My TRT journey has begun.

[MTheoryFreak]

Hello all,

I just want to log my experience. I took my first shot of testosterone cypionate last Wednesday. I was started on 100 a week. I had the opportunity to use HCG , and I may add that later. I just wanted to get started on the test to see how I react. I will be getting my labs checked in 3 months. If my E2 is out of range then the dr. will start me on Arimidex . Basically, everything I was looking for in a TRT doctor.

So, after my first injection, I felt a bit jittery and wired the next day. I am now on day 6 and occasionally I will still get the feeling. It is not a bad feeling, so no real complaints. It may be all in my head, but my workouts since pinning have been great. Although, all this could be attributed to excitement as well. I feel no other effects so far.

[MTheoryFreak]

I just started week two. Pinned this morning in my left quad. It went pretty good. A little sore for a few hours but now it is fine. I read a lot of post about people having lots of pain with quad injections but i didnt experienve any problems this time. I guess i will start rotating quads and glutes. Still having no noticeable problems. Feeling really good, very energetic. I hope it really kicks in this week.

[bullshark99]

Try the Delts.....easy peesy

[bullshark99]

Most likely what you are feeling is placebo but that's ok if it's giving you some push. Not having all your BW, hard to comment but the next couple months should be interesting.

[kelkel]

Make sure when you pull blood work you do so the day you're due for an injection, but before the injection. This way you'll know your trough level and whether you need to titrate and/or shorten the injection period. Or even split it in half and go twice per week.

[MTheoryFreak]

Most likely what you are feeling is placebo but that's ok if it's giving you some push. Not having all your BW, hard to comment but the next couple months should be interesting.

I will take the placebo effect. How long before I actually feel the real deal? I figured I should feel something in the second week for sure. But not sure.

[MTheoryFreak]

Make sure when you pull blood work you do so the day you're due for an injection, but before the injection. This way you'll know your trough level and whether you need to titrate and/or shorten the injection period. Or even split it in half and go twice per week.

Yes sir. I will be getting bloodwork at 3 months. I will definitely get a trough blood draw. Hopefully, 3 months is an adequate time to get labs. Just doing what the Dr. says. Hopefully, my E2 will be ok during that time. I am pretty lean so I am hoping 100 a week will not raise it too much. But, who knows? Everyone responds differently, I guess.

[bullshark99]

You need to use the search, believe it's in a sticky but someone put together a "soft" schedule on when changes happen. Things like libido, muscle mass etc....

[bullshark99]

Sticky #5

[MTheoryFreak]

You need to use the search, believe it's in a sticky but someone put together a "soft" schedule on when changes happen. Things like libido, muscle mass etc....

Yes. I found it shortly after my last post. Good information. I figured things would happen faster. I just figured moving from a 200 test to whatever I am now would make a near immediate difference. Oh well. Live and learn. I am excited for what's to come.

[MTheoryFreak]

Just pinned the 3rd time. I used my glute this time. Zero pain. Much easier than the quad I used last week. I haven't noticed any changes this week. We will see what week 3 holds.

[AR's King Silabolin]

Im starting tomorrow. What testlevel are u aiming for?...Marcus and bizz are in the high 700s. I think that migth be too much...

[kelkel]

Im starting tomorrow. What testlevel are u aiming for?...Marcus and bizz are in the high 700s. I think that migth be too much...

Never judge on total T Sil, always use free T as your gauge.

[boisebeast]

Never judge on total T Sil, always use free T as your gauge.

I'm a bit uneducated on this, can you elaborate Kel?

[kelkel]

Free T is what works for us. Total means nothing it's just a measure of how much is in your blood. You can have a 10,000 total T level but if your FT level is shit, you are too. Free T is what's unbound therefore useful to us.

[boisebeast]

Free T is what works for us. Total means nothing it's just a measure of how much is in your blood. You can have a 10,000 total T level but if your FT level is shit, you are too. Free T is what's unbound therefore useful to us.

Thanks kel

[Proximal]

Just pinned the 3rd time. I used my glute this time. Zero pain. Much easier than the quad I used last week. I haven't noticed any changes this week. We will see what week 3 holds.

Good luck with your journey! I started with 150/wk. and started to see changes in a couple of months. I recall some libido changes much earlier, but I was also recovering from a prolactin issue that totally shut me down; so I think the test had a bit more profound effect in that department.

[AR's King Silabolin]

Free T is what works for us. Total means nothing it's just a measure of how much is in your blood. You can have a 10,000 total T level but if your FT level is shit, you are too. Free T is what's unbound therefore useful to us.

Yeah but i have red in most cases total and free go hand in hand. Low total, low free. Moderate total, moderate free. High total, high free.

And i guess its the total which gives the sides. So if your free is low on 1100 ng/dl it wouldnt be smart to up the doses for a trtprotocol. Cant shoot 300 mg test e for ther rest of your life u know.

So better answer would be to find a way to rise your free at the same dosage. But i dont know a nondrugway to raise the free test, so if you know please tell.

[kelkel]

Normally that's the case Sil. But the point is, use the most accurate tool available which is Free T. When there are issues either way look to shbg as the culprit in most cases.

