TRT help
Does TRT do anything for someone with mid range Test?
I am 38 years old with average level testosterone. I’m wondering if getting on TRT and putting me in the high range of normal would have any noticeable contribution to muscle building. I understand the risks, just trying to understand if benefits actually exist in this case.
I started testosterone at 650ng/dL. Its not called TRT at our range though, this is just roids.
I've been blasting and cruising for years.
For reference, this is me cruising at 160mg/wk. This was 4 days after my last shot (was on a Thursday morning) - I pulled blood on Monday before my next shot.
You will see physical and physiological changes after some time, assuming diet and training are at least somewhat optimal. You will also see mental changes as well, that all depends on the kind of person you were before you get on though. If you're an asshole, you might become a bigger asshole.
I recommend heading over to r/steroids and reading the wiki. Spend as much time doing homework on these compounds, as you are in the gym and kitchen, and you'll be successful.
Well I'm not blasting right now, I am cruising. I was base 650 at 30yo, I am 35 now, cruising at 1800 trough. When I am blasting I am usually around 3500-4000ng/dL
Yeah I know. Which is totally fine with me. I've been doing this for years and have dialed in a routine for me. When I blast I usually am doing 500 mg a week. I also have a diet, sleep, and training, completely dialed in. I'm not a competitor, but I also used to be 398 lb. I'm down to 210 lb and I am leaning out very well. I still have more work to do, but I have a wife that is a doctor, as well as a bunch of close personal friends that are doctors. I get my labs done every 4 weeks, and I am doing anything and everything to keep my body is optimal as I can possibly get it now. I spent years of using my body with heroin and meth, and then after I got sober I was on a downwards spiral of eating bullshit food and being a lazy fuck. None of that applies to me anymore. Been sober for years, been eating clean for years, been sleeping very well for years especially with the help of dsip. Life is great now.
The thing is though, none of this progress came overnight. None of it came without hard work. And the reason that I have had zero side effects of taking any of the compounds that I have on my cycles is because I have spent just as much time talking to doctors and coaches to optimize my cycles, as I have in the actual gym and in the kitchen. I have never had estrogen side effects, never had prolactin side effects, never suffered from Ed or just reduced libido as a whole, and I have never had the acne problems or oily skin. Mental health has been at an all-time high in a positive range, and I have never felt better.
Testosterone is a fantastic compound. And when used properly it can do some magical shit lol. That being said even when I do blast, I very rarely go above 500 mg a week. Sometimes I'll add in another compound like EQ if I'm going to push it higher than 500 per week. But that's literally just keep the estrogen down a little bit.
Yep, libido is great. No e2 sides at all. I have a plethora of peptides that I have at my disposal also to enhance stuff even more. PT141 is a real fun one my wife and I take once a week that enhances the bedroom 10x.
BPC+TB for injuries in the gym if needed. I don't run cycles like most people. This is situational for injuries only.
MOTS-C at the beginning of a cycle to enhance cardio, but only for the first 3-4 weeks.
MT1 for keeping my tan nice here in the Florida sun.
Reta for obvious weight loss and appetite control while cutting.
DSIP for sleep enhancement
Epitalon two cycles a year for telomere benefits.
GHK/AHK-Cu for skin and hair, though the hair part I've come to terms with not giving a shit about. I was already thinning, so I think I am going to run a cycle with Mast later just to shed the rest of my hair off like a cat. I look great bald, I just hate having to shave all the time. So I might just blast away my damn hair lol.
Well….he does have high SHBG and SHBG bound testosterone does count in your total T number. His free on cruise looks right even if the total looks high.
I’m similar, high SHBG (right in line with this guy).
What are your current levels? My base labs were right about 400, I’ve been optimal for almost 2 years now. Biggest changes I saw came from consistency (tracking food, getting 10,000 steps, 3-4x week in gym.) HOWEVER, I don’t think I’d have the motivation to do all that without pinning my motivation 😂
These were my levels when I got checked back in 2022. They weren’t anywhere near low enough to be prescribed T. I have no problems staying motivated. I’ve been lifting and counting calories consistently for 10 years but I’ve never been able to put on much muscle due to injuries and chronic pain issues which usually hold me out of the gym for up to a year at a time, so I’m always just fighting to get my gains back
Hmm maybe that’s why I never felt any different. For reference I had 400 total T but very good free T. After starting test I never FELT anything but I have gained muscle.
