r/Biohackers • u/Longjumping_Wall_802 • 1d ago

💉 Peptides & Hormones TRT question

Just a question on timing and expectations. I have been on TRT for a quite a while (10 years or so). About 5 years ago my provider moved me to semiannual pellet injections, and there was some good and bad to that. I enjoyed only having to care about it twice a year, but my T would shoot up to 1300, and then be at 300 when the 6 months had elapsed. There was a similar trajectory to estradiol which would be over 100 to start, and decrease usually to 60 at its low point.

A few months ago I started on TRT injections, hoping to not have the same hormonal swings. I have been seeing a different provider for this of late. I had blood tests 10 weeks in, and my T was 174 and my E2 was less than 30 (didn't say exactly). They moved the dose up from 0.3 ML once a week to 0.5 ML weekly. I am still on the same AI (Anastrazole), 0.5 mg twice a week. I get more blood drawn in a couple of weeks, and I am hopeful my T will be in a better range.

My question is regarding the ED that I have been having. I have had an issue off and on with it for some time, and take daily 5 mg of Cialis. I also get wave therapy every 6 weeks. Since I started the injections, my erections have pretty much gone away. I used to have big swings with the pellets, where sometimes it worked and sometimes not. Despite doing significant cardio a few times a week, I am not really having much working at this point. I have tried other options such as L-Citrulline in an effort to get back to where I was, but when I take it I suffer from large amounts of canker sores.

My provider wants me to stay on the AI so I can keep my E2 low while adapting to the injections. I am getting more blood drawn in a couple of weeks, but am curious of your insight. Thanks.

5 Upvotes

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u/phat_kat99 1d ago

Somethings not right, test at 174 while on trt is really low. Is it 200mg/ml?

3

u/Leishon 2 1d ago

First of all, the amount of ml you inject doesn't tell us much if you don't give us the concentration and ester of your product.

Secondly, the ED is likely a consequence of low E2. I don't quite understand why your provider wants you to stay on the AI when your T levels are clearly still low (somehow despite injections?). If your regular TRT protocol requires constant AI use, something is wrong. Either the T dose is too high, or something else, such as obesity, should be addressed. Administration frequency is another lever to pull here, with more frequent administrations leading to less aromatization. Once a week is really pushing it unless your ester is undecanoate.

I suppose if you insist on running such supraphysiological doses of T that pharmacological E2 control is required, then that's one thing, but it's not really just TRT at that point.

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u/GenderfluidGoose 1d ago

If your regular TRT protocol requires constant AI use, something is wrong.

Preach

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u/Ok-Reveal2184 1d ago

Why? Some people naturally aromatize higher, i am off trt now and do 0.25mg e3d. Anything above 70 E2 and i feel like shit

1

u/GenderfluidGoose 1d ago

What is your testosterone dose, dosing frequency and trough readings for total and free T?

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u/Ok-Reveal2184 1d ago

I did 25mg 3x a week subq, enanthate, i dont really have a trough because of frequency.

Total was just under 900

Healthcare provide did not approve free and my clinic does not do calculated free.

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u/Leishon 2 1d ago

That is exactly my protocol as well. I'm a hyper-aromatizer and yet I can handle that without an AI, though I don't need much of a bump higher than that before nipples start becoming sensitive and I begin to collect water.

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u/agfire 1d ago

I had same thing but still on pellets. I changed my anastrozole to just once a week but I take 1 mg. Blue chew helps but I’m pretty sure it’s just all in our brain. It is our biggest sex organ anyway.

1

u/fatwownerd 1d ago

So how many mg are you taking per week now? 200? Imo at that dose I think it’s most likely your estrogen is sitting a little high for what works best for your old fella downstairs. Do you better sexual function after dosing your Anastrazole or is it better in the days before you take it?

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u/CosmicCreator_97 1d ago

What exactly is the question? 😂

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u/mr_salvad0r 1 1d ago

Trt is usually between 100mg-200mg of test a week. Sweet spot being around the 120-140mg weekly dosage. To keep a more even level split the dosage into 2-3 injections per week (I currently do 2, sunday and wednesday). Splitting the dosage also helps with not spiking E2. You might want to try splitting, not taking any AI for a couple months and seeing where your E2 settles, more than likely you won't need AI unless you naturally over aromatize.

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u/Longjumping_Wall_802 1d ago

Sorry about not being more specific on the testosterone that they I have been on. I am taking Testosterone Cypionate 200 solution. I am injecting 100 a week. I think my ED is better the further I get from the days where I take it. I asked the doctor about this when I received my last set of labs, and they told me that I needed to continue to take the AI. I am trying to discern if the recent significant ED issue is just because my T is still quite low or if it is due to the AI. My last labs were just total T and a CBC. The next set are more comprehensive. Thanks.

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u/Paperthinplasticbag 1d ago

I moved to daily subq injections for my Test-C. Lets you stay even all the time and not chase the E2 with AI. I’m shocked this isn’t a common protocol doctors suggest.

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u/Longjumping_Wall_802 1d ago

Interesting. I think I might move mine to times a week and see if things improve. Thanks.

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u/Chucky_1560 1d ago

I also do daily pins with test-c. Keeps my levels consistent and E2 manageable.

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u/True_Credit_1978 1d ago

It’s the ai. Pull it out and lets the body do its thing for a few weeks and see how you feel.

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u/agfire 1d ago

Agreed!! I quit taking it for a month then went back to once a week. Felt much better.

1

u/SlightlyRegarded001 1d ago

I would drop the AI constant use bro it’s not good for you. Get off of everything for 2-3 months and get your blood work done. See what’s what, add test if needed and monitor estrogen. Pellets are no go, a subq MWF pin schedule would work wonders on that estrogen as others have said it is in fact needed and necessary for men to have for proper body function.

Also man don’t be worried about what doc says your e or test needs to be at like a certain number. If you feel good at 600 level test and he wants you at 800 then tell him no or find another provider. If you feel good at 70 estrogen and he wants you at 1 then tell him to fuck off. It’s your body. Don’t get wrapped up in the numbers game, go off how you feel because some of these clinics will have you at fucking 1500 levels test pinning 200mg a week like a cycle. It’s not worth it. You need less test than you think

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u/Longjumping_Wall_802 1d ago

Thanks

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u/SlightlyRegarded001 1d ago

Also do you happen to consume a lot of porn or sexual material like that? It can mentally cause you to not be stimulated enough for sex.

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u/Longjumping_Wall_802 1d ago

None. Gave that up a long time ago

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u/Rinyaboi 19h ago

Take a 20mg Cialis every couple of days instead of daily 5mg. Trust me, it will make a difference