Started HRT regimen, my hormones are HAYWIRE!

[rjrjclub]

I was told to post in this forum on Men's health.

I am a 53 year old male who just finished a 20 week program of HRT therapy( men anti-aging). Blood work was to be re-checked 6-months later. My given protocol from this internet anti-aging clinic(with an actual clinic(s) in Florida) was as follows:

* 220 mg. testosterone cypionate IM once a week
* 1 mg of anastrozole twice a week (1 mg. x 2 days)
* 500 IU of HCG. twice a week (500IU. x 2days)

The protocol was based on the following Lab test results:

Testosterone: 325 nl/dl____________ Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: 8.3 pg/ml________ Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 48 nmol/L _________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 26 pg/ml ________________Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 2.7 mIU _____________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: 2.8: mIU _____________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 59 ng/ml ___________________Normal 87 - 238

Thyroid results were midrange normal

Everything was going great. felt better, daily headaches went away, energy level soared, and my libido improved, my workouts improved. One NEGATIVE: my testicles stared shrinking and my nipples got tender. Oh i had acne popping up on different partsof my body(scalp, chin.forehead, mid section of stomach).

Had my blood work checked after 22 weeks. I initated the lab work on December 31, 2009.(Had just started the next 20 week phase). The results were as follows. These are NOT missprints

Testosterone: 4839 nl/dl ______________Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: > 49 pg/ml __________Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 51.9 nmol/L ___________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 85.3 pg/ml__________________ Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 0.3 mIU ________________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: <0.2 mIU ________________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 79 ng/ml ______________________Normal 87 - 238

My consultant who works for this internet site anti-aging clinic called with the results and were astounded and concerned about my hormone levels. They (their clinic)had never seen a testosterone level that high before. Apparently Labcorp was surprised and confirmed the results on dilution>

My new protocol (after the results) that they gave to me is:

* 100 mg of testosterone cypionate per week IM

* 3000 IU of HCG per week (500IU x 6 days)

* 1 mg of anastrozole 3 times per week for 4 weeks

* 10 mg of tamoxiphen 3 times per weeks for 4 weeks

* 50 mg stanolozol troche 3 time a week starting Feb 7th , 2010
for 4 weeks.

After reading some of the various threads on this site I am more confused than ever. I stopped taking the testosterone 3 weeks ago to try to get the levels down. I am taking 1200-1500 IU of HCG per week(no more than 500IU per injection). I am taking the anastrozole and the tamoxiphen as instructed. my sore nipples have gone away. I was going to resume the testosterone Feb 7, 2010 at the 100 mg IM per week.

HELP! What the HECK happened? Any constructive feedback will be greatly appreciated.

 

[tbaggs22]

Those numbers are insane bro..... Hopefully one of the Docs on here will chime in and help out. They may think this is a joke though because those numbers don't sound possible. Glad you decided to give the test a break though. 220mg a week for someone your age seems awful high.

 

[w_llewellyn]

I think for most people, 100 mg per week would be a much more reasonable dosage.

 

[Michael Scally MD]

I was told to post in this forum on Men's health.

I am a 53 year old male who just finished a 20 week program of HRT therapy( men anti-aging). Blood work was to be re-checked 6-months later. My given protocol from this internet anti-aging clinic(with an actual clinic(s) in Florida) was as follows:

* 220 mg. testosterone cypionate IM once a week
* 1 mg of anastrozole twice a week (1 mg. x 2 days)
* 500 IU of HCG. twice a week (500IU. x 2days)

The protocol was based on the following Lab test results:

Testosterone: 325 nl/dl____________ Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: 8.3 pg/ml________ Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 48 nmol/L _________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 26 pg/ml ________________Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 2.7 mIU _____________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: 2.8: mIU _____________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 59 ng/ml ___________________Normal 87 - 238

Thyroid results were midrange normal

Everything was going great. felt better, daily headaches went away, energy level soared, and my libido improved, my workouts improved. One NEGATIVE: my testicles stared shrinking and my nipples got tender. Oh i had acne popping up on different partsof my body(scalp, chin.forehead, mid section of stomach).

