There is some information on the TRT Injections and Clomid threads on side effects, but I thought it would be useful to have a dedicated thread for this information to share experiences.
Before I begin, I want to state that my results are not typical, my side effects were more extreme. And I made a few mistakes. TRT can be very beneficial if done right. Don’t let me discourage you, use this information to do it better than I did.
Getting a Scrip
One mistake I made was not appreciating how difficult it is to get good advice and even get a scrip. My regular physician who has been seeing me for about 10 years
does not test T as part of a regular physical. I had to tell him that I had some very specific examples of low T symptoms to get him to add it to my blood work. My T was 396 and free T 5.5. That was on the low end of normal, but for my age (40s) not alarming. Nevertheless, he referred me to an endocrinologist.
The endo was really a diabetes doctor. He acknowledged my symptoms but as a rule would not prescribe T for a many with T over 300. So I started on Clomid, 25mg every other day (EOD) with is a high dose. Eventually my T shot up to 1167, but my SHBG and E shot up as well. The first day I felt like King Kong, and I felt great for two weeks, but eventually I was completely fatigued, not leaving the house except to go to work, and going to bed at 7pm. I eventually quit cold turkey and signed up with an out of state medical practice that does telephone consultations (Defy Medical).
As an aside, I went on Clomid because I want to remain fertile for now and was a bit afraid of injections. It also seemed easier to take a pill than do an injection. The injections are no big deal except getting the hang of doing it the first time, so my reluctance was misplaced.
As a final word on Clomid, the stuff works. Now, some people get eye floaters even with taking half the dose I did, and there is concern that this can be permanent. I didn’t have this problem, but I did have minor vision problems with T, see below.
Also, my “doc” didn’t prescribe an aromatase inhibitory, so my Estradiol and SHBG shot up. These swamped the effects of the T such that I felt worse than before taking it. As an aside, Clomid is available from generic Indian pharmacies.
TRT and HCG Injections
My new doc required a cash paid consultation and new blood work. They put me on testosterone cypionate, 40 ml which is 80 mg, twice a week, or 160 mg per week. Also 500 IUs of HCG, (1000 per week), and 0.125 mg of Anastrazole or .25mg per week. Doses are twice per week to avoid spikes.
Well my T has remained high, about 100, but my Estradiol and SHBG are also high. And I’m having significant fatigue.
I assumed that the new regimen would be a magic bullet because now I had an aromatase inhibitor. But I’m still not feeling the benefits of TRT. I’m now probably at the other end of the yo yo.
One thing I learned in retrospect is to keep a detailed journal regarding energy levels, sleep times and quality, and any other relevant symptoms. This is because the benefits of TRT can be easily overwhelmed by the side effects of too much or too little T. Also, the symptoms of high E are very similar to low E, so you need to pay attention to subtle differences to fine tune things.
According to the blog dosagemayvary.com, these are the symptoms of high and low Estradiol:
High Estradiol Symptoms:
•Soft erections, inability to maintain an erection
•water retention (less frequent urination), leading to excessive sweating, blood pressure spikes or high blood pressure (from the water retention)
•insomnia
•hot flushing (flushing around the ears or on the face)
•night sweats (from estradiol lowering, causing loss of water retention)
•bloating; brain fog (like your head’s in a bubble)
•testicles seem smaller than usual
Low Estradiol Symptoms:
•Fatigue along the lines of sleepiness
•hypersomnia (sleeping too much and too often)
•strong erections but limited sensitivity
•loss of erections
•osteoporosis and osteopenia
•joint pain, clicking or popping joints
•eye fatigue (eyes seem more tired despite adequate sleep, dark circles)
•loss of libido (interest in sex)
•difficulty retaining water (constant urination)
•anxiety, depression, irritability
One thing this blog recommends is twice weekly injections in order to smooth out peaks and valleys. I’m already doing this. I had a follow up consult with my doc and he believes I have low estradiol now. I’ve stopped my aromatase inhibitor. The problem is that it’s not like a Tylenol, it stays in your body for a while. So you need to tweak things gradually. I’m also taking a break from injecting, and if I restart it might be half doses. I feel that bad.
Other side effects.
Some other side effects I have experienced is eye fatigue. I work on a computer all day, and recently about half way through the day I’m squinting strenuously.
Occasional joint pain but I’m in my 40s so I can’t say that this is a side effect.
Loss of sensitivity during intercourse, but I use condoms so again it’s hard to say this is a side effect.
Hypersomnia – definitely, to the point that I would rather sleep than have sex. I’m talking about on a Saturday afternoon or at 7 in the evening.
Red Blood count – finally, testosterone increases red blood cell count to the point where your doc will probably recommend that you donate blood every 2-3 months. This is for your health. So make sure you are getting follow up blood work and checking your hematocrit levels. Donating blood is not a big deal but to me it’s a hassle because my local red cross is like going to the DMV.
Acne - I have had a small increase in acne, and have gotten 2 or 3 large pimples on my back, but none on my face
Allergies - my skin allergies have increased to the point where I can't keep a beard past a month's growth. After about a month, I end up clawing at it and end up shaving it off despite my best efforts to keep it.
