T Nation

E2 Less Than 18pmol/l on a Restart Protocol

T Replacement
#1

Basically I have been on TRT for three years and was diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism by an endicronologist after multiple low readings.
I’ve recently started the HPTA restart protocol 2 weeks ago and have 2 weeks remaining on HCG.

Reduced Adex to .25 twice a week and had labs done last week which showed Esteogen <18 (australian conversion, I believe pmol/L) I was usually around 78 or 79 which is normal.

This lab says anything under 150 is normal but this Doctor does not think anything can be wrong with low readings. I also started getting bad forearm pain similar to tennis elbow in both arms about 4 weeks ago so well before the labs last week but I am not sure what has caused it. I am now thinking the low E.

I stopped the AI last week after I got labs and am on HCG 500 EOD . Anyone ever had E2 this low?

#2

Yes, that is what aromatase inhibitors do. Decrease E2, hypothalamus does not “see” enough E2 and signals the pituitary to get the boys working. In this case, making LH/FSH to target the testicles and produce more testosterone, some of which will aromatize to E2.

Certainly.

Generally, anastrozole and/or hCH are not good long term solutions to low testosterone.

#3

Thx mate. Yeah I will be back on TRT as soon as I can. The reason for the restart is to boost/kickstsrt sperm production which was zero after 3 years on TRT. I’m in Australia so finding a good doctor that is knowledgeable on the importance of HCG whilt on TRT is like finding a needle in a haystack. I’m lucky I was given HCG as they are treating it as s fertility issue and I do have Nolva to continue the restart. I’ve stopped the AI so hoping the E starts climbing as the HCG should result in increased Test by mimicking LH. I’ve never had forearms this sore, I had an ultrasound on both showing no tennis elbow but man I can barely make as fist.

#4

The fact that there is an unexplained onset (no injury, etc.) and it is bilateral (what are the odds that both elbows shoot craps at the same time?) point to a systemic cause. We know low E2 is not good for the joints. It’s a reasonable bet it’s low E2 causing it.

Testosterone restoration with hCG works fine for maintaining fertility. Guys do it all the time and conceive. Good luck.

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