Mushy's [Reta] Fat Loss Progress

[Mushy404]

If you do happen to get an opportunity to get compounded anastrozole. I think 0.125mg tabs would be a good start. Then you can find your sweet spot a little easier. One tab every other day is more reasonable.

I was thinking while I was on a walk that I should have asked you that, so thanks for adding it.

Can I ask what your body metrics, gender, age is.
I'm obese, so aromatase is on the higher on of the TRT population.

 

[Mushy404]

Anyone know much about Kidney Function?

I find it peculiar that I have gone from 121 in Feb when I was unhealthier, down to 90 now when 32lbs down and far healthier.

It's still normal, but low end of normal.

Now that I think of it... I did hydrate 1.5hrs prior with electrolytes, Glycine, Arginine, Creatine, and a few drops of 0 calorie liquid flavouring. I still wouldnt expect to see such a drop from that.

Next time I will just drink water, and maybe the electrolytes

 

[Banana Joe]

I am too tired to read everything, and try to come up with a meaningful suggestion, so I will just give you encouragement.
You seem to have your head on straight, and seem to be diligent in monitoring and logging most if not every important parameter.

Try learning to feel what each adjustment of your protocol will change. When you have done this for some time, you will be able to adjust things based on that, which will lead to a more successful outcome, than just based on what you read, or what others recommend.

I know that you know this already, but you likely have not internalised it:
Try to not fall off the horse and learn why it happened. But if it happened, learn to not beat yourself up for it.

 

[Sera]

I was thinking while I was on a walk that I should have asked you that, so thanks for adding it.

Can I ask what your body metrics, gender, age is.
I'm obese, so aromatase is on the higher on of the TRT population.

Sure, I’m 5’9, mid 20s, male, 70kg or so.
I still aromatise a lot though. I need to take about 0.375mg of anastrozole a day with 200mg a week of testosterone.

I actually make my own compounded anastrozole capsules so I can fine tune the dose as needed.

 

[Sera]

Anyone know much about Kidney Function?

I find it peculiar that I have gone from 121 in Feb when I was unhealthier, down to 90 now when 32lbs down and far healthier.

It's still normal, but low end of normal.

Now that I think of it... I did hydrate 1.5hrs prior with electrolytes, Glycine, Arginine, Creatine, and a few drops of 0 calorie liquid flavouring. I still wouldnt expect to see such a drop from that.

Next time I will just drink water, and maybe the electrolytes

I think eGFR can change due to many factors it doesn’t necessarily mean your kidneys are not working as well, mainly because the way they calculate it with creatinine isn’t that accurate.

 

[Mushy404]

I am too tired to read everything, and try to come up with a meaningful suggestion, so I will just give you encouragement.
You seem to have your head on straight, and seem to be diligent in monitoring and logging most if not every important parameter.

Try learning to feel what each adjustment of your protocol will change. When you have done this for some time, you will be able to adjust things based on that, which will lead to a more successful outcome, than just based on what you read, or what others recommend.

I know that you know this already, but you likely have not internalised it:
Try to not fall off the horse and learn why it happened. But if it happened, learn to not beat yourself up for it.

Cheers bud.
I agree.

I do have a lot changing at the moment, so it's kinda difficult to zero in on how certain things make me feel, but as the weeks go by, I should be more in tune with how I feel.

The bottom line is my markers are improving - the rest will come with time and refinement.

 

[Mushy404]

Sure, I’m 5’9, mid 20s, male, 70kg or so.
I still aromatise a lot though. I need to take about 0.375mg of anastrozole a day with 200mg a week of testosterone.

I actually make my own compounded anastrozole capsules so I can fine tune the dose as needed.

Really?!!
My E2 crashed to 52pmol at .25mg eod.
Surely your E2 is around that level with the dose you are taking?

From my understanding, 80-120pmol is the range where most men feel best. So I am aiming for 120 first... then once I try that for a while, I will tweak as needed.

But as you point out, taking Anastrazole E5D isnt very stable.
I will try it for now, and depending on what my TRT docs saying about compounding pharm, I will pivot as needed.

I might have to just compound it myself if I can't get any good from the TRT doc

 

[Mushy404]

I think eGFR can change due to many factors it doesn’t necessarily mean your kidneys are not working as well, mainly because the way they calculate it with creatinine isn’t that accurate.

