36 y/o – New to TRT – Labs, Dose, and Estrogen Feedback Welcome

[ZeroPhaseShift]

Hey everyone,

I’m new to TRT and just getting started. I’m 36 years old, 5'7", currently 208 lbs (down from 220). I'm a father of five, and while I’ve always been fairly healthy, I let myself go a bit after the birth of my last two kids. I'm now getting back on track, hitting the gym, cleaning up my diet, and I’ve dropped 12 pounds in the past couple weeks. I’ve also been supplementing with RETA for general metabolic support.

I recently had bloodwork done with Hone was diagnosed with low testosterone. Here's what came back:

Total Testosterone: 164 ng/dL (ref range: 175–781)
Free Testosterone: 4.0 ng/dL (ref range: 3–20)
Estradiol: 46.9 pg/mL
SHBG: 16.9 nmol/L
LH: 3.87 IU/L

Did full bloodwork through Quest and reults were slighty diferrent, nevertheless, LOW!

Given the low total and borderline-low free T, along with the relatively high estradiol, my doctor prescribed the following:

Testosterone Cypionate:
0.25 mL (50mg) subcutaneously twice weekly = 100mg per week total

This is my first time ever doing anything hormone-related, I’ve never been on TRT, gear, or even touched a SERM or AI before this. I was told to consider Anastrozole as a short-term tool for estradiol, but I haven’t committed to that yet.

I’m also considering HCG to maintain function and possibly down the road looking into HGH to help support some long-term goals, but trying not to get ahead of myself.

My question for the community is, does this look like a solid starting dose for my case? I’ve seen some clinics start lower and gradually titrate, and others go in higher off the bat. I’m trying to do this right and minimize trial-and-error.

Any feedback from guys who’ve started at similar levels or have experience managing estradiol on TRT would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Benf15harp]

How long after starting TRT before getting new bloodwork?

 

[ZeroPhaseShift]

How long after starting TRT before getting new bloodwork?

I'm thinkin 3-4 months?

 

[Smokeythabear]

At that low of initial dose, I’d personally hold off on the AI. Use it for symptoms, not just because. Would you consider using insulin syringes for daily injections of 20mg? Twice a week is ok, EOD is good but daily is best. This would give you consistent blood levels and the best starting place with minimal or no sides.

TRT is a game changer. This is going to help you so much with energy, drive and libido. You may not think you’re low in all of those areas but just give it 4-6 weeks to stabilize in your system and you’ll feel the difference.

 

[ZeroPhaseShift]

At that low of initial dose, I’d personally hold off on the AI. Use it for symptoms, not just because. Would you consider using insulin syringes for daily injections of 20mg? Twice a week is ok, EOD is good but daily is best. This would give you consistent blood levels and the best starting place with minimal or no sides.

TRT is a game changer. This is going to help you so much with energy, drive and libido. You may not think you’re low in all of those areas but just give it 4-6 weeks to stabilize in your system and you’ll feel the difference.

Yeah I’ve been kinda on the fence about the AI. I’ve seen people say it’s good to have just in case, but you’re right. Probably better to wait and see if I actually need it. Still waiting on my sensitive E2 results so I’ll hold off for now.


Daily shots with insulin pins sound doable. I’ve got some 31G ones I’ve been using for peptides so I might give that a go. I hadn’t thought about how daily could help keep levels more stable. Did you notice a big difference when you switched to daily?


Also curious, how long did it take before you started feeling better with energy or mood?


Thanks again.

 

[Smokeythabear]

It’s good to have the AI on hand if needed and you get sensitive nips, feel emotional, or have other signs of high E2.

Those syringes should work. You can go SQ into fat or shallow IM with the 31g 1/2” into delts or VG. I do shallow IM. I started with EOD injections but quickly went to daily and have felt stable. I’ve used between 20-35mg daily and haven’t needed an AI but everyone is different.

You might get some libido feels the first week or two. Mood shifts and more drive/energy by weeks 3-4. After 5-6 weeks everything should be firing with strength and body recomp becoming noticeable. You might hold some water the first 1-2 months but your body will adjust, don’t worry. Just stay hydrated and use electrolytes. Get ready for daily morning wood haha.

