Well, it's been a full year since I started on TRT. For anyone new to this, I can tell you it is a process, at least for me it's been. No set and forget for this guy. So much has changed and I am definitely a completely different person than I was at this time last year. I sleep better and my snoring is almost gone. I wake up feeling better rested and knowing I can get through the day without feeling like I died. In fact a year ago I had to set a 30min alarm at work and sleep during my lunch! I've lost 40lbs and the simplest physical tasks aren't wiping me out. I work out on a regular basis, and I'm no longer feeling like I'm just going through the motions.
However, as I keep mentioning it is a work in progress, I'm guessing if you truly give a shit about the results, it always will be to some degree. Luckily I seem to have found a doc who's willing to listen and give decent recommendations. If you go with Onmen, you can end up seeing a different doctor every visit, and I'm not a fan of that. They told me there is no problem asking for the same doctor for each visit and that's what I do now.
For those in the know, this is where I hope you'll chime in. I now have my appointment coming up and although I have filled you all in in other posts, I'll give an update here too. I'll only put up notable results, but if there is other things you want to know just ask.
Baseline Oct 2021
A1C - 6.2 (prediabetic),
Hemoglobin 150,
Hematocrit 0.448,
Testosterone 9.1 nmol/L,
Free Test - 227 pmol/L,
prolactin LO - 3.9,
Estradiol 75 pmol/L
Put on TRT with daily cream
First 3 months cream (Jan 2022) - cream appears to have not done much.
A1C - 6.0,
Hemoglobin 159,
Hematocrit 0.458,
Testosterone 11.8,
Free test 313,
prolactin 7.3.
Estradiol 157
felt little to no improvement. Put on test cypionate 80mg split into 2 shots a week.
April 2022
A1C - 6.0,
Hemoglobin 170,
Hematocrit 0.490
Testosterone 24.9,
Free test (HI) 704,
prolactin 8.3,
estradiol (HI) 244.
starting to finally see positive changes. Mood and activity level are going up. Libido isn't much better but erection quality has improved. Not so tired. Decide to start being more active and overhauled my eating habits to hopefully help with A1C. Dr. prescribes Anastrozole to lower Estrogen levels. Keeps test at 80mg split twice a week.
July 2022
A1C - 5.7 (at risk instead of prediabetic),
Hemoglobin 167,
Hematocrit 0.492,
Testosterone 25.9.
Free test (HI) 771,
prolactin 5.9,
Estradiol 43.
pretty much the same as last time, maybe slightly worse. Libido seems to have gone down again. Erection quality has decreased a bit as well. No more morning wood. I asked to go off the Anastrozole as many people told me to get off it ASAP, some going so far as to call it poison. Freaked me out. Doc agreed, but asked that I try 20mg test every other day to help keep levels steady and Estradiol down. I also asked to get put on HCG to help with Libido and erection etc, although maintaining fertility is not an issue and I'm having no problems with my testicle size. Put on 50 units twice weekly. Lost 30lbs in 4 months.
Sept 2022 (today)
A1C - 5.3 (Normal!),
Hemoglobin 165,
Hematocrit 0.475,
Testosterone 19.4,
Free Test 487,
prolactin 6.5,
Estradiol (HI) 174
First, down a total of 40lbs. 40 more to go. A1C back to normal which is awesome. However, I knew that something had to have changed, I could actually feel that I was starting to go backwards. Moody at times and feeling lazier than I have in a bit despite being a lot more active at the gym. Not "Lazy" per say, but just that "no mojo" kind of feeling. Libido seems to have improved a bit, but erection quality sucks to say the least. I can get it done, but it's a ton of work and I better keep my concentration. I know I'm almost at 50, but I feel I should be progressing faster in the gym. Making gains, but not what I'd like to be.
So, once again, this is where I want everyone to chime in. I am definitely going to ask for an increase in my test. I've never gone up from initial dose of 80mg/week and never saw improvements above what I'd call moderate. Question is, how high do I ask to bump it? It will be six months before my next appointment, and although I can probably request more, I don't much feel like another $200 per appointment.
I'm also thinking of asking to go back to twice a week. every other day doesn't seem to have helped my estrogen so I'd like to cut back on the pinning.
So what's everyone scoop on Anastrozole? It definitely helped, but then I was scared off by the internet, and now I'm reading it's not so bad as I thought.
continue on HCG? Doesn't help noticeably, but doesn't seem to do any bad either.
Oh, and ACNE. HELP! I have been on Doxycycline for tpo long, and it isn't helping anymore. My back is moderate, and my chest is what I'd call bad. I've always been prone to acne even as an adult but now it's enough to be self conscious about. And these pimples are nasty, stay forever and cause scarring.