Had my blood work checked after 22 weeks. I initated the lab work on December 31, 2009.(Had just started the next 20 week phase). The results were as follows. These are NOT missprints

Testosterone: 4839 nl/dl ______________Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: > 49 pg/ml __________Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 51.9 nmol/L ___________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 85.3 pg/ml__________________ Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 0.3 mIU ________________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: <0.2 mIU ________________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 79 ng/ml ______________________Normal 87 - 238

My consultant who works for this internet site anti-aging clinic called with the results and were astounded and concerned about my hormone levels. They (their clinic)had never seen a testosterone level that high before. Apparently Labcorp was surprised and confirmed the results on dilution>

My new protocol (after the results) that they gave to me is:

* 100 mg of testosterone cypionate per week IM

* 3000 IU of HCG per week (500IU x 6 days)

* 1 mg of anastrozole 3 times per week for 4 weeks

* 10 mg of tamoxiphen 3 times per weeks for 4 weeks

* 50 mg stanolozol troche 3 time a week starting Feb 7th , 2010
for 4 weeks.

After reading some of the various threads on this site I am more confused than ever. I stopped taking the testosterone 3 weeks ago to try to get the levels down. I am taking 1200-1500 IU of HCG per week(no more than 500IU per injection). I am taking the anastrozole and the tamoxiphen as instructed. my sore nipples have gone away. I was going to resume the testosterone Feb 7, 2010 at the 100 mg IM per week.

HELP! What the HECK happened? Any constructive feedback will be greatly appreciated.

An image comes immediately to mind:

 

[rjrjclub]

RE Michael Scully, MD

I am assuming that your picture you posted is in reference that the people at the anti-aging clinics are a bunch of Quacks. I started wondering that myself. When I ordered the next 20 weeks of hormones; I had mentioned to my assigned consultant at the clinic that my sex drive has started to go down. He then talked me into using 330 mg per week of testosterone cypionate IM. He told me split it twice a week. (165mg. x 2 days per week.) He told me that helped him (with diminishing sex drive) and he has been on TRT for 5 years. No Blood work was even mentioned.

I initiated the blood work request because I had started a Semorelin regimen through that clinic to get my IGF-1 level up from the 59 ng/ml. I wanted to see if the sermorelin was helping. When I asked my consultant to set up the test ; his response was "why do you want to do that?"

My goal when I started this was to get the best protocol at the best price. I have my doubts now!

The clinics response when they saw the whacky hormone levels was that my body must not be metabolizing the testosterone. I don't know what that means.

BTW; I am 6'-0" and weigh 188 lbs. I have always weght trained for 30 years averaging 3 times per week. Before the TRT regimen I had to take Ibuprofen before the workouts(past 3 years). Once on the testosterone the Ibuprofen regimen stopped. Now that I have been off the testosterone for 3 weeks the joint pain is returning.

I am open to any constructive feedback. Thanks

 

[cvictorg]

RE Michael Scully, MD

I am assuming that your picture you posted is in reference that the people at the anti-aging clinics are a bunch of Quacks. I started wondering that myself. When I ordered the next 20 weeks of hormones; I had mentioned to my assigned consultant at the clinic that my sex drive has started to go down. He then talked me into using 330 mg per week of testosterone cypionate IM. He told me split it twice a week. (165mg. x 2 days per week.) He told me that helped him (with diminishing sex drive) and he has been on TRT for 5 years. No Blood work was even mentioned.

I initiated the blood work request because I had started a Semorelin regimen through that clinic to get my IGF-1 level up from the 59 ng/ml. I wanted to see if the sermorelin was helping. When I asked my consultant to set up the test ; his response was "why do you want to do that?"

My goal when I started this was to get the best protocol at the best price. I have my doubts now!

