New to HRT

[Max1911]

I have been on HRT for 9 months now. I have been learning a lot from reading this form and trusting my Doctor is doing well by me. I got over having to pin myself and done my best to stick to the protocol given to me.

Someone questioned my protocol, so I thought I would post it here with the lab results and get some opinions on if the protocol looks sound. I have had BW 4x but only have copies of the first 2. I remember most of what was on the most resent, since a saw it a couple days ago.

Current Protocol:
Test cyp: 100 mg wk (reduced from 150mg wk)
DHEA: 100 mg day (last checkup increased from 75mg/day level was 360)
Anastrozole: 1mg 6x wk (originally on 6x/wk and reduced to 4x when level went down to 72)

Before HRT current lab Range
Estrogen 234 156 <50
Total Test 77 1100 700 – 1000
DHEA 243 455 400-600

The Doctor told me that it’s not uncommon to have the levels bounce around before my body adjusts to it. I don’t know, but I do know I feel a whole lot better than I did a couple years ago. So, does everything look ok or do I need to look for a new Doctor or new lab?
BTW I am 46 and have never done a cycle… if that matters.

[Max1911]

I see where the question came from...

I take 6 mg of anastrozole in a week and most protocols I see listed here have people taking less then 1 mg a week.

I guess it is what it is... would like to get it down to target range of <50 and at least out of the triple digits.

[bass]

can you get copies of the latest BW from your doc? it would be helpful to know what your Free T is along with SHBG. do you know if that's a sensitive assay E2?

[Max1911]

I will ask for a copy, My doctor does not check Free T (Don't know why). SHBG 56 nmol/L Range 10-50.
Sensitive assay E2 is kind of Greek to me, I will research and find out...

Thanks for the help.

[Max1911]

got my next BW script (figure been testing the same stuff), There is:
Total Estrogen
Estrone E1
Estradiol E2
Estriol E3

only Total Estrogen is marked for testing. No Free T maked either.... Makes me feel like I would like to have my own BW run.

So the answer is no it is not E2.

[Max1911]

Ok, I am going to re-run my own BW... just learned how to do it here on this forum, there is a place 10 miles from me and can go this week. I plan to check:
Test Total
Test Free
SHGB
estradiol sensitive

As long as I am going, is there anything else I should check?

[Max1911]

Ok, I am going to re-run my own BW... just learned how to do it here on this forum, there is a place 10 miles from me and can go this week. I plan to check:
Test Total
Test Free
SHGB
estradiol sensitive

As long as I am going, is there anything else I should check?

[bass]

copied from kelkel's thread,

• Total Testosterone
• Bioavailable Testosterone
• Free Testosterone
• Estradiol (specify “sensitive” assay for males)
• CBC
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
• Lipid Profile
• PSA (for those over 40 with family history of prostate CA. >45 all others)
• IGF-1, IGFBP-3 (if GH therapy has been initiated already)
• Thyroid Panel (complete)
• Vitamin D

only do the ones you haven't done.

[Max1911]

Great, will do...
Thanks

[bass]

forgot the SHBG! make sue you include it.

[Max1911]

yep, got it on the list.

[bass]

good for you Max, I am sure the rest of the knowledgeable members will give their input as well once you post your new BW. look forward to it.