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If my T/E ratio is good, SHBG is 38, my Free T/TT ratio is good, hematocrit is 44, PSA is 1, but my TT is over 2500 ng/dL 3 days post (E3.5D protocol) should I still lower my dose? I feel good here but probably not significantly better than when I am around 1200 ng/dL. Ive been on TRT for 6 years and am 52 and diagnosed with hypogonadism. TT = 2656 FT= 650.7 SHBG= 38 HCT = 44 E2= 101 I guess my question here is, if I feel best here what would indicate its too high other than TT? I respond very well and 80mg weekly (2x40mg) puts me around 800 ng/dL but I dont feel as good. Im not a BB but an avid gym goer. Im 5'11" 210 @ around 20% bf. I guess my point is Im not trying to justify the high T for maintaining some kind of elite body. Even with healthy, or high, testosterone it is still very difficult for me to drop body fat. Im relatively strong and LBM is fairly easy to attain when Im not injured. Any guidance is appreciated as these arent conversations my PCP or Endocrinologist will entertain. Thanks.

AlphaMD's Answer

Happy to help.

So this is a good example of why adding more Testosterone to a dose doesn't always increase benefits. You only have so many androgen receptors that can take that T in, so at a point, it doesn't really matter if you're at 5000TT or 1500TT if you feel the same (other than the much higher likelihood of side effects at the higher value).

I wouldn't say you should look to change your protocol based on the numbers, but we would 100% agree with your way of thinking. Why take my current dose if I feel the same at half the dose? The extra T would probably trigger more side effects than benefits at the levels you are showing, DHT is also probably pretty high & watching your hair would be important right now unless you're already on Finasteride.

I don't know your current dose, but you do mention your levels at 80mg weekly. You could probably find a sweet spot between that 80mg weekly & your current dose where your benefits feel the same as they do now. You may even be able to save yourself some money with the lower dose.

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