Blood tests PSL & Dragon Pharma / Advice requested

[NEURAL99]

Hi all, I wanted to share my recent blood tests after my first TRT round with PSL and first Testosterone-only cycle with Dragon Pharma. I also would like to request some advice from the veterans here.

For both PSL and Dragon, I wanted to say I’m quite pleased with my results thus far. Excellent products!

Background: I’m approaching 53 and have been an athlete all my life (track & field decathlete / hurdler / jumper in college) and have pretty consistently lifted at least 3-4x week since my teens. I vary between bodybuilding, power building, strongman and strength training type workouts. I have a demanding, high stress career with long hours and unfortunately suffer from chronic sleep deprivation due to variable day / shift / overnight work for the last 30 years. Trying to prioritize sleep, sleep hygiene and recovery now. I have never seriously considered getting on stage, but I love my decked-out garage gym as it is my sanctuary. My diet for the last 10 years has been relatively clean, mostly protein and fat, low carb most days in the 50-100g range, with some 18-hour IF 1-2 days/week.

I am muscular, defined and veiny with a decent six-pack, shoulder and ab veins at 5’11”, typically range around 200-215 lbs, 9-12% BF by dexa and Hume bodypod, (currently 215 lbs at 9.9 % BF, ultimately would like to achieve 225 lbs at 8-9%). I have trained consistently and naturally for 34 years, believe I’ve hit my genetic potential and have supplemented with protein powder and creatine exclusively until the age of 48, when I decided to go on TRT with a testosterone versabase cream 100 mg per pump applied either 1-2 times daily after discovering that my total testosterone level was 304, Estradiol 46, SHBG 78. I was using 1400 mg/week as prescribed until 2025, when I went down to 1 pump daily, so 700 mg/week.

I did a few limited blood tests over the last few years when using the cream at those two dosage ranges:

2021 (on 2 pumps daily at 1400 mg/wk):
Testosterone 1388
Free T 16.9
Estradiol 38.6
SHBG 112
DHT 448
DHEA 238
IGF 194

2022 (on 2 pumps daily at 1400 mg/wk):
Testosterone 1015
Free T 13.8
Estradiol 24.3
SHBG 128
DHT 393
DHEA 166
IGF 180
HgB 13.8
HCT 42.1
Cholesterol 203
LDL 105
HDL 90
Triglycerides 44

8/2025 (on 1 pump daily at 700 mg/wk):
Testosterone 720

On the cream I felt okay, but not as great as I thought I would feel. My total T was definitely better, but as you can see, my free T was pitiful, my SHBG and my DHT were always high.

I started my new TRT in December 2025 with PSL Sustanon at 210 mg/week, pinned SQ in daily divided doses. After 7 weeks I ran a full set of labs (relevant ones attached below).

2/2026 Sustanon 210 mg/week:
Testosterone 799
Free T 198.9
Estradiol 47
SHBG 16
DHT 23
DHEA 124
IGF 138
Prolactin 7.3
HgB 14
HCT 43.1
Cholesterol 131
LDL 78
HDL 42
Triglycerides 39
ApoB 70
HgA1C 5%
Glucose 84
Insulin 2.1
GGT 9
eGFR 84
PSA 0.4

So the Sustanon garnered me a 3.8x multiplier on the Total T based on my dose, with a drastic improvement in my free T (14.4x from my previous test) as well as a significant reduction in my SHBG (8x lower) and DHT (17x lower). Testing was 26 hours after last SQ daily dose.

I also experienced a complete turnaround in how I felt, too…much more energy, drive, stamina, strength, libido and improved mood. I am very happy subjectively with this TRT dose and objectively with these labs. Of course I want to optimize this, so I would welcome insight from others based on these results on how I should tweak my dose to get the most out of each TRT / cruise phase.

