All Things Male

Gel vs. Injection

Brazensol — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:58:53 GMT

This has probably been done to death but please humor me. I have searched and could not find a definitive thread so I thought I would start one.What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?

Probiotics and digestive enzymes - before, during or after meals?

Sargovar — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:35:17 GMT

I tried to search for a thread on this topic, but couldn't find an answer to this particular question. Ever since my Life Extension Probiotic & Digestive Enzyme combo ran out and the manufacturer stopped making them, I've had no digestion support. I've tried to compensate by further improving my diet, going as far as removing whey protein and all glutein even though I don't have celiacs (glutein sensitivity is a possibility, though it's never been tested). However, I can't say I've noticed any benefits from eating zero glutein, and if I don't see any benefits over the summer, I'll probably go back to eating whole grain bread, if only to cut costs and make life less difficult. I usually have one bowel movement a day with dubious consistency, though thankfully I'm not seeing much undigested food any longer. I also have frequent constipation. And I belch a lot.. 95% of the gas my body expels comes out of my mouth. I get a little heartburn sometimes, but not nearly as frequently any longer, and I rarely have acid reflux these days. So there have been some improvements.

But I digress; I ordered a product called Super Digestaway (Solaray), a blend of digestive enzymes and herbs, as well as a multi-spectrum pro AND prebiotic supplement (Rainbow Light). What would be the best way to take them? I've heard some claim that digestive enzymes should be taken before meals and probiotics after, while others say it should be done the other way around. Which would you knowledgeable people recommend? And last but not least, I also ordered mucuna pruriens (60% L-dopa, 100 mgs per capsule) with hopes of knocking my high-normal prolactin down and shortening my refractory period. Dostinex used to accomplish this flawlessly, but I can't tolerate it any longer (can't tolerate most oral meds these days for some reason), so I'm thinking of trying mucuna as an herbal alternative. I've heard people say it should be taken before bedtime on an empty stomach. Is this the recommended protocol?

Question Looking for opinions on my results and story

fatguy — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:52:57 GMT

Hi all,

I am a 31yr old male, 6'3" 365lbs

I have gained over 80lbs over the last 2 years. So, no this weight is not normal. I had a doc run some labs for me and here are my results. i am looking for opinions.

I had my total test ran 3 years ago when I began to experience loss of strength, loss of stamina, weak erections, etc. It was low then too. It worsened with increased weight gain, extreme fatigue, crazy food cravings, muscle loss, and fat gain over the 3 years following. I fall asleep when I come home from work, have little to no drive, and I even look different. I began losing my hair, and it sucks. I was big and strong just 5-6 years ago and now nothing.

I am looking for any recommendations on doctors in the NJ/NY/PA area as my primary doc says this all looks good. I feel like crap, and I hate it.

I am leaving out most of the standard tests, as I was well within range. The Parenthesis is the reference range (Quest Diag is the lab). Bold is items out of range.

-Glucose: 90 (65-139mg/dL)

-Cholesterol, Total: 213 (125-200 mg/dL)
-HDL: 60 (>= 40 mg/dL)
-Chol/HDL Ratio: 3.6 (<= 5)
-LDL: 133 (<= 130)
-Triglycerides: 98 (<150 mg/dL)

-TSH: 1.82 (.40-4.50 mIU/L)
-T4, Total: 8.2 (4.5-12.0 mcg/dL)
-T3 Uptake: 30 (22-35%)
-T4 Free: 2.5 (1.4-3.8 units)

-Estradiol: 29 (<= 39 pg/mL)

-Insulin, Serum: 5 (<17 uIU/mL)

-Hemoglobin A1C 5.8 (<5.7 is good, 5.7-6.0% is increased risk of diabetes, 6.1-6.4% high risk, >=6.5% consistent with diabetes)

-Vitamin D, 25OH Total: 16 (30-100ng/mL)
-Vitamin D, D3: 16
-Vitamin D, D2: <4

-IGF Binding -3: 5.5 (3.4-7.0 mg/L)
-IGF Binding -1: 5 (5-34 ng/ml)

-DHEA, LC/MS/MS: 217 (61-1636 ng/dL)

-DHT, LC/MS/MS: 14 (16-79 ng/dL)

-Testosterone, Total: 338 (250-1100 ng/dL)
-Testosterone Free: 59.2 (35-155 pg/mL)

I appreciate the help.

