Hi, 45-year-old male, diagnosed with Hypogonadism, 1.9m ans 120kg and high bodyfat:. I experienced lots of symptoms, like depression, loss of energy, anxiety, loss of libido etc. Blood tests at this point (Jan2023) :
- total test : 216ng/DL or 7.5nmol/L ;
- free test 3.7ng/DL or 136pmol/L ;
- SHBG 36 nmol/L
The Urologist put me on Clomid, but after spending lots of hours reading and researching, I knew this wasn't long-term beneficial, and it also feels like doctors don't really care for TRT and new better protocols. I then got myself some Test cypionate and started doing sub-Q injections every second day. started low at 100mg a week and after 3 or so months of still feeling symptoms upped it to 120mg a week Blood tests at this dosage were done about 6 months after starting TRT, and the levels were (Oct 2023) :
- total test : 489ng/DL 17nmol/L ;
- free test : 10.2 ng/DL or 375 pmol/ ;
- SHBG 30nmoll/L ;
- E2 : 190pmol/L or 50pg/ML
Now from the low base it is a decent increase, but I still feel most symptoms of depression and lack of energy etc, libido was a bit better and I felt maybe 10-20% bump in mood. Looking at E2 it seemed high to me and the test to E2 ratio is bad. I have bumped my protocol to 150mg 3 times a week, but no real change in my opinion.I have in the meantime got a new GP who is also starting to work in a new male health clinic starting up soon and the 2 doctors have advised me of the following plan, I have some issues and will raise my concerns and hopefully get some insight from this community. Now I am not knocking the Doctors and I am willing to try their plan, as the self-administered option has not given me the results I thought it would following all the best practises from research.
- So my E2 is a big concern, they suggest I need to get it lower as it has the potential for cardiac issues.
- Prescribed me to use 25mg Aromasin twice a week for 2 weeks to just get the level down - Happy to do this, and hopefully, won't tank E2.
- Tongat Ali supplement : According to them to lower my E2 long term,
- Not sure if Tongat Ali lowers E2 , and also will it raise Test if I am already on injections ?
- surely I don’t have a natural test anymore to boost?
- I need to switch from my Cypionate protocol and start using Enanthate (not against it, as it just another ester).
- According to them using Test E has a shorter half life and prevents build up (reason for the high E2) . so to me Cyp and Enanthate is very close ?
- They want me to inject 1ml or 250mg every 14 days , which feels like I will get a hell of peak and a big dip , which also give a big E2 spike and DHT spike. I don’t understand the logic in a 14 day window at such a large dose. not sure if this will help with my high E2 either ?
- I need to also use Androgel 50mg sachet once a day Mon-Fri. This is to keep levels stable according to them.
- So if I am only getting 5mg per day absorption , it means I get 25mg Test per week via gel and then 250mg boost every 2 weeks, it feels like I am going to get ups and downs?
- Also is it fine to use both Gels and injections together in such a protocol ? it feels weird? But I am willing to try as my other protocol is not all that
- Wil the gel help in reducing E2? Or not really?
- They suggested using peptides for weight loss and increased muscle mass etc, they suggested CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin ,
- Which seems to have some good results, but is pretty expensive out of pocket per month,
- Not sure if it is going to help and worth looking into? Anybody using peptides with TRT? feels like a waste to add now, rather get the TRT dialed in.
- They suggested just switching to the new protocol on a next injection day , Will it be an issue going to gel and 14 day injection from a 3x week injection so directly ?
Thanks for reading and any forthcoming critique and/or advise!
