Just started TRT, have some questions

[aspen2cody]

I just begun TRT therapy from DR. He has me on one injection of test every week. He started me off with 100mg and will test me again after 4 weeks. I am 51 years old. My results were

My evening total was 390 my morning total test was 582
My free was 7.3
my shbg was 71
dhea sulfate was 306
estradiol was 18


Dr. recommended TRT due to my symptoms and my free test levels. he also expect my levels to drop and may have to add more test every week to get my levels up.Does anyone else have any similar outcomes such as increasing the amount after the 1st month. He also told me if my estrogen levels get high they could prescribe armidex too along with HCG depending on my symptoms. My other question is does this amount of test create enough anabolic response to add more muscle or would I probably have to add/stack on top of this protocol?

Thanks in advance

[kelkel]

Nothing wrong with 100mg a week to start. Everyone metabolizes T differently so after your next BW you'll have a better idea where your at and can adjust dosage accordingly. It takes time and it sounds like your doc is progressive and has an understanding of TRT protocols, unlike so many others. You mentioned symptoms, what exactly were they? Do you have more bw with ranges to post, thyroid panels, albumin?

HCG will be a needed item for you as well as adex more than likely. Be sure to read all the stickies at the top of the forum and educate yourself as much as possible.

When it comes to adding more muscle via an anabolic response. T does not build muscle on its own, but couple it with a good diet and resistance training and of course you can put on more muscle, especially since your levels will be higher than they were in the past. Stacking is not something I would jump on since your just getting started. It really does take some time to level out with trt. One protocol does not fit all.

Welcome to the forum!

[brazilian86]

Welcome to the club!
I'm on my 4th month 200mg a week and it feels so good!
200mg gets me a little bellow the maximum testosterone levels, I think 225mg week would be perfect for me, but everyone is different. 100 a week is perfect for the first month the check your levels to see where you are at.
This forum has the best of the best when it comes to understanding of TRT!

[Vettester]

Welcome to the forum. If possible, can you post your reference ranges? If your ranges are on par with others, your SHBG is through the ceiling, which would in fact be the culprit for such a low free testosterone score. If I may ask, what other stats can you share besides your age? Why does your doctor expect your levels to drop? As Kelk also mentioned, did they run other panels, including LH/FSH? If your doctor is looking at injections, I suggest running more labs at 6 weeks. Also agree that talking stacks and such is getting the cart ahead of the horse at this point.

[aspen2cody]

Thanks kelkel,

My symptoms were low sex drive, brain fog, a feeling of being uninterested in anything, memory issues. This just came on in the last year and half.

more blood work are as follows 51 years old.
Albumin 4.7 ranges 2.9 to 5.0
Thanks for your response, I really appreciate it.






PSA was 0.7 < 4.0
Glucose 78 65 to 100
TSH 2.5 Range .3 to 5.1
Luteinizing Hormone 4.9 ranges 1.2 to 7.8
Progesterone .9 ranges .15 to 1.15
Prolactin 8.1 NG/ML 3.0 to 30.0
SHGB 71 NMOL/L range 16 to 94
Testosterone 582 NG/DL range 292 to 867 They took a evening sample that was 390 the day before
Calc Free 7.3 NG/L range 4.8 to 25
Vitamin D 62 NG/ML
DHEA Sulfate 306 UG/DL 60 to 266

[aspen2cody]

Thanks for the confindence, brazilian 86. This may be just getting the placebo effect but I have felt great this week.

[aspen2cody]

Vetteman08,

My Luteinizing hormone was 4.9 MIU/ML with ranges of 1.2 to 7.8
My My TSH was 2.5 UIU/ML with ranges of .3 to 5.1
My FSH was 10.6 MIU/ML range of 1.3 to 11.4

Other stats are I am 5'9" and 165lbs, for about 30 years I have been about 155 with a 6 pack my whole life. But, the last year and half I have put on some fat around my waist, sleep has been poor and my sex drive has been low along with brain fog. I have blood pressure 120 over 70, HDL of over 78, triglycerides below 68. I have been eating a low carb diet for about 10 years. I knew something was wrong because I didnt feel like myself. This week has been great, sleep has been great, (I go to bed my 9pm, get up at 530am). My workouts have been much better then the last year. I know all this could be just the mind playing tricks since I took my first shot, but I will take it.

I will hold off putting the cart before the horse, I just wanted to learn as much as I can and what others have done. I respect everyone's opinion greatly. I will keep posting my lab results and current protocol.

[bullshark99]

Aspen,

Placebo effect or not, your off to a good start. Be patient and good things will come, plenty of time to add to the protocol if needed. Good luck!!

[steroid.com 1]

Thanks kelkel,

My symptoms were low sex drive, brain fog, a feeling of being uninterested in anything, memory issues. This just came on in the last year and half.

more blood work are as follows 51 years old.
Albumin 4.7 ranges 2.9 to 5.0
Thanks for your response, I really appreciate it.