Very high DHT on shots?

lowtdoff — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:04:18 GMT

Hey guys,

I've been on TRT for roughly 6 months (test e) and added HCG roughly 2 months ago. The HCG a huge difference in how I feel over just T shots (and evidently in blood levels as well, as seen below) but I have gotten some shoulder/back acne, hair shedding, and was also starting to feel some symptoms of higher E2 that people describe. Overall I feel better than in years, though.

I was in for a routine physical recently, and since they were drawing blood anyway I was basically like "Well, while you're in there..." and had them do Test free/total, DHT, and Estridiol:
Test total: 988 ng/dL [240-950]
Test free: 43 ng/dL [9-30]
Estradiol: 36 pg/mL [0-56]
DHT: 1230 pg/ML [112-955]

The draw was done Friday morning before I took my test shot. My routine is as follows:
Monday night/Friday morning: 60 mg test e.
Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday morning: 300 IU HCG (the doc actually originally had 5,000 IU instead of the 300 I bumped it down to... really?)

I'm pretty happy with the totals overall and the HCG has added a huge boost and has made how I feel much more consistent day to day (I was at something like 450 ng/dL before my shot when I was doing weekly T shots), but I do have a couple questions for the vets here:

1) Is that E2 level enough to be causing any issues? I felt like I was starting to get more fat in the chest area and also getting poorer erections. Within the last week, I did add a small amount of liquidex with each shot to see if it helped, and it seems to be so far. The blood levels are without liquidex.
2) That DHT level looks very high, especially since I'm on shots and not gels. Has anyone else had trouble with elevated DHT while on shots? I'm concerned about hair loss and other adverse long-term effects of raised DHT levels... and the shoulder back acne isn't fun either.

Thanks in advance guys.

Prescription vs. Non-

Brazensol — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:20:55 GMT

Of the various hormones and treatments discussed on this forum, which are prescription only and what can we get over the counter on our own dime?

Feedback on Dr. Crislers hair loss shampoo

BadassBlues — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:53:29 GMT

I have recently started losing a lot of hair. I think it may be stress related as I am in the middle of a major move and career change. Just as some info, I am leaving the insurance business after almost 30 years due to severe burnout and moving to another state.

The hair loss started during this period, but man... I am shedding like a sheepdog!

Also, I had to stop using over the counter minoxadil due to an allergic reaction. It was causing flare ups of either dermatitis or exzema.

I use Nizoral 1% now, but I want to try the 2%. Dr. Crislers formula includes some other ingredients, and I would like to hear some feedback from other guys who have tried it.

I had a hair transplant 11 years ago for a receding hairline, but now I am thinning on top from front to back. I can see my scalp. I am admittedly too vain to go bald, so if I am doomed to be domed, its going to be a Farrell hairpiece for me rather than another transplant. I would rather keep my own if possible though...:cool:

Question Cortisol?

yianni54 — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:39:50 GMT

What is low evening cortisol indicative of? Thanks

Zinc as an anti-aromatase?

Yodaman — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:30:41 GMT

I have read that 100-150mg of zinc is a good anti-aromatase. I have also read on pubmed that zinc picolinate is the only zinc preparation that had actually raised zinc levels in people studied -

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3630857

How effective is zinc as an anti-aromatase? Anyone have any experience using it for this?

Thanks

Fly Fishin in Southwest Florida (or any kind of fishing)

JCFL — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:31:47 GMT

Hey y'all! I live on Pine Island west of Ft. Myers and have a great little boat. If any of you are ever interested in havin a tour of Pine Island Sound, Cayo Costa, Boca Grande Pass, etc and do some serious fishin, let me know! You bring the beer and your fishin pole and the boat ride and guide is on me!

BTW, the tarpon just showed up in Boca Grande Pass and the water is as clear as gin!

JC

omega 3 6 ratio question

msclman — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:26:56 GMT

So i am making my way thru the site and something has been on my mind. from what i read either 3:1 or 4:1 seems to be the sweet spot for omega 6:3 ratio. ive seen many say to stop taking omega 3 as it is messing up the ratio. my question is this: I have read that the typical american diet is 16 - 25 times more omega 6 than 3 (giving a ration of 16-25:1 !!!)). If this is the case wouldnt the average person need alot of omega 3 to get us to 3:1?

what are the effects of clomid once it is stopped?

wildjess — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:47:07 GMT

i was wanting to know what the effects of clomid are on testosterone once stopped,ive heard there will be a
increase in test once stopped followed by a decrease, and then a rise over awhile ,is this true?

