How to start TRT?

[Nate40]

Im thinking on starting Testosterone but not sure how to go about it.
Ive had bloodwork done by the GP and awaiting the results. What do I look for?
Think Im going to go with one of the sources from here as the clinics are way too expensive and a huge hassle.
Im a complete beginner so any advise would be appreciated.

 

[flexymcflexface]

Im thinking on starting Testosterone but not sure how to go about it.
Ive had bloodwork done by the GP and awaiting the results. What do I look for?
Think Im going to go with one of the sources from here as the clinics are way too expensive and a huge hassle.
Im a complete beginner so any advise would be appreciated.

Welcome man. And yes clinics are a hassle BUT they are also legal and some of them have great service. Don't shy away from them. I'm still with a clinic for my legal TRT as I travel around the world about 9 times a year for work. I MUST have a label on it with my name

And they also started me on the journey

TRT is just Test replacement so this is meant to be low dosage.
100-150mg per week of Test is TRT. This is what clinics start you on then about 8 weeks in you get new bloods to check how things are going.
We look at many factors in the blood results but mainly the free Test.

How old are you?
Do you train hard?
How's your diet?
Why do you think you need to start TRT?
How much fat do you think you area carrying? BF%
How tall and what is your weight?

A few people here (and you will pick this up) do 250mg on TRT but they unfortunately have just done this themselves this is what we call a Sports Cycle. Something athletes run for extra gain. Not something we should be on full time due to many reasons. AS its nearly levels of a cycle but just under (50mg more and your in cycle dosages range) So please don't start at this level (unless the doctors is monitoring you)

 

[Sir Plus]

A few people here (and you will pick this up) do 250mg on TRT but they unfortunately have just done this themselves this is what we call a Sports Cycle

This is exactly what I was planning to do initially before finding this forum, so I'm glad I found it. From the knowledge I've gained here from all the experienced members, I've realised this would have been an absolute disaster in my current situation.

Even though the clinic I went through is embroiled in some stuff now, the GP there was really good at explaining everything in detail. It's a good piece of mind having a doctor managing it for you, considering the health risks you expose yourself to if you mess it up. But I can see why now people take matters into their own hands, once they are comfortable enough to be able to read their own bloodwork .

 

[Fredqld]

read their own bloodwork .

As a side note, I think ChatGPT does a nice job reading & explaining bloodwork and suggesting protocol optimizations

 

[doc]

I’m around 100mg every week or two for Replacement therapy.
Any more sends testosterone levels above range. Sustenon 250 has a mix of long & short esters so you have a bit of flexibility with dosing which suits some. Enanthate is popular and suits weekly doses. Medical professionals often prescribe 1ml every 2-3 weeks which seems more for convenience than efficiency as levels tend to bounce around a bit. Most of the crew here are doing cycles so don’t confuse the protocols and consult your blood tests to confirm your staying in range

 

[Sir Plus]

As a side note, I think ChatGPT does a nice job reading & explaining bloodwork and suggesting protocol optimizations

Ah nice that's good to know! I've been doing a lot of reading to get a batter grasp of it all, didn't even think to use AI lol

 

[Nate40]

Welcome man. And yes clinics are a hassle BUT they are also legal and some of them have great service. Don't shy away from them. I'm still with a clinic for my legal TRT as I travel around the world about 9 times a year for work. I MUST have a label on it with my name

And they also started me on the journey

TRT is just Test replacement so this is meant to be low dosage.
100-150mg per week of Test is TRT. This is what clinics start you on then about 8 weeks in you get new bloods to check how things are going.
We look at many factors in the blood results but mainly the free Test.

How old are you?
Do you train hard?
How's your diet?
Why do you think you need to start TRT?
How much fat do you think you area carrying? BF%
How tall and what is your weight?

A few people here (and you will pick this up) do 250mg on TRT but they unfortunately have just done this themselves this is what we call a Sports Cycle. Something athletes run for extra gain. Not something we should be on full time due to many reasons. AS its nearly levels of a cycle but just under (50mg more and your in cycle dosages range) So please don't start at this level (unless the doctors is monitoring you)

Thanks for that, I was thinking of doing it myself and more than likely would have looked into that.

