Typical HRT dosing?

[ds53]

I agree it takes 5 to 6 months to really find out and get your system leveled out for a good blood test, but the dr. useally goes off of the 6 week test and makes adjustment then and will make your prescription for 6 months or maybe a year. I would stay away from any creams or gels if you have a wife, girlfriend, grandchildren, dogs, ect.. as the cream and gel will eventually get in contact with them and will screw them up!

[kingfish]

Vetteman, the Androgel wasn't doing much for me. It was maintaining my T around the low 300s. The patch wasn't any better. Three years ago I got an Rx for 200mg Test C every 7 days, which seemed to work well - at least I felt a lot better than I do now. I didn't get your E2 reference, what is that? The endo I'm going to is a jock herself, and is open to different treatment modes so I think she'll be a good doc to work with.

[Vettester]

King, the E2 is in reference to the estrogen value, specifically estradiol. Taking exogenous testosterone like gels or injections will convert downstream to estrogen. Your body needs this hormone, but not too much. This process is pretty much inevitable, so it's critical that you keep this score balanced by adding a estrogen blocker like Anastrozole if/when it's needed. Add a E2-Estradiol panel to the labs and you will know where you're sitting.

Review this with your endo and let us know what she says. This needs to be a priority in your program, especially if you're looking to ramp up your score like you are talking about. Read some of the stickies in this forum to get a better idea of the different variables involved with maintaining a optimal HRT program. Keep us posted.
Thanks!

[kingfish]

Vetteman, I did see she's checked off estradiol on the paperwork for my labs (next week) so I'd say she's on top of it. I took Anastrozole 3 years ago as an anti-estrogenic with the Test C. I'm hoping to do this same routine again, but have some reading to do. Will update when I have more data. Thanks.

[kingfish]

She was a little concerned about my low HDL (35) but wrote me for 200mg Depo EOW. I asked if I could break that up into 100mg EW and she said no problem. No anti-estrogenic necessary because of the low test dose, so I'm assuming there shouldn't be any water retention. She had no problem with me self-injecting, so that makes my life a lot easier. I told her I wanted to get my T levels up into the upper third of the normal range ultimately - she said no problem as long as the labs support it. Then she read me the riot act on losing weight and lowering my cholesterol (triglycerides were high) and blood pressure. My goal is to lose 40lb (I'm at 255 now) and get all those stats well into the normal range. She's going to test me in 6 weeks to stay on top of my progress.

This doc is a rock star.

[zaggahamma]

She was a little concerned about my low HDL (35) but wrote me for 200mg Depo EOW. I asked if I could break that up into 100mg EW and she said no problem. No anti-estrogenic necessary because of the low test dose, so I'm assuming there shouldn't be any water retention. She had no problem with me self-injecting, so that makes my life a lot easier. I told her I wanted to get my T levels up into the upper third of the normal range ultimately - she said no problem as long as the labs support it. Then she read me the riot act on losing weight and lowering my cholesterol (triglycerides were high) and blood pressure. My goal is to lose 40lb (I'm at 255 now) and get all those stats well into the normal range. She's going to test me in 6 weeks to stay on top of my progress.

This doc is a rock star.

agree...she sounds like she wants to help....still gonna monitor the estro even though the rock star and u dont expect i hope? and good luck getting the body fat and lipids in check...should be a lil easier for you with good hormone levels and a good training program

[kingfish]

agree...she sounds like she wants to help....still gonna monitor the estro even though the rock star and u dont expect i hope? and good luck getting the body fat and lipids in check...should be a lil easier for you with good hormone levels and a good training program

Yep, she sent me home with the lab paperwork already filled out. She's watching estradiol and free/total test as well as complete lipid profile. Plus a bunch of other parameters I don't recall. Very thorough, as far as I can see.