Starting a TRT regimen

[FlexpertHamilton]

I'm taking 150mg testosterone enanthate twice weekly and 400iu HCG 2-3x weekly. Will incorporate anti-E drugs if needed later on.

I'm on my 2nd week, 4 doses so far. Also on 2 weeks nofap. I noticed a huge spike in my libido for a couple days at the end of the first week, but seems to have tapered off quite a lot despite not fapping or having sex since then. Still overall extremely low libido and intense anhedonia/amotivation. I may try upping the dose to 400-500mg a weekly if I don't notice anything after a couple more weeks.

I've posted my bloodwork before, but I believe my high SHBG/prolactin is the issue, or possibly moderately high-ish E. I've tried lowering SHBG before and it made no difference. I've also tried Cabergoline to lower prolactin, but made little impact. I am tempted to try Proviron, but the risk of hair loss is too high to be worth it imo. So, even though my Total T is high, I think something is preventing it from being utilized. I'm a bit wary of lowering E, but I will definitely do it if it starts to spike.

At this point, I'm doing a trial run just to see how straight Test injection effects me. If I don't notice much, I'll up the dose for a bit and if I still don't notice a difference, I'll just to stop. If I DO notice benefits, I'll keep dosing and do regular bloodwork. I'm doing this purely for mental/emotional benefits (mostly to try to improve libido and actually giving a **** again); I don't care about gainz or anything. I believe my symptoms described above are entirely dopaminergic, and since T is highly correlated with hormones, I'm doing this as an experiment to see if this makes a difference. I'll learn something from this, whether it helps or doesn't.

I'll keep posting here with updates if anyone is curious. I'll do a full blood panel to test for E levels in a couple weeks.

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

Have you considered doing a blend like sustanon 250? The different esthers have help. The gold standard is a long esther cypionate. Just a thought. The other thing you might consider is shooting e3d instead 1x week, probably would smoothen out your circulating t levels.

Initially you’ll want to keep an eye on your e3, and figure out if you aromatize and consider an anastrole-like compound if above 30 or so.

You can get bloodwork ordered if you join lef.org they have a comprehensive male hormone panel for like $100 bucks, they’ll even have a person consult with you on it if you like, or just get your results they use Labcorp, you just go into labcorp with your order.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Have you considered doing a blend like sustanon 250? The different esthers have help. The gold standard is a long esther cypionate. Just a thought. The other thing you might consider is shooting e3d instead 1x week, probably would smoothen out your circulating t levels.

Initially you’ll want to keep an eye on your e3, and figure out if you aromatize and consider an anastrole-like compound if above 30 or so.

You can get bloodwork ordered if you join lef.org they have a comprehensive male hormone panel for like $100 bucks, they’ll even have a person consult with you on it if you like, or just get your results they use Labcorp, you just go into labcorp with your order.

I usually do my TRT shots every 5 days to help keep levels stable...has worked pretty well for me over the past few years.

 

[EyeBRollin]

You had low T before beginning?

Was this Dr perscription?

Do you have kids or plan on having kids?

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

Have you considered doing a blend like sustanon 250? The different esthers have help. The gold standard is a long esther cypionate. Just a thought. The other thing you might consider is shooting e3d instead 1x week, probably would smoothen out your circulating t levels.

Initially you’ll want to keep an eye on your e3, and figure out if you aromatize and consider an anastrole-like compound if above 30 or so.

You can get bloodwork ordered if you join lef.org they have a comprehensive male hormone panel for like $100 bucks, they’ll even have a person consult with you on it if you like, or just get your results they use Labcorp, you just go into labcorp with your order.

I will look into that, I thought i'd keep it simple to start out. I will check out lef.org.

I usually do my TRT shots every 5 days to help keep levels stable...has worked pretty well for me over the past few years.

Yeah I'm doing doses on Wed & Sun

You had low T before beginning?

Was this Dr perscription?

Do you have kids or plan on having kids?

High total T but lowish bioavailable T and lowish free T

Not a prescription, completely of my own volition

Zero intention to ever have kids, if it makes me infertile I'll be happy

 

[BackInTheGame78]

I will look into that, I thought i'd keep it simple to start out. I will check out lef.org.


Yeah I'm doing doses on Wed & Sun


High total T but lowish bioavailable T and lowish free T

Not a prescription, completely of my own volition

Zero intention to ever have kids, if it makes me infertile I'll be happy

Hmm...not sure why you would be taking more T when that isn't the issue. You are actually compounding the problem.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

Hmm...not sure why you would be taking more T when that isn't the issue. You are actually compounding the problem.

I don't know what the issue is though - I went off the bloodwork and tried to lower prolactin and SHBG, and it did nothing. Could be that my effective Test levels are so low that I'd benefit from directly raising total T - at this point, I'm going to go off subjective feeling first, because i've gone off the numbers for 10+ yrs and that hasn't worked.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

For me it was the vest way to go, you try different mgs and see how you respond. Also cheaper, monthly was about $300, when I can get a vial for $80 that lasts 4-5 months.

Yup, I'm tired of trying to be super precise and careful about decisions like these. Even when you work with clinicians, ultimately everything you do is based on how you feel, whether it's TRT or prescription drugs like antidepressants. I know my body well enough to know what benefits me and what doesn't. I'm sick of dealing with Doctors anyway, they're reductionistic, lazy, and lacking in empathy..but even if they're on board with you, it adds unnecessary extra steps.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

I don't know what the issue is though - I went off the bloodwork and tried to lower prolactin and SHBG, and it did nothing. Could be that my effective Test levels are so low that I'd benefit from directly raising total T - at this point, I'm going to go off subjective feeling first, because i've gone off the numbers for 10+ yrs and that hasn't worked.

