What to expect with TRT

[micparks]

Hey gang, Im going to be starting TRT in the next 2 weeks. I believe its going to be .5 ml 2x week with a anti est.

Now I train 5 days a week so i would like to take advantage of the TRT because Im going on it because I need it not necessarily because I just want to. Ill be getting my levels up to at least 900 from 205 which im at now. Will i notice anything growth wise with the TRT alone? Should I be taking a growth hormone with it like MK or something else fairly inexpensive. Once I see results I know where this is going to go lol.......

My other concern is I have high BP and high cholesterol that im trying to get under control. Doc prescribed me some med that i only plan on taking until i drop some weight and get this under control. Will TRT have any effect on my BP going up? I dont eat processed foods and my salt intake is minimal to none as i dont care for the taste of salt at all.

Thanks for the help guys, you have been very informative up to now!!!

[teedoff]

Fiest, why do you immediately think youll.be taking an anti est? What has your Dr said? Unless you have a history of gyno or other sides from high estrogen, why add a compound you might not need.

Second, I don't think you'll see an growth on just getting your test levels back to a normal range you should be at anyway.

I just started trt a couple years ago and haven't noticed any extra muscle personally on just trt level doses.

Not sure about BP, How old are you?

[micparks]

Fiest, why do you immediately think youll.be taking an anti est? What has your Dr said? Unless you have a history of gyno or other sides from high estrogen, why add a compound you might not need.

Second, I don't think you'll see an growth on just getting your test levels back to a normal range you should be at anyway.

I just started trt a couple years ago and haven't noticed any extra muscle personally on just trt level doses.

Not sure about BP, How old are you?

clinic wont do trt without the the AE, i dont know why its just what they do. Probably for more money lol. Ill be 44 in april

[Test Monsterone]

I don’t know about these clinics that offer a cookie cutter protocol for all of their patients. Seems like they don’t want to track your individual blood parameters and actually do their job.

Anti estrogens are known to hurt cholesterol numbers. Not sure by how much, and I’m sure it’s dose and individual dependent.

As for the effects - you’re going to probably get leaner, especially in the mid section. You will definitely look better, but don’t expect results overnight, and don’t expect to look like a bodybuilder.

Trt raised my RBC/hematocrit and my blood pressure, consequently. If your blood gets thick, and you have high bp and high cholesterol, that’s not gonna be good. So get blood work done regularly the first year or so, until you kinda know how your body reacts.

[teedoff]

I don’t know about these clinics that offer a cookie cutter protocol for all of their patients. Seems like they don’t want to track your individual blood parameters and actually do their job.

Anti estrogens are known to hurt cholesterol numbers. Not sure by how much, and I’m sure it’s dose and individual dependent.

As for the effects - you’re going to probably get leaner, especially in the mid section. You will definitely look better, but don’t expect results overnight, and don’t expect to look like a bodybuilder.

Trt raised my RBC/hematocrit and my blood pressure, consequently. If your blood gets thick, and you have high bp and high cholesterol, that’s not gonna be good. So get blood work done regularly the first year or so, until you kinda know how your body reacts.

I wish that was the case with me! lol

[Honkey_Kong]

clinic wont do trt without the the AE, i dont know why its just what they do. Probably for more money lol. Ill be 44 in april

I agree with Test Monsterone about being cautious with a clinic that gives out the same standard treatment for each patient that comes in there. I look at being low-T as being sick. The doctor/medical team need to treat you in such a way that it relieves your symptoms while exposing you to the absolute minimum in drugs and dosages.

Like for instance your .5ml of test 2x a week is 200mg per week. What if 150mg of test or 125mg of test per week relieved your symptoms pretty much the same? Is it worth subjecting yourself to a higher dosage that is likely going to come with it more sides?

And as far as an AI goes, at the dose you're saying they want to give you, I wouldn't need it all. Nor would a lot of other guys. There are guys though that can get some pretty severe estrogen sides at that dose (they're not that common, but they do exist). So it wouldn't make sense to subject you to those drugs (that also have some bad sides as TM said). And even if you did need it, you don't necessarily need their standard dose/dosing schedule.

The point of going on TRT isn't to look like you're ready to walk on stage at the Olympia. It's to raise your test levels so that you can live a normal healthy life.

