Post: #201

I used Ashwagandha for 2 months I got effect only at the end of 2 months before T levels were ~300 now 445
Now it's strange I have better T levels but sleep worse I can sleep max 6H then waking up and can't sleep anymore I'm 29 years old

Post: #202

I am having a hard time finding a place to fill my 200mg/ml 10ml testosterone prescriptions. Last time I got it filled at CVS they said they could no longer get 10ml bottles and gave me ten 1ml bottles. Now they say they can not get it at all. So I went to Kmart the only other pharmacy in my city and they can't get injectable testosterone. Is something going on that I don't know about? I tried googling it an couldn't find anything.

Also I got my blood work back today and it goes as follows
(I injected .5ml on Monday morning and drew blood for this blood work Thursday morning)

Testosterone serum: 1041
Free Testosterone: 24.5
Estradiol: 32.8
Cortisol: 21.6 (This is in the above normal range)

I got my Thyroid checked to
TSH: 1.420
t4: 7.5
t3: 33
Free Thyroxine: 2.5

This is the first time I have checked my free testosterone, estradiol, and cortisol. If anyone know much about these or has any info on if some are to high or low feel free to post.

Post: #203

^Check Costco
Also see if you can get it filled online.

Post: #204

I got tested yesterday which which would be 10 days after my last .5ml injection just to see where I would be at. My total testosterone serum was 319 which is the lowest it has ever been.

So 4 days after a .5ml injection I am at 1014 total testosterone and 10 days after my injection I am at 319 total testosterone.
I think I will inject .5ml every 6 days and see how that goes. I may get my levels checked next Thursday that would be 6 days after a injection since I injected today. Juts trying to get this dialed in and figured out while I can since I leave for Peru in 9 days.

Post: #205

Today I took my first shot of a 10-week experiment: 250 mg cypionate, once a week - although I may go to 125 mg twice a week.

I'm not getting it from a doctor's prescription, but it's pharmaceutical grade. I'm only 28 years old, and I haven't had blood work done, although I have a few "symptoms" of low-T ... from my current perspective, the symptoms (lower libido than friends, long recovery time from strength workouts, etc) aren't ruining my quality of life, but I kind of want to see if life can be a little better. I've convinced myself that a 10-week experiment won't hurt me permanently. Consider me a recreational user.

I'm a little worried about the testicular shrinkage, which Mike says he "doesn't care about" in his podcast and says is 25% tops earlier in this thread. Research (and this thread) says that HCG may help prevent it. I'll probably buy this off Amazon Canada (not an affiliate link), though I haven't researched it well yet.

Look forward to updating you guys as things go forward.

Other things I'll be doing to supplement this regimen:
- Eating more broccoli (Indole-3-carbinol may reduce estrogenic metabolites?)
- No alcohol
- No porn / masturbation (shout out to the NoFap thread here on RVF) ... Sex will continue.

Other suggestions / comments / concerns welcome !
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Thanks for this thread, esp. MikeCF and Cr33pin. I've read it through and learned a lot, to supplement the knowledge I got from research (my science background helped)

Post: #206

(09-28-2014 10:57 PM)Chemistry Wrote:  Today I took my first shot of a 10-week experiment: 250 mg cypionate, once a week - although I may go to 125 mg twice a week.

I'm not getting it from a doctor's prescription, but it's pharmaceutical grade. I'm only 28 years old, and I haven't had blood work done, although I have a few "symptoms" of low-T ... from my current perspective, the symptoms (lower libido than friends, long recovery time from strength workouts, etc) aren't ruining my quality of life, but I kind of want to see if life can be a little better. I've convinced myself that a 10-week experiment won't hurt me permanently. Consider me a recreational user.

I'm a little worried about the testicular shrinkage, which Mike says he "doesn't care about" in his podcast and says is 25% tops earlier in this thread. Research (and this thread) says that HCG may help prevent it. I'll probably buy this off Amazon Canada (not an affiliate link), though I haven't researched it well yet.

Look forward to updating you guys as things go forward.

Other things I'll be doing to supplement this regimen:
- Eating more broccoli (Indole-3-carbinol may reduce estrogenic metabolites?)
- No alcohol
- No porn / masturbation (shout out to the NoFap thread here on RVF) ... Sex will continue.

Other suggestions / comments / concerns welcome !
-----
------
Thanks for this thread, esp. MikeCF and Cr33pin. I've read it through and learned a lot, to supplement the knowledge I got from research (my science background helped)

Most of what you say sounds good. Seems like you did your homework. I REALLY think you should have got your levels checked before you started this experiment. You really need to know where you were to start with in order to know your optimal levels and how your body takes to TRT. Plus at your age you may have high T levels naturally there is just something else causing your symptoms.

I think your doses are a little high to unless you are a competitive bodybuilder. I get my T levels in the low 1000's with a .50mg shot every 5 days and you are 29 years old and taking over quadruple what I am taking. Its a journey, you just have to figure out whats works best for you.