 

[ZeroPhaseShift]

It’s good to have the AI on hand if needed and you get sensitive nips, feel emotional, or have other signs of high E2.

Those syringes should work. You can go SQ into fat or shallow IM with the 31g 1/2” into delts or VG. I do shallow IM. I started with EOD injections but quickly went to daily and have felt stable. I’ve used between 20-35mg daily and haven’t needed an AI but everyone is different.

You might get some libido feels the first week or two. Mood shifts and more drive/energy by weeks 3-4. After 5-6 weeks everything should be firing with strength and body recomp becoming noticeable. You might hold some water the first 1-2 months but your body will adjust, don’t worry. Just stay hydrated and use electrolytes. Get ready for daily morning wood haha.

I didn’t realize some people go daily, though. That actually makes a lot of sense for keeping levels stable. I might look into that once I see how I respond on the 2x per week.

Also good to know about the AI. I wasn’t sure if I should take it proactively or just have it on standby, but sounds like waiting to see how my body reacts is the smarter move.

And lol at the morning wood warning, definitely something to look forward to. Thanks again for sharing your experience. Super helpful to hear from someone who's already gone through this.

 

[ThinBulk]

Try both dosing protocols to see if you feel a change. 2x per week worked perfect for me and I couldn't tell a difference.

At 100mg, I'd leave out the AI. Estrogen is good for you. Libido, bone density, immune function, cholesterol, and a bunch of other things. Most people including myself don't need an AI until a much higher dose than this.

 

[BigDadd7]

It's a great starting dose. Stay with it for 5 weeks and then get new blood work. Sounds like you have high body fat, that explains the e2. Keep losing weight and that number will drop. Hold off on AI or HCG for now. Post the new numbers in five weeks.

 

[ZeroPhaseShift]

It's a great starting dose. Stay with it for 5 weeks and then get new blood work. Sounds like you have high body fat, that explains the e2. Keep losing weight and that number will drop. Hold off on AI or HCG for now. Post the new numbers in five weeks.

Do you pin in the mornings, or in the afternoon before bed?

 

[grey]

At 100mg, I'd leave out the AI. Estrogen is good for you. Libido, bone density, immune function, cholesterol, and a bunch of other things. Most people including myself don't need an AI until a much higher dose than this.

While I agree.. I would say the OP needs to keep a close eye on it as his E2 was already pretty high when his test was very low. Seems HIGHLY likely that he will aromatize at a massive rate even with only a 100mg/week dosing.

 

[BigDadd7]

Do you pin in the mornings, or in the afternoon before bed?

Usually, in the morning after a hot shower. It's not that big of a deal what time of day. Pick something that works with your schedule.

 

[hexagonal]

That's very high E2 for that level of total test. I think it's pretty unlikely that you won't experience high E2 side effects and also see it reflected in the bloodwork. I'd have an AI on hand. HCG will increase e2, too.

Level stability is a function of the ester and the fluctuation between e3.5d on cyp is pretty minimal. It'll be less with ed pinning but I wouldn't worry about it, personally.

 

[ZeroPhaseShift]

That's very high E2 for that level of total test. I think it's pretty unlikely that you won't experience high E2 side effects and also see it reflected in the bloodwork. I'd have an AI on hand. HCG will increase e2, too.

Level stability is a function of the ester and the fluctuation between e3.5d on cyp is pretty minimal. It'll be less with ed pinning but I wouldn't worry about it, personally.

I do have Arimidex on hand, waiting on E2 results of another test I took. Dr. recommended half a pill once, or twice a week. Will share the results of my second test as soon as I get them, which should be tomorrow.

 

[TheJuiceIsLoose69]

.5mg -1mg anastozole will likely crush your e2 at 100mg/w.
Try .25 or .125 if e2 is out of wack, a crushed estrogen isn't very fun

 

[ZeroPhaseShift]

.5mg -1mg anastozole will likely crush your e2 at 100mg/w.
Try .25 or .125 if e2 is out of wack, a crushed estrogen isn't very fun

I have 1 mg tabs of Arimidex, was planning on cutting them to .25, and taking a .25 once every 2-3 weeks. But I'll do that once I do a 2nd bloodwork in 6 weeks