So yeah like TM says, it'll probably help a bit with the midsection fat. But don't expect miracles here. How much fat you lose is mostly dependent on your diet, rest and exercise level.

It's also going to help with your desire for and ability to have sex. You're not going to have Viagra-grade boners on it. But it probably will help with your ability to have/maintain erections. And you'll likely be more in the mood for it too.

You might get acne. But of those people who do, it's mild for most people and it usually tends to go away once your hormone levels stabilize.

As for muscle growth. You might get a few pounds, but they're not giving enough to cycle with. I would expect to put on in muscle and strength what a normal, healthy man that isn't on steroids would put on in the same amount of time. You might put a little more on, but it's not going to be a drastic difference.

If this place doesn't run bloodwork, before you start and for at least the first 6 months and then like periodically after that, look for another place.

[micparks]

I agree with Test Monsterone about being cautious with a clinic that gives out the same standard treatment for each patient that comes in there. I look at being low-T as being sick. The doctor/medical team need to treat you in such a way that it relieves your symptoms while exposing you to the absolute minimum in drugs and dosages.

Like for instance your .5ml of test 2x a week is 200mg per week. What if 150mg of test or 125mg of test per week relieved your symptoms pretty much the same? Is it worth subjecting yourself to a higher dosage that is likely going to come with it more sides?

And as far as an AI goes, at the dose you're saying they want to give you, I wouldn't need it all. Nor would a lot of other guys. There are guys though that can get some pretty severe estrogen sides at that dose (they're not that common, but they do exist). So it wouldn't make sense to subject you to those drugs (that also have some bad sides as TM said). And even if you did need it, you don't necessarily need their standard dose/dosing schedule.

The point of going on TRT isn't to look like you're ready to walk on stage at the Olympia. It's to raise your test levels so that you can live a normal healthy life.

So yeah like TM says, it'll probably help a bit with the midsection fat. But don't expect miracles here. How much fat you lose is mostly dependent on your diet, rest and exercise level.

It's also going to help with your desire for and ability to have sex. You're not going to have Viagra-grade boners on it. But it probably will help with your ability to have/maintain erections. And you'll likely be more in the mood for it too.

You might get acne. But of those people who do, it's mild for most people and it usually tends to go away once your hormone levels stabilize.

As for muscle growth. You might get a few pounds, but they're not giving enough to cycle with. I would expect to put on in muscle and strength what a normal, healthy man that isn't on steroids would put on in the same amount of time. You might put a little more on, but it's not going to be a drastic difference.

If this place doesn't run bloodwork, before you start and for at least the first 6 months and then like periodically after that, look for another place.

great info thanks, Im not looking for the body builder look just to tighten up a bit. They will do bloods and follow ups, Do you think I should do .25ml 2x a week with no Anti Est without telling them and see where my labs come in? Im mostly concerned with my high bp and cholesterol. My pcp has me on meds for that but I dont plan on being on it for long. Its temp to me anyway until I get my weight down so my numbers drop. Im not a pill popper and I would rather do it naturally than take cholesterol meds to drop my numbers.

[Cylon357]

OP, is the test blended with the AI or is the anti estrogen a separate dose? If the latter, then you can simply not take it and see where you land. If the former, I would probably punt this clinic and go somewhere else.

That said, I think you said you are carrying a few extra pounds right now. Extra body fat can increase aromatase and thus raise estrogen levels. Just something to keep in mind.

Did the doc talk about HCG? I like it in my trt, though plenty of men don't use it.

[teedoff]

I've been on trt for about 3 years. The last year has been injections.

Since I've been on trt, my cholesterol has been high. I have blood work from before starting and it was good. I can't prove it and no practicing medical personnel will admit it, but I personally think the trt is causing cholesterol to go up. It's not crazy high mind you. I think it stayed around 190 or so. But if yours is high, you could see that go up. Maybe not. Maybe it's just my body. Just keep that in mind.

And on recommendation of guys here, I donated blood and my total cholesterol dropped 50 points.

[micparks]

OP, is the test blended with the AI or is the anti estrogen a separate dose? If the latter, then you can simply not take it and see where you land. If the former, I would probably punt this clinic and go somewhere else.

That said, I think you said you are carrying a few extra pounds right now. Extra body fat can increase aromatase and thus raise estrogen levels. Just something to keep in mind.

Did the doc talk about HCG? I like it in my trt, though plenty of men don't use it.

