Hello World (of testosterone and steroids)!

[Solmors]

I have been lifting for about 7 years now and after the first year of strength gains my progression stalled almost entirely. And about 2 years ago it got even harder. So I decided to get my testosterone levels checked and sure enough I was sitting at ~350 ng/dL total and 40 pg/mL free. I went to talk to my PCP and he thinks it is due to my concussion history (I had my 4th and worst concussion 2 years ago), however since my total was "within normal range" he wouldn't prescribe or refer me for TRT despite free testosterone being below the range.

So I found a clinic in the area and a prescription for 200mg / week of testosterone cypionate and 1000IU / week of HCG about 10 weeks ago. I'd like to up by HCG dose or add something else for fertility boost/maintenance (my wife and I are trying to conceive) but I need to figure out how to get it for cheaper because through the clinic its quite expensive.

It's like I have my noob gains again at the gym. My 1rm for nearly all lifts is up 10-15% in just over 2 months and I am able to go to the gym more frequently since I am not as sore after and recover faster. I can lift 3-4 days a week, BJJ 3-4 days a week, as well as play ice hockey and soccer once a week. Unfortunately 2 weeks ago I pulled my hamstring pretty bad doing a sprint workout, so that really will hamper my fitness until it is fully recovered.

I've also put on 8lbs since starting, all of it lean mass according to my scale. I haven't been trying to add weight but my appetite is through the roof so I am eating more than I have in years. I have a DEXA scan scheduled for Wednesday, I'm curious to see the results and how it compares to where I was last time I did one 2.5 years ago.

Anyways, nice to meet you all. I look forward to reading a lot of posts here and learning more.

[Cylon357]

Welcome to the board!

Peep both the HRT subforum and the Labs sub to read between the lines on good labs. This is not a source board, BUT, you can generally decipher what is what.

Once again, welcome aboard!

[brazey]

Welcome...

[Chark]

Welcome!

[s1nc1ty]

Welcome and good luck with the trt. Thats quite the schedule you have there

[956Vette]

I have been lifting for about 7 years now and after the first year of strength gains my progression stalled almost entirely. And about 2 years ago it got even harder. So I decided to get my testosterone levels checked and sure enough I was sitting at ~350 ng/dL total and 40 pg/mL free. I went to talk to my PCP and he thinks it is due to my concussion history (I had my 4th and worst concussion 2 years ago), however since my total was "within normal range" he wouldn't prescribe or refer me for TRT despite free testosterone being below the range.

So I found a clinic in the area and a prescription for 200mg / week of testosterone cypionate and 1000IU / week of HCG about 10 weeks ago. I'd like to up by HCG dose or add something else for fertility boost/maintenance (my wife and I are trying to conceive) but I need to figure out how to get it for cheaper because through the clinic its quite expensive.

Welcome! Hope your pulled hammy is improving. Sounds like you're making the right moves (doing lab work) and have a decent doctor looking out for your best interests (they're right not to prescribe test or provide referral, they could be in the wrong for covering their ass, overlooking how you feel...). Doesn't appear you need to jump into hormone therapy from a clinic (aka drug dealer), starting steroids while healthy and family planning sounds like a decision to worth pontificating on...we're here for you bro! Advice from the hip would be to wait to make the decision until another round of labs that show unsatisfactory/average/declining hormone levels. However if your lady don't want no scrubs, lacks fertility fud and encourages onboarding to hormone therapy, game on.