Went to see a hormone repla***ent doc last year because most of my friends from gym see him for test repla***ent. I had my original blood work done in 6/2011. Here was my baseline 100% natural.

Testosterone , Total - 677 ng/dL
Estradiol - 55 pg/mL
Cortisol, Total - 17.1 mcg/dL


Doc said my test level was to high for him to give me additional but did give me Anastrozole .5mg (estrogen blocker) 3 times per week.

Blood work from 12/2011:
Testosterone, Total - 705 ng/dL
Free Testosterone - 110.0 pg/mL
Estradiol - 17 pg/mL
Cortisol - 19.1 mcg/dL

So I guess blocking the estrogen production boosted my test level a little. Reducing the estrogen has helped with water weight and my mood really. My question relates to what should my test level be to really see gains in the gym. I am having good workouts and diet and really seeing increases in strength but not putting on much mass. I am fighting some bad genetics it seems.

For those of you doing test, what is your levels? Should I be trying to get mine over 1000?

Also the doc said the high Cortisol is bad for fat around your waste, I am pretty lean but do carry any fat I have around my middle. Any truth in that and what can I do to lower my Cortisol levels?

Thanks for your advice.