You said your Total T was high...that means pumping more T into your body is simply going to aromatize it into more Estrogen.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

You said your Total T was high...that means pumping more T into your body is simply going to aromatize it into more Estrogen.

So be it, maybe I need more E too, I have zero emotions. I'm just gonna run with it and adjust as needed. If I have subjective or physical signs of high E i'll take an antagonist/blocker and switch to something else. No harm in a 3-5 weeks of Test for a trial run.

 

[EyeBRollin]

So be it, maybe I need more E too, I have zero emotions. I'm just gonna run with it and adjust as needed. If I have subjective or physical signs of high E i'll take an antagonist/blocker and switch to something else. No harm in a 3-5 weeks of Test for a trial run.

Perhaps an endocrinologist consultation would be best before self experimentation?

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

Perhaps an endocrinologist consultation would be best before self experimentation?

I've tried to push GPs for an endocrinologist referral numerous times but they just won't do it because my blood panels always check out. It's been my experience that you always need referrals to see specialists of any kind - it's highly irritating. A silver lining to the possibility of this experiment going poorly is that I can show up with my out of whack hormone levels and then they'll finally take my symptoms seriously and I can work closely with a specialist. I'm done wasting time, taking this into my own hands now.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

I've tried to push GPs for an endocrinologist referral numerous times but they just won't do it because my blood panels always check out. It's been my experience that you always need referrals to see specialists of any kind - it's highly irritating. A silver lining to the possibility of this experiment going poorly is that I can show up with my out of whack hormone levels and then they'll finally take my symptoms seriously and I can work closely with a specialist. I'm done wasting time, taking this into my own hands now.

Have you looked into taking things to help lower SHBG?

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

Have you looked into taking things to help lower SHBG?

Yeah, I took high doses of boron and stinging nettle root for months and it didn't change anything. I looked into SHBG lowering drugs, it's not something i'm familar with, but I did look into taking Proviron. While proviron isn't directly antagonistic to SHBG, it blocks binding (in the same way caffeine blocks binding of adenosine to adenosine receptors). In theory this could be effective, but I'm going to consult a clinician before I go that route. I'm also too scared of hair loss, because apparently blocking binding to SHBG will lead to a massive increase in DHT binding to SHBG, as DHT is produced in such high levels that the SHBG is needed to taper it. That's just my limited understanding though.

 

[Manure Spherian]

400-500mg

This is NOT TRT.

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

This is NOT TRT.

Yup that's a T cycle.

Most TRT/HRT is 100-200mg/week.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Yup that's a T cycle.

Most TRT/HRT is 100-200mg/week.

Yeah I take 80-100 mg every 5 days. Usually 80, but every once in a week while I get a little heavy on my draws.

 

[Machine10033]

I'm also too scared of hair loss, because apparently blocking binding to SHBG will lead to a massive increase in DHT binding to SHBG, as DHT is produced in such high levels that the SHBG is needed to taper it. That's just my limited understanding though.

I had super high shbg... very low free T. I jumped on trt circa 2018 or so.

I am on 120mg of test cyp... broken into two shots of 60mg a week. I was at 160mg but this put my total t close to 2000... and free t was ridiculous as well.

I had no issues with hair loss. It actually seems to make it grow faster. It morphed by body pretty quick... I am 43 now and am more active than most 20-30 year.

My only issue is my estrogen is completely out of range on the low end? I was not prescribed any anti estrogen meds because my original blood work showed I was low. There have been two-3 times where I will feel like hell.... joints hurt... zero endurance... zero drive and I know my e is low. I was honestly told to drink a few ipa’s and it brings me back.

Looking back I really think I could have taken steps to try and lower my shbg. I was definitely neglecting my sleep... and have always had a restrictive diet... very low carb. I would have tried prioritizing sleep/and increasing my calories and carbs to see if that helped. But I jumped into trt...I have no
Regrets but would have liked to stay natural longer.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

I had super high shbg... very low free T. I jumped on trt circa 2018 or so.

I am on 120mg of test cyp... broken into two shots of 60mg a week. I was at 160mg but this put my total t close to 2000... and free t was ridiculous as well.

I had no issues with hair loss. It actually seems to make it grow faster. It morphed by body pretty quick... I am 43 now and am more active than most 20-30 year.

My only issue is my estrogen is completely out of range on the low end? I was not prescribed any anti estrogen meds because my original blood work showed I was low. There have been two-3 times where I will feel like hell.... joints hurt... zero endurance... zero drive and I know my e is low. I was honestly told to drink a few ipa’s and it brings me back.

Looking back I really think I could have taken steps to try and lower my shbg. I was definitely neglecting my sleep... and have always had a restrictive diet... very low carb. I would have tried prioritizing sleep/and increasing my calories and carbs to see if that helped. But I jumped into trt...I have no
Regrets but would have liked to stay natural longer.

Make sure you get your hematocrit checked regularly. I have to give blood every 8 weeks or so due to polythecemia which is one of the risks with TRT and the one that causes people to have blood clots, heart attacks and strokes if they don't monitor it.

Doesn't happen to everyone but it's probably about 1 in every 4 or 5 that get it due to increased Red Blood Cell production.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Advice from a long time TRT participant...

Use 25G needles and not 23G...you will thank me later, almost don't even feel it. You DEFINITELY feel the 23G...especially if you are doing SubQ