HRT noob: questions??

[NoBodyImportant]

I am a 48 y/o, male, very fit, 6’ 2”, 225lbs, 15.6%bf. I don’t lift heavy – used to teach BodyPump classes. Now I do “Total Conditioning” classes and train in mixed-martial arts 6-8 hours/week. Diet is good. Last physical came out top-notch (by “normal” standards”).

I have noticed a gradual decline in libido, plateauing in my workouts, erections not as hard as they used to be and not lasting as long, “clarity of thought” issues, a general drop in enthusiasm, and periods of “melancholy” over the last few (3?) years. From what I read, these are all pretty typical of andropause / hormone-related issues.

SO – rather than let the medical practitioners prescribe Xanax, Cialis, and all that other typical stuff to hide the problem, I took it on myself to approach a Florida-based clinic. They did an extensive blood test and had another physical done. Results – everything (Test, thyroid, IGF, etc) was all middle of the road. (T3 uptake was a little high – not sure what that means…) But going on the premise that it might not be normal for me, prescribed 1.2ui / day of hGH (5x2) and 100mg / wk x 10weeks of Test Eth (with Anastrozole starting at week 3 and Clomid for PST) I started last Monday. Follow-up blood tests are scheduled. They seem very professional.

Questions:

- Any of you guys been down this road? Thoughts on the above regiment?
- How long until you saw some expected results? (I am told 4-6 weeks.)
- Test Eth versus Test Cyp – Why one over the other?

Any input or comments appreciated.

 

[Bridger]

what is the purpose of 100mg a week for 10w? that sounds like a cycle that will just shut you down and put your test levels in normal range. Then what after that?

 

[NoBodyImportant]

what is the purpose of 100mg a week for 10w? that sounds like a cycle that will just shut you down and put your test levels in normal range. Then what after that?

I should clarify - it is a 6-month program. The GH cycle is continuous. The test cycle is for 10 weeks to try to bring up my test levels, then reevaluate for a second cycle down the line.

What do you mean by 'shut down'?

Thanks!

 

[tommyguns2]

What is meant by "shut down" is that your body will stop producing testosterone naturally when you inject test at 100mg/wk for 10 weeks due to your body's HPTA feedback loop.

When your body senses it has sufficient test in your system (due to your injections), it will not signal the body to make testosterone because it sees sufficient amount in your bloodstream. So the exogenous test will replace your body's natural production.

The PCT your doc prescribed is what is used to bring your natural test production back on line. I am not confident that what you're presently doing or going to do will meet your objectives.

I had similar symptoms to what you described, and my bloodwork showed that on was in the normal range for test (although below the center line of normal in the range), but my free test was low (outside the normal range).

Typically it's your free test that matters, since that is the test that is available to attach to receptors, etc. Perhaps your free test is low.

Typically, HRT is administration of test forever. That means you won't be cycling like you're intending to do.

I should clarify - it is a 6-month program. The gh - growth hormone (somatropin) - cycle is continuous. The test cycle is for 10 weeks to try to bring up my test levels, then reevaluate for a second cycle down the line.

What do you mean by 'shut down'?

Thanks!

 

[Bridger]

What is meant by "shut down" is that your body will stop producing testosterone naturally when you inject test at 100mg/wk for 10 weeks due to your body's hpta - hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis - feedback loop.

When your body senses it has sufficient test in your system (due to your injections), it will not signal the body to make testosterone because it sees sufficient amount in your bloodstream. So the exogenous test will replace your body's natural production.

The PCT - post cycle therapy - your doc prescribed is what is used to bring your natural test production back on line. I am not confident that what you're presently doing or going to do will meet your objectives.

I had similar symptoms to what you described, and my bloodwork showed that on was in the normal range for test (although below the center line of normal in the range), but my free test was low (outside the normal range).

Typically it's your free test that matters, since that is the test that is available to attach to receptors, etc. Perhaps your free test is low.

Typically, HRT is administration of test forever. That means you won't be cycling like you're intending to do.

yep, you are in essence going to a doc for scripts to run cycles. this is not a long term solution for hypogonadism. This probably will make you feel worse in the long run.

 

[connovar]

I am very similiar to age and size being 52, 240 and 6ft. I am fairly fit (my hobby is brazilian jiu-jitsu). Its possible I may
have used the same clinic you have. My initial Total test was just below midrange. My free T was about 30% of range. My estradiol was 75% of range. My IGF-1 was just below midrange. I was offered both gh and test. I believe in the KISS principle (not to mention cost factors) and went with just test.

