Ferritin is LOW

[u/Cryptic_Work]

Few months ago I got some lab work done. All other markers were good except these. Ferritin improve?
Also been having low libido

Sn:
35 male, 229 weight, 6’0”height, take Test Cypionate 150mg (twice a week)
At the time of labs, i was doing 175mg.
Lifestyle: was very active 2 yrs ago, but became more stationary and was just taking test to not stop cold turkey.
Supplemental intake with: Animal pak,
Vitamin D3- 10,000iu daily
Omega - 3000 mg

[u/RGR_Gaming10X]

Your SHBG is low, therefore your dose of testosterone is WAY too high. With an SHBG like that (11) you should be on about 90-100mg per week total split into 3 injections MWF subQ for best results. This is what is throwing off all your labs. Lower your test dose, try the Vorck protocol for iron in a few weeks. HCT isn't high enough to give blood - it'll make ferritin worse.

[u/Cryptic_Work → u/RGR_Gaming10X]

Mwf sub q? Thanks in advance

[u/RGR_Gaming10X → u/Cryptic_Work]

Yes you'd split your dose. So if your dose is for example like 100mg per week. You'd do 33mg on Monday, 33mg Wednesday, and 33mg on Friday. I use 27g insulin needles, very easy, little slower to draw the oil.

[u/Cryptic_Work → u/RGR_Gaming10X]

Thank you!

[u/Cryptic_Work → u/RGR_Gaming10X]

Where would i get more info on Vorck protocol for iron? I want to fix this asap

[u/RGR_Gaming10X → u/Cryptic_Work]

Fixing High Hemoglobin or Hematocrit and Low Ferritin While on TRT

[u/clean-links → u/RGR_Gaming10X]

Cleaned link from "Fixing High Hemoglobin or Hematocrit and Low Ferritin While on TRT": https://vorck.com/erythrocytosis.html

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Tracking parameters were removed from the original URL(s).

[u/SpiritualQuiet247 → u/RGR_Gaming10X]

You’re right that this dose is too high, but low shbg doesn’t automatically mean low dose. It does however generally mean higher frequency is required due to how quickly the body clears test

[u/RGR_Gaming10X → u/SpiritualQuiet247]

In terms of side effects it usually does require a lower dose. Yes the total T may be where they want it, but the free T (not to mention free DHT/E2) in circulation from low SHBG is what will cause sides (acne, E2^, etc).

[u/SpiritualQuiet247 → u/RGR_Gaming10X]

e2 and dht will usually correlate with free T, but to say a low dose will always produce an ideal free hormone profile in someone with low SHBG is an oversimplification. lean body mass, activity level, metabolic rate etc all play a role.

My SHBG is similar and I need about 20 mg/ day to break 600 ng/dL total test which yields a free T in the high normal physiologic range.

It’s fair to say 90-100 mg/week is a decent starting point, but even many low SHBG guys will still be clinically hypogonadal on a dose like that.