With transdermal T, FT spikes with application then falls off a lot. FT levels are not steady. With injected TRT, we encourage injecting SC/SQ twice a week or EOD to achieve steady FT levels to allow anastrozole to work properly when used to manage E2.
Bio-T would provide a steadier lab level as albumin+T is a reservoir of available T. You could drop FT lab and do Bio-T instead.
SHBG could be lowering FT by creating SHBG+FT.
Your E2=15 is very unusual as transdermal T has the highest potential for FT–>E2. But low FT would mean less FT–>E2
Lower E2 should normally come with lower SHBG.
As you can see, this does create some doubts.
But your sexual function says that things are good.
Try applying your T-gel twice a day and note any changes.
Vit-D3? Why test when for the ~same cost of lab you can get a year’s supply of 5,000iu Vit-D3.
You were here two years ago. posting stickies here.
Please note last paragraph for something to eval yourself.
Please read the stickies found here: About the T Replacement Category - #2 by KSman
- advice for new guys
- things that damage your hormones
- protocol for injections
- finding a TRT doc
Evaluate your overall thyroid function by checking oral body temperatures as per the thyroid basics sticky. Thyroid hormone fT3 is what gets the job done and it regulates mitochondrial activity, the source of ATP which is the universal currency of cellular energy. This is part of the body’s temperature control loop. This can get messed up if you are iodine deficient. In many countries, you need to be using iodized salt. Other countries add iodine to dairy or bread.
How much androgel do you apply? 1% T gel?