https://forums.steroid.com/ en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:24:43 GMT vBulletin 60 https://forums.steroid.com/images/misc/rss.png https://forums.steroid.com/ https://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=617131&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:39:07 GMT SHORT VERSION:

I am looking to go on TRT. My PCP just recently tested my Total Test at 525 ng/dL, Free Test at 72.1 pg/mL. This is right in the middle of "normal" for a man my age (55 yrs old). He won't put me on TRT. I am not going to the UGL route. So, I have looked at a local TRT doc, and he's very supportive of getting me to 1,100 to 1,300 ng/dL of total test. As expected with a TRT doc, this is an expensive route, running $160 to $200 per month, no insurance involvement. Obviously it would be cheaper to go with a PCP that would prescribe $40/mo test through CVS (my insurance sucks, so I would still need to pay). However, I just don't see it being likely that I could find a PCP in Portland, OR that would be willing to do this when my test levels are normal. Are there any recommendations for a PCP in this area that might work with me? Should I maybe try to get some lower blood work results to be able to work with a PCP? Right now, I am thinking that the TRT doc might be my best option. That $160-$200 is all inclusive (test-cyp, needles, bloodwork, etc.). I can afford it, but I am also retired and want to save where I can and be smart!


BACKGROUND:

I did three, ten week cycles about 20 years ago at moderate doses and saw some great gains. Over the years I have been able to maintain most of those gains naturally. I lifted heavy for 8 years, but then took a break for 8 years. I have now been back to hitting the gym hard - 1 hour of cardio, 1.5 hours of weights per day, 4-5 days per week. I lift with a vengeance, pushing myself very hard. I have also been more active in the last year since I've retired and used a GLP-1 to help me lose 40 lbs. I am 5'7" and at 205 lbs now, 26% body fat. I am still on a GLP-1 and looking to lose another 20 lbs. My diet is super, super clean - minimal sugar, seed oils, and ultra-processed foods, no soda, no alcohol, no junk.

My goal is simply to be healthy as I age - a longevity focus. I don't want to bulk out, as I did 20 years ago. I want to be able to hit the weights super hard and be able to see some gains and have good recovery. As it is now, I know that I will over-train if I continue as I am. I also do not currently see gains in the gym, but I am maintaining what I have. The goal of TRT would be to optimize my health, support muscle retention as I diet with the GLP-1, and then once I am at my ideal weight maybe put on 5-10 lbs of muscle, long term. ]]> HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY- Low T, Anti-Aging China Dawg https://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=617131 https://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=617124&goto=newpost Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:47:56 GMT Had some bloods a week ago and got my results back. Currently running cyp at 150mg/wk pinning twice a week. Trough test total was 975ng/dl Test free was 245.7 ng/dl Shbg 13 nmol/l (range 10-50) Still waiting on e2 results. Had some bloods a week ago and got my results back. Currently running cyp at 150mg/wk pinning twice a week.

Trough test total was 975ng/dl

Test free was 245.7 ng/dl

Shbg 13 nmol/l (range 10-50)

Still waiting on e2 results.

Thinking of lowering dose and/or changing pin protocol.

I?ve been having problems with libido, which I?m suspecting has to do with SHBG, although e2 might be a problem as well.

I recently ran a cycle of EQ and test, kept my ratio of test to Eq at 2:1, but still managed to crush my e2. Last e2 test on cycle was 9.8, and I believe the range is somewhere from 8.0 to 35. Didn?t check shbg this time but I am low to low normal always. After I got the results from that I started planning my cycle end because I knew I had most likely crashed my e2 after that? I had all the symptoms of low e2.

Last dose of Eq was early January, I kept test high after dropping the Eq for about 4 weeks, then dropped my test to trt levels, which is where I?m at now-150mg per week. 12 weeks since my last Eq dose and 8 weeks since I dropped my test dose.

My question for folks here is how do you manage your trt with historically low shbg? I?m thinking of pinning more frequently. My libido is dead right now and although I did just recently crash my e2, I?ve had low libido when everything else was looking good but shbg was super low. I?m eager to see what my e2 results show on this last test so I can make a better decision for my trt. ]]> HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY- Low T, Anti-Aging Mma67 https://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=617124