So TRT may require fine tuning for you. Expect side effects and keep a daily journal. Use a physician who knows what he is doing.
Before I begin, I want to state that my results are not typical, my side effects were more extreme. And I made a few mistakes. TRT can be very beneficial if done right. Don’t let me discourage you, use this information to do it better than I did.
Getting a Scrip
One mistake I made was not appreciating how difficult it is to get good advice and even get a scrip. My regular physician who has been seeing me for about 10 years
does not test T as part of a regular physical. I had to tell him that I had some very specific examples of low T symptoms to get him to add it to my blood work. My T was 396 and free T 5.5. That was on the low end of normal, but for my age (40s) not alarming. Nevertheless, he referred me to an endocrinologist.
The endo was really a diabetes doctor. He acknowledged my symptoms but as a rule would not prescribe T for a many with T over 300. So I started on Clomid, 25mg every other day (EOD) with is a high dose. Eventually my T shot up to 1167, but my SHBG and E shot up as well. The first day I felt like King Kong, and I felt great for two weeks, but eventually I was completely fatigued, not leaving the house except to go to work, and going to bed at 7pm. I eventually quit cold turkey and signed up with an out of state medical practice that does telephone consultations (Defy Medical).
As an aside, I went on Clomid because I want to remain fertile for now and was a bit afraid of injections. It also seemed easier to take a pill than do an injection. The injections are no big deal except getting the hang of doing it the first time, so my reluctance was misplaced.
As a final word on Clomid, the stuff works. Now, some people get eye floaters even with taking half the dose I did, and there is concern that this can be permanent. I didn’t have this problem, but I did have minor vision problems with T, see below.
Also, my “doc” didn’t prescribe an aromatase inhibitory, so my Estradiol and SHBG shot up. These swamped the effects of the T such that I felt worse than before taking it. As an aside, Clomid is available from generic Indian pharmacies.
TRT and HCG Injections
My new doc required a cash paid consultation and new blood work. They put me on testosterone cypionate, 40 ml which is 80 mg, twice a week, or 160 mg per week. Also 500 IUs of HCG, (1000 per week), and 0.125 mg of Anastrazole or .25mg per week. Doses are twice per week to avoid spikes.
Well my T has remained high, about 100, but my Estradiol and SHBG are also high. And I’m having significant fatigue.
I assumed that the new regimen would be a magic bullet because now I had an aromatase inhibitor. But I’m still not feeling the benefits of TRT. I’m now probably at the other end of the yo yo.
One thing I learned in retrospect is to keep a detailed journal regarding energy levels, sleep times and quality, and any other relevant symptoms. This is because the benefits of TRT can be easily overwhelmed by the side effects of too much or too little T. Also, the symptoms of high E are very similar to low E, so you need to pay attention to subtle differences to fine tune things.
According to the blog dosagemayvary.com, these are the symptoms of high and low Estradiol:
High Estradiol Symptoms:
•Soft erections, inability to maintain an erection
•water retention (less frequent urination), leading to excessive sweating, blood pressure spikes or high blood pressure (from the water retention)
•insomnia
•hot flushing (flushing around the ears or on the face)
•night sweats (from estradiol lowering, causing loss of water retention)
•bloating; brain fog (like your head’s in a bubble)
•testicles seem smaller than usual
Low Estradiol Symptoms:
•Fatigue along the lines of sleepiness
•hypersomnia (sleeping too much and too often)
•strong erections but limited sensitivity
•loss of erections
•osteoporosis and osteopenia
•joint pain, clicking or popping joints
•eye fatigue (eyes seem more tired despite adequate sleep, dark circles)
•loss of libido (interest in sex)
•difficulty retaining water (constant urination)
•anxiety, depression, irritability
One thing this blog recommends is twice weekly injections in order to smooth out peaks and valleys. I’m already doing this. I had a follow up consult with my doc and he believes I have low estradiol now. I’ve stopped my aromatase inhibitor. The problem is that it’s not like a Tylenol, it stays in your body for a while. So you need to tweak things gradually. I’m also taking a break from injecting, and if I restart it might be half doses. I feel that bad.
Other side effects.
Some other side effects I have experienced is eye fatigue. I work on a computer all day, and recently about half way through the day I’m squinting strenuously.
Occasional joint pain but I’m in my 40s so I can’t say that this is a side effect.
Loss of sensitivity during intercourse, but I use condoms so again it’s hard to say this is a side effect.
Hypersomnia – definitely, to the point that I would rather sleep than have sex. I’m talking about on a Saturday afternoon or at 7 in the evening.
Red Blood count – finally, testosterone increases red blood cell count to the point where your doc will probably recommend that you donate blood every 2-3 months. This is for your health. So make sure you are getting follow up blood work and checking your hematocrit levels. Donating blood is not a big deal but to me it’s a hassle because my local red cross is like going to the DMV.
Acne - I have had a small increase in acne, and have gotten 2 or 3 large pimples on my back, but none on my face
Allergies - my skin allergies have increased to the point where I can't keep a beard past a month's growth. After about a month, I end up clawing at it and end up shaving it off despite my best efforts to keep it.
So TRT may require fine tuning for you. Expect side effects and keep a daily journal. Use a physician who knows what he is doing.