I'm 40, train a few times a week but can never push so I wouldn't say it's hard training. I feel like I should be a lot stronger than I am. Diet isn't the best but improving. 24% BF, 190cm and 95kg.
Had absolutely no *** drive for 7 years, always tired and find it hard to get motivated to do anything.

Doctor said that my levels were fine but seems they may be a bit low.

Any suggestions for a good clinic with these results?

 

[doc]

Your levels are in a decent healthy range so it’s not replacement therapy that you’re after ( you are not deficient).
If you want to do a cycle it’s best to prepare yourself with low body fat, good nutrition & correct training. Natural & enhanced levels will go higher and your body will process the compounds much better with less side effects. Personally I don’t get results with body fat over 15% & bloodwork is often not fantastic either. Getting started is a commitment to a healthy lifestyle

 

[flexymcflexface]

As doc said you don't need Trt. If you are going to be taking anything you will need to do a cycle of some sort.
.if you did TRT levels yeah it will help levels go up but could shut down your hormone production so you doing damage to your body you dont need to.

Can I ask why you want to go on test? Or why you think you needed to be on it?

The more information we have the better we can help.

@doc said it also. With the levels fine and bf way up this isn't a great recipe for success

 

[Fredqld]

SHBG levels are high for 40, which may explain your symptoms; you need to test your liver functions. Personally, I am taking a small dose of Anavar to reduce it. Lower SHBG levels lead to more effective free testosterone.

 

[doc]

SHBG levels are high for 40, which may explain your symptoms; you need to test your liver functions. Personally, I am taking a small dose of Anavar to reduce it. Lower SHBG levels lead to more effective free testosterone.

Proviron is another oral that may help you feel better. Your test levels are not low so don’t expect to much by just adding test. Halving your bf should improve everything dramatically so it involves a lifestyle adjustment with or without Performance enhancing drugs.

 

[Nate40]

As doc said you don't need Trt. If you are going to be taking anything you will need to do a cycle of some sort.
.if you did TRT levels yeah it will help levels go up but could shut down your hormone production so you doing damage to your body you dont need to.

Can I ask why you want to go on test? Or why you think you needed to be on it?

The more information we have the better we can help.

@doc said it also. With the levels fine and bf way up this isn't a great recipe for success

I feel like im always tired and unmotivated. Tried antidepressants but that didnt work. I have lost quite a bit of weight recently but it seems like im losing muscle as well. Heard a lot of stories that TRT has helped so hoping it may for me.

 

[doc]

I feel like im always tired and unmotivated. Tried antidepressants but that didnt work. I have lost quite a bit of weight recently but it seems like im losing muscle as well. Heard a lot of stories that TRT has helped so hoping it may for me.

You will lose muscle when losing weight. You will also hit plateau’s and sometimes lack motivation to continue. Commitment to Sensible -sleep, diet & training will improve everything over the long term. Many older people in gym have been doing maintenance only training for years-which gets hard. Fatigue & depression hits most of us and unfortunately there’s no magic bullet ( especially when blood tests are normal )
Integrative Dr’s , Chinese Medicine & Naturopaths help lots of people regarding lifestyle choices. Ozempic style compounds may also help get you through some plateaus by balancing energy/ cravings. Light cardio helps mood/ metabolism. Once body fat is reduced your whole system will be better & if you still want to do a low dose cycle it will be much safer & more effective. Hopefully this helps you plan ahead

 

[flexymcflexface]

I feel like im always tired and unmotivated. Tried antidepressants but that didnt work. I have lost quite a bit of weight recently but it seems like im losing muscle as well. Heard a lot of stories that TRT has helped so hoping it may for me.

Aha welcome yo just life. I'm on Trt and guess what. Wake up most morning feeling tired and unmotivated. It does help yes. But my Test levels were the levels of an 80 year old. Yours are not.

Can you do us a favor and we will try to help more. Sounds weird that we try to tell people not to inject even though 99% of people here are..but can you do this.

For the remainder of the week (not xmas) record everything you do.

What you eat and post photos (dot cheat us if you eat fast food that's fine just let us know)

Record your weight today and xmas eve

Record every work out you do.

Your mood each day.

Sometimes it's something else and I had to go through a rabbit hole of things after getting on trt thinking it was going to fix it all.