What is your HRT protocol?

[kubes]

I think my doc is just more on the safe side. My script gets filled at CVS and I get 10 ml/200 mg/ml bottles (Watson brand) so its easy to blast if I wanted to. I think he does it just to make sure I'm not increasing my dose myself. Over the past year I've managed to stockpile more test than I'll need in the next 2 years, lol.

Just be careful...

[jr2769]

help

I was diagnosed with low T at the age of 35. A year later things are not better. I've lost 20lbs and have been not able to gain it back. I still feel and look like crap. I have been on Testim which was smelly and sticky. So they put the pellets in me, well that gave me a belly and gyno (which are sore as hell). Now they put me on Axiron, well this is giving me nothing but headaches. I don't know what to do at this point. I want to feel good and gain the weight back that I lost. Please give me suggestions. I don't know all this (jargon) since I'm fairly new to all this. What should I be telling my Endo?

[Admin]

I was diagnosed with low T at the age of 35. A year later things are not better. I've lost 20lbs and have been not able to gain it back. I still feel and look like crap. I have been on Testim which was smelly and sticky. So they put the pellets in me, well that gave me a belly and gyno (which are sore as hell). Now they put me on Axiron, well this is giving me nothing but headaches. I don't know what to do at this point. I want to feel good and gain the weight back that I lost. Please give me suggestions. I don't know all this (jargon) since I'm fairly new to all this. What should I be telling my Endo?

Have they given you any sort of injectable Testosterone as HRT?

[jr2769]

No they have not.

[Admin]

No they have not.

Are you having routine blood tests?

How long have you been on HRT?

Why wont they give you some sort of injectable Testosterone, with HCG and/or an AI?

To be honest, you want to stay away from AI's and use them when absolutely needed.

[jr2769]

I've been on HRT for a year. Endo said they stay away from injectable due to the up and down "crashing". What is AL?

[Admin]

I've been on HRT for a year. Endo said they stay away from injectable due to the up and down "crashing". What is AL?

AI = Aromatase Inhibitor.

There shouldn't be up and down crashing if you get blood testing and it determines how you administer. Does your insurance cover your costs?

You should start with 50mg injected sub-q Test Enanthate or Cypionate 2x week and go from there.

[jr2769]

Yes my insurance covers. I get my blood work done almost every month at this point. Do you know if those injectables will help me gain my weight back?

[Admin]

Yes my insurance covers. I get my blood work done almost every month at this point. Do you know if those injectables will help me gain my weight back?

You need to speak to your Endo about "gaining weight back". I think you should find the right HRT protocol first. Once you're stable, it will help with muscle accural anyway.

[warmouth]

How did I miss this! I was in your shoes Jr. I was (and am) prescribed Axiron, and have used Testim as well. And I know from first hand experience that they don't work for me. In fact, my total test was 400 when I started, then 2 months later it was 330, so it dropped! Due to the risk that injectable testosterone "causes cancer", my doc isn't comfortable prescribing it, and even when she does, she prescribes it as once per month injections of T cypionate. That is absurd! So I kept my composure, did my research, and made my own . I haven't looked back since, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My thought is that the topical test just isn't very bio-available and the absorption/release rate varies too much for different people. What works for one might not work for another. An AI should try and be avoided if possible, but only BW will be able to tell you this for certain if you will need one or not. If you do, I would suggest lowering the test dose before using an AI. At 170mgs weekly (pinned 2x a week), my total test is about 850. That is great, but my estrogen climbs higher than I want. I do prefer my E2 to be on the high side, but not by much. The reason for this is that I am a better person. I love more, feel great, and have a better attitude(not that the test gives me a bad one, I just normally have a bad one, lol). What I did was lower my test dose to 125mgs weekly and about one week a month I pin 200mgs 2x for a total of 400mgs that week. I went this route after about 8 blood works, and after I had been using this method for about 2 months, my total test was 600-675ish, and my E2 was just a teeny, tiny bit over normal range. I don't worry about it being a tad high, but if it gets too high, time to adjust. It does take a while, so be patient and do what works for you. My way works for me, but it wouldn't for just anyone. It took me a year to nail it down, so be patient and you will get it. If all else fails, get a new endo and interview him to see if he will let you "call the shots" and let him manage you. This is a good approach to make, and wise for a doctor to let you do it, so long as he is safe and doesn't "over prescribe" because he don't need to get in trouble for you. But they are out there. Just interview some. Good luck!

[jr2769]

Thanks for all the advise. Hopefully I can get this under control.

[3Osos]

120mg Test Cyp 1x week, .5mg Adex 1x week, 300iu HCG 2x week. Test is administered at the clinic once a week. Not ideal, but it's a 4 to 5 month wait to get an appt. with a doctor that will let me self inject.

[OnTheSauce]

150 test e a week, 500iu hcg per week, .25mg Adex e3d.

[Admin]

I've just changed my protocol to 125mg every 7 days. Was getting some acne.

[OnTheSauce]

What's that put your level at?