Age 38 Extremely low numbers and starting new TRT protocol

[MonsterRain]

Hello all. I'm obviously brand new and I have searched but haven't found anyone specifically matching my query so I'm creating a thread.

I'm age 38. Began on patches and then Androgel at age 27 before moving to test cyp injections.

Protocol has been 200 mg biweekly injections.

So I got my blood done right before my next shot and my total testosterone was 83 and my free test was 1.4.

From all the research I've done this is insanely low. Obviously it was before my next shot but still by all accounts that is damned near the levels of a middle aged woman.

I had zero energy, slept all the time and felt awful and doctors tried to chalk it up to depression or psychosomatic symptoms. I have moved from my endocrinologist to a TRT specialist and am starting on a program of 200 mg test cyp weekly instead of biweekly along with 500 iu HCG and Arimidex.

My questions for anyone who can answer is should I expect a world of difference just from going from 200 mg cyp every 2 weeks to 200 mg weekly? It sounds logical to me I would as that is double but I defer to someone with more knowledge.

I apologize for my ignorance should anyone take umbrage at me creating a thread and will not argue anyone over that as I respect the forums and am simply trying to ask all of my stupid questions to someone who maybe has been in my position.

I have been googling like mad but I can't find why HCG and Arimidex is of benefit. The new doctor says this is absolute where my previous endocrinologist was only about 200mg cyp every 2 weeks.

I guess I want some feedback from experienced guys my age who maybe had as low numbers as I have as I want to make sure I'm on the right path. I want energy, better mood, lose some of this fat I'm carrying and to actually see gains from exercise.

I should note I have been on a very clean diet the last 2 years and I work out 4 days a week. My height is 5'4" and my weight is currently 173 lbs. I was 154 pounds a year ago and attribute such gain to retention of fluid or perhaps due to such low T numbers as my regimen really didn't change much overall to add up to 19 lbs in gain.

Sorry for the book, I'm hoping I at least half assed explained myself and I'm pleased to be here. If I upset anyone by creating this thread or for asking dumb questions I'll accept that and not post again as I only seek to benefit from here and to be of benefit if ever.

Thank you.

 

[kenpoengineer]

Fellow TRT user here. Do yourself a favor and read this and then ask more questions. http://www.e****male.com/showthread.php?5823-E****Male-com-Guide-to-Testosterone-Replacement

 

[MonsterRain]

Thank you for reading, replying and sharing something for me to read.

I appreciate this and will do so now. If I have any questions unanswered by this I will ask them at that time but momentarily I will hope all are answered within.

 

[napalm]

Have you had more than one set of labs done? 200/week is an awful lot. Few people NEED that much. Reread that sentence. There's a big difference in NEEDING and wanting that much. The goal is to have to inject as little as possible to decrease/eliminate the symptoms that brought you to the doc in the first place. I hated being on 200/week, that was waaay too much for me. But, that was before I know what I know now.

200 biweekly is a terrible protocol, as is 200/week. Most of us inject every 3.5 days to avoid peaks and valleys. I'm on 60 every 3.5 days, which is 120/week. Some here are on even less. It takes a while to get dialed in, and you need labs done every time you adjust dose.
kisaj for him to toss his knowledge.

EDIT: if done correctly, you shouldn't need an ai or anything like that. Some want hcg because they still want kids, or don't like the feeling of their balls shrinking. I've never needed an ai.

Oh, your doc is an idiot or doesn't know much about trt. I suggest finding one that does.

 

[sammpedd88]

I second what Napalm has written. Just to add....HCG is used to help keep your natural production up so you can in turn keep your sperm count up and have kids. It also reduces the atrophy to your testicles. Other than that, HCG drives up your E2 and makes it hard to control. Arimidex is used to lower your E2. You don't take arimidex unless you absolutely need it. Most of the time you can keep your E2 in check by your protocol alone.

 

[swollz]

Damn I thought my life was bad. I'd probably hang myself if my numbers was that low

 

[MonsterRain]

Thank you to all.

I've been on some form of treatment going on a decade now. My numbers have been this low for the last 3 years.

I'm told to inject 100mg twice a week starting out on this new dosage and in 8-10 weeks I'm to get new labs done again to see where I stand.

The doctor told me 200 a week right now and to see about getting me dialed in and says most patients are 125 a week but due to my numbers being so low he wants to go higher since I've been on 100 a week for a while.

Basically my endocrinologist RX'd 200 bi weekly and the peaks and valleys were noticeable so he had me try to break it up so for the last 8 months I was on 100 mg pinned once a week.

