Looks like I F'D this up....

[MaineCase]

So after a month+ of reading and doing what I thought would be the right starting point... I just got this back from RHYTHM...

To preface this.... I did get proper labs done at QUEST with my physician BEFORE I started this with test levels @400/50 free. Started injecting daily (Test E300 for 200mg total/wk). Started noticing some sensitivity around week 3 but nothing too serious. These labs were pulled at week 6. I have some pretty good sensitivity now and small/slight firmness starting. I'm going to reduce T injections down to 100/wk. Cortisol levels are good as I've been working hard at reducing stress and working hard at getting proper sleep also. Food is locked in with proper diet and eating my weight in protein (160gms daily). Visceral fat is good, I'm currently sitting @ 18% body fat, which I'm working at getting down. Gym is early morning 5am sessions for a little over 1hr 3-5days/wk. Quit drinking back in June.

Any advice is appreciated from you guys. Just a little concerned with the early onset of Gyno and taking AI's. Thoughts/Concerns...

55yrs old
160lbs

 

[BigManT]

My advice would be to get an ultra sensitive E2 and uncapped total and free test done a quest. And then go from there. Rythm is know for not being accurate.

 

[Big_Jimmy434]

Like @BigManT said, you need a better test to be certain, but Ultra sensitive E2 tests are backlogged and can take over a week or two for results. Only because of the sensitivity you described, you probably wanna throw something at that E2 in the meantime. If you're spiking at 200mg/week, you're a high aromitizer. I'd probably pop an 0.5mg of Arimidex a week, or 12.5mg of Aromasin, and get some Nolva for the long haul.

 

[Hablooblah]

So after a month+ of reading and doing what I thought would be the right starting point... I just got this back from RHYTHM...

To preface this.... I did get proper labs done at QUEST with my physician BEFORE I started this with test levels @400/50 free. Started injecting daily (Test E300 for 200mg total/wk). Started noticing some sensitivity around week 3 but nothing too serious. These labs were pulled at week 6. I have some pretty good sensitivity now and small/slight firmness starting. I'm going to reduce T injections down to 100/wk. Cortisol levels are good as I've been working hard at reducing stress and working hard at getting proper sleep also. Food is locked in with proper diet and eating my weight in protein (160gms daily). Visceral fat is good, I'm currently sitting @ 18% body fat, which I'm working at getting down. Gym is early morning 5am sessions for a little over 1hr 3-5days/wk. Quit drinking back in June.

Any advice is appreciated from you guys. Just a little concerned with the early onset of Gyno and taking AI's. Thoughts/Concerns...

55yrs old
160lbs

@BigManT is right rhythm isnt the most accurate... But for alot of men 200mg/week is getting into the territory of needing a low dose AI, especially since you aromatize on the higher side. 12.5mg aromasin 1-2× a week. I prefer Asin not Adex. Or just do what youre doing and drop the dose, especially if TRT levels is your goal. And I wouldnt say you fucked it up bro, you started at a normal dose and you pulled bloodwork and youre trying to learn how to fix the issues from the lab report. Youre doing everything right. Keep dropping weight and your aromatization will decrease.

 

[Glycomann]

There are Nazis on this site that hate Nolvadex but I have been using that on and off for 30 years. I prefer that for estrogen control. It blocks it in breast tissues and less so in others. In post menopausal women on chemo with shitty health that are on Nolvadex for long term treatment from breast cancer have an increased risk of stroke. Since you are not one of those I think it's OK to use. On the other hand, AIs are hard to dial in and crashing your estrogen is not fun. Most of them destroy your blood lipids and your are not good to begin with. The one that doesn't crash your lipids Aromasin, works for shit.

Other than that, your testosterone is out of range. But one thing at a time. If I were you I would probably add 20 mg/d Nolvadex. It will probably stop your high E2 side effects. Also, don't donate blood because your ferritin is already low. I would probably add 1g vitamin C and start eating more lean beef as it is rich in highly bioavailable iron. Get your BF down. Add in cardio if not doing any. Once your gyno symptoms are under control you can start dialing in your Test dose if you're just looking to TRT. if you're looking to cycle up in your AAS use things are going to get more complicated if you are going to dial things in.

 

[Glycomann]

Another note, TRT for over 65 years going way back was considered therapeutic at 800 ng/dL. Now, more modern opinions vary but that might be a good eventual target for you. Going from 400 ng/dL to 800 ng/dL I'll bet will be a very noticeable improvement without side effects like you are having now.