Estradiol question regarding the Anastrozole...

[LFH40]

Gentlemen,
Things have been status quo for quite some time now, however, i was high on my E2 last set of labs and I was a 58.2 out of a (8.0-35.0 range). I had zero libido and when I could manage to get it up, it went back down really quick or DURING the act. That SUCKED. My total test was 1329 on a (348-1197 range). My free T was 38.2 on a (6.8-21.5 range). I only inject .35ml twice weekly and I do 300IU of HCG twice weekly.

When I realized my E2 was high, I got on a small doze of my AI. I have been taking a quarter pill (from a 1mg pill) the day after each test injection. I've been doing this for about two months or so now. I feel like I MAY have fell below the normal sweet spot again and perhaps crashed my E2? Can such a small dose do that?

Either, way, I had a E2 sensitive lab drawn today that I purchased independently and I should be getting the results back by Monday or Tuesday. I know it would be hard for you vets to assess what I should be doing going forward without seeing this lab, but for peace of mind, do you guys know if .25mb twice weekly for a few months is enough to crash your E2? I've been on and off the AI in the nearly 4 years I've been doing TRT. It wanes..it comes and goes with where I'm at in my program. Sometimes this 43 year old feels 18 and kicking ass and taking names and getting all sorts of wood..and spontaneously to boot! But lately, I don't notice much morning wood at all and depending on what I'm doing I can't even maintain the erection. By the time I get to penetration it could possibly be soft already. It SUCKS! This is WITH tadalafil. Yikes!

Which brings me to my next question: My stuff was from ADC I believe and it's nearing 2 years old. Perhaps this is the problem? I also have some liquid stuff from the old site sponsor and I won't mention the name as I don't think that is allowed in the protocol and I don't want to get launched from this amazing site with so much knowledge! Can anyone PM me with any of the latest and greatest current places to get generic C? When I have legit product I feel like I'm amazing. Not sure if my stuff is just losing potency as it ages or if I need to toss it and find a new vendor and get new product.

I guess I'm just going through something right now guys and I need some assistance. I will also advise when I get my E2 lab back next week as well. Thanks as always. You guys rock.

[bullshark99]

100%, absolutely it is possible crashing your E2 with a half of mg per week. Not saying you did just that but yes from my personal experience I've done it on that exact dose. I was using anastrozole, I don't think you indicated above but it is very strong.

Also, as you said it's not pharm grade so who knows. Get the results, post them pls for members to digest and learn. Best of luck LFH, you will get it squared away!

[LFH40]

Ok, no I'm extremely alarmed. After being on .25mg of Anastrozole 2x weekly, I had thought I CRASHED my E2. Quite the contrary. Just got my lab back for SENSITIVE E2 and it is a 53 on a range of (8.0-35.0)

Could it be that I'm not taking enough Anastrozole? Mine is from a legitimate compounding pharmacy through the sponsor here (I believe they're the most recent sponsor). I fact, the Anastrozole they use is one of the same vendors as the last site sponsor, so I am not even speculating the quality of the AI. I'm just concerned that perhaps I'm a tough responder and perhaps I need .50mg twice per week? I was on the dose for months and I was a 58 before. I'm at a loss, guys. I really need your advice. My protocol is listed above and it's nothing out of the ordinary. It's a quite common dosage.

Thanks for any veteran help!

[kelkel]

Remember LFH that our bodies needs and response to medications can change over time. I did not need an AI for years but I do now. And you can rule out that I gained a ton of body fat or similar issue requiring a change. It just happens.

When was BW pulled relative to your injection for your initial BW that included TT and FT? Not that it'll make much difference on a twice weekly protocol...
Do you know what your SHBG level is? I ask as with such a low dose of T you are getting superior levels of T and FT.

Obviously you have room to lower your dose if you choose, that being said I doubt that's the course you want to take. Second, you could up your adex to .5 x 2 per week and retest after several weeks and see where you land. Last thought, but probably not that effective would be to add DIM and Zinc and see if that has any effect on your current protocol.

[LFH40]

Kelkel, thank you for the quick response. I as a rule to myself, always have the labs drawn either the day before my injection or the day of injection BEFORE the injection. I do not know what my SHBG level is unfortunately, as that isn't included in the testing required.

