Time to be a bit vulnerable...

[Peloma]

Today is day 1 of TRT for me. It's a completely new road down this health journey for me, and I'm a bit nervous. This is a bigger shift to me than adopting a Tirz regiment. Of course, I already take a number of different injections per week, but this "feels" different in my head.

I'd love to hear from others that have gone down this path along with their peptides.

It's crazy to think that a year ago I would have said there is no way I'd take more than one shot a week... 😆 Breakfast this morning was 5mg tirz, 6mg mots-c, 1.5mg ipa/tesa and 75mg testosterone enanthate (Xyosted)... I'm a fucking pin cushion!

 

[Calm Logic]

5mg tirz, 6mg mots-c, 1.5mg ipa/tesa and 75mg testosterone enanthate (Xyosted)

Glad they finally found a cure for Peloma disease, haha.

But seriously, do you know yet how often you will be getting lab tests for TRT?

 

[Peloma]

Glad they finally found a cure for Peloma disease, haha.

But seriously, do you know yet how often you will be getting lab tests for TRT?

Monthly, for now.

 

[aquis]

Nice! I've been on TRT for 3 years now and started on Reta 3 weeks ago. Both are making me feel great!

 

[Healthmaster]

Testosterone will change your life for the better more drive, intensity, focus. Don’t worry and enjoy the ride.

 

[hexagonal]

Huge fan of TRT. Made a big big difference for me.

75mg - is that a twice a week dosage? Pretty low if it is once a week - there's some arguments about natural production being like 10mg a day on average but that's without an ester attached and most people get a lower serum response from exogenous test. I'm on the lower end of the response curve, but it takes 200mg of test e a week to get me to mid 700s trough levels.

 

[Peloma]

Huge fan of TRT. Made a big big difference for me.

75mg - is that a twice a week dosage? Pretty low if it is once a week - there's some arguments about natural production being like 10mg a day on average but that's without an ester attached and most people get a lower serum response from exogenous test. I'm on the lower end of the response curve, but it takes 200mg of test e a week to get me to mid 700s trough levels.

That's weekly starter. My Dr wants to go slow. My avg of two tests put me at 270. I thought it was low, too, based on what some people I know are on. Guess he wants to titrate me slowly. I have sources for test C, and may supplement with my own protocol.

Day 1 gave me no appreciable benefit.

 

[aquis]

Huge fan of TRT. Made a big big difference for me.

75mg - is that a twice a week dosage? Pretty low if it is once a week - there's some arguments about natural production being like 10mg a day on average but that's without an ester attached and most people get a lower serum response from exogenous test. I'm on the lower end of the response curve, but it takes 200mg of test e a week to get me to mid 700s trough levels.

I take 60mg 2 times a week (Monday morning and Thursday evening). Dr initially started me off lower and then went up until we found my sweet spot. Took close to a year to get me really dialed in, but since then I've been on auto-pilot and feeling great. April Labs put my Test at 901 (264-916) and Free at 22.1 (7.2-24.0).

 

[hexagonal]

That's weekly starter. My Dr wants to go slow. My avg of two tests put me at 270. I thought it was low, too, based on what some people I know are on. Guess he wants to titrate me slowly. I have sources for test C, and may supplement with my own protocol.

Day 1 gave me no appreciable benefit.

Yeah, not entirely unusual to star low vs. where you end up, but that's the lowest I've heard of someone being started on. I started on 120mg, then 3 weeks later was bumped to 140, month later 180, then ended up at 200 about 3 weeks after that, and been there since.

 

[Peloma]

Yeah, not entirely unusual to star low vs. where you end up, but that's the lowest I've heard of someone being started on. I started on 120mg, then 3 weeks later was bumped to 140, month later 180, then ended up at 200 about 3 weeks after that, and been there since.

Young Dr who has never prescribed this form of testosterone. I told him I'm no stranger to experimental medication, so he's trying something new with me...

 

[Skidude]

Yeah, not entirely unusual to star low vs. where you end up, but that's the lowest I've heard of someone being started on. I started on 120mg, then 3 weeks later was bumped to 140, month later 180, then ended up at 200 about 3 weeks after that, and been there since.

Were you able to avoid the Anastrozole at that titration?

 

[hexagonal]

Were you able to avoid the Anastrozole at that titration?

Nope, titration didn't seem to make any impact in that regard.

 

[Skidude]

Nope, titration didn't seem to make any impact in that regard.

I am very interested in this research and have been looking into it for several months.
Did you wait for a 5 week test to start or just add 1mg daily anastrozole from beginning to control aromatization.

 

[aquis]

I am very interested in this research and have been looking into it for several months.
Did you wait for a 5 week test to start or just add 1mg daily anastrozole from beginning to control aromatization.

