Greetings
Thanks to all of you, and KSMAN specifically, for the unbelievable work and information you share on the Forum. It is an amazing and very helpful resource.
After a long period of struggling to square away my hormonal profile with low Free T, high SHBG, and often wavering and falling Total T, I began HCG monotherapy approximately 6 months ago. I did so due to the importance of persevering fertility for an additional stretch before moving to TRT.
My beginning labs:
Total testosterone - 682 Testost 280-800 ng dl
SHGB - 86 (SHBG 14-48 nmol L)
Free T - 71 (calcFT 60-185 pg mL)
Estradiol 15 (Estradl 8-45 pg mL)
That was the final test from a three year tracking period that at times had Total T as low as half of what is above Free T below low normal and consistently high SHBG. Although my body was producing enough total T with exercise and diet, I felt truly horrible because it appeared that SHBG was binding it all up and making it unavailable in my body. There was very little Free T left and I felt truly horrible with Free T frequently falling below low normal ranges.
After beginning HCG my total T increased, as did my Free T, and I felt a lot better. Over the last several months, however, my estradiol levels completely ran away from me. Doc initially prescribed Arimidex at 1MG 3X per week with HCG injections. This has now climbed to a 1MG dose of Arimidex daily. Throughout treatment Estradiol has continued to climb, as has total testosterone, but we are getting very little benefit on the Free T front and, whereas fertility is no longer a concern, we are going to transition to something very similar to KSMAN’s ideal protocol. What I am concerned about is how to manage the transition. My estradiol levels have climbed very high and I am concerned that KSMAN’s protocol is for someone starting “fresh” and not for someone coming off monotherapy with such high estradiol and such a high dose of Arimidex.
My current dosing:
1200 IU HCG 3X week
1MG Arimidex daily
My most recent labs:
Total TESTOSTERONE 1321 H 375-1000 (ng/dl)
ESTRADIOL 109.6 H 20.0-75.0 (pg/ml)
TESTOSTERONE, FREE 1.70 0.87-5.47 (ng/dL)
SHBG 82.1 H 20.0-60.0 (nmol/L)
It appears that my body is aromatizing HCG far too rapidly, the daily Arimidex isn’t doing a thing to offset it (as now understand it is not likely to do) and, with things having changed on the fertility front, it seems to be a no brainer now to transition to TRT and KSMAN’s protocol.
I should add, however, that the HCG has doubled my Free T and, despite the fact that it clearly is not ideal and isn’t really working given the sky high estradiol, I have felt a lot better during these 6 months.
My concern is the transition. My doctor will prescribe KSMAN’s protocol, but what do I do about the starting point with estradiol so high and my current Arimidex dose so high?
Should I start with T 100 MG divided 2x week, with HCG 400 IU 2X week w/ T shot, and then taper down Arimidex to ideal dose? Or should I just stop the daily Arimidex and begin splitting a 1MG tablet to dose with the T and HCG on injection days?
I would love to see my Estradiol start to fall over the first six weeks on T such that I could taper this Arimidex dose down and dial it in. I am concerned that If I drop the Arimidex down too rapidly I won’t give my body a chance to actually respond to the T because my estradiol is now so high.
Again, in line with KSMAN’s protocol, I will begin:
100 MG Test Cyp (divided into 2 50 MG doses per week)
500 IU HCG (2X per week taken with T shot)
Any thoughts on where I should go with this Arimidex dose to start? I am presently at 1MG a day while on HCG and Estradiol is off the charts.
Thank you so much for any thoughts on managing the transition. KSMAN, if you are available and able to chime I would really appreciate it as well. Thank you!