The clinics response when they saw the whacky hormone levels was that my body must not be metabolizing the testosterone. I don't know what that means.

BTW; I am 6'-0" and weigh 188 lbs. I have always weght trained for 30 years averaging 3 times per week. Before the TRT regimen I had to take Ibuprofen before the workouts(past 3 years). Once on the testosterone the Ibuprofen regimen stopped. Now that I have been off the testosterone for 3 weeks the joint pain is returning.

I am open to any constructive feedback. Thanks

What is the name of the clinic - is it Spectrum HRT?

 

[rjrjclub]

Re: cvictorg

What is the name of the clinic - is it Spectrum HRT?

No, its not Spectrum HRT. I did get a qoute from them for a program. They were one of the lowest for the TRT program. There followup visit for bloodwork was 90 days.

I am not sure if I can name the clinic. I don't want to get sued. AND They are only charging $150 for the Labcorp bloodwork. (their actual cost with no markup). Since everything is out of pocket expenses for me I have to be careful.

 

[TheOldFart]

Please post who the clinic is so that people know to stay away from those idiots. Also, run away from them as fast as you can and try to find a doctor who is willing to treat you and who seems to know what he is doing. It is very obvious that these people don't know what they are doing.

I can't believe what they are prescribing for you. I do believe what you're telling us. I just find it so ridiculous what they are doing. In my opinion, they are far more dangerous to your health than a doctor who would tell you that 325 is normal and refuses to treat you.

 

[TheOldFart]

I guess it's best if you do not name them. I was writing my post when you posted your concern.

 

[wildfox]

...
Had my blood work checked after 22 weeks. I initated the lab work on December 31, 2009.(Had just started the next 20 week phase). The results were as follows. These are NOT missprints

Testosterone: 4839 nl/dl ______________Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: > 49 pg/ml __________Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 51.9 nmol/L ___________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 85.3 pg/ml__________________ Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 0.3 mIU ________________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: <0.2 mIU ________________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 79 ng/ml ______________________Normal 87 - 238

...

HELP! What the HECK happened? Any constructive feedback will be greatly appreciated.

First of all, that Estradiol number is a big clue.

How long after your last injection was this blood drawn?

 

[BBC3]

You could name them in the steroid section here. They would be greatly appreciative...

I guess it's best if you do not name them. I was writing my post when you posted your concern.

 

[rjrjclub]

Re : Widfox comment:

Originally Posted by rjrjclub
...
Had my blood work checked after 22 weeks. I initated the lab work on December 31, 2009.(Had just started the next 20 week phase). The results were as follows. These are NOT missprints

Testosterone: 4839 nl/dl ______________Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: > 49 pg/ml __________Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 51.9 nmol/L ___________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 85.3 pg/ml__________________ Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 0.3 mIU ________________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: <0.2 mIU ________________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 79 ng/ml ______________________Normal 87 - 238


HELP! What the HECK happened? Any constructive feedback will be greatly appreciated.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First of all, that Estradiol number is a big clue.

How long after your last injection was this blood drawn?

My blood was drawn 3 days after my last injection.

I believe that I read somewhere that you are suppose to wait 2-3 days after the last injection.

 

[rjrjclub]

Re: Could PT-141 cause my hormones to go HAYWIRE

I am a 53 year old male who just finished a 20 week program of HRT therapy( men anti-aging). Blood work was to be re-checked 6-months later. My given protocol from this internet anti-aging clinic(with an actual clinic(s) in Florida) was as follows:

* 220 mg. testosterone cypionate IM once a week
* 1 mg of anastrozole twice a week (1 mg. x 2 days)
* 500 IU of HCG. twice a week (500IU. x 2days)

The protocol was based on the following Lab test results:

Testosterone: 325 nl/dl____________ Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: 8.3 pg/ml________ Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 48 nmol/L _________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 26 pg/ml ________________Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 2.7 mIU _____________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: 2.8: mIU _____________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 59 ng/ml ___________________Normal 87 - 238

Thyroid results were midrange normal

Everything was going great. felt better, daily headaches went away, energy level soared, and my libido improved, my workouts improved. One NEGATIVE: my testicles stared shrinking and my nipples got tender. Oh i had acne popping up on different partsof my body(scalp, chin.forehead, mid section of stomach).