Does Feeling Good During a Prednisone Pack Indicate an Underlying Adrenal Problem?

WhatTheF — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:29:53 GMT

It has been a number of years ago now, but I once suffered a rather severe exposure to poison oak. No real big deal, just some pretty nasty lesions that were resistant to healing after several days. Went to a GP and he gave a cortisone/cortisol(?) shot and prescribed a 6 day prednisone pack (6 tabs first day, 5 tabs second day, and so on...). On this, I immediately felt relief from anxiety, depression and heart palps (PACs/PVCs). I gained about 5-7 pounds (have always been on the lean side) and my appetite and energy were great and I slept very well.

The question is: is this just a typical short term response to this type of corticol treatment or is it indicative of some type of adrenal/thyroid issue? I am looking back now because I had suffered the above symptoms (and more) off and on for over 15 years. Never even knew or thought to check steroid panel.

New labs 5 months off trt

mmg44 — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:29:24 GMT

Well I stopped androgel in december..
been 5 months since these are my latest labs, ive included my symptoms and only the most relevant lab numbers..I had a whole ton of stuff drawn..

Symptoms:
Chronic pelvic pain
trouble concentrating
low libido
bad ED(cialis is hit or miss)
on/off fatigue
memory problems
random joint pain/clicking comes and goes...
sleep too long

only meds on is ldn 4 times per week at 1.5 mg/dose, and occasional (2-3) per week hydrocodone for the pain.

Cholesterol total-224H(125-200)
LDL chol - 141High
Albumin/glob ratio 2.3 HIGH---big deal??
Bilirubin- 1.3HIGH(this is ALWAYS high on every test yet everyone tells me no big deal..I do have right side pain every now and again and I know this is a liver marker)
TSH 1.22(0.4-4.5)
T4, FREE 1.4(0.8-1.8)
T3 Free 3.4(2.3-4.2)
RT3 pending...this has almost always been elevated
all chatecolamines came back fine except Dopamine came back low..dunno if this even is applicable.

Estradiol, ultrasensitive..44 HIGH < or = 29...WTF??!
ACTH 53 HIGH (6-50)
Cortisol Total- 15.1(4-22)
FSH-2.7 (1.6-8)
LH 1.2 LOW(1.5-9.3)
Prolactin 8.1 (2-18)

Testosterone,Total-501(250-1100)
Free Test-89.0 (35-155)

Those are all the ones of interest...everything else was pretty much ok as far as WBC, RBC,etc...I feel pretty awful most the time and def felt better ON Trt although this is the "best" total T number for a morning draw Ive had in 4 years. Although everytime I get an afternoon draw im almost below 300..I go see an endo tomorrow and am prepared to hear the same old same old. I have a decent sized thyroid nodule that they tell me is no big deal, and I suppose the thyorid numbers look fine besides RT3..If anyone can piece any suggestion together from these or has any advice let me know. Im in constant pain, low libido and almost complete ED... I eat almost 85-90 percent paleo w lots of coco oil(perhaps why I have high chol) in an attempt to heal and boost hormones. Not sure its working. Open to any and all suggestions. Doctors havent gotten me anywhere besides taking me on and off medications over and over again. Thanks.

Also should add I workout 3-4 times per week, about 12-13% BF...Dunno where all the estrogen is coming from..unless my body isnt clearing it for some reason, which Im starting to suspect.

Any TRT friendly (knowledgeable) docs in Las Vegas?

Brazensol — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:20:16 GMT

Anyone know of any TRT friendly docs in Las Vegas? Just got back from an appointment and was not very impressed. Doesn't want to do injections (afraid of liver issues) and says to stay far away from HCG. Gave him the list of basic bloodtests needed to establish baseline values (from one of Dr. Crislers's papers) and he doesn't even want to do most of those. Frustrating to say the least. He is willing to put me on the gel (1% andro) and bump it up to the new 1.6% if needed (and available). Any suggestions?

High estrogen help!

wildjess — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:14:33 GMT

hey im trying to reverse my testicle atrophy and restore my natural t balance , first i tried hcg wich didnt work unless i used aromisan with it then i started seeing size come back with 300iu anything higher shrunk them back down,i waited a week after this and started clomid with aromisan withen 2 weeks my testicles were huge and my test was normal or prolly slightly above normal, i stopped after 2 weeks of clomid and now its been about 29 days and my test is dropping and E is high,any advice on what i should do to try and restore my hormones?maybe i should have tapered the clomid and done it longer? any input would be greatly appreciated thnx!