Next, I started a lower dose Testosterone-only cycle at 500-600 mg just to see how I would really respond. I had just finished my Sustanon, so I switched to my Dragon Pharma Testo Blend 350. I did two weeks at 500 mg/week, pinned SQ daily in divided doses. I did also add Proviron 25 mg/day based upon great resources here, to gain all the associated benefits of that compound (nootropic effects, decreased water retention, hardening, reduction on free/circulating estrogen levels). I tolerated all of this very well and felt even more energized, stamina and strength improving significantly.

I should have stayed at 500 mg/week, but I bumped it to 600 mg/week for the next 4 weeks. You know…just to see what happens. I continued to feel even better.

I ran another full panel (relevant labs attached below). Over the past week, while waiting for the results, I have noticed an unfortunate increase in fatigue / lethargy. I’ve been trying to sleep it off, but not seeing much improvement, and I haven’t had motivation, energy (or time) to train in the last week. My estradiol has definitely gone up. I’m thinking this is the source of my recent symptoms? Would you consider me a high converter?

5/2026 DP Testo Blend 350 at 600 mg/week:
Testosterone 2366
Free T 759.7
Estradiol 104
SHBG 22
DHT 69
DHEA 304
IGF 141
Prolactin 10.6
HgB 15.5
HCT 47.3
Cholesterol 133
LDL 73
HDL 47
Triglycerides 46
ApoB 71
HgA1C 5.1%
Glucose 80
Insulin 2.1
GGT 12
eGFR 86
Cystatin C 0.95
PSA 0.35

So the Dragon Pharma Testo Blend 350 yielded a 3.94x multiplier for me. My free T went up 3.82x from my previous TRT dose. My estradiol went up 2.2x. SHGB and DHT remained low. I think the proviron definitely helped. All other parameters are pretty decent. Testing was 26 hours after my last SQ daily dose.

So…what should I do about my elevated estradiol and presumed related symptoms of fatigue / lethargy? Should I be concerned with a 104, or is this to be expected at this dose range?

Should I:

Let it ride and continue for a 12 week cycle?

Increase the proviron?

Decrease the test dose to TRT level and simply let it resolve?

Decrease the dose back to TRT level and maybe add masteron?

Use an AI? If so, what dose?

Separately, based on how I seem to respond, what TRT dose should I aim for when running straight TRT or TRT+?

Based on these two data points I respond at 3.8-3.94x. Do you consider a 1200 or 1500 total T range an optimal TRT target?

If so, would you agree my requirement then calculates to 300-390 mg/week? That seems high compared to the standard 140-200 mg/week that most guys say they use. Am I just outside the typical response bell curve?

Thanks for taking the time to read, thanks in advance for your advice and guidance on all my questions.

 

[Anabolix8]

Hi all, I wanted to share my recent blood tests after my first TRT round with PSL and first Testosterone-only cycle with Dragon Pharma. I also would like to request some advice from the veterans here.

For both PSL and Dragon, I wanted to say I’m quite pleased with my results thus far. Excellent products!

Background: I’m approaching 53 and have been an athlete all my life (track & field decathlete / hurdler / jumper in college) and have pretty consistently lifted at least 3-4x week since my teens. I vary between bodybuilding, power building, strongman and strength training type workouts. I have a demanding, high stress career with long hours and unfortunately suffer from chronic sleep deprivation due to variable day / shift / overnight work for the last 30 years. Trying to prioritize sleep, sleep hygiene and recovery now. I have never seriously considered getting on stage, but I love my decked-out garage gym as it is my sanctuary. My diet for the last 10 years has been relatively clean, mostly protein and fat, low carb most days in the 50-100g range, with some 18-hour IF 1-2 days/week.

I am muscular, defined and veiny with a decent six-pack, shoulder and ab veins at 5’11”, typically range around 200-215 lbs, 9-12% BF by dexa and Hume bodypod, (currently 215 lbs at 9.9 % BF, ultimately would like to achieve 225 lbs at 8-9%). I have trained consistently and naturally for 34 years, believe I’ve hit my genetic potential and have supplemented with protein powder and creatine exclusively until the age of 48, when I decided to go on TRT with a testosterone versabase cream 100 mg per pump applied either 1-2 times daily after discovering that my total testosterone level was 304, Estradiol 46, SHBG 78. I was using 1400 mg/week as prescribed until 2025, when I went down to 1 pump daily, so 700 mg/week.

