High Responder: T >15ng/dL, E2 90, Hct 51.8% | Crashing on Taper | Need Protocol Advice

[wildwoodmc]

Stats
Age: 53
Weight: 84.5 kg
Body Fat: 22% (approximate)

History: Various blasts and cruises over the last 2 years. Stable on this current dose (~187mg/wk) for the last 6 months.

Current Protocol: 187.5 mg/week (Test C 250mg/mL) split into 3 injections.

Lifestyle: 2–4 hours training/week.
Not best diet (protein and fibre solid but still too much sugar, fat, salt, and refined carbs).
Chronic dehydration (under 1 liter of water per day).

The Context (Mental Health and Baseline)
I have been using this higher dose as a quick hack to stay on top of mounting personal stress and pressure. The Test has definitely helped my libido and drive stay alive during a very dark period where I feared a depressive slide.

My natural baseline (pre-TRT) was very poor:
Free T: 14.1 pmol/L (Below reference range)
SHBG: 47 nmol/L

Because my GP has zero experience with TRT, I have been navigating this on my own.
Given my 2-year history of blasting and cruising, I believe my neurochemistry is heavily adapted to high androgen levels, which is likely why my previous attempts to taper felt so brutal.

The Problem
I am a massive high-responder. At 187.5mg/week, my levels are pinned at >15ng/mL. When I previously tried to taper by 20% (down to 150mg/week), I crashed hard—specifically libido and mental well-being—though my gym performance stayed decent. I want to get healthy and bring these markers down, but I am looking for a way to avoid that depressive hole.

Latest Lab Results (Feb 2026)

Total Testosterone: >15.00 ng/mL (Ref: 1.93 – 7.40)

Estradiol (E2): 90.0 pg/mL (Ref: 11.3 – 43.2)

Hematocrit: 51.8% (Ref max: 48.6%)

eGFR (Kidney): 67 mL/min (Ref: >90)

Creatinine: 12.2 mg/L (Ref max: 11.7)

HOMA-IR: 2.34 (Rising insulin resistance)

Vitamin D: 28.3 (Low)

Folate (B9): 2.9 (Critically Low)

Questions for the Forum

1. The Crash: Was the previous crash likely due to the T:E2 ratio shifting too fast after 2 years of being enhanced? How do I drop dose without the mental and libido side effects?

2. E2 Management: At 90 pg/mL, should I use a micro-dose AI (0.125mg) while I slowly lower the Test dose to stabilize the transition?

3. Health Priority: With an eGFR of 67 and Hematocrit of 51.8 after 2 years of B&C, how urgent is this? Will 4L of water and lower salt pull these back, or do I need a phlebotomy?

4. Nutritional Link: Should I fix the Folate and Vitamin D first to stabilize my mood before I touch the Testosterone dose?

5. The Micro-Taper: Has anyone successfully used very small drops (e.g., 5-10mg a week) to get off a cruise without the brain noticing the dip?

I am trying to move away from using TRT as a crutch for stress, but I need a sustainable exit strategy. I have nowhere else to go for advice other than this forum as a starting point.

I appreciate any experience you guys can share. I need to get off the "stress-crutch" without falling apart.

 

[Cyp180]

1.93ng/mL = 193ng/dL = just 6.7nmol/L look very low ref range to me.
Much more common is 8.6nmol/L
248ng/dL, 2.48/mL(low end)

29nmol/L, 836ng/dL, 8.36ng/mL (high end)

More men can get low T sides already on ~12nmol/L, 346ng/dL

+52 nmol/L, 15ng/dL, 1500ng/dL is Spacious outside ref range

 

[Cyp180]

What were your measurements before even use testo ?

What was the period of using 150mg instead of just 37.5mg more a week ?

 

[bananafeet]

1. No idea
2. Using AI on trt negates most of the benifits. Lower dose to 100-125mg with no AI
3. What's your blood pressure control look like? HCT is fine
4. No idea
5. No idea

Don't pay any attention to your feelings. Test your bloods. Feeling are always wrong.

 

[wildwoodmc]

Folks, really thank you taking the time to help. Everything I could find in results below. I need to tighten up blood work conditions for sure.

TRT Timeline (Key Markers Only)

2015 – Pre-TRT Baseline
Total T: 5.49 ng/mL
TSH: 6.68
Vitamin D: 20.9
LDL: 1.86
HDL: 0.50

July 2024 – Stable Phase
Free T: 35 pmol/
HOMA-IR: 1.29
LDL: 1.41
HDL: 0.79
eGFR: 84

Sept 2024 – High Phase
Total T: >15 ng/mL

Jan 2025 – Still High
Total T: 10.4 ng/mL
Free T: 31.5 pmol/L

May 2025 – Crash (no test, felt low)
Total T: 2.50 ng/mL
Free T: 14.1 pmol/L (below range)
SHBG: 47 nmol/L
Cortisol: 98.5 µg/L

And then another crash in December 2024 when I try to reduce to 150mg per week.

