Timing of next bloodwork advice?

**jhatx** · 05-16-2013, 12:11 PM

I had my 6 week BW testing done not that long ago and made some changes to my HRT protocol. I increased my test from 50 mg 2x a week to 60 mg 2x a week. I started AI at .50 2x a week as my E levels were high at 44.1 on a scale of 7.6 - 42.6.

I am not due for BW for 4 months. This seems like a long time if one has just started TRT and is trying to get dialed in. Should I just go and get BW done on my own? 5 weeks, 6 weeks, or what? I'm just a little concerned about waiting so long.

Greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts.

**GotNoBlueMilk** · 05-16-2013, 12:27 PM

Do what your pocket can affort and what you feel you want. Blood work has no downside, aside from expense.

What you do want to do, though, it get your draw always done the same: same time of day, same day in relation to your last injection. So if you inject on Sunday and Friday, and last time you drew blood on a Wed AM, draw it again on a Wed AM. The reduces fluctions due to dosing timeing.

In the early days of TRT, you will have a hard time knowing where your numbers are at. After while, you get a better feel for where you are at by your body and symptoms. Even that can be misleading at times, but you have a better handle on it with experience. They only way to absolutely know your numbers is bloodwork.

**FRDave** · 05-16-2013, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by jhatx

I had my 6 week BW testing done not that long ago and made some changes to my HRT protocol. I increased my test from 50 mg 2x a week to 60 mg 2x a week. I started AI at .50 2x a week as my E levels were high at 44.1 on a scale of 7.6 - 42.6.

I am not due for BW for 4 months. This seems like a long time if one has just started TRT and is trying to get dialed in. Should I just go and get BW done on my own? 5 weeks, 6 weeks, or what? I'm just a little concerned about waiting so long.

Greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts.

Assuming your taking Arimidex , that's a pretty high dose. Be careful with that. I would start off at like .25mg 1x per week or like every 5 days...

**jhatx** · 05-16-2013, 01:29 PM

Looks like I can get a "Follow Up HRT Panel" from privatemd.com for $160.00 and add E2 sensitive for another $50.00. Probably not a bad investment while getting dialed in and learning how I feel at different T & E levels and I am a little concerned about the AI dosage.

**kelkel** · 05-16-2013, 01:34 PM

You'll be fine with just an E2 sensitive test in a month if money is a concern. Also agree with dave. I'd seriously drop that to .25 x 2 per week right away. One day after each injection is the way to go. Even at .25 x 2 per week you can crash your E in a short period of time so stay on top of this. Less = more here.

**bullshark99** · 05-16-2013, 03:01 PM

Couldn't agree more^^^^^^^^ 1mg of arimidex /anaz could very well crash your E2 currently in the 40's to <5, based on 100-120 mgs of T per week. Been there at least twice now, trust me its no fun. Would do .25 twice a week and retest E2 in 4-5 weeks. You were not over top end by very much.

**jhatx** · 05-16-2013, 04:03 PM

Thanks for the advice. I did my test injection this morning and usually my AI the next day. Should I wait until next week for AI @ .25?

**Moparman** · 05-16-2013, 06:55 PM

I also agree with a low dose. I've crashed mine twice now. NO FUN!!!

First I was taking 1 mg 2x week. Then i recovered by stopping the anastr. then I waiting a couple of weeks and restarted at only .25 mg twice a week. Got scared looking at gyno pics so I upped it to .5 mg 2x week. After a week and a half my anxiety came back full bore.

That is now. Took the .5 on tuesday and by Wednesday I was feeling the weird head buzz and low libido. So I'll skip Saturday and next tues and start the .25 mg again.