Is it safe to do 6 weeks of test cyp 300g after clomid hrt? Or better not to do it?

[wild_eye]

Been off clomid for almost 2 months. Worked very well for me.
Free test went back down to 8 (from 18).

Wanted to do a small 6 week cycle of test cyp 300mg a week then go back to clomid.

Is this safe to do? (Don't want test shutdown to make things worse in the long run)
Could it cause further harm? (I still want to have kids)
Is it stupid for me to think of a short cycle? Should I just forget about it and go back to clomid?

Your input would be great.
I'm really worried about this and won't want start this without your guys opinions.

Please help.

Before clomid (2 years ago)
Total Test was 292
free Test was 2.8
estradiol was 38

Immediately after clomid (2 months ago):
Total Test was 582
free Test was 18
estradiol was 62

Current day (2 months after stopping clomid):
Total Test now 426
free Test now 8
estradiol now 21

Thanks

[kelkel]

Interesting numbers listed. I'm curious if you lost weight/body fat between the before clomid numbers and current day? Decent deffernce between those two sets of numbers. That said, BW is just a snapshot in time and many variables exist.

I'd suggest you follow the Successful First Cycle thread if you choose to run one. If you're going to run a cycle and shut yourself down at least use an amount that makes it worth while, imho. Is there a risk, sure. There's always a risk when you shut down your HPTA. You may or may not return to your current numbers. Risk - Reward.

Clomid as TRT is more often than not used for guys in your shoes who are concerned about fertility. Other than that, most will opt for some form of testosterone. With exogenous test you then can/should implement an HCG protocol as well which helps maintain testicular function and fertility. it's all personal choice.

[geezuschrist]

If I were you I would get on trt. Obviously your levels are low and you said you felt better on clomid so why not? You will probably feel even better on injections but I would start with a trt dose at 100 a week in 2 doses and see how you respond. There's no reason to do a mini cycle for 6 weeks it will just shut you down even more.

[wild_eye]

Thanks for the reply guys. Really really appreciate it!
Sorry about the limited data. I do have quite a bit of lab data going back for months. I can post more data just didn't want to make a scary huge post.

The clomid did get me feeling good again. When test was low I had very low energy, slightly less erections and had slight anxiety.
All that got better. Side note: my cortisol was low at that time as well. That and the fact that the clomid did help could give a small indication that maybe my problem could be adrenal hypo related.

I took the last 2 months off clomid to do lab work to see if my body would continue with the test levels stable but no luck.
And wasn't sure if the body needs a "time-off" from the clomid.

In all honesty the idea of the test injections is more of a psychological aspect and doc said I could go for it.
I used to weigh 165 and I and now I'm down to 148.
Auto esteem is low every time I look in the mirror and look scrawny hehe
Was hoping to get some muscle mass back sooner rather than later.
Figured I could do the test with HCG to keep testes from shutting down and give me the gains I was looking for.
But from the responses and reading looks like the gains (if any) will not be worth it unless a its a good cycle (which then puts me in harms way again).

I know that it's kinda cycle related but I wanted replies from other fellow HRT'ers since I am treating low test and my main concern is keeping my bodies test production as healthy as possible.
I value your opinions more and would rather error on the safe side.

So I guess bottom line is - If I responded well to clomid and I'm worried about fertility (I do wants kids), its not worth the risk of doing more harm (test shutdown). I should forget injections and start clomid again and take it form there...
Guess I'll have to deal with staying skinny for the time being.

Should I be taking a time off from clomid once in a while?
Anything else I should look into. My estradiol was high, maybe arimidex 2 x week when its high?

Thanks again for your help

[kelkel]

Glad to see you're weighing the options and not just jumping into things. If whatever caused your low T is not fixable then TRT in some form is the answer. There's nothing wrong with clomid if you feel good on it. Yes, arimidex may be needed, just base it on a Sensitive Estrogen Assay, not standard Estradiol as that is geared for women and can give erratic readings in men.

Are you planning on investigating possible adrenal issues? Adrenal Insufficiency or Secondary AI can impede T production.

[TRA]

I would also look very seriously at diet. My guess is you would see some decent results even just on clomid if you ate clean, lifted with a slight surplus. Might check out the diet forum if this is applicable.

[wild_eye]

Ok, then Clomid it is for the time being.
Keeping myself fertile is important at the moment.
I do see TRT in the future.

It's been a pain to find a lab that knows of sensitive estradiol assay.
Today I went get some lab work (out of my pocket): cortisol, ACTH and IGF-1. I grilled them about the sensitive assay. I went back and forth with them for an hour and they finally found in their lab book what I think is the correct lab.
They found "ultra-sensitive estradiol (lc/ms). They said it was for children...
I didn't get it done today since it was out of my pocket and that alone cost $150.

I'll have the doc include it in my next labs.

Yup, with your suggestions I am going to find an endo around here to investigate possible adrenal issues. Keep drilling down to find possibe cause.

I'm starting my clomid tonight (keeping arimidex on hand) to get back on track
As soon as I get new info I'll update with findings.

I'll focus on my diet and see if I can gain a pound or two with clomid.

Thanks for the help. You guys are awesome. Really appreciate it.

[kelkel]

If you ever need blood work outside your doctor and you're in the states check out discounted labs dot com and private md labs dot com. Really cheap and they have different packages set up for convenience. Been a while since I looked but I believe the Sensitive Assay costs about $40 and you go through Labcorp as well.

Be sure to check for on-line coupons too.

[almostgone]

If you ever need blood work outside your doctor and you're in the states check out discounted labs dot com and private md labs dot com. Really cheap and they have different packages set up for convenience. Been a while since I looked but I believe the Sensitive Assay costs about $40 and you go through Labcorp as well.

Be sure to check for on-line coupons too.

That is something I neglected to do. I believe privatemdlabs does allow to add certain panels if at a slight discount if you order more than 3 panels.