Water Retention on TRT

[One Way Step]

Okay guys so I currently follow this routine;
MON: 500iu HCG , .25mg anastrozole
TUES: 200mg TEST

I've been at this for about two months and it works pretty well (good sex drive, good energy, appetite,etc). But the last few weeks I've noticed that I've been retaining a lot of water in my face and in my chest. Specifically, my nipples will become puffy, pointy, and extend out very noticeably. It's like there is another inch or two added of fat right behind them. This occurs right AFTER I take the HCG dose. It is mildly reduced if I take .5mg anastrozole (but this then sends my e2 too low).

What is going on with this? Why is HCG causing me to retain water and mess with my nipples right after my shot. I've determined it is the HCG because I will usually take the HCG like 12 hours before anastrozole and these side effects occur within an hour of taking HCG.

I used to be on high doses of HCG with my TRT (2500iu three times per week) and never experienced any problem like this.

Any thoughts/ideas?

[kelkel]

Yes, HCG can cause some water retention via several pathways, including up-regulation of progesterone.
Your protocol of one shot a week would be better served by taking your hcg both one and two days (@250 iu's) before your test shot. The purpose of this is to give your testosterone a bump while your exogenous T is waning based on its half life.

200 mgs per week is high end TRT and not many people need that much. How are your Free T, Total T and E2 levels on this protocol? My thought would be to split your injections to twice per week and include 250 iu's of hcg in the same syringe. This will help alleviate water retention from hcg by spreading it out, as well as help to reduce the large spike in E2 from a 200mg injection.

Post up your numbers with ranges if you can please.

[One Way Step]

This is my BW from a month ago, it was taken on a Tuesday before I took my shot of test cyp (it was the day after I took 500iu HCG and .25mg anastrozole)

Test: 731
E2: 6 (range 7-34)

Honestly I was pretty good when these bloods were drawn, and I didn't have any of this water retention. Not sure what could be causing it now, as I haven't switched my protocol.

[kelkel]

E2 is too low. Eventually it can lead to side effects such as joint pain, libido issues, etc.

[booku]

E2 is too low. Eventually it can lead to side effects such as joint pain, libido issues, etc.

kelkel what are your thoughts on the research potentially showing long term low e2 levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease? i'll try to dig it up

[kelkel]

Not much without seeing the study so please post it if possible. That said it's about hormonal balance. It's how our bodies work the most efficiently.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3955333/

[booku]

here's one :

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...99707103370204

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en...sterol&f=false

great book ^^ learning about the body through studying genetic steroid disorders

[pharmd718]

Anastrozole should be taken about 3 days AFTER test. Not before (when you estrogen level is the lowest)

[bullshark99]

That is correct, not BEFORE but 24 hrs after is ideal.

[Bonaparte]

HCG spikes your estrogen levels.