1mg daily of Anastrozole seems like a very large dose. When I started my estrogen went above normal, but I did not have any symptoms. That;s when we split my dose into 2 pins a week and I dropped 10lbs, and my estrogen went down. Dr did give me Anastrozole to have on hand in case my numbers shot up and i have symptoms, but it's in small dose pils at .125mg each. Early on we discussed taking .125mg twice a three times a week, but I havent had to do that. April labs: Estradiol, Sensitive: 28.1 (8.0-35.0).

 

[Skidude]

1mg daily of Anastrozole seems like a very large dose. When I started my estrogen went above normal, but I did not have any symptoms. That;s when we split my dose into 2 pins a week and I dropped 10lbs, and my estrogen went down. Dr did give me Anastrozole to have on hand in case my numbers shot up and i have symptoms, but it's in small dose pils at .125mg each. Early on we discussed taking .125mg twice a three times a week, but I havent had to do that. April labs: Estradiol, Sensitive: 28.1 (8.0-35.0).

I have signed up with fitromics and am doing the men's hormone panel + vitamin D, so I am still researching. Thanks for that added input, I am definitely taking my time trying to learn/understand before jumping into anything.

I have a friend that just started with a clinic and they prescribed both Test-E and Anas, I did not understand if it is preventative or used to treat once there was an issue, and if my first 5 week blood test after titrating would be ok to wait and see if anastrozole is needed.

I am mainly interested in TRT protocol not looking to hit huge numbers. The strategy would be to pin 60 TestE 2x per week, starting at 120mg total per week seems to make the most sense.

Thanks @Peloma for sharing this journey, I feel total health should be our goal and I want to be as thorough as I can when looking at this.

 

[Calm Logic]

I have a friend that just started with a clinic and they prescribed both Test-E and Anas, I did not understand if it is preventative or used to treat once there was an issue, and if my first 5 week blood test after titrating would be ok to wait and see if anastrozole is needed.

For treatment rather than prevention, per Gemini:

A comprehensive approach to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) often involves:

• Optimizing TST dosing frequency and route to achieve stable and physiological levels.
• Monitoring symptoms and blood work (testosterone, estrogen, PSA, hematocrit, etc.).
• Considering hCG for men who desire fertility preservation or to maintain testicular size.
• Using AIs cautiously and only when necessary to manage estrogen-related side effects.

Also, not knowing a lot but enough to be dangerous:

Enclomiphene ("enclo"), a SERM medication, would be my preference when possible, at least if it can be used to prevent needing an AI like anas. Enclo can treat secondary hypo(gonadism) and even replace the need for exogenous TST.

Common side effects of anas, according to Wikipedia:

Common side effects of anastrozole (≥10% incidence) include hot flashes, asthenia, arthritis, pain, arthralgia, hypertension, depression, nausea and vomiting, rash, osteoporosis, bone fractures, back pain, insomnia, headache, bone pain, peripheral edema, coughing, dyspnea, pharyngitis, and lymphedema.

OTOH, it may be best to just dose TST more frequently or cyclically or conservatively or whatever to mitigate the need for anything else:

I'd avoid SERMs. Enclo and clomiphene protocols are fundamentally based off protocols from the 60s, and Enclo failed to receive approval from the FDA and it's European counterpart because they did not find it to be a good option.


Clomiphene has also been linked to significant adverse effects, and Enclo works in basically the same fashion:

"These adverse effects, including optic neuritis, ischaemic optic neuropathy, central retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, and vitreous detachment, in rare cases, have led to reversible or irreversible, partial or complete blindness, even after discontinuation of clomiphene, especially when increasing the dosage or duration of treatment"

"2.3-9% of males develop mood disorders (depression, irritability, mania)
25% of women report severe emotional lability resembling "menopausal psychosis"
Case studies document first-onset manic episodes requiring psychiatric hospitalization
This ER-beta blockade creates artificial estrogen deficiency in key brain regions, exacerbating psychiatric vulnerabilities."

 

[hexagonal]

I am very interested in this research and have been looking into it for several months.
Did you wait for a 5 week test to start or just add 1mg daily anastrozole from beginning to control aromatization.

I started at .5mg twice a week, day after injection days.

Now I just take it as necessary if I'm noticing symptoms. Works out to once a week, sometimes every other week.

 

[Peloma]

Thanks @Peloma for sharing this journey, I feel total health should be our goal and I want to be as thorough as I can when looking at this.

I figured a few of us out here are dialed into total optimization... Hopefully we can keep sharing experiences like these. I learn a lot from all of you here, and I enjoy sharing what little I know as well.

 

[Peptelligence]

Congrats, brother! You are on a strong journey. My journey started with TRT and Tirz. It compounded my fitness goals because I stayed consistent in the gym and with my eating. My body transformed from 300lbs to 195lbs. And my physique is on the leaner muscular side and I am still striving to be better. You have the right tools on your side. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!