PSA was 0.7 < 4.0
Glucose 78 65 to 100
TSH 2.5 Range .3 to 5.1
Luteinizing Hormone 4.9 ranges 1.2 to 7.8
Progesterone .9 ranges .15 to 1.15
Prolactin 8.1 NG/ML 3.0 to 30.0
SHGB 71 NMOL/L range 16 to 94
Testosterone 582 NG/DL range 292 to 867 They took a evening sample that was 390 the day before
Calc Free 7.3 NG/L range 4.8 to 25
Vitamin D 62 NG/ML
DHEA Sulfate 306 UG/DL 60 to 266

Honestly, for a 51 year old this panel is not that bad.

Interesting to see the peak and trough in your natural Testosterone levels.

LH is in a good range and natural production is not bad for your age as noted but Albumin is high (lite binding)...

E2 says 18, is that pg/ml? Was it a sensitive assay? What was the lab reference range?

Free is low normal and why your Doc wants to optimize.

Prolactin is low normal and possibly why you have low libido.

Given your levels you might not feel anything for the for 2 months but around month 3 you should feel and see nice changes.

[ecdysone]

I really hope this all works out for you.

Are you going to a HRT clinic? Only ask because your test levels (especially free) are not bad at all. Normally the kind of symptoms you described are associated with much
lower values. Your SHBG is a real issue, but unfortunately there are not many successful ways of lowering it other than test supplementation. Did they seemed concerned over the level?

[fit2bOld]

I'm the same age but at 48 my test was 223 all i wanted to do was sleep. As GD said your number aren't all that bad but I think most will agree we feel a hell of a lot better up at the higher end of the scale. I like to stay up around 800- or so that test just before I'm due to inject.

Welcome great place for good info

[aspen2cody]

Thanks guys for the great feedback, Yes I am going to HRT clinic. I agree with you that my levels dont seem bad at all. But, my symptoms are real. I know this sounds crazy but this week I have felt the best I have for a long time. The clinic/Doc waited to see my free test before he decided to put me on HRT. He thinks even though my numbers look normal low, I have the symptoms. He told me today, give him a month and he will really get me dialed in.

[aspen2cody]

Honestly, for a 51 year old this panel is not that bad.

Interesting to see the peak and trough in your natural Testosterone levels.

LH is in a good range and natural production is not bad for your age as noted but Albumin is high (lite binding)...

E2 says 18, is that pg/ml? Was it a sensitive assay? What was the lab reference range?

Free is low normal and why your Doc wants to optimize.

Prolactin is low normal and possibly why you have low libido.

Given your levels you might not feel anything for the for 2 months but around month 3 you should feel and see nice changes.

Does the Albumin act like SHBG, does it bind the free?
E2, yes it was PG/ML......the range was </= to 63 it says Estradiol Interpretation
Intertesting on the Prolactin
the Doc that I see did warn me that I might start feeling worse for awhile until he gets me dialed in. I will get tested again at 4 weeks.

Thanks very much for looking at my lab results, all this is very new to me. I am learning alot from this forum.

[aspen2cody]

I'm the same age but at 48 my test was 223 all i wanted to do was sleep. As GD said your number aren't all that bad but I think most will agree we feel a hell of a lot better up at the higher end of the scale. I like to stay up around 800- or so that test just before I'm due to inject.

Welcome great place for good info

I never really felt that way with the sleep, I would feel tired, but not sleepy. I agree with you fit2bOld. I thing I am probably one of those that feel much better at the top end. I have always worked out, been a competitive athlete, hard core on my nutritional habits, I could tell something wasnt right.

[steroid.com 1]

Does the Albumin act like SHBG, does it bind the free?

Yes it does but not as strong...loosely bound.

E2, yes it was PG/ML......the range was </= to 63 it says Estradiol Interpretation

E2 tad low but it could be just at the time of you pull.

Intertesting on the Prolactin

Yup, it may come up on it's own with your TRT protocol.

the Doc that I see did warn me that I might start feeling worse for awhile until he gets me dialed in. I will get tested again at 4 weeks.

You're Doc is exactly right no some times feeling worse before getting better...sounds like you found a good Doc!

Thanks very much for looking at my lab results, all this is very new to me. I am learning alot from this forum.

Bold.

[aspen2cody]

Thanks gdevine. Friday the Doc told me that he would expects that the first 2 weeks will be good but once my own production stops more likely week 3 I will start to feel worse. New run of labs during week 4 then begin to increase the dosage. he thinks I will need to be on the very high end.

[aspen2cody]

Just completed week 3 on TRT, I take my injection every week on Friday. Last week by Wednesday, I began to expierence some Low T symptoms. Doc said next Friday, take bloodtest and up the mg. Right now I am taking 100mg every week. he said with my total running between 540 and 390 we would probably need to get it around 800. At this level the more free should be available along as the estrogen stays in check. If needed, we will attack that too by next week. So as you guys have said, its a slow process to get really dialed in. I did gain 4 lbs since beginning and all my lifts have gone up. my wife says it looks like I have started on steroids. LOL