I take 180 mg test cypionate weekly IM for 10 weelks along with anastrazole .5 every day after two weeks into the cycle. That went well Total T was just slight above top normal. Estradiol dropped to 25% of range. I got the energy back which was my primary symptoms. Libido and erectile function also returned to normal for me.

I then did a 10 day cycle of 1000 hcg daily. Others on other forums said expect a crash but I didnt get any. I guess the old gonads will still deliver when given a kick.

Just starting my next cycle of 180 test cypionate. Overall I feel very good. The protocol has worked very well for me. I took about six weeks for full effect but that is expected since it takes 4-5 injections of test cypionate to reach its stable blood level (half life is 8 days).

 

[Nemisis RR]

I am a 48 y/o, male, very fit, 6’ 2”, 225lbs, 15.6%bf. I don’t lift heavy – used to teach BodyPump classes. Now I do “Total Conditioning” classes and train in mixed-martial arts 6-8 hours/week. Diet is good. Last physical came out top-notch (by “normal” standards”).

I have noticed a gradual decline in libido, plateauing in my workouts, erections not as hard as they used to be and not lasting as long, “clarity of thought” issues, a general drop in enthusiasm, and periods of “melancholy” over the last few (3?) years. From what I read, these are all pretty typical of andropause / hormone-related issues.

SO – rather than let the medical practitioners prescribe Xanax, Cialis, and all that other typical stuff to hide the problem, I took it on myself to approach a Florida-based clinic. They did an extensive blood test and had another physical done. Results – everything (Test, thyroid, IGF, etc) was all middle of the road. (T3 uptake was a little high – not sure what that means…) But going on the premise that it might not be normal for me, prescribed 1.2ui / day of human growth hormone - somatropin - (5x2) and 100mg / wk x 10weeks of Test Eth (with Anastrozole starting at week 3 and Clomid for PST) I started last Monday. Follow-up blood tests are scheduled. They seem very professional.

Questions:

- Any of you guys been down this road? Thoughts on the above regiment?
- How long until you saw some expected results? (I am told 4-6 weeks.)
- Test Eth versus Test testosterone cypionate – Why one over the other?

Any input or comments appreciated.

Go see a good endo. All those clinics care about it your money. At your age and with your symptons it should not be hard to get the test you need. By the way I could have written your post so I know how you feel.

 

[NoBodyImportant]

Great stuff, guys. Thanks. Since I already paid for the next 6 months, I will let it ride, but questions things, if I don't like the results in any way. I'll keep a close eye on things, blood-wise. An endo may the the next step.

It's good to hear from guys in the same boat. I am not one to wait around for things to 'break' health-wise. (The work "retirement" is not in MY dictionary...") IMHO most doctors dance on the strings of the drug companies and insurance companies. I need to lookout for my own best interest, because they sure don't!

Connovar - glad to hear about your BJJ. There are several guys older than myself where I train still rolling with the youngsters. And I still look good in fight shorts! I hope to keep it that way for a while...

Thanks again, guys.

 

[Nemisis RR]

I am very similiar to age and size being 52, 240 and 6ft. I am fairly fit (my hobby is brazilian jiu-jitsu). Its possible I may
have used the same clinic you have. My initial Total test was just below midrange. My free T was about 30% of range. My estradiol was 75% of range. My IGF-1 was just below midrange. I was offered both gh - growth hormone (somatropin) - and test. I believe in the KISS principle (not to mention cost factors) and went with just test.

I take 180 mg test cypionate weekly IM for 10 weelks along with anastrazole .5 every day after two weeks into the cycle. That went well Total T was just slight above top normal. Estradiol dropped to 25% of range. I got the energy back which was my primary symptoms. Libido and erectile function also returned to normal for me.

I then did a 10 day cycle of 1000 HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - daily. Others on other forums said expect a crash but I didnt get any. I guess the old gonads will still deliver when given a kick.

Just starting my next cycle of 180 test cypionate. Overall I feel very good. The protocol has worked very well for me. I took about six weeks for full effect but that is expected since it takes 4-5 injections of test cypionate to reach its stable blood level (half life is 8 days).

If I can ask what was your results were at 180 cyp a week.

 

[connovar]

If I can ask what was your results were at 180 testosterone cypionate a week.

I am not sure what you are asking? Test levels, symptom relief etc. Please reframe the question.