Optimize your Vit D in effort to raise FT a little.

[MTheoryFreak]

Im starting tomorrow. What testlevel are u aiming for?...Marcus and bizz are in the high 700s. I think that migth be too much...

My Dr. Said 700 to 900 is where he wants me to be.

[MTheoryFreak]

Hunger....for the past 2 days I have been starving. I have been eating 2k calories a day for months. For me that is a slow cut. I am sitting right at 180. I would like to cut down to around 170 before I add calories. I eat very clean and normally I don't get hunger pain unless I drop to 1500 or so calories. So, I am assuming the TRT is doing something to my body. Also, for the past 2 weeks my body weight has been stuck but I look leaner. Most people tell me I need to eat more calories and I understand that, but as I stated earlier I want to get leaner before I transfer into a slight calorie surplus. Even though I am hungry, I am feeling energetic. I feel my mood has stabilized as I feel more even if that makes sense. I haven't noticed a surge in libido as of yet. Waiting for that to kick in. Constantly, looking at the clock, ready for my next meal.

[MTheoryFreak]

[krugerr]

Whats the time difference between the above and your AVI?

Looking good though!

[MTheoryFreak]

Week 4. I feel I have made small improvements since beginning. The profile pic was before starting TRT. The one above was last week. I feel I have leaned out a little and I look slightly fuller. My diet is pretty in tune and my training is as well. I still haven't noticed any big libido changes. I guess that may take a little longer. I noticed great aggression in the gym. I was able to push on when my body wanted to stop. So far I am still glad I made the choice to start my TRT journey. At any rate, it is not magic, but mearly a tool. I still have to train hard and eat right. One more thing, I am still eating 2k calories a day. I really want to get down to where my abs are more pronounced. I was losing weight at around a pound a week, after starting TRT I have actually gained several pounds and I feel I am holding a bit more water. I guess that is normal. I really don't want to drop my calories anymore but I may have to. I want to get much leaner before I start to bulk. I am still trying to figure out how my body is reacting to the TRT. Sorry for rambling but thanks for taking the time to read.

[MTheoryFreak]

Whats the time difference between the above and your AVI?

Looking good though!

3 weeks between the 2 photos. Thanks. I am working my ass off in the gym and the kitchen.

[krugerr]

I would keep your calories right where they are. You body is changing at a great rate.

Libido will come mate, give it time. I have been on Nebido for a year and still havent got it spot on. Its a long game, but wait it out.

[MTheoryFreak]

I would keep your calories right where they are. You body is changing at a great rate.

Libido will come mate, give it time. I have been on Nebido for a year and still havent got it spot on. Its a long game, but wait it out.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah. I feel the 2k is giving me very slow fat loss and slow but steady lean gains. I will give it another month where I am and see what changes I have made. 1500 calories would lean me out fast but I would probably lose some muscle. I want to get leaner and then bump up to 2300 to 2500 a day. I love playing with my calories. Lol. I always have.

[krugerr]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah. I feel the 2k is giving me very slow fat loss and slow but steady lean gains. I will give it another month where I am and see what changes I have made. 1500 calories would lean me out fast but I would probably lose some muscle. I want to get leaner and then bump up to 2300 to 2500 a day. I love playing with my calories. Lol. I always have.

As I said above, you're changing at 2000kcal. Forget the scales and the weight. You've made clear changes.

[SweepTheLegJohnny]

My two cents:

1. Consider sub-q injection. My test levels jumped and my E2 dropped when I switched over and it made a huge difference. My test hopped up to the mid 800s and my E2 dropped into 20 range when I kicked over. That bumped my test by over 100 points and lowered my E2 by around 10.
2. I would do everything I could to stay away from an AI. I was on Adex for awhile and it made it much harder for me to dial in my protocol. It's potent stuff and the difference between its half life and the test and hCG made it really difficult to get the timing down. I crashed my E2 several times with it and it absolutely sucked. You might want to think about bringing your test dose down and see what happens. It was a proportional relationship for me: I dropped from 200mgs of test per week to 100mgs and my e2 dropped by half as well.
3. It didn't take too much of an elevation in my E2 before my libido went to hell. I had a great sex drive initially and then it crashed when the E2 caught up.

[MTheoryFreak]

My two cents:

1. Consider sub-q injection. My test levels jumped and my E2 dropped when I switched over and it made a huge difference. My test hopped up to the mid 800s and my E2 dropped into 20 range when I kicked over. That bumped my test by over 100 points and lowered my E2 by around 10.
2. I would do everything I could to stay away from an AI. I was on Adex for awhile and it made it much harder for me to dial in my protocol. It's potent stuff and the difference between its half life and the test and hCG made it really difficult to get the timing down. I crashed my E2 several times with it and it absolutely sucked. You might want to think about bringing your test dose down and see what happens. It was a proportional relationship for me: I dropped from 200mgs of test per week to 100mgs and my e2 dropped by half as well.
3. It didn't take too much of an elevation in my E2 before my libido went to hell. I had a great sex drive initially and then it crashed when the E2 caught up.