I did a few limited blood tests over the last few years when using the cream at those two dosage ranges:

2021 (on 2 pumps daily at 1400 mg/wk):
Testosterone 1388
Free T 16.9
Estradiol 38.6
SHBG 112
DHT 448
DHEA 238
IGF 194

2022 (on 2 pumps daily at 1400 mg/wk):
Testosterone 1015
Free T 13.8
Estradiol 24.3
SHBG 128
DHT 393
DHEA 166
IGF 180
HgB 13.8
HCT 42.1
Cholesterol 203
LDL 105
HDL 90
Triglycerides 44

8/2025 (on 1 pump daily at 700 mg/wk):
Testosterone 720

On the cream I felt okay, but not as great as I thought I would feel. My total T was definitely better, but as you can see, my free T was pitiful, my SHBG and my DHT were always high.

I started my new TRT in December 2025 with PSL Sustanon at 210 mg/week, pinned SQ in daily divided doses. After 7 weeks I ran a full set of labs (relevant ones attached below).

2/2026 Sustanon 210 mg/week:
Testosterone 799
Free T 198.9
Estradiol 47
SHBG 16
DHT 23
DHEA 124
IGF 138
Prolactin 7.3
HgB 14
HCT 43.1
Cholesterol 131
LDL 78
HDL 42
Triglycerides 39
ApoB 70
HgA1C 5%
Glucose 84
Insulin 2.1
GGT 9
eGFR 84
PSA 0.4

So the Sustanon garnered me a 3.8x multiplier on the Total T based on my dose, with a drastic improvement in my free T (14.4x from my previous test) as well as a significant reduction in my SHBG (8x lower) and DHT (17x lower). Testing was 26 hours after last SQ daily dose.

I also experienced a complete turnaround in how I felt, too…much more energy, drive, stamina, strength, libido and improved mood. I am very happy subjectively with this TRT dose and objectively with these labs. Of course I want to optimize this, so I would welcome insight from others based on these results on how I should tweak my dose to get the most out of each TRT / cruise phase.

Next, I started a lower dose Testosterone-only cycle at 500-600 mg just to see how I would really respond. I had just finished my Sustanon, so I switched to my Dragon Pharma Testo Blend 350. I did two weeks at 500 mg/week, pinned SQ daily in divided doses. I did also add Proviron 25 mg/day based upon great resources here, to gain all the associated benefits of that compound (nootropic effects, decreased water retention, hardening, reduction on free/circulating estrogen levels). I tolerated all of this very well and felt even more energized, stamina and strength improving significantly.

I should have stayed at 500 mg/week, but I bumped it to 600 mg/week for the next 4 weeks. You know…just to see what happens. I continued to feel even better.

I ran another full panel (relevant labs attached below). Over the past week, while waiting for the results, I have noticed an unfortunate increase in fatigue / lethargy. I’ve been trying to sleep it off, but not seeing much improvement, and I haven’t had motivation, energy (or time) to train in the last week. My estradiol has definitely gone up. I’m thinking this is the source of my recent symptoms? Would you consider me a high converter?

5/2026 DP Testo Blend 350 at 600 mg/week:
Testosterone 2366
Free T 759.7
Estradiol 104
SHBG 22
DHT 69
DHEA 304
IGF 141
Prolactin 10.6
HgB 15.5
HCT 47.3
Cholesterol 133
LDL 73
HDL 47
Triglycerides 46
ApoB 71
HgA1C 5.1%
Glucose 80
Insulin 2.1
GGT 12
eGFR 86
Cystatin C 0.95
PSA 0.35

So the Dragon Pharma Testo Blend 350 yielded a 3.94x multiplier for me. My free T went up 3.82x from my previous TRT dose. My estradiol went up 2.2x. SHGB and DHT remained low. I think the proviron definitely helped. All other parameters are pretty decent. Testing was 26 hours after my last SQ daily dose.