Had my blood work checked after 22 weeks. I initated the lab work on December 31, 2009.(Had just started the next 20 week phase). The results were as follows. These are NOT missprints

Testosterone: 4839 nl/dl ______________Normal 241 - 827
Free Testosterone: > 49 pg/ml __________Normal 7.2 - 24.0
SHBG: 51.9 nmol/L ___________________Normal 14.50 - 48.4
Estradiol: 85.3 pg/ml__________________ Normal 7.6-42
FSH: 0.3 mIU ________________________Normal 1.4 -18
LH: <0.2 mIU ________________________Normal 1.5 - 9.3
IGF-1: 79 ng/ml ______________________Normal 87 - 238

My consultant who works for this internet site anti-aging clinic called with the results and were astounded and concerned about my hormone levels. They (their clinic)had never seen a testosterone level that high before. Apparently Labcorp was surprised and confirmed the results on dilution>

My new protocol (after the results) that they gave to me is:

* 100 mg of testosterone cypionate per week IM

* 3000 IU of HCG per week (500IU x 6 days)

* 1 mg of anastrozole 3 times per week for 4 weeks

* 10 mg of tamoxiphen 3 times per weeks for 4 weeks

* 50 mg stanolozol troche 3 time a week starting Feb 7th , 2010
for 4 weeks.

After reading some of the various threads on this site I am more confused than ever. I stopped taking the testosterone 3 weeks ago to try to get the levels down. I am taking 1200-1500 IU of HCG per week(no more than 500IU per injection). I am taking the anastrozole and the tamoxiphen as instructed. my sore nipples have gone away. I was going to resume the testosterone Feb 7, 2010 at the 100 mg IM per week.

HELP! What the HECK happened? Any constructive feedback will be greatly appreciated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The only thing I did out of the ordinary before getting my blood work the next day was take an injection of PT-141 the afternoon before. My wife and I went to a Hotel for the evening to get away from the kids.

I haven't heard or read anywhere that taking PT-141 could skew hormone levels..??????

 

[BBC3]

Re: Could PT-141 cause my hormones to go HAYWIRE

WOW!!! That was pretty elaborate for SPAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The only thing I did out of the ordinary before getting my blood work the next day was take an injection of PT-141 the afternoon before. My wife and I went to a Hotel for the evening to get away from the kids.

I haven't heard or read anywhere that taking PT-141 could skew hormone levels..??????

 

[rjrjclub]

Re: BBC comment

WOW!!! That was pretty elaborate for SPAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huh? Call me naive, what does your comment mean?

 

[Ignitionnet]

You weren't on TRT you were on a steroid cycle and surprisingly it's shut your natural testosterone production down. I'm quite astounded their approach to anything was to throw more testosterone at you.

I am not sure why they even started you on TRT without looking at other options - you're not ideal but not excessively low given your age, I was considerably lower than yourself and am over 20 years younger and TRT wasn't even considered.

Your results aren't surprising. Our testes produce perhaps 50mg of testosterone per week max, you were getting pumped with 330mg of test cypionate per week, about equivalent to 230mg/week of free testosterone, which explains your levels being over 5 times normal.

Estriadol would have been that load of testosterone aromatising.

Did they say why they are giving you Stanozolol? Is it to lower your SHBG?

 

[rjrjclub]

Re: Ignitionnet reply

You weren't on TRT you were on a steroid cycle and surprisingly it's shut your natural testosterone production down. I'm quite astounded their approach to anything was to throw more testosterone at you.

I am not sure why they even started you on TRT without looking at other options - you're not ideal but not excessively low given your age, I was considerably lower than yourself and am over 20 years younger and TRT wasn't even considered.