Any other suggestions? My big wish list at this point is better libido and erections, and better energy levels particularly at the gym. I'd love to be able to continue on the trend with my weight loss and body composition.
I always appreciate all the comments and advise here, thanks guys. Reddit just leaves me feeling like an idiot, always being talked down to for not being an instant expert on this subject.
However, as I keep mentioning it is a work in progress, I'm guessing if you truly give a shit about the results, it always will be to some degree. Luckily I seem to have found a doc who's willing to listen and give decent recommendations. If you go with Onmen, you can end up seeing a different doctor every visit, and I'm not a fan of that. They told me there is no problem asking for the same doctor for each visit and that's what I do now.
For those in the know, this is where I hope you'll chime in. I now have my appointment coming up and although I have filled you all in in other posts, I'll give an update here too. I'll only put up notable results, but if there is other things you want to know just ask.
Baseline Oct 2021
A1C - 6.2 (prediabetic),
Hemoglobin 150,
Hematocrit 0.448,
Testosterone 9.1 nmol/L,
Free Test - 227 pmol/L,
prolactin LO - 3.9,
Estradiol 75 pmol/L
Put on TRT with daily cream
First 3 months cream (Jan 2022) - cream appears to have not done much.
A1C - 6.0,
Hemoglobin 159,
Hematocrit 0.458,
Testosterone 11.8,
Free test 313,
prolactin 7.3.
Estradiol 157
felt little to no improvement. Put on test cypionate 80mg split into 2 shots a week.
April 2022
A1C - 6.0,
Hemoglobin 170,
Hematocrit 0.490
Testosterone 24.9,
Free test (HI) 704,
prolactin 8.3,
estradiol (HI) 244.
starting to finally see positive changes. Mood and activity level are going up. Libido isn't much better but erection quality has improved. Not so tired. Decide to start being more active and overhauled my eating habits to hopefully help with A1C. Dr. prescribes Anastrozole to lower Estrogen levels. Keeps test at 80mg split twice a week.
July 2022
A1C - 5.7 (at risk instead of prediabetic),
Hemoglobin 167,
Hematocrit 0.492,
Testosterone 25.9.
Free test (HI) 771,
prolactin 5.9,
Estradiol 43.
pretty much the same as last time, maybe slightly worse. Libido seems to have gone down again. Erection quality has decreased a bit as well. No more morning wood. I asked to go off the Anastrozole as many people told me to get off it ASAP, some going so far as to call it poison. Freaked me out. Doc agreed, but asked that I try 20mg test every other day to help keep levels steady and Estradiol down. I also asked to get put on HCG to help with Libido and erection etc, although maintaining fertility is not an issue and I'm having no problems with my testicle size. Put on 50 units twice weekly. Lost 30lbs in 4 months.
Sept 2022 (today)
A1C - 5.3 (Normal!),
Hemoglobin 165,
Hematocrit 0.475,
Testosterone 19.4,
Free Test 487,
prolactin 6.5,
Estradiol (HI) 174
First, down a total of 40lbs. 40 more to go. A1C back to normal which is awesome. However, I knew that something had to have changed, I could actually feel that I was starting to go backwards. Moody at times and feeling lazier than I have in a bit despite being a lot more active at the gym. Not "Lazy" per say, but just that "no mojo" kind of feeling. Libido seems to have improved a bit, but erection quality sucks to say the least. I can get it done, but it's a ton of work and I better keep my concentration. I know I'm almost at 50, but I feel I should be progressing faster in the gym. Making gains, but not what I'd like to be.
So, once again, this is where I want everyone to chime in. I am definitely going to ask for an increase in my test. I've never gone up from initial dose of 80mg/week and never saw improvements above what I'd call moderate. Question is, how high do I ask to bump it? It will be six months before my next appointment, and although I can probably request more, I don't much feel like another $200 per appointment.
I'm also thinking of asking to go back to twice a week. every other day doesn't seem to have helped my estrogen so I'd like to cut back on the pinning.
So what's everyone scoop on Anastrozole? It definitely helped, but then I was scared off by the internet, and now I'm reading it's not so bad as I thought.
continue on HCG? Doesn't help noticeably, but doesn't seem to do any bad either.
Oh, and ACNE. HELP! I have been on Doxycycline for tpo long, and it isn't helping anymore. My back is moderate, and my chest is what I'd call bad. I've always been prone to acne even as an adult but now it's enough to be self conscious about. And these pimples are nasty, stay forever and cause scarring.
Any other suggestions? My big wish list at this point is better libido and erections, and better energy levels particularly at the gym. I'd love to be able to continue on the trend with my weight loss and body composition.
I always appreciate all the comments and advise here, thanks guys. Reddit just leaves me feeling like an idiot, always being talked down to for not being an instant expert on this subject.
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