Finally have my post Rapa regime data (delayed like everyone by Tru-Diagnostic).
The protocol post the initial testing was to gradually ramp up Sirolimus (used Zydus brand) from 2mg per fortnight to the point where I had an adverse reaction.
Supplements being taken regularly at this point were Vit D&K (diagnosed as deficient), Magnesium, Garlic Capsules and Ginger tablets (as suggested by my MD).
My philosophy has always been to try to get everything from diet by way of eating as many different food types as possible each day (within a 8-9 hour feeding window). When I know I’ve been deficient in certain areas I’d supplement as appropriate (e.g. we had a period when sardines were in short supply so I was supplementing fish oils and astaxanthin at the time). Other occasional supplements would be a multi B vitamin, zinc if the kids come home from school with colds (frequently and never caught a single one!) and copper if felt overdoing the zinc.
Part way through this period, I started regular consumption of Creatine and Tongkat Ali.
2 doses at 2mg, 2 doses at 4mg, 5 doses at 6mg, the latter two of which were taken with EVOO (and EVOO was continued from this point (no GFJ used in this at all)).
Nothing was noticed at all good or bad at this dose.
Then went to 8mg at which point I did notice increased focus/concentration and stamina. That said, it would take more than 12 hours to take effect, so at this point I switched from morning dosing to just before going to sleep dosing so as not to affect my sleep. 8mg was done for 4 doses before going up to 10mg.
Safety blood tests were being taken periodically, and after the 4th dosing on 10mg these came back showing neutrophils were below range.
At this point we decided to stop and repeat all the prior tests.
Should also point out that I was put on Statins during this period, had negative reactions (muscle cramps) to three different types, so quickly switched to Ezetimibe and have been on this ever since. Also, towards the end of the period, started taking 50mg Acarbose with carb laden meals.
Also, for whatever reason and very annoyingly, one of the labs couldn’t do some of the tests so they ended up having to be repeated after a week of enjoying myself skiing, overeating probably rubbish, not taking any supplements apart from the Vit D/K and taking a massive hit on the hip which is probably why the hsCRP went over the threshold to register a number for the first time since I’ve looked at it, and the APOB is probably higher than it might have been 10 days earlier. (The APOB test doesn’t correspond to all the other lipid numbers as now 10 days apart in terms of blood draw).
Attached is the spreadsheet with some historical data going back to 2005 for reference, the pre-rapa data is in column H and the most recent in column M.
Although Neutrophils quickly recovered, the reason I remain off Rapa is that IL-6 and TNF-alpha became very elevated and we are yet to get to the bottom of why this has happened.
Otherwise, no disregulation with glucose, Ezetimibe was clearly enough to deal with the prior elevated lipids and stopped elevation caused by Rapa as reported by some others.
Over the period my fitness regime didn’t change, and I have definitely become stronger at the gym. All metrics improved. The pain in my finger joint became unnoticeable and morning stiffness in both hands disappeared. DEXA and Vo2Max improved on all metrics.
Since being off Rapa, strength remains, but joint pain in the finger is back along with the morning stiffness.
Through the whole period I’ve been carrying an arm injury which hasn’t responded to treatment either on or off Rapa and also still under investigation like the IL-6 etc.
Tru-Age appears to have improved in one respect but not in another (whilst DunedinPace virtually unchanged below 0.7)
All in all I think I conclude with the original title of this thread.
Age calculations.xlsx (16.9 KB)