 

[bananafeet]

Do any of the above apply to you? Your high SHBG is probably why you feel crappy.

 

[bananafeet]

You need to fix that vitamin D3 level

 

[wildwoodmc]

1. No idea
2. Using AI on trt negates most of the benifits. Lower dose to 100-125mg with no AI
3. What's your blood pressure control look like? HCT is fine
4. No idea
5. No idea

Don't pay any attention to your feelings. Test your bloods. Feeling are always wrong.

Thanks. I def need to tighten on bloods/diet and sleep.

 

[wildwoodmc]

What were your measurements before even use testo ?

What was the period of using 150mg instead of just 37.5mg more a week ?

Yes I think I tried maybe 3 or 4 weeks of 150mg

 

[wildwoodmc]

View attachment 381354

Do any of the above apply to you? Your high SHBG is probably why you feel crappy.

No — my thyroid is treated and within normal range, so it isn’t driving any SHBG changes.

 

[wildwoodmc]

1.93ng/mL = 193ng/dL = just 6.7nmol/L look very low ref range to me.
Much more common is 8.6nmol/L
248ng/dL, 2.48/mL(low end)

29nmol/L, 836ng/dL, 8.36ng/mL (high end)

More men can get low T sides already on ~12nmol/L, 346ng/dL

+52 nmol/L, 15ng/dL, 1500ng/dL is Spacious outside ref range

Thanks for the breakdown, Cyp180. To keep it simple, here is the delta between my natural baseline (6 weeks post-last shot) and my current labs on 187.5mg/week.

May 2025 (Natural Baseline - No Test):

• Free Testosterone (RIA): 14.1 pmol/L (Ref: 30.0 – 87.0)
• SHBG: 47 nmol/L (Ref: 20 – 76)
• Androstenedione: 1.0 nmol/L (Bottom of Ref: 1.0 – 5.3)
• DHT: 1.21 nmol/L (Ref: 0.86 – 3.44)

Feb 2026 (Current - 187.5mg/week for 6 months):

• Total Testosterone: >15.00 ng/mL
• Estradiol (E2): 90.0 pg/mL
• Hematocrit: 51.8%
• Folate (B9): 2.9 (Critically Low)

My natural Free T (14.1) was less than half of the bottom of the range, which explains the depression I was feeling before. Now, on 187.5mg, my Total T is pinned at the ceiling.

It seems I’ve swung from one extreme to another. Because I crashed hard when I tried to drop to 150mg before, I'm stuck. Do you think I should prioritize fixing the Folate (2.9) and severe dehydration before I try to taper again, or is my E2/Hematocrit too high to wait? I’m trying to learn how to find a middle ground that keeps me mentally stable."

 

[Ateam2023]

Stats
Age: 53
Weight: 84.5 kg
Body Fat: 22% (approximate)

History: Various blasts and cruises over the last 2 years. Stable on this current dose (~187mg/wk) for the last 6 months.

Current Protocol: 187.5 mg/week (Test C 250mg/mL) split into 3 injections.

Lifestyle: 2–4 hours training/week.
Not best diet (protein and fibre solid but still too much sugar, fat, salt, and refined carbs).
Chronic dehydration (under 1 liter of water per day).

The Context (Mental Health and Baseline)
I have been using this higher dose as a quick hack to stay on top of mounting personal stress and pressure. The Test has definitely helped my libido and drive stay alive during a very dark period where I feared a depressive slide.

My natural baseline (pre-TRT) was very poor:
Free T: 14.1 pmol/L (Below reference range)
SHBG: 47 nmol/L

Because my GP has zero experience with TRT, I have been navigating this on my own.
Given my 2-year history of blasting and cruising, I believe my neurochemistry is heavily adapted to high androgen levels, which is likely why my previous attempts to taper felt so brutal.

The Problem
I am a massive high-responder. At 187.5mg/week, my levels are pinned at >15ng/mL. When I previously tried to taper by 20% (down to 150mg/week), I crashed hard—specifically libido and mental well-being—though my gym performance stayed decent. I want to get healthy and bring these markers down, but I am looking for a way to avoid that depressive hole.

