TRT+ Journey to....?

[247JL]

9 weeks. I've been on the Arimidex 0.5mg/wk for about a week and a half now. I take it EOD with my T injections. Don't have any symptoms of low estrogen at that dose. ED symptoms are improved but not resolved. Erections are about 80%. Definitely want to get back to 100% with my sex drive being the highest that it's ever been. Haven't been able to redraw the Estridol yet but I've got it scheduled for the 11th.
Looking for clarification on this though. My prior research said that a slightly "high" estrogen was acceptable when T levels are high. Is that not accurate? What should my target max estrogen be?
General progress update: Diet is going great. I'm down 13lbs. Nearly at my base weight before my low T symptoms started 2 years ago. Hard to tell from the pics but waist is down 1.5 inches. Bigger delts and traps, wider biceps. It's a great feeling. Progress on muscle development has been delayed due to a preexisting shoulder injury but I'm working on PT. Looking forward to being able to really up my weights.

Drinking less caffeine because my energy is improved. Drinking less alcohol because my mood is improved. Relationship with my wife is as good as it was when we first started dating because my self confidence is high and my sex drive is the best it's ever been. Like I said, I still need to get erections back to 100% because it still gets into my head a bit when we're doing the deed.

 

[HUGE McBIGLARGE]

Looking for clarification on this though. My prior research said that a slightly "high" estrogen was acceptable when T levels are high. Is that not accurate? What should my target max estrogen be?

The most common opinion I see here is that e2 should be kept in range regardless of your total T. There are some studies to support that. There are also some that suggest you should have your e2 slightly above range for better sexual functioning.

I would say get your e2 around 110pmol/l, and then titrate your AI dose down slightly and see how you feel. If you feel better, have your e2 a little higher.

I’m doing the same thing right now. I need 3.5mg of anastrozole per week to get my e2 in range, so I’ve switched to exemestane and I’m going to retest. I’m aiming for 100pmol/l, and then I’m going to titrate the exemestane down and assess the feelz

 

[Grey Spartan]

The most common opinion I see here is that e2 should be kept in range regardless of your total T. There are some studies to support that. There are also some that suggest you should have your e2 slightly above range for better sexual functioning.

I would say get your e2 around 110pmol/l, and then titrate your AI dose down slightly and see how you feel. If you feel better, have your e2 a little higher.

I’m doing the same thing right now. I need 3.5mg of anastrozole per week to get my e2 in range, so I’ve switched to exemestane and I’m going to retest. I’m aiming for 100pmol/l, and then I’m going to titrate the exemestane down and assess the feelz

Ya I'm still a little confused on e2. I've decided to just let my body figure it out and if I get symptoms of high e2 I will get blood work and then deal with it. Then I will know the ratio my body breaks at.

 

[247JL]

Well, estrogen levels are just about perfect. Still having some ED issues. Doc prescribed Viagra which works for now, but isn't as convenient as Cialis would be.
Being that my levels are looking good I'm going to go ahead and try increasing T to 300/wk. Continue cutting fat. Then 500 for a clean bulk. I anticipate that having me at my fitness/physique goal. From there, decrease to a true TRT dose and maintain.
I'll also be prepared to drop to TRT levels if the ED worsens. The aesthetics aren't important enough to ruin my sex life to achieve them.

 

[HUGE McBIGLARGE]

Well, estrogen levels are just about perfect. Still having some ED issues. Doc prescribed Viagra which works for now, but isn't as convenient as Cialis would be.
Being that my levels are looking good I'm going to go ahead and try increasing T to 300/wk. Continue cutting fat. Then 500 for a clean bulk. I anticipate that having me at my fitness/physique goal. From there, decrease to a true TRT dose and maintain.
I'll also be prepared to drop to TRT levels if the ED worsens. The aesthetics aren't important enough to ruin my sex life to achieve them.

Prolactin okay?

 

[247JL]

That's one that apparently didn't get drawn with my labs last time. I had looked into that. I'll have to look at the options for the company I use and see what I need to add for next draw.

 

[247JL]

Looks like I'm able to add that one just a la cart. I'll be sure to include it.

 

[twreck555]

Subbed to follow along your journey. Let's see where this will take you.

 

[247JL]

3 weeks into the 300 dose. Coming up on 14 weeks total. Starting an aggressive cut through the end of the year. Down 17lbs overall, definitely with some muscle added. My wife is a tad disappointed that my tits are mostly muscle when she goes to grab them now. She enjoyed some parts of the fluffier me.

Looking to drop another 11 before a clean bulk and 500T. Tossing around the idea of 20mg Anavar/day when I get to that point.

ED is nearly entirely resolved. Been working on my mental health which seems to have been a big part of it. I'm at 90-95% baseline erections. Sometimes 100%.

Strength in my day to day life is up significantly. Before T 100lbs was feeling like 200. Now 200 feels like 100. The callouses on my hands, or lack there of, haven't gotten the memo though .

Overall, I'm very pleased. Need to step up the gym frequency. Life's been getting in the way. Probably up my cardio to reach the weight goal.

Here's to new beginnings!

 

[HUGE McBIGLARGE]

3 weeks into the 300 dose. Coming up on 14 weeks total. Starting an aggressive cut through the end of the year. Down 17lbs overall, definitely with some muscle added. My wife is a tad disappointed that my tits are mostly muscle when she goes to grab them now. She enjoyed some parts of the fluffier me.

Looking to drop another 11 before a clean bulk and 500T. Tossing around the idea of 20mg Anavar/day when I get to that point.

ED is nearly entirely resolved. Been working on my mental health which seems to have been a big part of it. I'm at 90-95% baseline erections. Sometimes 100%.

Strength in my day to day life is up significantly. Before T 100lbs was feeling like 200. Now 200 feels like 100. The callouses on my hands, or lack there of, haven't gotten the memo though .

Overall, I'm very pleased. Need to step up the gym frequency. Life's been getting in the way. Probably up my cardio to reach the weight goal.

Here's to new beginnings!

What do you think resolved the ED for you?

 

[247JL]

Guessing a combination of lower, stable E2 and reducing stress.

 

[247JL]

5 weeks into the 300 dose. 2 weeks into my high deficit diet. Everything is doing what it should. Down 5lbs. Most of it seems to be coming off my core which is where I need the most help. I'm down another inch off my waistline. Hungry and tired, but still very motivated.

The 300T dose is a game changer in the gym. Absolutely crushing through every PB I have. No side effects to speak of.

I may end up pushing the diet to 6 weeks total to overshoot my body fat goal before I try putting on weight. We'll see how everything goes over the next couple weeks though. Plan after that is still 500T and 20 Anavar.

Drawing labs next week. Anything else that might be worth adding to this list while I'm at it?