HRT wearing off?

[Sust Man]

Ive been on 200mg/wk test cyp for about 5 months now. I've felt pretty good overall until the last week or so. I've noticed a definite decrease of energy in the gym, decreased libido (feels like im coming off a cycle), and less energy. My dosage and injection day has not changed.

My only theory is that the hcg has messed with me. I go thru a bottle of hcg every time I get a new bottle of test. 500iu 2x per week hcg. I usually run out of the hcg after 1 month and still have 1.5 more months of test. I have done this for several months now, but I started feeling this way about 1 week after my last HCG shot. Could be related? Or maybe something else? I also noticed very dry and flaky skin around the time I started feeling this way as well. It was flaking on my face as if I had been sunburned. The skin is getting better though. Thoughts?

BTW, I take the hcg infrequently because I don't like how it affects me. I don't want my nuts to shrink too much but I notice that my allergies get much worse every time I take it (itchy eyes, sneezing, etc)

[Machdiesel]

Could have nothing to do with hrr/hormones. Could be You just need a Deload/week Off from the gym. Maybe Your just tired this week

[2Sox]

Have you checked your estradiol levels lately?

200mg/week is a rather large dose. Half that is more common. This along with the high dose of hCG you have been taking each week (250iu 2x week is more common) have likely spiked you E2 levels. If this is the case - this will definitely make for the symptoms you have been experiencing. Of course, you can't be completely sure until you have lab results to confirm.

[Sust Man]

I was at .5cc (100mg) for my first 1.5 months. My bloodwork came back free test at 23 = not bad but not stellar. Doc wanted me closer to 35 range so he bumped me up to a full cc. I've actually stayed at .9cc so I can feel good at the minimum necessary...

Anyhow, what you say makes sense. Since I have not taken hcg in a few weeks, all of my levels should level out again pretty soon assuming I keep

[Low Testosterone]

TRT does not wear off, your body does not adapt to testosterone any more than it adapts to oxygen. One thing is for certain, there is a huge placebo affect for most men in the early stages, even the strongest of minds often fall prey to this.

There is also a very common problem among men in that once on TRT they assume anything that happens to them MUST be related to TRT. If a guy gets a cold, stomach virus, flu or even a bruise, you can almost guarantee he'll call worried sick...not all people of course but it's daily. I've literally heard a man complain about dandruff and he wanted to know why his TRT was causing him to have dandruff. I asked him if he'd ever had dandruff before, he said yes...from there I didn't really know what to say, lol!

One important thing and I know this will probably get a little flak...testosterone is not a foreign substance to the body your body is unfamiliar with...it's NOTHING like putting a standard drug in your body, which is in fact a foreign substance. That doesn't mean there are not possible issues but the world of TRT would be far better off if people would stop viewing it and approaching it like they do other drugs.

[Beethoven]

Have you checked your estradiol levels lately?

200mg/week is a rather large dose. Half that is more common. This along with the high dose of hCG you have been taking each week (250iu 2x week is more common) have likely spiked you E2 levels. If this is the case - this will definitely make for the symptoms you have been experiencing. Of course, you can't be completely sure until you have lab results to confirm.

Be sure of the quantity of HCG also. I almost never run out of HCG that soon befor my test. Agree with everything 2sox said. Right on the money.

[bullshark99]

Sust,

I started out similiar to you 3+ yrs ago @ 200mg per wk and 500iu's of Hcg twice weekly. Many people came back with the advice 2Sox gives about pulling back a litle, Ive struggled with it as if I am gonna take TRT Im gonna do it to the fullest. A while back KelKel suggested I pull back to 150mg and 250 2x week and see how I feel. Reluctantly I tried it and discovered everyone was correct in that I was not gonna fell one bit of difference nor would it impact my performance in the gym.
No one hates the saying "less is more" on this board than I do but I must admit there is merit to it. My suggestion would be to definetly cut the HcG to 250 twice, this way it should coordinate with your vial of T. If .9 of T is your sweat spot, so be it but you didnt mention the use of any A.I, I would guess your E2 is probably sky high?

[2Sox]

TRT does not wear off, your body does not adapt to testosterone any more than it adapts to oxygen. One thing is for certain, there is a huge placebo affect for most men in the early stages, even the strongest of minds often fall prey to this.

There is also a very common problem among men in that once on TRT they assume anything that happens to them MUST be related to TRT. If a guy gets a cold, stomach virus, flu or even a bruise, you can almost guarantee he'll call worried sick...not all people of course but it's daily. I've literally heard a man complain about dandruff and he wanted to know why his TRT was causing him to have dandruff. I asked him if he'd ever had dandruff before, he said yes...from there I didn't really know what to say, lol!

One important thing and I know this will probably get a little flak...testosterone is not a foreign substance to the body your body is unfamiliar with...it's NOTHING like putting a standard drug in your body, which is in fact a foreign substance. That doesn't mean there are not possible issues but the world of TRT would be far better off if people would stop viewing it and approaching it like they do other drugs.