This would explain it then.

My creatinine was 62 back in Feb, but now it's 92 - likely due to not only consuming 5g of creatine x2 per day, but more acutely, I took 5g 1.5 hrs prior to the test.

Higher creatinine lowers the eGRF score, and this would reasonable explain my eGRF drop from 121 in Feb, to 90 this month.

Thanks for the prompt

 

[Sera]

Really?!!
My E2 crashed to 52pmol at .25mg eod.
Surely your E2 is around that level with the dose you are taking?

From my understanding, 80-120pmol is the range where most men feel best. So I am aiming for 120 first... then once I try that for a while, I will tweak as needed.

But as you point out, taking Anastrazole E5D isnt very stable.
I will try it for now, and depending on what my TRT docs saying about compounding pharm, I will pivot as needed.

I might have to just compound it myself if I can't get any good from the TRT doc

Yeah. I just have a lot of aromatase enzyme to block. My ideal dose right now is somewhere between 0.25-0.375 a day. 0.25 was too low so I increased it a little. 0.5 a day had me crashed.

 

[Mushy404]

Yeah. I just have a lot of aromatase enzyme to block. My ideal dose right now is somewhere between 0.25-0.375 a day. 0.25 was too low so I increased it a little. 0.5 a day had me crashed.

What is your E2 level right now?

At your weight/height, you are not fat, so I assume a significant factor for any higher Aromatase is due to the weekly T dose of 200mg?

I would NEVER get away with 200mg T/week Not with this BF%.

Are you cycling? Or just pushing your TRT dose?

 

[Sera]

What is your E2 level right now?

At your weight/height, you are not fat, so I assume a significant factor for any higher Aromatase is due to the weekly T dose of 200mg?

I would NEVER get away with 200mg T/week Not with this BF%.

Are you cycling? Or just pushing your TRT dose?

Just pushing the TRT a little. I actually have been at around 170mg for 4 weeks. But thought heck 200 isn’t that much higher. If it feels too much at any point I can easily drop it down again. I have blood pressure meds and nebivolol on hand to counter any side effects.

I actually think it’s easier to manage at a higher dose because you can take more anastrozole without crashing yourself.

Although everyone reacts differently so unfortunately it takes a while to learn how you react with trial and error.

My e2 level right now, I don’t know. I haven’t yet had bloodwork on the current dose. I can tell if my e2 is too low because I feel a certain way (depressed mostly), and then I take the dose of AI down (for eg to 0.25 per day) and that was good for a while but e2 started climbing (sensitive nips and this warm feeling starts coming on which is hard to explain, with some anxiety) so I bump the dose a little but not too much. Then I will get bloodwork to confirm, but if I got bloodwork every adjustment it would take way too long to get anywhere.

You might think ‘if he hasn’t had bloodwork on it, how does he know he isn’t crashed’ which is a fair point. But I have had bloodwork where I was crashed and I felt a certain way. And I’ve taken even higher doses of AI and felt the same way as that. So I’m pretty darn sure I know roughly what range to be at. I will be confirming it soon with bloodwork though.

 

[Mushy404]

Just pushing the TRT a little. I actually have been at around 170mg for 4 weeks. But thought heck 200 isn’t that much higher. If it feels too much at any point I can easily drop it down again. I have blood pressure meds and nebivolol on hand to counter any side effects.

I actually think it’s easier to manage at a higher dose because you can take more anastrozole without crashing yourself.

Although everyone reacts differently so unfortunately it takes a while to learn how you react with trial and error.

My e2 level right now, I don’t know. I haven’t yet had bloodwork on the current dose. I can tell if my e2 is too low because I feel a certain way (depressed mostly), and then I take the dose of AI down (for eg to 0.25 per day) and that was good for a while but e2 started climbing (sensitive nips and this warm feeling starts coming on which is hard to explain, with some anxiety) so I bump the dose a little but not too much. Then I will get bloodwork to confirm, but if I got bloodwork every adjustment it would take way too long to get anywhere.