I don't really want to change my dose, you're right, but I really need to get this E2 in check. It's so odd that although I changed nothing with my protocol, the test levels and E2 have varied so greatly. The only thing that has remained the same is the high test levels over the last couple years.

I am also taking ZMA before bed (however there is no DIM in it). I have a bottle of DIM and Zinc that I tried for about a month before and not sure if it did much.

Trying to increase my AI for about a month or so is an option as you stated. I don't take my test injection till tomorrow morning, however, would there be any harm in taking .5mg right now? I feel like I just want to get this started again. Last week before I had the labs pulled I was taking the .25mg twice weekly, HOWEVER, immediately after the BW was drawn, I HALTED taking the AI as I was CERTAIN I had crashed it. Quite the opposite. It's still high and leaving me with a low libido. I'm lean and starting to show vascularity in my abdominal area, although I feel bloated a bit in my face. I'm sure this is a sign of high e2? My nipples are always a bit on the hard side too (no itchy nips nor any soreness, just hard)

I do notice that when I'm hovering around 15-22 on my e2 I have an uncontrollable libido, morning erections, no sexual issues. For months now I've been unable to maintain on occasion during intercourse even with use of tadalafil, which normally works amazingly well for me.

I'm grasping at straws here. Do I get your blessing to try the .5 x 2 for awhile? I know it's a relatively strong dose and I've went as low as a 9 on that does about 3 years ago. I will be smarter this time and listen to my body and test right away when I start feeling the effects. What do ya think?

[kelkel]

You could try .5 x 2 and retest in a couple weeks. Another thought may be to just add one more dose at .25 as a stepping stone and see where that gets you first. Maybe a M-W-F dose schedule. The more I read your posts the more I'm leaning to the latter approach.

[LFH40]

I think I'll try your recommendation of .25 three times per week and see how that goes. I guess .75mg for the entire week is still better yet than having to go a full 1mg. weekly. I'm thinking try that for a month and retest? Does that sound feasible? I really really want to get this in check.

[kelkel]

That'll work. Small, incremental changes are always best. Post how you do on this thread please.

[LFH40]

I took your advice and I'm running .25 of Anastrozole on M-W-F for a month and I'll retest and note my progress.

I'm at 150mg per week. Injecting .375ml on a 1cc syringe twice per week. hCG at 250iu twice weekly as well. I'm at about 1400ng/dl total test. (I was a 192 prior to TRT due to pituitary tumor)
I'm wondering if I would benefit from dropping my dose? Since the E2 has risen my erection quality has suffered. I am curious about having such an optimal level of test with a high free test (38.2 on a range of 6.8-21.5) but my e2 is high and sex drive has sucked recently. I like the number, but again, what good does a number do if I feel not the best. I'm curious as to what you veterans think? I really don't want to LOWER my dose, but at this point I'm open to suggestions. I'm almost wondering if I should man up and go to 200mg per week or is that just plain stupid? I started off at only 100mg per week, then went up to 150mg per week. I see many at 200 per week, but again, what is for some may not be for all. I get it. Just trying to make sense of why I'm feeling the way I'm feeling lately.

[kelkel]

Well, making change upon change without giving things time to adjust makes it tough to find stability. Some can do fine at 1400, others cant. You'll surely have more RBC production and will have to mitigate that with blood letting, etc.

You may feel better dropping your dose down. I honestly don't feel much difference from 8-900 to 14-1500. One thing I can say, which sorta relates, is that when I run elevated test (cycle dose) it always feels good to return to normal levels. It's as if my body can just relax and take a breath. Sounds odd I'm sure but it's definitly something I've noticed over the years. Dropping your dose may totally aleviate the need for adex, who knows. Then when you want to cycle just go for it. No pct required!

Where were your levels at 100 mgs per week? I assume 50 x 2? Can't make the decision for you but dialing in can be difficult. Everyone always thinks more is better with TRT and that's really not the case. Better is better. Listen to your body as you're not just a number on your lab report.

Fully aware of pituitary tumors, got one myself.