wildwoodmc
New Member
Reposting here as it seems to be accurate for my post: https://thinksteroids.com/community...hing-on-taper-need-protocol-advice.134436815/
Stats
Age: 53
Weight: 84.5 kg
Body Fat: 22% (approximate)
History: Various blasts and cruises over the last 2 years. Stable on this current dose (~187mg/wk) for the last 6 months.
Current Protocol: 187.5 mg/week (Test C 250mg/mL) split into 3 injections.
Lifestyle: 2–4 hours training/week.
Not best diet (protein and fibre solid but still too much sugar, fat, salt, and refined carbs).
Chronic dehydration (under 1 liter of water per day).
The Context (Mental Health and Baseline)
I have been using this higher dose as a quick hack to stay on top of mounting personal stress and pressure. The Test has definitely helped my libido and drive stay alive during a very dark period where I feared a depressive slide.
My natural baseline (pre-TRT) was very poor:
Free T: 14.1 pmol/L (Below reference range)
SHBG: 47 nmol/L
Because my GP has zero experience with TRT, I have been navigating this on my own.
Given my 2-year history of blasting and cruising, I believe my neurochemistry is heavily adapted to high androgen levels, which is likely why my previous attempts to taper felt so brutal.
The Problem
I am a massive high-responder. At 187.5mg/week, my levels are pinned at >15ng/mL. When I previously tried to taper by 20% (down to 150mg/week), I crashed hard—specifically libido and mental well-being—though my gym performance stayed decent. I want to get healthy and bring these markers down, but I am looking for a way to avoid that depressive hole.
Latest Lab Results (Feb 2026)
Total Testosterone: >15.00 ng/mL (Ref: 1.93 – 7.40)
Estradiol (E2): 90.0 pg/mL (Ref: 11.3 – 43.2)
Hematocrit: 51.8% (Ref max: 48.6%)
eGFR (Kidney): 67 mL/min (Ref: >90)
Creatinine: 12.2 mg/L (Ref max: 11.7)
HOMA-IR: 2.34 (Rising insulin resistance)
Vitamin D: 28.3 (Low)
Folate (B9): 2.9 (Critically Low)
Questions for the Forum
1. The Crash: Was the previous crash likely due to the T:E2 ratio shifting too fast after 2 years of being enhanced? How do I drop dose without the mental and libido side effects?
2. E2 Management: At 90 pg/mL, should I use a micro-dose AI (0.125mg) while I slowly lower the Test dose to stabilize the transition?
3. Health Priority: With an eGFR of 67 and Hematocrit of 51.8 after 2 years of B&C, how urgent is this? Will 4L of water and lower salt pull these back, or do I need a phlebotomy?
4. Nutritional Link: Should I fix the Folate and Vitamin D first to stabilize my mood before I touch the Testosterone dose?
5. The Micro-Taper: Has anyone successfully used very small drops (e.g., 5-10mg a week) to get off a cruise without the brain noticing the dip?
I am trying to move away from using TRT as a crutch for stress, but I need a sustainable exit strategy. I have nowhere else to go for advice other than this forum as a starting point.
I appreciate any experience you guys can share. I need to get off the "stress-crutch" without falling apart.
Stats
Age: 53
Weight: 84.5 kg
Body Fat: 22% (approximate)
History: Various blasts and cruises over the last 2 years. Stable on this current dose (~187mg/wk) for the last 6 months.
Current Protocol: 187.5 mg/week (Test C 250mg/mL) split into 3 injections.
Lifestyle: 2–4 hours training/week.
Not best diet (protein and fibre solid but still too much sugar, fat, salt, and refined carbs).
Chronic dehydration (under 1 liter of water per day).
The Context (Mental Health and Baseline)
I have been using this higher dose as a quick hack to stay on top of mounting personal stress and pressure. The Test has definitely helped my libido and drive stay alive during a very dark period where I feared a depressive slide.
My natural baseline (pre-TRT) was very poor:
Free T: 14.1 pmol/L (Below reference range)
SHBG: 47 nmol/L
Because my GP has zero experience with TRT, I have been navigating this on my own.
Given my 2-year history of blasting and cruising, I believe my neurochemistry is heavily adapted to high androgen levels, which is likely why my previous attempts to taper felt so brutal.
The Problem
I am a massive high-responder. At 187.5mg/week, my levels are pinned at >15ng/mL. When I previously tried to taper by 20% (down to 150mg/week), I crashed hard—specifically libido and mental well-being—though my gym performance stayed decent. I want to get healthy and bring these markers down, but I am looking for a way to avoid that depressive hole.
Latest Lab Results (Feb 2026)
Total Testosterone: >15.00 ng/mL (Ref: 1.93 – 7.40)
Estradiol (E2): 90.0 pg/mL (Ref: 11.3 – 43.2)
Hematocrit: 51.8% (Ref max: 48.6%)
eGFR (Kidney): 67 mL/min (Ref: >90)
Creatinine: 12.2 mg/L (Ref max: 11.7)
HOMA-IR: 2.34 (Rising insulin resistance)
Vitamin D: 28.3 (Low)
Folate (B9): 2.9 (Critically Low)
Questions for the Forum
1. The Crash: Was the previous crash likely due to the T:E2 ratio shifting too fast after 2 years of being enhanced? How do I drop dose without the mental and libido side effects?
2. E2 Management: At 90 pg/mL, should I use a micro-dose AI (0.125mg) while I slowly lower the Test dose to stabilize the transition?
3. Health Priority: With an eGFR of 67 and Hematocrit of 51.8 after 2 years of B&C, how urgent is this? Will 4L of water and lower salt pull these back, or do I need a phlebotomy?
4. Nutritional Link: Should I fix the Folate and Vitamin D first to stabilize my mood before I touch the Testosterone dose?
5. The Micro-Taper: Has anyone successfully used very small drops (e.g., 5-10mg a week) to get off a cruise without the brain noticing the dip?
I am trying to move away from using TRT as a crutch for stress, but I need a sustainable exit strategy. I have nowhere else to go for advice other than this forum as a starting point.
I appreciate any experience you guys can share. I need to get off the "stress-crutch" without falling apart.