So…what should I do about my elevated estradiol and presumed related symptoms of fatigue / lethargy? Should I be concerned with a 104, or is this to be expected at this dose range?

Should I:

Let it ride and continue for a 12 week cycle?

Increase the proviron?

Decrease the test dose to TRT level and simply let it resolve?

Decrease the dose back to TRT level and maybe add masteron?

Use an AI? If so, what dose?

Separately, based on how I seem to respond, what TRT dose should I aim for when running straight TRT or TRT+?

Based on these two data points I respond at 3.8-3.94x. Do you consider a 1200 or 1500 total T range an optimal TRT target?

If so, would you agree my requirement then calculates to 300-390 mg/week? That seems high compared to the standard 140-200 mg/week that most guys say they use. Am I just outside the typical response bell curve?

Thanks for taking the time to read, thanks in advance for your advice and guidance on all my questions.

Here’s a balanced veteran-style reply you could post back on the forum:

First off, excellent write-up and excellent discipline. Most guys posting bloodwork don’t provide even half this level of context, so respect for doing things methodically.

At 53, maintaining that condition naturally for decades before touching TRT is already impressive. Your response to injectable testosterone vs cream honestly makes perfect sense. The cream gave you decent total T numbers, but your SHBG was sky high, free T stayed poor, and DHT was massively elevated. The injectables clearly solved the actual issue, which was bioavailable androgen levels.

Your TRT labs on 210 mg/week honestly look very solid overall. Free T dramatically improved, SHBG normalized, hematology stayed controlled, lipids remained acceptable, PSA excellent, glucose/insulin excellent. More importantly, subjective wellbeing improved, which matters just as much as numbers.

Regarding the current cycle:
2366 total T with E2 at 104 on 600 mg/week is not shocking at all. That does not automatically make you a “high aromatizer.” Estradiol generally rises proportionally with testosterone, especially when free T is very high like yours. The important part is symptoms and overall balance.

That said, the recent fatigue/lethargy could absolutely be estrogen related, but I would not rush into aggressively crushing E2 with an AI. A lot of experienced guys feel worse once estrogen gets pushed too low, especially at your age range where joint health, mood, libido, cardiovascular function and cognition matter.

Personally, I think your own post already identified the likely answer:
500 mg/week probably suited you better than 600 mg/week.

Your body seemed to respond extremely well even before the increase, and sometimes the extra 100 mg just creates more aromatization, more systemic stress and less “feel good” return.

If it were me, I would:
• Drop back to 500 mg/week first
• Keep Proviron where it is for now
• Reassess symptoms for 10-14 days
• Only introduce an AI if symptoms persist or worsen

Because your bloodwork honestly still looks pretty controlled for 600 mg:
HCT reasonable
Lipids decent
Kidney markers good
PSA excellent
Prolactin controlled

You clearly tolerate testosterone well overall.

As for TRT targets, I’d focus less on chasing a specific total T number and more on:
• free T
• symptom resolution
• recovery
• libido
• sleep
• blood pressure
• hematology/lipids

Some guys feel amazing at 800 total T, others need 1300+. Your SHBG dynamics make your situation different from average TRT users, so comparing your dose requirements to “standard” 140-200 mg/week protocols is probably not very useful.

Your 210 mg/week protocol already produced:
799 total T
198 free T
excellent symptom improvement

Honestly, that already looks like a very successful TRT setup.

I also think your sleep deprivation history is a bigger variable than you may realize. Thirty years of rotating shifts and chronic sleep disruption can blunt recovery, energy and hormonal signaling hard. Sometimes guys try to out-drug lifestyle stressors that still need to be addressed separately.

Overall though:
Very impressive bloodwork.
Very thoughtful approach.
And both PSL and Dragon Pharma seem to be treating you extremely well based on these results.

Have a nice one
Cheers