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This is anecdata, but as someone who has used exogenous testosterone for the past 10 years, I feel significantly better with low T + high E2 than high T + low E2.

I've had E2 levels as high as the low end of female ovulatory range (see attached image at bottom) and felt fantastic, though personal response varies.

I stopped using aromatase inhibitors after the first few years due to having a worse sense of wellbeing compared to using none at all.

Now, I typically let my E2 sit around 60-90pg/mL (roughly x2-3 upper end of male reference range), which is where lands on 200mg/wk Testosterone, when doing TRT.

https://i.imgur.com/b3MjwDh.png

by Aurornis13 days ago|

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That image you linked shows a testosterone level 9X higher than the upper limit. I'm assuming that's unrelated to the values in your post because there is no way that 200mg/week produces those numbers.

Given that those levels are crazy high, you should probably mention that your experience is in the context of a lot of extreme hormone manipulation. Who knows what your body's baseline even is any more. I wouldn't expect your experiences to extend to normal people. I also really, really would not recommend that any men try to keep their E2 at 3X the upper end of the reference range.

by gavinray13 days ago|

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My body's "baseline" is zero, my Leydig's cells no longer function to produce FSH/TSH, which is the expected outcome of a decade of AAS use.

Bloodwork from no Testosterone usage puts my T around 90ng/dL, or the upper end of female reference range, and my E2 at the bottom end of male range.

Hence, TRT as a medical necessity.

  > I'm assuming that's unrelated to the values in your post because there is no way that 200mg/week produces those numbers.

Yes, those bloods were on 1,500mg/wk.

  > I also really, really would not recommend that any men try to keep their E2 at 3X the upper end of the reference range.

Certainly not unless your T levels are proportionally x2-3 reference range. The T:E2 ratio is wildly important.

by nerdsniper13 days ago|

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Same here. My cis-male body and brain really does strongly prefer high E2 levels. Just below “growing breast tissue” seems to be the sweet spot. Testosterone / DHT levels matter much less.

Raising E2 a bit basically cured lifelong suicidal ideation and major depressive disorder for me overnight. And it’s been working for 6 years now.

Libido is still fine - my girlfriends are satisfied unless i’m having a very stressful week.

by e4012 days ago|

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Your libido sounds more than fine if you have multiple girlfriends.

by swat53513 days ago|

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Anything that increases Testosterone will increase E2 , you don't even need TRT!

For example I'm on HCG treatment due to Secondary Hypogonadism causing low Testosterone levels.

My urologist prescribed on a _moderate_ of HCG instead of TRT. I have to do regular blood checks every 3 months just to make sure all is in order.

The treatment was successful, as in my Testosterone and Free Testosterone returned to normal and all my side effects disappeared. My sperm count also doubled which was great.

However, even with a _moderate_ dose, it caused a spike in my Estradiol! Luckily, not enough that would require medication to counter that.

It's been 3+ years now. My recommendation to all men is to get checked, but don't self inject yourself with Testosterone without professional medical oversight.

by joxdosba12 days ago|

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For what it’s worth, hCG disproportionately affects E2 levels relative to how much it increases T levels due to increased aromatisation activity.

This is particularly visible in bodybuilders who add hcg on top of existing supraphysiological T levels. E2 shoots up, T levels stay pretty much flat.