I would say that 200mg/week is firmly outside of replacement doses, and is a mild steroid cycle. No judgement of course. You do you. It's likely I tweak my own dose upwards as I lose more fat. I dont just want replacement, I want optimized, and I hear from very in the know professionals that 100-140mg/week is a common range for that optimization. Some can go higher without getting the same drawbacks - but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

 

[Sera]

I would say that 200mg/week is firmly outside of replacement doses, and is a mild steroid cycle. No judgement of course. You do you. It's likely I tweak my own dose upwards as I lose more fat. I dont just want replacement, I want optimized, and I hear from very in the know professionals that 100-140mg/week is a common range for that optimization. Some can go higher without getting the same drawbacks - but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

It’s possible my dose is higher than I’d like, and as it continues to saturate (it’s only been 4 weeks so far) maybe I’ll find that to be the case, and I’ll decrease.

I’m not someone who is looking for outsized steroid-style gains, I want to optimise health with a replacement, so therefore any negative health effects aren’t going to be tolerated.

I would also like to clarify it’s taken me about 9 months to get here. I didn’t just jump in at the deep end. At first I was taking 70mg lol.

 

[Mushy404]

Hahah!

I just had a call with the main fella at my TRT clinic in the UK and he just talked AT me for 18 mins 11 seconds... not interested in the slightest about what I had to say, and just basked in the smell of his own farts.

He even had the audacity at the start of the call to question why young people have a distrust in doctors. He left the call then, completely oblivious to the irony in his words.

That confirms it - I need to find a new TRT clinic!
The problem I have now, is these guys seem to be towards the top of what's available in the UK. So I guess it's largely on me to become the expert in my own TRT now.

He outright rejected by suggestion of commencing some DHT cream. Said there's little to nothing by way of studies and no clinics are using it. Sure, there's not a huge amount of research on it, but there is some, and DHT is being used in Europe for many years!

I was going to ask him if they'd still work with me if I was to source my own proviron, but I gave up trying to get a word in after 10mins of him telling me how great he is, and how good his clinic is, and how many top end conferences he's been to... and did I tell you how great he is lads?

The only thing he was willing to do was prescribe some Cabergoline if my next blood test shows high prolactin - which considering this was the only high prolactin reading I've had, I'd imagine this was just a temporary thing - plus my libido has been shot for longer than my prolactin was high.

In sum... I am quite angry, and disappointed.
I will take a look around to see if there's a better clinic, but I am not optimistic that I am going to find much better here in the UK. If at all.

I am the captain now!

 

[Ateam2023]

Hahah!

I just had a call with the main fella at my TRT clinic in the UK and he just talked AT me for 18 mins 11 seconds... not interested in the slightest about what I had to say, and just basked in the smell of his own farts.

He even had the audacity at the start of the call to question why young people have a distrust in doctors. He left the call then, completely oblivious to the irony in his words.

That confirms it - I need to find a new TRT clinic!
The problem I have now, is these guys seem to be towards the top of what's available in the UK. So I guess it's largely on me to become the expert in my own TRT now.

He outright rejected by suggestion of commencing some DHT cream. Said there's little to nothing by way of studies and no clinics are using it. Sure, there's not a huge amount of research on it, but there is some, and DHT is being used in Europe for many years!

I was going to ask him if they'd still work with me if I was to source my own proviron, but I gave up trying to get a word in after 10mins of him telling me how great he is, and how good his clinic is, and how many top end conferences he's been to... and did I tell you how great he is lads?

The only thing he was willing to do was prescribe some Cabergoline if my next blood test shows high prolactin - which considering this was the only high prolactin reading I've had, I'd imagine this was just a temporary thing - plus my libido has been shot for longer than my prolactin was high.

In sum... I am quite angry, and disappointed.
I will take a look around to see if there's a better clinic, but I am not optimistic that I am going to find much better here in the UK. If at all.

I am the captain now!

LFG!!!

 

[Mushy404]

Mini Update:

Not much to say apart from noticing the water retention from the GH!
I was 358 lbs this day last week, which I believe was the day prior to starting the GH. Now I am up to 360.6 lbs (+2.2lbs) even though I've been like a monk with my food intake.

Obviously, fluid retention is part of GH, and I don't really mind the puffy look in my face, but the leg which I had a DVT in years ago and which has a damaged valve in my vein - resulting in edema. This was greatly reduced with Diosmin use, but now the GH has completely undone it.

