Super BASIC question about TRT...please help

**Remington** · 06-14-2013, 07:00 PM

So I'm in the research phase of TRT, but I kinda jumped the gun a little bit and scheduled an appointment for next week with a clinic here in Vegas. I want to know what im talking about when I go for my consultation.
Tell me if I understand this correctly:
Assuming my T level are low, the doc will administer Testosterone .
Do I START the program from day one with HCG and Anastrozole??
Or do I wait for a problem to arise, THEN begin those other 2 drugs?

This would be my first time taking ANY sort of anabolic .

Stats:
42 years old...6'4...250...decent shape...need to loose 20lbs..working out on and off for 20 years.
Thanks!

**Pittsburgh412** · 06-14-2013, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Remington

So I'm in the research phase of TRT, but I kinda jumped the gun a little bit and scheduled an appointment for next week with a clinic here in Vegas. I want to know what im talking about when I go for my consultation.
Tell me if I understand this correctly:
Assuming my T level are low, the doc will administer Testosterone .
Do I START the program from day one with HCG and Anastrozole??
Or do I wait for a problem to arise, THEN begin those other 2 drugs?

This would be my first time taking ANY sort of anabolic .

Stats:
42 years old...6'4...250...decent shape...need to loose 20lbs..working out on and off for 20 years.
Thanks!

If you have Low T you won't need these drugs?

**Remington** · 06-14-2013, 08:26 PM

Huh?

**MuscleInk** · 06-14-2013, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Remington

So I'm in the research phase of TRT, but I kinda jumped the gun a little bit and scheduled an appointment for next week with a clinic here in Vegas. I want to know what im talking about when I go for my consultation.
Tell me if I understand this correctly:
Assuming my T level are low, the doc will administer Testosterone .
Do I START the program from day one with HCG and Anastrozole??
Or do I wait for a problem to arise, THEN begin those other 2 drugs?

This would be my first time taking ANY sort of anabolic .

Stats:
42 years old...6'4...250...decent shape...need to loose 20lbs..working out on and off for 20 years.
Thanks!

Most TRT clinics will set you up with a protocol that includes a testosterone replacement (could be injectables or gel) and an AI.

HCG is optional and may not be prescribed until several months into TRT unless your MD wishes to try HCG up front to see if that elevates your natural testosterone before replacement therapy is considered.

**MuscleInk** · 06-14-2013, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Pittsburgh412

If you have Low T you won't need these drugs?

I don't follow this explanation.

**sparverius** · 06-14-2013, 08:38 PM

HCG is optional. You can decide later on if you want to use it, although if your balls shrink there is some question how well they will re-inflate. But they may not shrink, or it may take years. No need for panic. But a Dr that is willing to prescribe HCG and AI should you need them indicates a Dr that has been keeping up with the current state of the art.

You only need AI if your E level goes up too much.

It's premature to worry about this before you even know that you 1) have low T and 2) the only treatment is TRT. If you do have low T the cause may be something that can be fixed. Doing that is preferable to a lifetime of TRT.

**Remington** · 06-14-2013, 08:50 PM

I do understand about wanting to find another option.
But I'm assuming because it's a TRT clinic that test treatments is how they do things.
Im not against it either.
Hell...I prefer it.
But thank u for explaining it the way you did Spar and MuscleInk.

So an aromatase inhibitor WILL be given?
and that will ne either Nolvadex or Anastrozole?

**Keep_It_Moving** · 06-14-2013, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Remington

I do understand about wanting to find another option.
But I'm assuming because it's a TRT clinic that test treatments is how they do things.
Im not against it either.
Hell...I prefer it.
But thank u for explaining it the way you did Spar and MuscleInk.

So an aromatase inhibitor WILL be given?
and that will ne either Nolvadex or Anastrozole?

Nolvadex is a SERM and Anastrozole is an AI. If it is a TRT clinic, they will most likely prescribe you Anastrozole. I've heard of some prescribing both if you're very gyno prone.

**Trific** · 06-14-2013, 10:45 PM

It's advisable to not take an AI until blood work says you need it and then I'd prefer aromasin if you do and some would choose to start HCG right away. You have 369 posts and been a member since 2005 so you probably know this better than me

**HRTstudent** · 06-14-2013, 10:57 PM

no way you would just throw someone on an AI. totally unnecessary right off the bat. there are serious risks to lowering estradiol over the long term.

the hcg is optional as well. it's far from standard. if you wanted to maintain fertility then it's not a bad idea, but the better idea would be to conceive and THEN start on hcg. at 42, whether or not you care about fertility is a whole other issue..

**FRDave** · 06-15-2013, 03:14 PM

I started TRT with both test and HCG from day one. After follow-up blood work a good 8 weeks later, I then introduced Arimidex to get estrogen under control. If I could do it all over again, I would do the exact same ;-)

**Remington** · 06-15-2013, 05:35 PM

Judging by the replies here and other sites, I think I'm going to NOT request anything other than what the clinic suggest.
Man...I'm anxious and nervous as hell!