Background
I'm a 42 yr old male. Have been on TRT for the last 9 yrs (Test Cyp @ 200mg pr wk/ split into 100 mg twice/wk). I inject Mondays and Thursdays.
Originally started on TRT due to low energy, off/on libido, slight depression, Test levels were always in range on low end.
-1 day after injection of 100mg/Cyp usually puts me at the following- (lab corp)
Total Test- 1000-1100 (241-827)
Free Test 29-31 (6-21)
E2- 50-60 (7-42)
SHBG - 11-16 (13-89)
-3 days after injection of 100mg/Cyp my levels are usually at the following-
Total Test- 590-640
Free Test- 20-23
E2- 30-50
SHBG- 14-17
History
Since starting TRT it has been hit or miss, mostly miss. My libido is still off/on, my depression has continued, no motivation to do anything, started losing hair/thinning-dry hair, dry skin.
Recently my depression has gotten worse, became more irritable, etc.
About 6 months ago my Dr. instructed me to include DHEA supps (10-20mg/day) due to my DHEA being in the bottom 10% of range and my Estrogen (Estrodial) has elevated ridiculously to over 100-120 (labcorp range). This would explain my new BPH symptoms (psa normal), severe increase in Depression/irritability, digestion issues, insomnia worse than ever, more rapid hair thinning-drying, and can't lose weight despite eating 2000 calories/weight lifting intensely (getting stronger but no weight reduction, very very very slow fat reduction) etc....
I went back and looked at the past 12 yrs of bloodwork and the commonality I found was-
My Thyroid-TSH has always been between 2.0 and 3.9, my Total T4 has always been in range at bottom 15%, my FT4 has always been in range at bottom 10%, my FT3 has always been in range between the top 55-90%. (According to Stop Thyroid Madness having a very low-inrange FT4 and mid to upper in-range FT3 indicates Hypothyroid.) Also, my SHBG since starting TRT has always been in range but at the very bottom 5%. (I have read that Hypo (as well as TRT) is possible reason for low SHBG .) My lipid panel has been out of wack since starting TRT and I eat very healthy.
My E2 (prior to the past six months) was always between 30 to 58... (from what I have been researching is that because of my low SHBG, I am more susceptible to E2 negative effects and have to keep E2 lower than if I had a normal/higher SHBG.)
4 weeks ago I started Arimidex @ .25mg 3x/wk and reduced my Test Cyp injections from 200mg/wk to 120mg/wk (divided into 3x 40mg injects per week). I hope this will reduce the E2 conversion and also work better with my low SHBG. Tomorrow I go for bloodwork.
I have all the symptoms of being hypo.. dry skin, dry eyes, very dry thinning hair, dry cracked feet, depression, brain fog (memory issues), don't enjoy doing things I used to love, very irritable, easily frustrated, digestion issues, sleep issues/insomnia (don't have apnea). I believe my elevated E2 for all these years has played a big part in my issues as well...
All help and suggestions appreciated.
I'm a 42 yr old male. Have been on TRT for the last 9 yrs (Test Cyp @ 200mg pr wk/ split into 100 mg twice/wk). I inject Mondays and Thursdays.
Originally started on TRT due to low energy, off/on libido, slight depression, Test levels were always in range on low end.
-1 day after injection of 100mg/Cyp usually puts me at the following- (lab corp)
Total Test- 1000-1100 (241-827)
Free Test 29-31 (6-21)
E2- 50-60 (7-42)
SHBG - 11-16 (13-89)
-3 days after injection of 100mg/Cyp my levels are usually at the following-
Total Test- 590-640
Free Test- 20-23
E2- 30-50
SHBG- 14-17
History
Since starting TRT it has been hit or miss, mostly miss. My libido is still off/on, my depression has continued, no motivation to do anything, started losing hair/thinning-dry hair, dry skin.
Recently my depression has gotten worse, became more irritable, etc.
About 6 months ago my Dr. instructed me to include DHEA supps (10-20mg/day) due to my DHEA being in the bottom 10% of range and my Estrogen (Estrodial) has elevated ridiculously to over 100-120 (labcorp range). This would explain my new BPH symptoms (psa normal), severe increase in Depression/irritability, digestion issues, insomnia worse than ever, more rapid hair thinning-drying, and can't lose weight despite eating 2000 calories/weight lifting intensely (getting stronger but no weight reduction, very very very slow fat reduction) etc....
I went back and looked at the past 12 yrs of bloodwork and the commonality I found was-
My Thyroid-TSH has always been between 2.0 and 3.9, my Total T4 has always been in range at bottom 15%, my FT4 has always been in range at bottom 10%, my FT3 has always been in range between the top 55-90%. (According to Stop Thyroid Madness having a very low-inrange FT4 and mid to upper in-range FT3 indicates Hypothyroid.) Also, my SHBG since starting TRT has always been in range but at the very bottom 5%. (I have read that Hypo (as well as TRT) is possible reason for low SHBG .) My lipid panel has been out of wack since starting TRT and I eat very healthy.
My E2 (prior to the past six months) was always between 30 to 58... (from what I have been researching is that because of my low SHBG, I am more susceptible to E2 negative effects and have to keep E2 lower than if I had a normal/higher SHBG.)
4 weeks ago I started Arimidex @ .25mg 3x/wk and reduced my Test Cyp injections from 200mg/wk to 120mg/wk (divided into 3x 40mg injects per week). I hope this will reduce the E2 conversion and also work better with my low SHBG. Tomorrow I go for bloodwork.
I have all the symptoms of being hypo.. dry skin, dry eyes, very dry thinning hair, dry cracked feet, depression, brain fog (memory issues), don't enjoy doing things I used to love, very irritable, easily frustrated, digestion issues, sleep issues/insomnia (don't have apnea). I believe my elevated E2 for all these years has played a big part in my issues as well...
All help and suggestions appreciated.
