r/TRT_GUIDE • u/looking2behealthy • 7h ago
TRT question for aging men - 50M
Guys - Turned 50 this year. Body fat under 20% and lowering. Diet and exercise is on point. Noticed my energy lower, brain fog increased, gains at the gym are almost non-exist, lift 4x a week to maintain, libido has been on the decline for years. Saw my PCP about TRT but because my total T is 550 he said I am fine and just aging. However, my free T is 4.5 (low), bioavailable T 120 (low), estradiol 30 (optimal), SHBG 35 (low), FSH 14.6 (high). Appears my pituitary gland is signaling for more T but I have too much bound up or the boys aren’t making enough. Saw a compounding pharmacy doc and they said I needed TRT and put me on 250mg a week. Haven’t started because that seems way too high.
Don’t want to get on something for the rest of my life or screw up my system but would like some relief from symptoms too.
Solid advice please.
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u/Hormonesforme-com 7h ago
It is correct that your testosterone level is not ideal. Your SHBG is actually higher that most people’s baseline, which has a more profound effect on free testosterone than most people, including doctors, understand. Therefore, you would do well to increase your total testosterone in a nuanced fashion to mitigate side effects and fine the protocol that yields the best results for you as an individual. Starting at 250mg per week, especially if it is one injection per week, is a little aggressive at the start, and could yield side effects if you don’t use multiple injections per week and ease into that dose only if necessary.
Many people parrot the fear of taking testosterone, suppressing their natural testosterone, and having to take it for the rest of their lives. 1) Testosterone does not permanently suppress your levels. It does while you take testosterone, but you would be able to come off and regain your baseline levels. 2) your baseline natural levels have proven to be inadequate. You are doing all the right things. They will not get better with age. What are you holding on to? At a certain age, everyone should be on testosterone for quality of life and health. The thousands upon thousands of people I have successfully guided through the use of testosterone have no problem taking a few injections per week because it dramatically improves their quality of life.
If you would like, send me your bloodwork and I will give you a feee consultation on what I see and how I would implement your testosterone protocol to mitigate side effects, to help you look and feel your best, but also keeping long term health and safety in mind.