Today is the worse its been and I have a compression sock on as we speak, but can anyone with GH experience (use, not what you heard) chime in with your experiences as it pertains to fluid retention. How much fluid weight did you gain? For how long? Did it subside any? If so how much?

Any suggestions on ways to reduce it?
I've been making sure I am fully hydrated, and while the kidneys are being sodium goblins due to GH commencement, I've been reducing sodium intake.

I'm only on 4 iu's, and to be honest, I might stay on this dose forever. Which means I really need to figure something out with this fluid retention.

 

[Mushy404]

I'm dumb, haha.
With GH, I started at 2 iu, then on night 2 I took 3 iu, then on night 3 I took 4 iu - where I am now and plan to hold.

APPARANTLY, it generally should have taken me 2-3 weeks to get to 4 iu's, not 3 days

The edema in my edema-prone lower leg isnt as bad now, but is still noticeable compared to pre-GH. The sudden significant edema in my leg/s triggered the issue I used to have prior to keto and losing weight, where I could only walk short distances before the calves/shins would seize up and require a 5 min rest before I could walk again - which would repeatedly happen.

I'd imagine this will normalise over the next week or so, but all in all, the side effects were manageable. A bit puffy in the face, but no CTS.

 

[Itsthejuice]

Mate, We're on a similar path, similar age(I'm a tiny bit older) and I was also once super fat.

I'm curious, does the methyl blue do anything? I wasn't so convinced when I read up on it.

And yeah, I gave up on my GP years ago in the UK, not only was he lacking in knowledge they seem determined to give you nothing until you're on deaths door. I recommend doing as you are: learn and do it yourself.

 

[Mushy404]

Mate, We're on a similar path, similar age(I'm a tiny bit older) and I was also once super fat.

I'm curious, does the methyl blue do anything? I wasn't so convinced when I read up on it.

And yeah, I gave up on my GP years ago in the UK, not only was he lacking in knowledge they seem determined to give you nothing until you're on deaths door. I recommend doing as you are: learn and do it yourself.

Hey mate,
Congrats on no longer being super fat

Methylene blue is absolutely noticeable! For me, I have mental clarity and energy about 2-3 hours after taking it, and it lasts for a few hours. Ideal for stressful or full-on days. I take it in the morning

Regarding the GP situation. Yeah it's depressing mate.
My GP practice is dogshit but after moving from doc to doc, I have now found a good doc within it who discusses things with me and understands that a collaborative relationship is going to be more beneficial.

He's still heavily restricted by the NHS noose, so the standard of care is still shite - and I dont yet feel comfortable telling him I what I am taking - but communication is good and he get's what he has control over done pretty quick.

Not sure I'll ever tell them I am taking certain things like GLP-1, GH etc... because I don't want it on my record for my workplace private health insurance to weasel their way out of covering me. They are shit too.

The goal is to get health AF, educate myself so I can monitor/deal with what I can, and make enough money so I can afford to pay private.

 

[Itsthejuice]

Hey mate,
Congrats on no longer being super fat

Methylene blue is absolutely noticeable! For me, I have mental clarity and energy about 2-3 hours after taking it, and it lasts for a few hours. Ideal for stressful or full-on days. I take it in the morning

Regarding the GP situation. Yeah it's depressing mate.
My GP practice is dogshit but after moving from doc to doc, I have now found a good doc within it who discusses things with me and understands that a collaborative relationship is going to be more beneficial.

He's still heavily restricted by the NHS noose, so the standard of care is still shite - and I dont yet feel comfortable telling him I what I am taking - but communication is good and he get's what he has control over done pretty quick.

Not sure I'll ever tell them I am taking certain things like GLP-1, GH etc... because I don't want it on my record for my workplace private health insurance to weasel their way out of covering me. They are shit too.

The goal is to get health AF, educate myself so I can monitor/deal with what I can, and make enough money so I can afford to pay private.

Nice one finding a better GP! I didn't have the patience for that.

I'll definitely give that methyl blue a try then.

We're lucky that blood glucose monitors, blood pressure devices and even blood lipids can be checked cheaply at home. I got one of those cheapish (£70 I think) machines off AliExpress, feed it some blood and can check an assortment of things and it tracks really well with my lab bloods.

Good luck on the diet, you got this, mate!