I had 69th birthday few days back.
I know first hand about depression when TT=300
I am now on shots but Androgel was raising my TT and I had to use it for years because I was not able to get a doc who would give me script for injectable T.
Well, I was much less informed, so I did not pushed too hard, just used Avodart to get my high
DHT in check.
Good that Testim is raising your TT.
Cutting testim to 7.5gram/day looks like good move.
With that move you may get all three into better place, FreeT,
DHT & E2.
About DHEAs, you want to be in high end of youtfull range or even slightly over.
DHEAs(500-640)
There is possibility that you will have to use Arimidex.
At this moment you do not know really your E2 level.
There is a recomended
test at Quest for E2 for men, (below).
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At the moment you are doing good, but you can do much better.
Your testicles are shut, you have to bring them back to action.
You know very little about your other health areas, need to investigate them.
Since you responded porly to Androgel your thyroid and Adrenals are suspect.
You are 64. I do not know your insurance and $$ situation.
Next year you will be eligible for Medicare, if it is in similar shape as today you may have to wait till next year with my suggestions.
I will give you a long list of tests that cost me about $6 out of pocket.
I do it about once a year or 1.5.
Now you should add HCG to your protocol.
HCG will keep your testis in shape and will make them produce not only (some) testosterone but also other goodies that you are now missing.
HCG-shot=250iu EOD (Every Other Day)
Use these syringes, at least at the begining, so you know how good syringes work.
BD Ultrafine II U-100 Insulin Syringe 31 Gauge 3/10cc 5/16inch Short Needle--1/2 Unit Markings 100/b at Hocks.com
BD Ultrafine II U-100 Insulin Syringe 31 Gauge 3/10cc 5/16inch Short Needle--1/2 Unit Markings 100/b Price: $27.80
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HCG may cause your testiss to produce testosterone, keep it
You want to use a lots of HCG, but not too much because it raises E2.
If you have to, reduce Testim not HCG
Do not go over 500iu/EOD, but daily injections are even better than EOD
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HCG is prescription medicine.
You need script for it.
When you buy it at pharmacy usually you are not able to get anything less than 10000iu package.
That is a problem. HCG hardly last 30 days, most people hate to throw out unused medicine.
Using old HCG you are getting into guessing game.
HCG can be had over internet, much less expensive, no script.
I like 1000iu, 1500iu or at the most 2000iu packages.
I have given you minimal dose (250iu/EOD) depending on your response, eventually you may end up at 500iu (my current dose).
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Testicles need time to recover.
After 3 months on HCG do blood tests below, post them here in tabulated fashion, we will take it from there.
That list on the bottom have ICD-9 codes, they make insurance pay.
Most of them may apply to you.
That list is posted also on page 32 post #44 on my thread here:
Jan's BloodTest April13/2007 - Page 2
There is also explanation there of what those codes describe.
================================================== ==================
1 --------- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel w/EGFR
2 --------- Hepatic Function Panel (10256X)
3 --------- VAP TM Cholesterol
Test (10270X)
4 --------- CBC w/ diff/PLT
5 --------- Iodine, iodide Panel - (2503)
6 --------- Selenium
7 --------- Copper, serum
8 --------- Zinc
9 --------- Magnesium
10 --------- Phosphate
insurance may not pay($57.75) 11 --------- C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Highly Sensitive, CSF - (17401X)
12 --------- Fibrinogen
insurance may not pay($191) 13 --------- Homocysteine, cardio
14 --------- Lipoprotein (A) Lp(A)
15 --------- Iron and Iron Binding Capacity (7573X) - (356N)
16 --------- Iron, Total (571X) - (24984P)
17 --------- Ferritin (457X) - (22764P)
18 --------- Transferrin (891X) - (30346P)
19 --------- Folate, RBC & Hematocrit - (1768N)
20 --------- Hemoglobin A1c (496X) - (45484P)
21 --------- Hemoglobin, Plasma (514X) - (7211P)
specify 22 --------- VITAMIN SCREEN
specify 23 --------- VITAMIN B PANEL 2 - (9067)
24 --------- Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, LC/MS/MS - (17306X)
25 --------- T3, Total (859X)
26 --------- T4, Total (Thyroxine)
27 --------- T3, Free
28 --------- T4,Free
29 --------- T3, Reverse (967X)
30 --------- Ultrasensitive TSH
31 --------- Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (7260X)
32 --------- Insuline, serum
33 --------- IGF Binding protein-3
34 --------- IGF-1
35 --------- DHEA Sulfate 402X
36 --------- Aldosterone
37 --------- ACTH, Plasma
38 --------- Cortisol Binding Globulin (Transcortin) (37371X)
39 --------- Cortisol AM/PM
40 --------- Prolactin - (746X)
41 --------- Progesterone, LC/MS/MS 17183X
42 --------- Pregnenolone, LC/MS/MS (31493X) 28373P
43 --------- Androstenedione, LC/MS/MS - (17182X)
44 --------- Estradiol, Ultrasensitive, LC/MS/MS (30289X)
45 --------- Estrone, LC/MS/MS (23244X)
46 --------- Testosterone, Free, Bio/Total (LC/MS/MS) Code: 14966X
47 --------- Dihydrotestosterone (204X)
48 --------- Ceruloplasmin (326X)
49 --------- Coenzyme Q10 (198268)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
250.00 ----- 257.2 ----- 780.79
250.01 ----- 272.4 ----- 788.41
255.4 ----- 601.9 ----- 253.3
783.9 ----- 780.4 ----- 255.8
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My own Goals
DHEAs(500-640)mcg/dL(13.55-17.34)΅mol/L------------------major player, 95% time overlooked
Progesterone(0.9-1.2)ng/mL
Pregnenolone(> 100ng/dL)
Estradiol, Ultrasensitive(25-29)pg/mL
Estrone, LC/MS/MS (23244X)
do not use Anastrozole if possible or minimize its use
BATest(342, 460-575)ng/dL------------stay around 342 if you need AI to control E2
DHT(60-90)ng/dL (I am active when it gets over or under this range)
RT3 in lower half of range, TotalT3 in upper 1/3 range
FreeT3~400pg/dL or higher if TotalT3 not reached
Body temperature (97.8 - 98.2F) (36.56 - 36.78C); (36.6-37C)(97.9-98.6F)
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