Very valuable post. Thanks.

[Sust Man]

Yea I think this is good advice. Just asked my doc and he said I was supposed to do 300iu 2x (ive been doin 500). He said this is probably the reason.. So I'm def doing too much hcg. We didn't test my e2 but I have done about 8 cycles before and never had a nipple problem so I wasn't interested in taking any more drugs then I have to. Most of his patients don't take it.

[Sust Man]

Thanks for everyones replies! Very helpful.

[Beethoven]

Good info 2Sox.

[Ccdiesel]

Have you checked your estradiol levels lately?

200mg/week is a rather large dose. Half that is more common. This along with the high dose of hCG you have been taking each week (250iu 2x week is more common) have likely spiked you E2 levels. If this is the case - this will definitely make for the symptoms you have been experiencing. Of course, you can't be completely sure until you have lab results to confirm.

I'm having similar issues. No libido and few erections. Estrogen is in check at 25, currently doing 400iu HCG every 4 days. 105 mg test every week.

So if not e2 what would our issues be? I'm getting tired of this as well. Sleep is hard to get and libido is almost gone.

[havanakid]

I'm having similar issues. No libido and few erections. Estrogen is in check at 25, currently doing 400iu HCG every 4 days. 105 mg test every week. So if not e2 what would our issues be? I'm getting tired of this as well. Sleep is hard to get and libido is almost gone.

Get bloodwork done and see where your test level is at.Your dose of 105mg a week may not be sufficient to get you to that sweet spot.You might feel better at 130mg or 150mg.Everyone is different.Its a matter of getting it dialed in just right but bloodwork is the first step.

[Sust Man]

I'm having similar issues. No libido and few erections. Estrogen is in check at 25, currently doing 400iu HCG every 4 days. 105 mg test every week.

So if not e2 what would our issues be? I'm getting tired of this as well. Sleep is hard to get and libido is almost gone.

Whats your free test? I started with a level of 15. At 100mg I felt great for about a month, then just went to feeling okay. Bloodwork showed free was up, but only to 23.

Doc said bump it to 200, but I chose 160, then 180. I jave felt great at 180 for many months until recently. I wouldnt say its a bad number for me just because of this recent hiccup... just my experience.

[2Sox]

Deleted post.

[2Sox]

Get bloodwork done and see where your test level is at.Your dose of 105mg a week may not be sufficient to get you to that sweet spot.You might feel better at 130mg or 150mg.Everyone is different.Its a matter of getting it dialed in just right but bloodwork is the first step.

Sounds like a sensible plan to me. But I'd suggest you take baby steps in raising your T dose - perhaps 10mg at a time maximum.

[Ccdiesel]

Whats your free test? I started with a level of 15. At 100mg I felt great for about a month, then just went to feeling okay. Bloodwork showed free was up, but only to 23.

Doc said bump it to 200, but I chose 160, then 180. I jave felt great at 180 for many months until recently. I wouldnt say its a bad number for me just because of this recent hiccup... just my experience.

Free test I didn't check. I will add it on the next test but my level was 1150 at 80mg every 4 days. I was drawing down to see if it made a difference. Original dose was 200 a week and I was at 1600 at the first test.

Anything else that I should be looking for?

[havanakid]

Sounds like a sensible plan to me. But I'd suggest you take baby steps in raising your T dose - perhaps 10mg at a time maximum.

true even a small increase can make a difference.

[havanakid]

Free test I didn't check. I will add it on the next test but my level was 1150 at 80mg every 4 days. I was drawing down to see if it made a difference. Original dose was 200 a week and I was at 1600 at the first test. Anything else that I should be looking for?

Wow your test levels are pretty high so I guess it can be that.Maybe free test but as you said you will be checking it later.Have you tried cialis? Maybe some arginine? I would check hematocrit and hemoglobin.Just an idea.Maybe Kelkel ,Muscleink,Austin,or one of the trt vets will chime in

[havanakid]

Wow your test levels are pretty high so I guess it can be that.Maybe free test but as you said you will be checking it later.Have you tried cialis? Maybe some arginine? I would check hematocrit and hemoglobin.Just an idea.Maybe Kelkel ,Muscleink,Austin,or one of the trt vets will chime in

*canT

[Ccdiesel]

Wow your test levels are pretty high so I guess it can be that.Maybe free test but as you said you will be checking it later.Have you tried cialis? Maybe some arginine? I would check hematocrit and hemoglobin.Just an idea.Maybe Kelkel ,Muscleink,Austin,or one of the trt vets will chime in

I appreciate the input. Hemacrit and hemoglobin have been alittle high, just over the top range. I have not tried anything else though, is that something you take as a protocol?

[havanakid]

I appreciate the input. Hemacrit and hemoglobin have been alittle high, just over the top range. I have not tried anything else though, is that something you take as a protocol?

Besides the cialis which is expensive I do take 800mg vitamin E daily along with 4-5grams of micronized arginine.I also get therapeutic phlebotomys done when needed.Very important to keep that hematocrit and rbc level in check.