Blood work questions LTM, Austin, Kel and 100%

[bringndaheat]

Alright guys meet wth the Dr. went over bloodwork for TRT. Was not real impressed wth him but then again I knw more about TRT thn most of them.... and u guys know more than me. Test levels came back 523 and free test I think 16. The protocol is 100mgs a week test c. Of course 250 mcgs of HCG twice a week. Anastrosle at .25 twice a week. Not real happy wth ths protocol. I thought at a bare minimum I would do 150mgs a week. I had hoped for 200mgs a week. Is it even worth doing since my test levels are not tht bad. I don't want to shut myself down to only increase test levels to around 750. Side note I've done 200mgs a week in the past on TRT with test level at 1150. They also want to do blood work in 5 weeks to check levels again... I think tht is a good idea!

-Heat

[bringndaheat]

Has anyone used a protocol of 100mgs a week and gotten results??!!let me know. I am using LowT. Is ths the typical protocol?

[Keep_It_Moving]

Has anyone used a protocol of 100mgs a week and gotten results??!!let me know. I am using LowT. Is ths the typical protocol?

I'm curious...you signed up with lowT.com (site sponsor) and had your levels checked. came back 523? what was the range?
Also, you did trt before? How long and why did you stop?

[bringndaheat]

@keep it moving, yes the sponsor. I think the range is 350 to 1190. He said he would like to see me at about 1000 and free test at 20. This all sounded good but not sure it's worth shutting down at 523 for only a 100mgs a week.
My last Dr was in Florida and I stopped for many reasons. If u read my blog here in the forum it explains. Wht is ur current protocol?

-Heat

[FRDave]

Has anyone used a protocol of 100mgs a week and gotten results??!!let me know. I am using LowT. Is ths the typical protocol?

80mg per week has me a little over 850. I'm surprised they are evening allowing TRT with natural levels in the mid 500 range :-/

By the way, 100mg is just a starting point. My dr started me at the same and I was in the mid 1100's. They should have you do blood work around 6 weeks later and adjust your dosage accordingly.

And is your estrogen levels high as of now? If not, they should not be starting you out on an AI till your follow-up blood work in ~6 weeks.

[Keep_It_Moving]

@keep it moving, yes the sponsor. I think the range is 350 to 1190. He said he would like to see me at about 1000 and free test at 20. This all sounded good but not sure it's worth shutting down at 523 for only a 100mgs a week.
My last Dr was in Florida and I stopped for many reasons. If u read my blog here in the forum it explains. Wht is ur current protocol?

-Heat

Yeha I didn't think that was low enough, but apparently it is. I'm not on a protocol at the moment, but I want to be soon. Thinking about lowT.com My natty levels are around the same as you. But I'm sensitive to estro conversion.

[BigSpanky]

Low T started me on the same protocol except no Ai until after second blood test. 100mg a week took me from 312 to 779. After the second round of BW I told the doc I would like to raise the dosage and was able to go to 200 mg a week.
Don't get down about the low starting dosage they're very easy to talk to if you want to increase after seeing what the starting dose gets you.

[bringndaheat]

@FRDave thanks for advice tht is what I am looks for. I have many reasons for staring at 523. I am looking for anti aging benefits, memory, mood the list goes on. In my past my HRT gave me the best quality of life. At ths point in my life I have money and I am willing to pay for life quality!
@keep it moving I convert to estrogen easily as well.
I am very happy wth the way things have been handled so far wth LowT. I was just not sure if 100mgs would do anything but FRDave had good results at tht level so we will see. In the long run it would b great if I only needed 100mgs a week to get right at around 1000.
Anyone else have a dose below 150mgs a week and are happy wth it!?

[bringndaheat]

@Bigspanky thanks bro thts great to hear. Do u divide up the dose into two shots a week? Tht is what I wanted to do but the doc said just one.

-Heat

[Keep_It_Moving]

Low T started me on the same protocol except no Ai uhttp://forums.steroid .com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=6551297ntil after second blood test. 100mg a week took me from 312 to 779. After the second round of BW I told the doc I would like to raise the dosage and was able to go to 200 mg a week.
Don't get down about the low starting dosage they're very easy to talk to if you want to increase after seeing what the starting dose gets you.

Do you have to physically go see the doctor again or is it done by a phone meeting?

[BigSpanky]

I divide it into 2 shots and the follow up with doc is done by phone.

[bringndaheat]

Yes mine is by phone. Bigspanky did your test come in a 10ml vial at 200mg per ML?

[Keep_It_Moving]

I divide it into 2 shots and the follow up with doc is done by phone.

How many times a year do you have to see the doc in person? and how many times can you have a phone appointment wit the doc in a year?

[BigSpanky]

The test did come in a 10ml vial at 200mg a ml.

You only have to see the doc in person one time a year.

[BigSpanky]

You can call the doc and talk to them whenever you want. I've called several times with questions and never had a problem getting to talk to them.

[FRDave]

And to be clear, I inject 40mg via sub-Q on Sat morning and Tuesday night. Once I get my estrogen in check, I may drop the dose even more, but all in all, I feel great and a single vial of test last me 6+ months at this dosage :-)

[Keep_It_Moving]

You can call the doc and talk to them whenever you want. I've called several times with questions and never had a problem getting to talk to them.

wow, good to know....they sound like they know what they're doing...

