6 month numbers are in, and I am not too happy

[raym]

My current protocol is 50mg Test Cyp, 250IU of HCG
every 3.5 days. At 6 weeks I was doing pretty well and feeling really
good.

Serum Testosterone : 750, lab range 348 - 1197
Free Testosterone: 20.9, lab range 6.8 - 21.5
Estradiol: 47.9, lab range 7.6 - 42.6


Estradiol was high, so we added in 1/2 mg of adex twice a week.
At 6 months I am at:

Serum Testosterone: 468 Range 348-1197
Free Testosterone: 14.4 Range 6.8-21.5
Estradiol: 10.9 Range 7.6-42.6

Another thing of note:
Hematocrit: 51.2 Range 37.5-51.0

So, I've obviously been taking too much adex, so I'll back off on that
and try to get my e2 up a bit. But what is really worrying me is
that my total test has dropped almost 300 points and my free test has
dropped quite a bit as well. Yeah, I'm in range, but definitely not feeling
as good as I was a couple of months ago.

My Doctor is not being the most responsive lately, so I really need to
be proactive and figure out what changes to make before speaking to
her.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[bullshark99]

Free is more important that total and ur free is still fairly upper end. Think u nailed it if u cut back on the adex it may make a big dif.

[jasondd1]

Free is more important that total and ur free is still fairly upper end. Think u nailed it if u cut back on the adex it may make a big dif.

I think you're looking at the wrong free numbers. I think you need more test. BTW are you im or sub q?

[raym]

Thanks for the replies. I thought Free and Total were both important. I'm not
obsessing over numbers, but I definitely have been feeling off. I'm sure some
of that is due to taking by e2 too low - and I'll probably stop the adex altogether
until my morning wood is back, then slowly add it back in at a lower dosage.

What is troubling me is why did my #'s drop so much?

I would like to add more test, but my hemo is already just over the top of the
range.

Oh - and I am IM.

Ray

[jomamma007]

Look you shouldn`t have added an ai in whatsoever.
First that's the wrong estradiol test. The sensitive panel will probably come back 15-30 points lower putting you in the sweet spot. You said you felt good, you shouldnt adjust based on numbers unless symtpoms present thenselves.

Imo your original protocol was perfect, id stick with it and retest with an estradiol sensitive panel in a month. If you had to change anything id lower the dose to 80mgs per week but i dont even think thats necessary. Also sometimes levels vary a bit, its happened to me on 2x week profil before as well. Dont sweat it .

You dont seem to need the ai, dont even add it back in...
Also, go donate some blood.

Cliffs
Stick with original protocol for a month
Re-test bloodwork with an estradiol sensitive panel before upping dosage
Donate blood asap

Also the ideal range for estradiol sensitive is 20-30
I had the same test ran as you plus the sensitive panel same day
Estradiol 45H(7.6-42.6)
Estradiol sensitive 19(3-70)
As you can see the standard panel seems to overestimate as its intended for females.

If anything you could try
50Mg zinc
2-300DIM
2-3Mg copper a day for estrogen control but i doubt you need it

[raym]

Thanks - I had been doing the sensitive assay every month since I started the protocol,
and it was the sensitive test that led us to put me on the AI. I'll definitely be
donating blood. Interestingly enough, before starting TRT my hematocrit was hovering
around 49.

Ray

[Brett N]

Test will raise hematocrit.

[jomamma007]

Thanks - I had been doing the sensitive assay every month since I started the protocol,
and it was the sensitive test that led us to put me on the AI. I'll definitely be
donating blood. Interestingly enough, before starting TRT my hematocrit was hovering
around 49.

Ray

What was your level on the sensitive panel?
Estradiol: 47.9, lab range 7.6 - 42.6- That is the standard panel...

[raym]

July of this year I did the labcorp estradiol sensitive (range 3-70) and it came back as 54.

[dreadnok89]

I dont like ad ex for that reason. Its too strong

[jomamma007]

July of this year I did the labcorp estradiol sensitive (range 3-70) and it came back as 54.

well you seem to have the right plan now. Back off ai for a week or two till you feel better then start again at .25mg twice per week after injection. No surprise that .5mg twice a week crashed you.
That's why its ludicrous how people can think there's some sort of standard. 1mg of arimidex per 100mgs of test is silly. There is no one size fits all. Some don't need an ai, some need 2mgs. You have to experiment to find that sweet spot, but it looks like you're on your way. Good luck and keep us posted.