Your results aren't surprising. Our testes produce perhaps 50mg of testosterone per week max, you were getting pumped with 330mg of test cypionate per week, about equivalent to 230mg/week of free testosterone, which explains your levels being over 5 times normal.

Estriadol would have been that load of testosterone aromatising.

Did they say why they are giving you Stanozolol? Is it to lower your SHBG?

The Stanozolol was given to lower the SHBG because it was so high. I was only taking 220 mg of testosterone cypionate IM. up until Dec. 28th, 2009. I was to start the 330mg. testosterone the following Monday ( Jan 4th). I never took my shot that day as the blood test results came back that day. (My clinic advisor talked me into purchasing the additional testosterone because I told him that my sex drive has been going down. It was in high gear starting from week 3 to about week 10 in the program. It gradually diminished over the next 10+ weeks).

Most of the anti-aging TRT clinics will reccommend TRT if your testosterone levels are below the 400 ng/dl (or at least my clinic does). I had had other issues like: lack of motivation, no energy level, ED, no sex drive, daily headaches, joint pains, etc. Tthe clinic said I was a perfect candidate for their program especially because my IGF-1 level was so low at 59. They said it was at the level of an 85-year old man.

Even though the clinic recommended to go to 100 mg. of testosterone I have stopped it completely. I was going to start up the testosterone on Feb 7, 2010 which is the day I am suppose to start the stanozolol. The HCG amount that they recommended scares me (3000IU.)so I trying to use 1/2 that amount in lower doses thru out the week. The tamoxiphen will cease; and the Arimidex will go back to 1 mg. twice a week.( 2 mg total per week).

I am going to try to go on lower doses of everything once my hormone levels normalize.

 

[HeadDoc]

rjrjclub, I hope that you will not find this question offensive. Do you have AIDS? Are you suffering muscle wasting? The doses and range of meds are just not in the scope of what we see around here for HRT,

 

[rjrjclub]

Re: HeadDoc response

rjrjclub, I hope that you will not find this question offensive. Do you have AIDS? Are you suffering muscle wasting? The doses and range of meds are just not in the scope of what we see around here for HRT,

No offense taken, Do not have AIDS. I am assuming you asked that because of the low IGF-1 factor. I have googled that query and found that people with AIDS can have low IGF-1.

I don't have muscle wasting. I have worked out for about 30 years(weight -lifting). My weight has ranged from 180-190 lbs. weight hasn't varied by a few pounds over the pasr 5 years. I actually eat really healthy about 6 day a week. My renal function seems to be slightly off normal.

Creatinine, Serum: 1.29 Normal: 0.76-1.27 Both blood test had the same results
eGFR: 58 Normal:>59 both blood test had same result

Liver function results were midrange normal both times.

The nurse practitioner at the clinic thought that (my off-normal kidney function) might be because of amount of the continuous use of NSAID's I have taken over the years. (broke my neck in 1990 while framing a house). Headaches and neck aches act up when I am under physical or mental stress. I was taking ibuprofen almost every days when working out (joint pain). Since on TRT I have been able to cut NSAID usage down by 50-70% most weeks. Joint pain dissappeared until the past 2 weeks since I stopped taking the testosterone IM shots.

The only other explanation I can guess at for the low IGF-1 reading was I was having an average of 2-4 alcoholic drinks per evening 6 days per week. My wife and I would sit and have drinks before bedtime after we put the 4 kids to bed. I have 3 kids 5 yrs and under. I was starting to feel my age at 53 years old. about 2 weeks ago I read some articles on this forum about excessive alcohol can really screw up your liver, kidneys, IGF-1, estrogen, your libido, etc.
For the last 2 weeks now I have switched to herbal tea at bedtime. Light drinking on the weekend when i go out with my wife.

As far as the protocol I was put on: I was a newbie so I just took what ever my advisor said at face value. I just wanted to feel better. I have been learning on this forum from the various advice i have been getting.