredity. The aromatase enzyme lives in the skin as well so the lower bodyfat % you have the less aromatase activity = less T turning to E. Then twice a week injections can play into this as well for the same reason, less injected at one time = less of a spike in E levels. SQ injections also tend to be absorbed as a slower rate. Some people do well with them, some don't.

Beginning TRT is really a trying time and it does take a while to get dialed in. It should be everyones goal if at all possible to avoid the use of an AI. The long term effects of them just really aren't known as yet, despite such low doses used for our purposes.

[clarkster]

Well put. When I originally started TRT about a year ago, I was pinning 200mg. of Test Cyp every 2 weeks. My T levels when I started (I'm sorry I don't have the labs to report. My Doc said only worry about T levels. Big mistake. When I started T levels were 225) I got tested about 3 months later (right before my next shot) and my T level was 175. And I felt like poop. He then began weekly Test Cyp shots of 200mg. And shortly after *that's* when I needed an AI.
About 3 weeks ago I was switched to the current protocol of T (50mg. 2X week)+hCG (250iu. EOD)+AI (.25mg 2X week)
That's when the fatigue and brain fog came roaring back, and I haven't taken an AI in a week and now my head is clear and no fatigue. I will get labs done again as soon as insurance will allow and I will make sure to get it all done this time and leave with the results.

[kelkel]

Consider dropping one shot off of your HCG routine as well. M-W-F would be just fine. Good time to look into supps to help with your E as well. Zinc, Calcium d-Glucarate come to mind.

When it comes to labs, fill out the release next time you're at the lab and have them send it to you. They're yours. Many labs are now on line and if you sign up and create an account you can pull them right off the site.

[HRTstudent]

I would wager to say that the vast, vast majority of men on TRT are not taking HCG . Maybe a few more are taking an AI, but it's probably still the minority.

Many of those men, I have no doubt, feel good on TRT.

What you really care about is what YOU need. The best way to go about that is finding a good doctor who is an expert in treating men with low testosterone .

[lacey23]

I wouldn't put too much thought into how you feel 1 week after discontinuing arimidex .

On a couple occasions when I drove my E2 too low with arimidex I was instructed to stop taking it. About 5 days later I started feeling amazing, (as E2 was in the go range) and this went on for a week or so. Then E2 went high. Then it went super high from the rebound effect.

It takes about a month after discontinuing arimidex for E2 to stabalize. From that point you should be able to tell from symtoms and bloodwork wether you need it or not.