I am only taking 100 of test a week right now. My doc recommended sub q but I opted for the im. I really don't want big knots on my body from the sub q. That is the only reason for going with im. I am in week 4 of TRT. I am due for labs at the 3 month mark. I am not sure where my test or my e2 is setting due to this. I had lower libido when I started. My total test was 204 and my free was low range of normal. I still have sex with my wife and have no problem when stimulated. When I speak of libido, I am referring to wanting to hit everything in sight like I have up until a few years ago. Also, I don't really ever get morning wood anymore. I haven't for like 2 years. With only in my 4th week, I really don't think it has had time to change this much. When I get my labs drawn at 3 months, I will compare those to pre lab work. I am not even sure if 100 a week is the right dose for me. It may be or I may need to adjust. If my e2 levels are out of range, I may consider sub q or splitting my dose to twice a week, or adding arimidex . I would prefer to avoid arimidex if possible. But I would like my e2 somewhere between 15-25. This seems to be the sweet spot from what I have read. Sub q is definitely on the list of possibilities for me. Thanks for the reply. I enjoy reading everyone's suggestions. I am here to learn all I can and document my progress as to possibly help anyone else beginning their journey.

[MTheoryFreak]

Week 5.

I am definitely stronger. My lifts are improving. Have way more push and my cardio is stronger. I have had elbow tendonitis for 2 years and it isn't hurting very much anymore. I am not really sure why this is.

As far as negative sides. Occasionally my testicles will ache but this is intermittent. They have gotten a little smaller. Nothing crazy though. I have also noticed my skin is a bit more oily. Especially my face. Still loving it.

[krugerr]

Week 5.

I am definitely stronger. My lifts are improving. Have way more push and my cardio is stronger. I have had elbow tendonitis for 2 years and it isn't hurting very much anymore. I am not really sure why this is.

As far as negative sides. Occasionally my testicles will ache but this is intermittent. They have gotten a little smaller. Nothing crazy though. I have also noticed my skin is a bit more oily. Especially my face. Still loving it.

You're not using any HCG , so you will experience testicular atrophy. Perfectly normal.

[MTheoryFreak]

You're not using any HCG, so you will experience testicular atrophy. Perfectly normal.

Yeah. I am just logging everything I experience. When I go back to the dr in 2 months I may consider HCG . I don't want anymore children but I have read all the stickies and a ton of posts here about other benefits. One thing that concerns me about HCG is that it will raise my estrogen. I am not really sure how much or even if that should be a concern. So to HCG or not to HCG that is the question. Once I get my 3 month labs I will be more equipped to make a decision.

[krugerr]

Yeah. I am just logging everything I experience. When I go back to the dr in 2 months I may consider HCG. I don't want anymore children but I have read all the stickies and a ton of posts here about other benefits. One thing that concerns me about HCG is that it will raise my estrogen. I am not really sure how much or even if that should be a concern. So to HCG or not to HCG that is the question. Once I get my 3 month labs I will be more equipped to make a decision.

Here in the UK, we're not given HCG with our Nebido TRT. I have opted to go without for the time being. I wanted to get it stablised by NHS standards before any sort of modifications to it.
Keep an eye on your bloods, and how you feel. Then as you say, when you get to the 3 month point, you can make an informed decision.

[MTheoryFreak]

Here in the UK, we're not given HCG with our Nebido TRT. I have opted to go without for the time being. I wanted to get it stablised by NHS standards before any sort of modifications to it.
Keep an eye on your bloods, and how you feel. Then as you say, when you get to the 3 month point, you can make an informed decision.

This is a learning experience for me. Trying to do it right and research everything I can. One thing I know for sure, I am so glad I started. Even in a short time period of 5 weeks I have experienced great things. I feel great, stronger, my mood is more stable and more energetic. I am looking forward to my 3 month labs. Hopefully, everything is good there. I do wonder what my test levels is now as well as my e2 and my hematocrit. I feel these are the most important at the moment.

[Unc15smh]

Your about 2 weeks ahead of me, so it's interesting reading your posts. I did start arimidex from the beginning at 1mg per week. I'm at the same test dose as you but my guy wants to do every other week at 200 at a time.

What does the hcg do other than the help with testicle shrink? I'm supposed to talk with my doctor next week about it but I'm still fuzzy on the benefits.

[kelkel]

Read this Unc:

http://forums.steroid.com/hormone-re...ould-know.html

[wellshii]

Good log.In for bloodwork.
I might be doing trt in my 30s just to have a higher free t level.
Either that or do actual test cycles.

[Unc15smh]

Is it normal to have afternoon fatigue when starting TRT? I had been on clomephine for years, but needed a change. I feel like I'm crashing in the late afternoons now. I just pinned on Monday as well.

[Mr.BB]

Is it normal to have afternoon fatigue when starting TRT? I had been on clomephine for years, but needed a change. I feel like I'm crashing in the late afternoons now. I just pinned on Monday as well.

Non related. Testosterone its just a hormone.

Maybe you worked harder, or slept not so good the night before, or ate less carbs... Only you know.