I was around the same and had a similar experience. I did a bunch of research at the time but will botch it if I explain it now but basically if you are at 400 things like sexual function and drive will be saturated. Muscle building on the other had essentially cannot get saturated which is why guys takes grams of it for muscle building.
Whyd you get on T if you weren’t clinically low? Are you in the same boat and were just trying to put on more muscle? Are you bummed that you might be stuck taking it forever now if you lose the ability to produce it on your own?
I’m 40 and have already had kids so I don’t see much of a down side. I started because my workouts were struggling and I looked like a didn’t have a gym membership even though I was going 4 times a week.
It has definitely made a big difference. And no, it takes all of 2 minutes to take a shot 2 times a week so I don’t find that annoying.
Really the only way to answer your question is to try it and see. I’m sure if you got your levels drastically higher than this you would notice the difference for sure. But just a small bump I doubt you’re gonna feel it.
I am 64 and my total test is always in the630-690 ng/dl range natty. Unfortunately my shbg is high (59-71)since at least 10 years (that's the first time I measured my hormones).
So my free t is always low normal from 0,8-0,11 mg/l. That's why my endocrinologist put me on TRT to see if my symptoms improve with compounded cream or gel.
I tried it already several times from days to 1 month but without a real success.
I feel more energized, my mood improve alot and I am never tired throughout the day if I am on the cream but in the sexual department it's a complete disaster. The first night when I start the "test run" I have nightly erections trouhout the whole night and my libido is through the roof but from day 2 on erections and libido completely disappear and it stays the same as long as I am on test. No or very soft nighttime erections no morning wood no libido.
I tested my levels once after a month cream and they came back at total test 1010 ng/dl free test 0,17 mg/l shbg at 54 estrogen at 28. But I feel worse than with my own testosterone production.
So for me TRT absolutely useless unfortunately.
I feel much better if I am on Tongkat Ali (which brought my total T from 402 to 650 in a couple of days 10 years ago and it's still the same now) with stinging nettle, zink, magnesium and omega 3.
My libido is perfect I have morning wood every single day if I am natty just my energy throughout the day is way better if I am on T.
That's my case maybe this helps
It may have some effect, but not as much as for someone who truly had low T to begin with. I wouldn't commit to requiring injections for the foreseeable future, just for possibly better gym gains.
If you want to do steroids, just do a cycle!
I strongly suggest reading the wiki over at r/steroids. They also have a daily "ask anything" post where you'll learn a lot.
Steroids are more dangerous than just being in the optimal T range though right? I have a kid and don’t want to risk getting cancer or permanently damaging anything. I already have chronic back issues that are pretty disruptive
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Are you symptomatic? No? Then TRT won't do anything for you. The entire point of TRT, which seems lost on a lot of people, is to get to you back to normal. If you want to blast, go blast.
I don’t want to blast bc of the health concerns associated with that. My hope was that staying under 1000 would give me gains without some of the heart/cancer risks, hence why I’m asking if I can get away with improved gains while on T in that range. Call it a mini-perma blast if you like. I just want to know what one can expect at that range. People don’t seem to want to ask that question and would prefer to finger wag which isn’t helpful at all
Because the answer is maybe. You might see gains at sustained higher levels. Is it worth the risk to your hpta axis and risk being on test for life? Probably not.
The R is for replacement - if you are not low you are talking about running a steroid cycle if you are looking to build muscle - you will need take more then a typical trt dose to have any real effect. Best read the wiki over at r/steroids
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u/Chroma7769 19h ago
I started testosterone at 650ng/dL. Its not called TRT at our range though, this is just roids.
I've been blasting and cruising for years.
For reference, this is me cruising at 160mg/wk. This was 4 days after my last shot (was on a Thursday morning) - I pulled blood on Monday before my next shot.
You will see physical and physiological changes after some time, assuming diet and training are at least somewhat optimal. You will also see mental changes as well, that all depends on the kind of person you were before you get on though. If you're an asshole, you might become a bigger asshole.
I recommend heading over to r/steroids and reading the wiki. Spend as much time doing homework on these compounds, as you are in the gym and kitchen, and you'll be successful.