Interesting bloodwork results on TRT+

[Deezznutzz]

Thanks for replying. I get bloodwork done 6-7 time per year as I like to know how my body reacts to changes in my dosing protocols. I was able to figure out a proper Primo dose to control my e2 properly, relative to my test dosages without the need for AI. Primo also hardens me up, keeping my muscles looking full, despite a low dose, something AI won't do and it makes me feel great while keeping my libido highly functional.
I agree with you, that assessing and making changes when necessary is of the utmost importance.

Some would argue taking arimidex to keep e2 in check is healthier than adding primo to control e2. I mean the prescribe childen 7mg a day arimidex with no issues.

 

[UncleBuns]

I thought the more free Test the more the body has to use? I thought that was the concept behind using Proviron. You take Proviron, it lowers you SHBG, you now have more free Test (from the Test you injected) for the body to use.

I'm still trying to learn as much as possible so could have this backward or misunderstood completely.

I don't fully understand if free test is more "active" in the body or not. I think it is but I need to learn more to understand free vs bound test. What I do know is that total test measures all the test in your blood, free and bound. Most test is bound to SHBG and Albumin. Free test is unbound in the blood. There is way more bound test in the blood than free. The lab I use gives a reference range of free test as 1.5 to 4.2% of total testosterone.

Free testosterone is more readily aromatized, metabolized, and cleared from the body. Bound test isn't permanently bound. Binding basically acts as a reservoir and can be up unbound. How why and when it's unbound I don't know.

 

[Rawbie]

I thought the more free Test the more the body has to use? I thought that was the concept behind using Proviron. You take Proviron, it lowers you SHBG, you now have more free Test (from the Test you injected) for the body to use.

I'm still trying to learn as much as possible so could have this backward or misunderstood completely.

that's the way ive understood it..

 

[Astartes]

45 y/o male on TRT for the last 15 years. 6.2” 170 lbs, training 6 days a week with 5 days of 30 minute fasted cardio. I have been on test C 100mg per week split into two shots M/T. All bloodwork has been good.
Decided to add NPP 100mg per week, split into three injections and increase test C to 120mg per week. Made great progress in the gym, got leaner and added 8 lbs of lean muscle tissue in one month.

Bloodwork after one month: Testosterone total went down from 923 to 906. Free Test went from 17.0 pg/ml to 55.85 pg/ml. SHBG went down from 27.6 nmol/L to 16.9 nmol/L. Estradiol went up from 30.2 pg/ml to 53.2 pg/ml. Prolactin went up from 12.3 ng/ml to 17.0 ng/ml. Cortisol went up from 7.9 ug/dl to 14.7 ug/dl.

Should I be concerned with these results? How can I rectify low SHBG, higher prolactin and increased e2? I don’t want to use AI, never have. I already take P5P daily.

Side effects: worse sleep, some fatigue and low libido.

I plan on increasing Test C to 150mg, keeping NPP at 100mg and adding Primo at 50mg per week to slightly lower e2 and hopefully to make me feel better.
I intend to do bloodwork after 1 month and adjust Test and Primo if needed. The plan is to take these compounds for three months, twice a year.


Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

All those results are within margin of error depending on a lot of factors. Short answer…. No.

Take a week off. Systemic fatigue is real. (Particularly given your workout schedule and leanness)

You won’t lose muscle until about 10-14 days of inactivity and on androgens it is probably more

Edit: I am also 40s and I take 1 week off every 2 months. (Eat very clean, very low carb high protein) You will feel “flat” due to low glycogen but your first workout pump will be insane and all that piles back in.

It’s a game changer.

 

[Grey Spartan]

All those results are within margin of error depending on a lot of factors. Short answer…. No.

Take a week off. Systemic fatigue is real. (Particularly given your workout schedule and leanness)

You won’t lose muscle until about 10-14 days of inactivity and on androgens it is probably more

Edit: I am also 40s and I take 1 week off every 2 months. (Eat very clean, very low carb high protein) You will feel “flat” due to low glycogen but your first workout pump will be insane and all that piles back in.

It’s a game changer.

100% I do the same and agree it is a game changer.

 

[MYP9864]

All those results are within margin of error depending on a lot of factors. Short answer…. No.

Take a week off. Systemic fatigue is real. (Particularly given your workout schedule and leanness)

You won’t lose muscle until about 10-14 days of inactivity and on androgens it is probably more

Edit: I am also 40s and I take 1 week off every 2 months. (Eat very clean, very low carb high protein) You will feel “flat” due to low glycogen but your first workout pump will be insane and all that piles back in.

It’s a game changer.

Great advice. I will definitely incorporate it. Thanks!