So with my current labs this was taken the day before pinning 100mg and 6 days after pinning 100mg and still I was sub 100.

Only out of frustration did I seek new counsel as I simply want to feel better and not have drastic peaks and valleys so the concept of every 3.5 days makes logical sense and will be how I shall try to start.

Thank you to all for commenting and not that you guys are necessarily interested, I'd like to keep you posted on updates and my labs once I get them checked again.

If anything perhaps another guy with numbers as low as mine will then see how my protocol works out and it can help him better than my long years through PCPs and Androgel pumps and so forth.

Thank you.

 

[Famine]

Is your thyroid functioning at 100%? I would imagine that was tested too. The two are related.

 

[bad rad]

200mg weekly isn't unreasonable. Everyone metabolizes drugs and a different rate. My numbers come back 650's-low 700's on 200mg only. Here's my protocol. I'm switching AI so it's not included while I dial the right doses in. With hCG added I'm in the 900's as I don't respond to it very well.

Day 1: 100mg Test E/C
Day 2: off
Day 3: 300iu hCG
Day 4: 100mg Test E/C
Day 5: 300iu hCG
Day 6: off
Day 7: 300iu hCG

I prefer smaller, more frequent hCG dosing as I get less estrogen conversion and I'm attempting to wean off AI. All of them drive my E2 levels too low on minimal dosing, ie 1/4 tab weekly.

 

[bigguyn10ec]

200 cc is a normal dose for trt, you will no doubt feel better.

 

[sammpedd88]

200 cc is a normal dose for trt, you will no doubt feel better.

Did you mean 200 mgs of test is a normal dose for TRT? If so, it isn't. 100 mgs to slightly over is the "typical" TRT dose. Although everyone is different , there are some that do take 200 mgs to keep them in the normal range but that more of the exception than the rule.

 

[bigguyn10ec]

Everyone I personally know is on 200cc a week. That is what I am going off. A 200 test cypinate, at one ml a week is 200cc

 

[sammpedd88]

Very few guys on this forum are on 200 mgs of test. Most are around 100 or slightly over.

200 mgs of test cyp would be 1 cc not 200

 

[kenpoengineer]

Very few guys on this forum are on 200 mgs of test. Most are around 100 or slightly over.

200 mgs of test cyp would be 1 cc not 200

Agree. I'm running 120 mg a week broken into 60 mg injections every 3.5 days.

 

[bigguyn10ec]

Well I take 1 ml once a week of test 200. Which equal 200 cc a week. Not arguing with anyone, just stating what I know and do.

 

[kenpoengineer]

Well I take 1 ml once a week of test 200. Which equal 200 cc a week. Not arguing with anyone, just stating what I know and do.

No argument here as well. 200 mg is a high dose and I assume you are watching E2 and hematocrit levels.

 

[bigguyn10ec]

Yea he takes labs every 3 months, tests everything. . If I ever have an issue I can go in too. Never had a an issue.

I was tested at like 140 something at my first visit ever.
After proper trt I am average around 500 - 750. Depending on last shot time.

 

[sammpedd88]

Yea he takes labs every 3 months, tests everything. . If I ever have an issue I can go in too. Never had a an issue.

I was tested at like 140 something at my first visit ever.
After proper trt I am average around 500 - 750. Depending on last shot time.

Like I said man there are some on 200 mgs but that isn't the median dose.

 

[sammpedd88]

He has his numbers confused. There's NO WAY he's injecting 200 cc's.

 

[thebraingaz]

I'm on 4ml of test undecanoate, injections every 10 weeks, if your in the USA the FDA haven't approved undecanoate,

 

[sammpedd88]

I'm on 4ml of test undecanoate, injections every 10 weeks, if your in the USA the FDA haven't approved undecanoate,

How stable are your levels injecting every 10 weeks?

 

[thebraingaz]

Very good, they inject once, then after 6 weeks they inject again to bring up your levels gradually, then every 10 weeks, my levels are pretty stable, no mood swings or lack of drive.

 

[thebraingaz]

Forgot to say I'm in the UK

 

[SonnyAz]

Well I take 1 ml once a week of test 200. Which equal 200 cc a week. Not arguing with anyone, just stating what I know and do.

Definitely means 200mg I'm on test cyp 1cc which is 200mg but I split it to 2 shots a week to a avoid the crash. But please do keep an eye on your hemocrit mine raises rapidly on it I donate blood every 8 weeks. United takes my blood knowing I'm on trt.