Thread: Need some advice on protocol and readings

Hey Bros,

I've been on the board for a while and have learned a ton so far but still have so many questions.

First, my goals. I don't want to blast through any hormone levels as the sides hit me fairly severely. I seem to be fairly sensitive to all medicines. In fact, my main issues and concerns are too high of readings. I want to have healthy readings on IGF-1, testosterone, and estradiol. My main interests are anti-aging, fat loss, mental clarity, and overall well being. I am not looking to get huge, but would like that athletic look. I have been working out quite heavily for 2.5 years. Height is 5'9", weight is 190 lbs. BF is about 22%.

I started with HRT at a local clinic to boost my Test levels but have since stopped because the sides were too strong for me. I was on a HCG and Clomid protocol. I have posted that experience in the TRT section. The Dr didn't impress me at all so I've basically given up on him. All he did was write Rxs. Not much advice or knowledge shared when I asked what I thought were basic questions. After 5 months, I gave up on his protocol because the sides were too much for me to figure out. I then started on HGH. It's been about 2.5 months since I started HGH.

Here's my log. Thanks for reading. Hopefully this makes sense.

Age 46 / male

2017-7-20 to 12-20

Started HRT, Clomid & HCG
- had major sides, could not get skin to clear, test readings were very high, in the 1200 range, estradiol in the 60s. Started to rethink HRT. Introduced Anastrozole and had little effect on estrogen levels, but made skin even worse.

2017-12-20

- started HGH 2iu per day (jintropin)

2017-12-26

Labs (labcorp)

• 1168 - Testosterone
  
• 25.5 - Free Testosterone
  
• 57.9 - Estradiol
  
• 11.9 - GH (pinned 10 IU for GH test)
  
• IGF-1 (did not test, should have)

2018-1-7

- Stopping all HRT due to high estro levels and extremely bad skin that won't heal. Didn't feel comfortable continuing due to possible gyno risks and heavy sides.
- Took 2 more .25 MG AI to bring down Estro levels

2018-1-9

- increased HGH to 3 iu per day (split morning/early evening)

2018-1-23

- two weeks after stopping HRT, 4 weeks after starting HGH)

Labs (Labcorp)

• 526 - testosterone
  
• 40.8 - Estradiol
  
• 6.3 - GH

2018-1-24

- increased HGH to 4 IUs daily (split morning and early evening)
- restarted .25 Anastrozole (AI) 3x a week, will retest in 2 weeks)

2018-2-8

Labs (labcorp)

• 423 - Testosterone
  
• 24.8 - Estradiol
  
• 1.2 - GH
  
• 481 - IGF-1

I am feeling pretty good on the HGH. I am still retaining quite a bit of water after starting it 2.5 months ago. My face and eyebags are a little swollen, but I trust it will go down. My skin has cleared greatly since stopping the HRT. With the estro readings in the 25 range, I wonder if I still need the AI at all while taking HGH. My brother is taking HGH and doesn't take any AI. The AI also is rough on my skin. It really sucks having skin issues at the age of 46. Its like being a teenager all over again, only this times its worse. I was pretty clear as a teenager, but not at a 45 year old (WTF???).

Questions I have:

1. I've tried and tested a few months of Jintropin and taken plenty of labs. I have since started US Pharma Somatropin. I will get labs every 1-2 months to see my readings to compare the jins vs US genuine pharma. While on the jintropin, my IGF-1 reading was very high at 481. IGF-1 at 481 seems like a really high reading that could increase risk to tumors and organ growth. Should I reduce to 3 IUs / day?
2. Do I need an AI while dosing with HGH at 3-4 IUs per day?

I could use some advice as I want to dial this thing in for the long term.

Thanks!



P.S. on the data front, I will have good comparisons on jintropin vs somatropin in about a month for those curious on GH and IGF-1 readings for both.