[kelkel]

Op, I'm not really sure why you want to be on TRT instead of maximizing other ancillaries that may elevate your T level. But i'm sure you have your reasons. Anyway, your starting dose is normal. You should always start low and titrate up, not the other way around. It's just easier on your body to adapt and adjust to all the changes that way.

My protocol is 120mg total split into 60 x 2. I'm written for 200 per week but don't go over it 120 and my T levels are never below 900 +. So I have no need to push past my prescribed dosage. It's about balance. I don't need an AI at this dose which should ultimately be your goal as well. Remember, the less you can use and achieve a decent level and feel good is the path to take. It's about longevity and how YOU feel. You're not a number on a chart.

[bringndaheat]

@Dave and Bigspanky wht kind of AI dosage do u take? Also do either of u supplement wth DHEA? Any special Shampoo products for hair? Funny thing I think my test levels r about the same as they were 7 years ago.
Thanks for the words guys. I am much more upbeat now.

[bringndaheat]

@Kel, thanks for the words and u r correct about everyone has there own reasons. As I stated I perform much better in all aspects of life whn in test. My memory, mood, focus and sleep are vastly improved. Kel thanks for being honest because I do consider myself very close to not needing it. I thought u would give a honest answer and u did. U could have pushed the product harder but u didn't. I've been on ths site for several years and u r a big credit to the site!
I view people a lot like accounting 101 views numbers.. People r either a debit or a credit in life. Everyone should strive to b a credit!

[FRDave]

@Dave and Bigspanky wht kind of AI dosage do u take? Also do either of u supplement wth DHEA? Any special Shampoo products for hair? Funny thing I think my test levels r about the same as they were 7 years ago.
Thanks for the words guys. I am much more upbeat now.

I just got placed on arimidex last week at 1mg per week. This first week I did .5mg the day after each injection, but starting next week I plan to dose at .25mg the day after each injection and get blood work in about 6 weeks to see where I'm at. I was 75 on a lab range of 7-40 (not sensitive assay), but will get the sensitive assay next blood labs.

I do have quite a bit of bloat and no morning wood, yet libidio is fine, although I did have more energy back when my estrogen was at 50 (still high). Been 6 months and I'm still trying to get dialed in, but I do feel night and day better than I did prior to starting TRT. Getting dialed in takes longer than I would have assumed, but ill be in heaven once I get this estrogen in check.

And no, I take nothing for hair loss. All is good so far but I have no hair loss on either side of my family so doubtful I will ever have to worry.

[BigSpanky]

I shave my head so no need for any special shampoo lol. I did start taking dhea and pregnenolone a few weeks ago. I'm so far from being dialed in I'm not in any position to recommend anything to you. I'm learning what a long process Trt is and that there is a lot of trial and error to find what's best for you. You're in the right place learning from guys like Kel who have a ton of first hand experience is the best way.

[bringndaheat]

Well I feel much better about the dosage. In the long run I guess Kel is right about starting low. In today's society we or should I say I want things quickly. I forget ths is a process/journey about what works for me. It's great to hear all the protocols and how each person is so different thn the next. I will start next Monday.

[bringndaheat]

One other big question what r u guys doing for the bloat? I've had problems with bloat in the past.

[powerlifterty16]

different people absorb different test amounts. if 100 mg gets you to 1000, that's better than taking 200 mg to get to 1000. Why did you stop trt in the first palce..you said you were doing well at 1150? I'm surprised your levels are at 523 after being on trt....

How old are you?
523 is not a great test level, but if i had it, i probably would just suffer with it, until my levels came back lower...in fact, 2 years ago i had a 535 level. If you're 35 or older, that's really not a bad level imo.

[FRDave]

@Dave and Bigspanky wht kind of AI dosage do u take? Also do either of u supplement wth DHEA? Any special Shampoo products for hair? Funny thing I think my test levels r about the same as they were 7 years ago.
Thanks for the words guys. I am much more upbeat now.

And yes, I take 50mg of micronized DHEA split in two doses (25mg at breakfast & 25mg at lunch). I also take 50mg of micronized pregnenolone at breakfast only.

I feel your D3 levels are important as well in which I take 12,000iu daily.


All the above along with everything I take has been dosed based on blood work, so you may need more or less than myself.

[bringndaheat]

@power I was really surprised when the Dr told me I was at 523. I thought and felt like I was around 250. So it really caught me off guard because I am boarder line. I will say I am grateful tht the Dr still gave me the option for treatment. I believe tht I should have the choice since it is my life.

-Heat

[bringndaheat]

@BigSpank our protocol is almost the exact same on supplements. I learned a lot on sups by reading Austin's protocol. I am about to order some injectable B12. I currently do not take extra vitD but will add in the next couple days.

[100%]

Being that your natural production is decent and you will be using hcg 100 mg might be good enough. What you might want to try is inject once a week. If for the next few days after you inject you feel really good then you may do better at a higher dose. If you feel better toward the end of the week try splitting dose. Some guys like to peak others like more even flow.

[bringndaheat]

@100% how it going bro?! Thanks for the input. I really wanted to start at 60mgs twice a week.. Mon/Thur. Then HCG 3x a week Sun/Wed/Fri. Since I am prone to gyno I think I will start at .25 Anastrosle twice a week?

-Heat

[bringndaheat]

@100% how it going bro?! Thanks for the input. I really wanted to start at 60mgs twice a week.. Mon/Thur. Then HCG 3x a week Sun/Wed/Fri. Since I am prone to gyno I think I will start at .25 Anastrosle twice a week?

-Heat