Cycling while on TRT

[charger69]

TRT requires that you get periodic blood tests (when prescribed). How frequently are tests required?
I am going through the inital testing process in the US (already prescribed in another country but never started). If you are on TRT how do you cycle so as not to affect the periodic bw tests?
I compete in bb therefore i am hesitant to start TRT because the cycles are tight to meet the competition schedule.

[E5Charlie]

After being on trt for years now and being dialed in, my doctor only tests me every 6 months so if I want to blast I can work around my testing. I haven't blasted yet as my body fat is still around 20%. I don't know about bb comps and their testing schedules, I can only give you my perspective on trt. It took about a year of regular bloodwork to get me dialed in.

[charger69]

After being on trt for years now and being dialed in, my doctor only tests me every 6 months so if I want to blast I can work around my testing. I haven't blasted yet as my body fat is still around 20%. I don't know about bb comps and their testing schedules, I can only give you my perspective on trt. It took about a year of regular bloodwork to get me dialed in.

How about testing at the beginning? How frequently? My DR. Seems to be hesitant to put me on TRT ( or I am in a hurry to have him make a decision). Probably just doing his job.

[The Deadlifting Dog]

How about testing at the beginning? How frequently? My DR. Seems to be hesitant to put me on TRT ( or I am in a hurry to have him make a decision). Probably just doing his job.

Depends on the doctors but...
After the first two months I got tested.
He adjusted the dose...
Tested again after two months...
Tested again after two months...
Now every six months...

[E5Charlie]

How about testing at the beginning? How frequently? My DR. Seems to be hesitant to put me on TRT ( or I am in a hurry to have him make a decision). Probably just doing his job.

Well, my doctor wasn't hesitant at all to start me on trt. I requested a testosterone test from my pcp and tt came in in the 100's, don't remember exactly. He did a pituitary MRI and it came back negative. He then tested my test again a month later and it came back in the low 200's. He sent me to an endo. The endo started me on 200mg test cyp every 2 weeks, but because I didn't feel right he changed it to 150mg a week. I actually only take 100mg a week, and it has me between 800-900 tt, without a need for an ai. Estro is hovering about 30. All this took about 8 months of testing from the endo and 2 months with my primary, almost a year total. Testing was done every 2 months until dialed in. In my case, what this forum preaches is true. For trt, less is more.

[75 Dogs]

Depends on the doctors but...
After the first two months I got tested.
He adjusted the dose...
Tested again after two months...
Tested again after two months...
Now every six months...

The Deadlifting Dog sounds about right. I think his testing is a little more aggressive than what I got. Pretty sure it was every three months for me (to get the numbers dialed in)...and now after the first year it is every 6 months.

[charger69]

Ok so what I gather from everyone is that I will not be able to cycle for 6-12 months if I go on TRT. I compete in bodybuilding which means i will not be able to compete. There is no way that I can keep up with the others..... Or is their some way around it? I am going up in class each year so maybe I could stay in the same class.

[Scorpion0922]

Hey charger, long time no post....

I'll bump what's been said, you should go for you initial test, the doc will prescribe a dose. He'll probably suggest a time for a 2nd blood test. If possible, stay off blasting until after that. He may make a change to your dose and then he should be comfortable with that dose, which also means that he should allow more time before your next blood test.

Inevitably, you will have to start a blast in prep for your next show and may have a blood test while "on"

When this happened to me the doc reduced my dose by a bit, the every test since then he's just said "OK, your numbers look good, here's another 2 month supply."

I think he knows what's going on. Dunno if all docs would be like that. I'd bet a vial of cyp that most of them know and none of them care as long as they get paid.

[Mr.BB]

Ok so what I gather from everyone is that I will not be able to cycle for 6-12 months if I go on TRT. I compete in bodybuilding which means i will not be able to compete. There is no way that I can keep up with the others..... Or is their some way around it? I am going up in class each year so maybe I could stay in the same class.

Humm, even if you compete you shouldnt be blasting for 6-12 months

[charger69]

Humm, even if you compete you shouldnt be blasting for 6-12 months

I am not referring to cycling for 6-12 month period. I am referring to not being able to take anything for 6-12 months. I would use a normal cycle period (12-16 weeks).
The cycle period would all depend on the time available. I will need to fit in at least 2 cycles ( one bulk and one cut).

[Mr.BB]

Maybe, when you are starting the TRT you cant really do it depending on your docs bloodwork schedule, but afterwards you will probably end up doing bloodwork once per year.
Maybe you are over thinking this.

[charger69]

Maybe, when you are starting the TRT you cant really do it depending on your docs bloodwork schedule, but afterwards you will probably end up doing bloodwork once per year. Maybe you are over thinking this.

I probably am. I have a tendency to do that.
Thanks to everyone for your assistance.