Bloodwork - Test Total/Free, IGF & Estradiol Questions

[Carboni]

Couple of questions about bloodwork and my numbers:

Little background: 5'8, 161lbs, 52yo, probably sitting at 18%BF using 250mg Test C weekly pinning E5D. Was taking .5 Arimidex weekly usually the same day I pinned but stopped about 2 weeks before blood draw and this draw was 4 days after my last pin. In full disclosure this is still relatively new to me and the trainer I started with is no longer guiding me.

1 - Is there a good rule of thumb when it comes to a Total Test to Estrogen ratio when running Test C or is it completely on how you feel no matter what the numbers are? Think I've been a little depressed as of late which is why I started researching this to see what might be up as that's outside my norm. Libido is fine and My Boy is still working ok but I want to make sure I keep it that way! Gyno is a fear but for no other reason than paranoia.

2 - What's a good number to shoot for when it comes to IGF? Been looking at HGH and seeing if there are any benefits especially when folks talk about the recovery and the anti-aging benefits. Any good threads or websites anybody would recommend that put HGH in idiot terms?

3 - With an Estradiol number of 5 at what point do I consider taking something like Premarin to bump the number a little? Over the last 18 months it went from 10 to 6 to 5 so I'm wondering what might be some good next steps.

Working on my LDL numbers right now and donated blood yesterday (little close on the Iron number). Planned on dropping down to 200mg or 150mg starting tomorrow and seeing where my numbers are in about 8 weeks.

 

[Carboni]

Bueller....

Bueller...

Anyone?? Anyone??

 

[Rido]

makes me wonder who your trainer is, and I think you need to go to a TRT clinic

 

[MadBret]

Are you trying to do trt or a light blast and then try to pct? I would not take any more adex before you get bloods again in 8 weeks and see where you are with your estrogen.

And if your prior 3 tests showed such low e2 numbers, why did you continue taking the adex up until 2 weeks ago?

You look to be a good responder. Your free test as well as total t are both high for the dose compared to most guys.

Considering your age, trt may not be a bad idea. Did you get baseline blood work done to know what your total test and e2 was before you started pinning?

There's a few guys around meso that are quite knowledgeable when it comes to HGH. Use the search feature and ask questions if you still have them and hopefully some of the experienced guys will chime in.

If you're trying to go for trt, with the numbers you posted above off 250mgs a week, I'd guess that 100mg a week would put you in the upper range if not a bit higher even.

But I would continue to drop the adex and check blood work in 8 weeks as you mentioned, no matter which of the above mentioned doses you ultimately decide on.

 

[Carboni]

Thanks @MadBret ! There was more to the story but a super long initial post and I feared I'd put folks to sleep!

Was originally on TRT from my Dr (Topical) since my original Test was around 300. Once I decided to pursue something a little more 'intense' but Covid made Dr visits was an ordeal and I'm sure he wouldn't support me changing over to injections once he saw where the numbers ended up so I hit up my trainer friend (old school IFBB Pro) for some guidance.

He had me try Test C for a bit to see how things went (worked up to 250mg a week) and things went fine. Don't remember my next numbers but nothing scary and I looked and felt good and so much better than the Shoulder numbers ever could without bathing in it! (LOL!).

Eventually went on what I would call an actual cycle with 250mg Test C and EQ EOD with 200mg Deca mid week. He said .5 Arimidex EOD to keep things balanced. I blindly said OK without knowing how things work hand in hand with each other and clearly, in hindsight, he should've looked at my E2 number to see where I was at in the 1st place and I should've done much more research. On me for being naive.

Once I finished with EQ and Deca he wasn't available so I just guessed as to how I should tapper back down to a maintenance level of Test C. I kept the 250mg amount but started spacing out the frequency. Kept the Arimidex in the mix because I didn't know any better.

After getting my last bloodwork and doing much more research (thanks Meso and those who have been patient enough to lend a hand to the uneducated) I am trying to do a much better job at handling this correctly on my own moving forward. Hence all the questions and what probably seem like stupid posts to those that know better.

I have scaled down to about 125mg a week and will stay there until I revisit my bloodwork and see how things have gone. I have no intention of quitting Test C unless something in my bloodwork is way off. Not a fan of dying and the wife would kill me if I did!

Cholesterol (LDL), Hematocrit and Hemoglobin numbers where high last BW as well so I'm trying Red Yeast Rice, more water and no red meat till next check. Every other number in my panels are Green as can be. Gave blood last Monday too so short of trying Crestor for the LDL this is where I'm at.

See...super long ass post but I genuinely appreciate anybody that made it this far and for the knowledge they are willing to offer.