The anti Est is a pill 2x a week. I didnt do the hcg because I dont need it. I cant have kids anymore and im sure my wife dont care about the size of my balls
lol

[micparks]

I've been on trt for about 3 years. The last year have been injections.

Since I've been on trt, my cholesterol has been high. I have blood work from before starting and it was good. I can't prove it and no practicing medical personnel will admit it, but I personally think the trt is causing cholesterol to go up. It's not crazy high mind you. I think it stayed around 190 or so. But if yours is high, you could see that go up. Maybe not. Maybe it's just my body. Just keep that in mind.

And on recommendation of guys here, I donated blood and my total cholesterol dropped 50 points.

Well im hoping that until I can lose the lbs that that cholesterol meds will keep my levels at bay. Im around 190 ish now as well and cant afford to go higher. I dont want to drop dead from a HA

[Brett N]

HCG also helps with test levels and testicular shrinkage. When I don't have HCG on my TRT I personally feel some testicular discomfort. Almost an ache in my nuts. (I like my nuts full size and free of pain)

TRT just made me feel better all around. Feeling better and more confident might make you perform better in the gym, in the sack...etc. You aren't doing a steroid cycle and there is absolutely no reason to think about growth hormone or anything.

Get your TRT dialed in and see how you feel when you feel right. You might be pretty happy with 900 test levels and not want to do anything else.

Agree with the ai info. TRT clinic started me exactly the same as you with 200mg, hcg @ 250 iu 2x a week and anastrozole. On my own I lowered my test to 125mg, hcg and no ai. I feel as good if not better and my bloodwork looks great.

The HCG should be offered in the TRT program at the same cost, not an extra.

[Cylon357]

The anti Est is a pill 2x a week. I didnt do the hcg because I dont need it. I cant have kids anymore and im sure my wife dont care about the size of my balls
lol

The AI part is easy then, just don't take it.

I view HCG as a "just in case" protocol. Like "just in case" I need to come off TRT for a bit, I will have an easier time of it. But like I said, lots of men do not bother with it.

[micparks]

hey gang, update: I started my TRT last week. Everything is good so far but it seems that when i go to inject the test into my arm or butt that its difficult to push the plunger in. Is this normal since its a muscle or am i doing something wrong?

[Fresh2death]

hey gang, update: I started my TRT last week. Everything is good so far but it seems that when i go to inject the test into my arm or butt that its difficult to push the plunger in. Is this normal since its a muscle or am i doing something wrong?

What size (gauge, length) needle are you using? However, this is normal. Most people think it just slides right in. However, it is oil based, sometimes it can be slow moving. Some people will warm the test up before injecting. I personally just take my time. 2 seconds or 10 seconds, who cares. Just take your time and do it safely!

[micparks]

What size (gauge, length) needle are you using? However, this is normal. Most people think it just slides right in. However, it is oil based, sometimes it can be slow moving. Some people will warm the test up before injecting. I personally just take my time. 2 seconds or 10 seconds, who cares. Just take your time and do it safely!

25gx1" and time is fine i just wasnt sure. Maybe ill try heating it next time but i pre load my needles so i can just inject.

[Cylon357]

hey gang, update: I started my TRT last week. Everything is good so far but it seems that when i go to inject the test into my arm or butt that its difficult to push the plunger in. Is this normal since its a muscle or am i doing something wrong?

I only do sub-q, with 27g 1/2" needles, but it still takes about 20 to 30 seconds to inject properly. You don't want to inject too fast because you run the risk of PIP for IM, or lumping and pooling for sub-q.

[Cylon357]

25gx1" and time is fine i just wasnt sure. Maybe ill try heating it next time but i pre load my needles so i can just inject.

Do you draw into the individual syringes and change needles to inject, or are you back filling your pins? If you are back filling, you should know how long it takes to clear the oil from your draw syringe into your injection syringe. This would give you some idea how long it takes to move oil out of the syringe and maybe help you determine if you are taking to long to inject yourself.

[teedoff]

Might have missed it, but what is your dose? One weekly injection or split doses?

I started out one weekly dose at 200mg, You do need to go slow and it takes 20 sec or so, for me anyway, to inject all the liquid. I've been using 27g 3/8" in my quads so far.

Now I'm doing 100mg in one weekly dose. Same size needles. No issues so far.