I have started a log a year ago on Meso-Rx to restart my HPTA after HRT. Here's a brief history from that thread:
Background:
40 year old bodybuilder. A year ago I was on HRT taking AndroGel, HCG, and Arimidex for the previous year and a half during which I had done a low dose cycle of Test Enth and EQ. Before then, I had cycled AAS off and on for 2.5 years. As you see; my Hypogonadism is AAS induced.
June 24th 2006:
I have decided to stop all form of HRT and go clean by doing a PCT that includes HCG, Clomid and Nolvadex with the help of Dr. John. I went through some horrible times when my testosterone levels plummeted to 68. However, the restart protocol worked and my bloodwork came back as following:
***********************************************************************
Oct 6, 2006(Three weeks after last intake of Nolvadex exactly)
LH ---> 4.8 --- (1.5 - 9.3)
FSH ---> 1.5 --- (1.4 - 18.1)
Testosterone serum ---> 300 --- (241 - 827) -- Major improvement from 68 pre PCT...
Testosterone free ---> 4.60 --- (8.7 - 25.1) -- Still below range
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 110 --(unknown range as I figured it with a calculator on the web)
DHEA ----> 97 --- (120 - 520)
E2 ----> 7 --- (3 - 70)
Everything else was in range.
***********************************************************************
I got excited to realize I was on my way to recovery. So I decided to run a new panel 7.5 weeks later to monitor my progress; hence the following blood work:
***********************************************************************
Nov 29, 2006 (7.5 weeks after since Oct 6)
LH ---> 4.1 --- (1.5 - 9.3)
FSH ---> 2.0 --- (1.4 - 18.1)
Testosterone serum ---> 286 --- (241 - 827)
Testosterone free ---> 6.32 --- (8.7 - 25.1) -- Climbing up but still below range
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 142 --(unknown range as I figured it with a calculator on the web)
DHEA ----> 111 --- (120 - 520)
E2 ----> 7 --- (3 - 70)
*************************************************************************
I got disappointed with the numbers. Shortly after I crashed again in Jan. I decided to do a small test to measure total T. It came back 246 (241 - 827).. At that point, I decided to do some Nolvadex for a few months but didn't run bloodwork again. Shortly afterwards I started feeling very normal in all aspects of my life including libido etc... Just recently I decided to run some bloodwork to see where I am. Here are the latest results:
*************************************************************************
Aug 30, 2007
Testosterone Serum ----> 328 ----- (241-827)
Testosterone Free ------> 8.5 ------(6.8 - 21.5)
*************************************************************************
Despite the fact that I'm feeling alright, I am disappointed with my latest numbers as I thought that after such a long time, they would look alot better.
Notes:
As you can see my free test is steadily going up over time; at a snail's pace however. I hope that's a positive sign.
My DHEA has been pretty low, and although I have not measured it lately, I predict it to still be low as I have NOT supplemented with DHEA per Dr. John's request. My fear is messing up my HPTA by supplementing with DHEA.
Before doing the PCT protocol; and when my test levels were 68, my Total Estrogen measured high at 116 at a range of (40 - 115)... Dr. John has dismissed this test as invalid.
Note that despite the fact that my Total Estrogen is high, my E2 is low.
Goals:
My goal is to figure out what's needed to get my levels up and eliminate the need to go back on TRT ever. I have a feeling it's a matter of time and figuring out what's getting in the way.
My Questions:
What do you guys think I can do at this point??
Do you think supplementing with DHEA in order to replenish my levels will solve my issue? or hurt me?
Do you think my high Total Estrogen has something to do with problem?
Do you think another round of Nolvadex would help? My feeling is "no."
BTW; here's my original thread at Meso_Rx ---> My PCT Journal to kickstart HPTA post HRT - Anabolic Steroids and Bodybuilding
Background:
40 year old bodybuilder. A year ago I was on HRT taking AndroGel, HCG, and Arimidex for the previous year and a half during which I had done a low dose cycle of Test Enth and EQ. Before then, I had cycled AAS off and on for 2.5 years. As you see; my Hypogonadism is AAS induced.
June 24th 2006:
I have decided to stop all form of HRT and go clean by doing a PCT that includes HCG, Clomid and Nolvadex with the help of Dr. John. I went through some horrible times when my testosterone levels plummeted to 68. However, the restart protocol worked and my bloodwork came back as following:
***********************************************************************
Oct 6, 2006(Three weeks after last intake of Nolvadex exactly)
LH ---> 4.8 --- (1.5 - 9.3)
FSH ---> 1.5 --- (1.4 - 18.1)
Testosterone serum ---> 300 --- (241 - 827) -- Major improvement from 68 pre PCT...
Testosterone free ---> 4.60 --- (8.7 - 25.1) -- Still below range
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 110 --(unknown range as I figured it with a calculator on the web)
DHEA ----> 97 --- (120 - 520)
E2 ----> 7 --- (3 - 70)
Everything else was in range.
***********************************************************************
I got excited to realize I was on my way to recovery. So I decided to run a new panel 7.5 weeks later to monitor my progress; hence the following blood work:
***********************************************************************
Nov 29, 2006 (7.5 weeks after since Oct 6)
LH ---> 4.1 --- (1.5 - 9.3)
FSH ---> 2.0 --- (1.4 - 18.1)
Testosterone serum ---> 286 --- (241 - 827)
Testosterone free ---> 6.32 --- (8.7 - 25.1) -- Climbing up but still below range
Testosterone bioavailable ---> 142 --(unknown range as I figured it with a calculator on the web)
DHEA ----> 111 --- (120 - 520)
E2 ----> 7 --- (3 - 70)
*************************************************************************
I got disappointed with the numbers. Shortly after I crashed again in Jan. I decided to do a small test to measure total T. It came back 246 (241 - 827).. At that point, I decided to do some Nolvadex for a few months but didn't run bloodwork again. Shortly afterwards I started feeling very normal in all aspects of my life including libido etc... Just recently I decided to run some bloodwork to see where I am. Here are the latest results:
*************************************************************************
Aug 30, 2007
Testosterone Serum ----> 328 ----- (241-827)
Testosterone Free ------> 8.5 ------(6.8 - 21.5)
*************************************************************************
Despite the fact that I'm feeling alright, I am disappointed with my latest numbers as I thought that after such a long time, they would look alot better.
Notes:
As you can see my free test is steadily going up over time; at a snail's pace however. I hope that's a positive sign.
My DHEA has been pretty low, and although I have not measured it lately, I predict it to still be low as I have NOT supplemented with DHEA per Dr. John's request. My fear is messing up my HPTA by supplementing with DHEA.
Before doing the PCT protocol; and when my test levels were 68, my Total Estrogen measured high at 116 at a range of (40 - 115)... Dr. John has dismissed this test as invalid.
Note that despite the fact that my Total Estrogen is high, my E2 is low.
Goals:
My goal is to figure out what's needed to get my levels up and eliminate the need to go back on TRT ever. I have a feeling it's a matter of time and figuring out what's getting in the way.
My Questions:
What do you guys think I can do at this point??
Do you think supplementing with DHEA in order to replenish my levels will solve my issue? or hurt me?
Do you think my high Total Estrogen has something to do with problem?
Do you think another round of Nolvadex would help? My feeling is "no."
BTW; here's my original thread at Meso_Rx ---> My PCT Journal to kickstart HPTA post HRT - Anabolic Steroids and Bodybuilding