bloodwork questions

[November Fox]

hi guys.

I´m going in for bloodworks this month. I´m switching from gel to injections, and I want to have a recent overview of what´s up with my hormones before I switch.

However for some reason unknown to everyone I´m still getting shark week. I found a pdf online which says that if "masculinization is inadequately progressing", you can check for LH (I assume lutheinizing hormone). I assume estrogen and progesterone levels also influence shark week so I´ll get those checked. Do you know if there is anything else that I might want to get checked?

I´ll also be checking T, hemoglobin/hematocrit, liver function panel, lipid panel, glucose.

I don´t have an endo but I work together with my GP and I´d like to get an accurate test done. If anybody has more recommendations I´d be glad to hear them.

Regards
Rowan

[Magnus]

LH and FSH are released by the pituitary... TRT does not change their level (mine were completely the same before and after), and nor does reproductive tissue atrophy (where both Estradiol and Progresterone will cease endogenous production from those tissues). And they're actually not merely for 'feminine things', critical for males as well.

I'm pretty sure the switch to IM is going to help with this on it's own. Most often, this will linger when your dosage is inappropriately LOW rather than high. Basically, Estradiol and Progesterone AND Testosterone plummet to start it and then rise to stop it (but with Progesterone lagging to peak in-between; it's predominantly responsible for the thickening of the endometrium - and it itself can be effective in skipping sharkweek by pausing the cycle in that stage indefinitely; however, it isn't good to mix exogenous Progesterone with TRT. Clotting risk is too great, most doctors will not prescribe both simultaneously for that reason).

So, providing you're at a high enough level of T (TT 300 or greater; levels that induce reproductive tissue atrophy), this really ought to not still be happening.

Otherwise, I think you should discuss also going with a WEEKLY administration over the typical bi-weekly. The more stable your level remains, the better - and it surely will help with this issue as well. And, as I know full-well it can get rather more sore to inject IM weekly in the same general areas, you can and should also ask about SubQ.


That all said, if this is still going on after the switch to IM (say, 3-4 months)... then I'd think that would be grounds for an ultrasound. According to my Endo we're supposed to have one of those yearly (prior to hysto/oopho) anyway. You might have fibroids (etc.) causing this.

[November Fox]

Hi Magnus,

I know it´s been ages but I wanted to thank you for your reply, which was really helpful.
I tend to get distracted with life and then forget to reply.

The weird thing is the first injections stopped SW in its tracks, and now it´s back. I´m going for shots every three weeks, now wondering whether every two weeks would be better.

We have different types of TT measurements in Europe, I believe. Can you tell me what you mean by 300? Is dat mmo/l or something else?

I´m definitely going to ask about subQ. First injection was a pain in the ass.

Thanks!