Blood work - Advice

[David LoPan]

Well I am with the VA now and they did put me on TRT which was a shock. Doc refused to do a DHEA and a Estrodal test but this is what came back. Still waiting on my IGF-1, T3 and T4 labs and a few others.


Here is the partial Blood work. They will have the rest up for me to get on the web in a few days - hopefully.
CBC and CMP all normal other than my LDL being higher than normal and total Chol being a little high as well.
Potassium 3.3 (3.3-5.1)
B-12 571 (180-914)
TSH 1.19 (0.34-5.6)
PSA 0.46 (0-4)
Testosterone 1.96 ng/ml (1.68-7.81) - never seen it listed like this. Dont know what test they used (free or total)

I have been taking test C 100 mg every 5 days. Started out a few years ago at 200 every 14 days. Doc now wrote me for 200 ml of test weekly

[kelkel]

I'm confused BT.

Were you self treating before?
If so, why is your T level so low?

[David LoPan]

No self treating at all. This is all doctor RX test C. We started at 200 every 14 days, then he moved me to 200 every 10 days then 100 every 5 days. No Hcg and No AI, got the AI from AR-R but not on HCG yet. Been burned a few times trying to get it and no doctors will write it for me here. So I have been taking DHEA and Pregnenolone and a few more supplements. Been waiting until I was ready for a cycle and went to the VA due to loss of insurance. Pulled my blood and this is what came back. Now they want me taking 200 mg every 7 days.

45 Year old
Hight is 6 ft 3
Weight 241
BP 118/76 Pulse 68
Body fat - 18-20% and I am stating that a little high I believe.
Cycle experience is yes . . . but not in last 3 years.
Diet - Okay but could be much better. Working shifts at two places (Corrects and Hospital) Just quit corrections
Gym - Not as much as I would like (3 times a week min) Schedule has been off going from night shift to day shifts.
Drugs - None
Drinking - maybe 4 beers over a 2 week period, depends if a neighbor comes over with one or two.

[kelkel]

No self treating at all. This is all doctor RX test C. We started at 200 every 14 days, then he moved me to 200 every 10 days then 100 every 5 days. No Hcg and No AI, got the AI from AR-R but not on HCG yet. Been burned a few times trying to get it and no doctors will write it for me here. So I have been taking DHEA and Pregnenolone and a few more supplements. Been waiting until I was ready for a cycle and went to the VA due to loss of insurance. Pulled my blood and this is what came back. Now they want me taking 200 mg every 7 days.

When was blood pulled relative to your last injection?

Doc's tend to think HCG for us is an "off label" use but it's not. It's right on most package inserts. Clue yours in and he'll see. If not, there's mail order sites that guys use here that are good to go.

Very doubtful that you'll need 200mg per week, as you know. So what is your plan as I assume you self-inject?

[David LoPan]

Oh yes, self inject or my wife does it for me for rotation. We are both nurses. Last injection was 7 days prior to blood work. That is why I was shocked to see such low values.

[kelkel]

Oh yes, self inject or my wife does it for me for rotation. We are both nurses. Last injection was 7 days prior to blood work. That is why I was shocked to see such low values.

So you see the need for splitting your dose to twice per week then. Exactly what dose do you plan on running?

[David LoPan]

That is where I am at a loss. What should I be taking. I thought that 200 every 7 days was a lot. Was thinking about taking 125 to 150 every 5 days and see where I am in a few months. Having test levels of 196 was not what I was expecting at all. That is why I am asking advice. VA docs dont know crap, IMO. She did ask if I was in pain and if I needed pain meds. Ha, I said no thank you. Glad they treat vets for pain though

[kelkel]

Why not simply 75mgs every 3.5 days. Really every 3-4 days is just fine as we're splitting hairs here with the 3.5 day thing. Re-test levels in a month, particularly your E2. Your test level after 7 days is exactly why you should change your protocol. Test will peak around 24hrs or so (metabolism dependent) and then begin to fade from there with a half-life of 5-7 days or so. Hence your tanked level.

Splitting the dosage will maintain more stable serum levels and reduce the need for AI dependency. Less injected at one time = less spike in Estrogen. Inject SQ or IM, either way is fine.

[David LoPan]

I always go IM. Do you think that lack of sleep effected my blood work that much. I know test resets during REM sleep and I was coming off a 4 day night shift and had very little sleep and lots of walking while working.

I was already taking 100 mg every 5 days and never had a test level over 500. Thinking that 3 days at 75 might be the answer. I hate pinning that often but I would rather feel good and have consistent levels. That is why I have been waiting to run a cycle was to dial in my levels for trt. I also need to get my training come consistent and diet dialed in. My strength and technique is great but want to cut down on body fat.

Funny how as you get older you tend to wait longer before jumping in on a cycle. I have so much gear that I have been slowly getting. Did have a cycle planned for last November. I have lots of Phama Test C and Nandrolone and Tren A and E. I think if I get this all dialed in I am going to run a cycle, maybe in 60-90 days from now.