Good luck!! and be sure to keep us posted on your experience with TRT.

Post: #207

After 8 months of TRT my nuts are tiny. I could care less though. No girl has noticed it either and I've had them licking my nuts as well. However when I do orgasm my nuts get sucked up and I don't even seem them anymore. Goes right back to normal after a few seconds though.

Honestly having small nuts is absolutely nothing compared to what I was going through before I started injecting the test.

(09-28-2014 10:57 PM)Chemistry Wrote:  I'm a little worried about the testicular shrinkage, which Mike says he "doesn't care about" in his podcast and says is 25% tops earlier in this thread. Research (and this thread) says that HCG may help prevent it.

Post: #208

Hey Thug Muffin do you mind telling us what your dose and schedule for TRT are? Also your age if you don't mind.

Post: #209

I do 160mg twice a week. I inject every tues and friday. I used to do 200mg a week but it messed with my boners. My e2 was sitting around 36-34 then.

I took bloodwork on a friday morning right before my next injection and I was sitting around 900 with my e2 at 30 or so. I'm probably sitting around 1300 peak. As of right now I feel phenomenal.

(09-29-2014 10:13 AM)Cr33pin Wrote:  Hey Thug Muffin do you mind telling us what your dose and schedule for TRT are? Also your age if you don't mind.

Post: #210

(09-29-2014 08:51 PM)Thug Muffin Wrote:  I do 160mg twice a week. I inject every tues and friday. I used to do 200mg a week but it messed with my boners. My e2 was sitting around 36-34 then.

I took bloodwork on a friday morning right before my next injection and I was sitting around 900 with my e2 at 30 or so. I'm probably sitting around 1300 peak. As of right now I feel phenomenal.

(09-29-2014 10:13 AM)Cr33pin Wrote:  Hey Thug Muffin do you mind telling us what your dose and schedule for TRT are? Also your age if you don't mind.

Are you saying your E2 levels being in the 34-36 range was causing your problems?
I had my e2 checked just last week for the first time and its at 32. Have you noticed that big of a difference between being in the e2 36-34 range then being around 30?

I'm curious if I should try to lower my e2 levels now. From the brief research I came across online most people were saying e2 in the 20s - mid 30s should be fine.....


I also notice I am taking significantly less TRT then most people and my levels hover around 1000... Which to me seems like it should be plenty.

Post: #211

Double post

Post: #212

I wasn't having major ED problems but popping wood on my own took a bit of time. When I first started taking T I passed through the sweet E2 zone where getting erections was easy, but then I hit a point where it just took a bit longer. I took my e2 at that point and it said 34. I also read the sweet spot was around 28 so I figured I'll drop my dosage for a bit to see what happens.

Next time I tested I was at 31.1 which was 4 months ago. Erections come a lot easier now so it's possible I may be lower then that now. I get new bloods this week so I'll let you know. I really feel like those few points in my e2 made a huge difference for me.

[/quote]
Are you saying your E2 levels being in the 34-36 range was causing your problems?
I had my e2 checked just last week for the first time and its at 32. Have you noticed that big of a difference between being in the e2 36-34 range then being around 30?

I'm curious if I should try to lower my e2 levels now. From the brief research I came across online most people were saying e2 in the 20s - mid 30s should be fine.....


I also notice I am taking significantly less TRT then most people and my levels hover around 1000... Which to me seems like it should be plenty.
[/quote]

Post: #213

(09-29-2014 12:11 AM)Thug Muffin Wrote:  After 8 months of TRT my nuts are tiny. I could care less though. No girl has noticed it either and I've had them licking my nuts as well. However when I do orgasm my nuts get sucked up and I don't even seem them anymore. Goes right back to normal after a few seconds though.

Honestly having small nuts is absolutely nothing compared to what I was going through before I started injecting the test.

(09-28-2014 10:57 PM)Chemistry Wrote:  I'm a little worried about the testicular shrinkage, which Mike says he "doesn't care about" in his podcast and says is 25% tops earlier in this thread. Research (and this thread) says that HCG may help prevent it.

HCG works well. I've been off it for a few weeks (I take 160mg Cyp+Dex also) and my testicles are much smaller.

Post: #214

Yes HCG is very effective in treating testicular atrophy. It mimics leutinizing hormone which triggers the natural testosterone production in men. Don't use it too often or your body can become immune to the leutinizing hormone feedback. That would be bad for your natural testosterone production.

Edit: For those of you on hormone replacement I hope you are getting your testosterone levels checked. If you are experiencing testicular shrinkage it means your body is shutting down your natural testosterone production in an effort to regulate the androgens in your system. The human body is not stupid. It detects the exogenous testosterone you're injecting and is trying to compensate for it.