Latest Lab Results (Feb 2026)

Total Testosterone: >15.00 ng/mL (Ref: 1.93 – 7.40)

Estradiol (E2): 90.0 pg/mL (Ref: 11.3 – 43.2)

Hematocrit: 51.8% (Ref max: 48.6%)

eGFR (Kidney): 67 mL/min (Ref: >90)

Creatinine: 12.2 mg/L (Ref max: 11.7)

HOMA-IR: 2.34 (Rising insulin resistance)

Vitamin D: 28.3 (Low)

Folate (B9): 2.9 (Critically Low)

Questions for the Forum

1. The Crash: Was the previous crash likely due to the T:E2 ratio shifting too fast after 2 years of being enhanced? How do I drop dose without the mental and libido side effects?

2. E2 Management: At 90 pg/mL, should I use a micro-dose AI (0.125mg) while I slowly lower the Test dose to stabilize the transition?

3. Health Priority: With an eGFR of 67 and Hematocrit of 51.8 after 2 years of B&C, how urgent is this? Will 4L of water and lower salt pull these back, or do I need a phlebotomy?

4. Nutritional Link: Should I fix the Folate and Vitamin D first to stabilize my mood before I touch the Testosterone dose?

5. The Micro-Taper: Has anyone successfully used very small drops (e.g., 5-10mg a week) to get off a cruise without the brain noticing the dip?

I am trying to move away from using TRT as a crutch for stress, but I need a sustainable exit strategy. I have nowhere else to go for advice other than this forum as a starting point.

I appreciate any experience you guys can share. I need to get off the "stress-crutch" without falling apart.

Why are you only drinking less than 1 L of water per day? That in itself is a recipe for a disaster.

 

[adrenalytic]

22% is pretty fat. You shouldn't be blasting anything. You need an AI at TRT levels because you're overweight. Healthy weighted people generally don't require AI at those doses. I think you know the problem you're just trying to treat it with more drugs than pursuing the actual cure (diet and cardio).

 

[BendigoShafter]

Do you know your SHBG currently?

 

[wildwoodmc]

Why are you only drinking less than 1 L of water per day? That in itself is a recipe for a disaster.

I figured… to be clear that is when I’m not training. Closer to 2 when I do train. I never feel thirsty.

 

[wildwoodmc]

22% is pretty fat. You shouldn't be blasting anything. You need an AI at TRT levels because you're overweight. Healthy weighted people generally don't require AI at those doses. I think you know the problem you're just trying to treat it with more drugs than pursuing the actual cure (diet and cardio).

True I am far from jacked, photo attached. I am guessing 22%. Maybe you have a better idea?

 

[adrenalytic]

True I am far from jacked, photo attached. I am guessing 22%. Maybe you have a better idea?

I'd guess 19-20. No vascularity, no visible abs or striations anywhere really. I'm not sure where you started but you definitely don't have much to show for someone who has been "blasting and cruising" for 2 years. Stay at TRT until you get your training and diet figured out as something is clearly off there. If I saw you in the gym I would never guess you were on anything.

You're only screwing yourself harder with PEDs. The trade off is supposed to be that you get some bad health markers in exchange for muscularity and looking ripped. You seem to not be getting the reward portion of the deal.

 

[bananafeet]

True I am far from jacked, photo attached. I am guessing 22%. Maybe you have a better idea?

What was your blasting mg?

Would you be willing to do the following tests on the same day?
- cystain c
- creatinine
- urine ACR

If you do we can plug it into a proper kidney calculator and see what's going on.

What's your training look like? Are you doing the main compound movements?

 

[wildwoodmc]

I'd guess 19-20. No vascularity, no visible abs or striations anywhere really. I'm not sure where you started but you definitely don't have much to show for someone who has been "blasting and cruising" for 2 years. Stay at TRT until you get your training and diet figured out as something is clearly off there. If I saw you in the gym I would never guess you were on anything.

You're only screwing yourself harder with PEDs. The trade off is supposed to be that you get some bad health markers in exchange for muscularity and looking ripped. You seem to not be getting the reward portion of the deal.

 

[wildwoodmc]

I appreciate the input, and I agree. Just to clarify: I started at a low 2.50 ng/mL baseline, which led to 250mg/week for 10 weeks. After a 2-month break, I blasted 500mg Test/500mg Deca for 5 weeks, followed by a 6-week run of 250mg Test, 200mg Primo, and 10mg Anavar.

I’m chasing an athletic build, not a bodybuilder's stage weight. My training is focused on circuits and resistance, and I’ll be the first to admit my diet discipline hasn't been 100% 'ripped' status yet.

The bottom line: I want to move to a standard TRT dose without the crash. What’s the move? Is 100–120mg cold turkey the right call, or is there a way to do it while being able to get some gains?