Post: #215

(10-15-2014 06:17 PM)Uzisuicide Wrote:  Yes HCG is very effective in treating testicular atrophy. It mimics leutinizing hormone which triggers the natural testosterone production in men. Don't use it too often or your body can become immune to the leutinizing hormone feedback. That would be bad for your natural testosterone production.

Edit: For those of you on hormone replacement I hope you are getting your testosterone levels checked. If you are experiencing testicular shrinkage it means your body is shutting down your natural testosterone production in an effort to regulate the androgens in your system. The human body is not stupid. It detects the exogenous testosterone you're injecting and is trying to compensate for it.

This is page 9. Go read the other 8 pages before dropping those knowledge bombs.

Post: #216

(10-15-2014 06:27 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  This is page 9. Go read the other 8 pages before dropping those knowledge bombs.

Be nice if there was a "MUST READ BEFORE POSTING" specific to this thread. Would probably make things more efficient on other threads too.

Post: #217

Hey MikeCF, We're all here to drop knowledge bombs to help each other. I've not read anywhere on this thread that warns guys not to over use HCG or it could lead to the body ignoring the luteinizing hormone signal to produce natural testosterone. Reasonable folks can see by my join date and my post count that I'm not a 'post whore'. I have years of experience with these compounds and know what I'm talking about. I will contribute when I have something productive to add. If you disagree with anything I have to comment on then jump in and let's discuss it. That's what discussion boards are for.

Post: #218

Uzi:

I guess what mike was saying was that the HPTA axis has been discussed plenty, and we all here have a basic understanding that the system is a feedback loop which is shut down once you add exogenous testosterone or other hormones to that loop.

I don't know why HCG would desensitize testes to LH anymore than testosterone would desensitize as well. Its been shown plenty that the HPTA can restart after removal of exogenous hormones. same with the thryoid and the removal of exogenous T3/T4.

Post: #219

(10-16-2014 08:05 AM)Downtown Wrote:  I don't know why HCG would desensitize testes to LH anymore than testosterone would desensitize as well. Its been shown plenty that the HPTA can restart after removal of exogenous hormones. same with the thryoid and the removal of exogenous T3/T4.

Some guys on heavy test cycles have used HCG throughout the cycle thinking that it will prevent shutdown of the HPTA. It doesn't. Prolonged use of HCG like that can desensitize the bodies reaction to LH as a trigger mechanism to re-start the HPTA. I only use HCG at the end of a cycle to restore natural hormone production.

Post: #220

(09-28-2014 10:57 PM)Chemistry Wrote:  Today I took my first shot of a 10-week experiment: 250 mg cypionate, once a week - although I may go to 125 mg twice a week.

Look forward to updating you guys as things go forward.

I'm taking a break from the forum for a while, but I wanted to update you guys here: I only ever did the one shot, because of problems with my source.

I felt pretty good starting around day 2 or 3, but it definitely could have been Placebo ... just knowing I had injected some Test made me feel great.

If I do it again, I'll get my blood work checked out, as per advice.

Wishing you guys only the best

Post: #221

(10-21-2014 08:40 AM)Chemistry Wrote:  I'm taking a break from the forum for a while, but I wanted to update you guys here: I only ever did the one shot, because of problems with my source.

I felt pretty good starting around day 2 or 3, but it definitely could have been Placebo ... just knowing I had injected some Test made me feel great.

If I do it again, I'll get my blood work checked out, as per advice.

Wishing you guys only the best

Hope you get things worked out with you injections if its something you decide to pursue.

Comeback to the forum when ever you are ready we will be here

Post: #222

Mid 30's male.

Been on Rx'd 160mg Cyp IM 1x/week for one year. Also Arimidex 1mg 1x/week and HCG 0.5mg 2x/week. DDX is secondary hypogonadism, largely due to aging and ostensibly stress/sleep disruption of job (fireman).

Latest bloods registered TT @ 950, E2 at 4. General bloodwork is spectacular. I've lost approximately 70lbs in 18 months.

Recently decided to blast and cruise at 500mg Cyp (250mg 2x/week). Ancillaries will remain the same, as my E2 is very low as it is.

Looking forward to seeing the results. Unless major health issues arise, I plan on remaining on T (with planned cyclical downward titration of dose) in perpetuity.

Post: #223

Anybody got good data sources on foreign countries where quality T is widely available OTC/or otherwise how restricted it is within the poosy destinations of SEA, EE, SA, etc.

Post: #224

I can't say for 100% sure, but I'm 90% sure test is available OTC in Bangkok no problem. Gear is widely available here from what I understand, so I believe test is as well.

Post: #225

Your E2 is at 4? What's the range?
Most TRT places recommend anywhere from 20-35.
Before I started TRT my e2 was 7 I believe. At that level I was pretty moody. It's not until I got my e2 levels higher that I actually felt a lot better.

(10-29-2014 03:31 AM)PHC19 Wrote:  E2 at 4. General bloodwork is spectacular. I've lost approximately 70lbs in 18 months.