Starting TRT Questions

[mikeyjohnson1]

Hi,

I am a 24 year old male and my doctor has suggested I go on TRT.

My test levels are around 400 and free test is about 6.

Doc says my free test of 6 is quite low and TRT will help with my mood as well as muscle and strength gains in the gym.

My questions are..

Is it true TRT can cause or speed up hair loss? And to what extent can TRT help with muscle gains for someone with a fairly low free test level, like me?

Thanks!

[EllisWyatt]

I was bald when I started TRT a year ago, so I can't help with the hair loss issue. As far as the muscle gains, that will depend on many factors. First, you are talking about TRT, not cycling. You will be bringing your T levels up to hopefully the upper half of "normal range", not super-human. Second, your body type plays a factor. If you are a hard gainer you will still be a hard gainer, but you will gain if you put in the work. In my personal experience, I found that TRT has helped with energy levels and recovery time. When I put in the work AND eat right I gain like I did as a teen and can keep up with teens in the gym ( I'm 47) . Lastly, it does take time to see the effects of TRT. My Dr. started me out with a very low dose and it took 6 month to get my dose titrated to 40 mg E3D. YMMV.

[Back In Black]

What is your cycle and PCT history?

Please post your full bloodwork.

[Youthful55guy]

Hi,

I am a 24 year old male and my doctor has suggested I go on TRT.

My test levels are around 400 and free test is about 6.

Doc says my free test of 6 is quite low and TRT will help with my mood as well as muscle and strength gains in the gym.

My questions are..

Is it true TRT can cause or speed up hair loss? And to what extent can TRT help with muscle gains for someone with a fairly low free test level, like me?

Thanks!

I would not consider starting a forever drug therapy like TRT at your age unless you know the root cause of your low Free T. It sounds like a SHBG issue, but we need to see a complete set of labs to understand your situation better. However, if a doc is willing to put an otherwise health man at the age of 24 onto TRT with only Total T and Free T labs, I's seriously consider finding a new doc that is willing to get to the root of the problem.

[mikeyjohnson1]

Thanks for the responses. Here are my more detailed results along with the proposed TRT regimen:

"Testosterone: 406
PSA: 0.5
Estradiol: 29.3
Hemoglobin: 14.7
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin): 47.2

The SHBG allows us to calculate your Free Testosterone level.

Free Testosterone: 6.58

For testosterone levels that come back between 400-600, we still qualify clients with a free T of 11 or under, so you certainly qualify for TRT.

If you start on treatment, your protocol dose will be 150 mg of testosterone per week, for the first month. Before the 4th injection, we will draw labs again and then calculate a personalized dose for you. In addition to the testosterone, I will start you on an estrogen blocker because the estradiol is starting at 30 pg/mL."


I've never been on any cycles or any PCT.

Thoughts???

[Youthful55guy]

Thanks for the responses. Here are my more detailed results along with the proposed TRT regimen:

"Testosterone: 406
PSA: 0.5
Estradiol: 29.3
Hemoglobin: 14.7
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin): 47.2

The SHBG allows us to calculate your Free Testosterone level.

Free Testosterone: 6.58

For testosterone levels that come back between 400-600, we still qualify clients with a free T of 11 or under, so you certainly qualify for TRT.

If you start on treatment, your protocol dose will be 150 mg of testosterone per week, for the first month. Before the 4th injection, we will draw labs again and then calculate a personalized dose for you. In addition to the testosterone, I will start you on an estrogen blocker because the estradiol is starting at 30 pg/mL."


I've never been on any cycles or any PCT.

Thoughts???

1) I'd run from any doc that would put a 24 year old guy onto TRT without understanding the root cause.

2) This sounds like a less than reputable TRT clinic that will treat just about anyone for the money. I would not want them mucking with my hormones.

3) We need to see the normal ranges and units on those labs to understand them. The 'Normal" ranges vary from lab to lab depending on methods.

4) SHBG does not seem excessively high compared to LabCorp ranges, but they provide results in nmol/L. However I've also seen labs provide results in pg/mL, which will have a different range. Again, we need to see normal ranges and units.

5) A Starting dose of 150 mg is higher than I'd recommend. Then again, it sounds like what they are proposing is once per week injections, which I would not consider. When you break the dose up into more frequent dosing, you can drop the dose down significantly. I like every 3 day dosing, others prefer 2X per week. Either way, a good starting dose would be about 100 mg per week split however you choose (e.g., 40 mg E3D).

6) I would NEVER start an aromatase inhibitor (E blocker) unless the 6 week labs after starting dictate it. If you drop the dose by more frequent injections, you may not need E control. E is made from T, so if you always keep your T within normal ranges, then E should not go out of range either. Most guys way over do E inhibitors/blockers and end up with a really bad case of ED.

[kelkel]

Really need to see the below blood work as none of what you listed helps determine a root cause.

LH
FSH
Thyroid panel
Cortisol
Prolactin

Any head or testicular trauma in your past?
Checked for varicoceles?

[mikeyjohnson1]

Lab results are attached. Not entirely sure on how to interpret them. Let me know your thoughts based on attached results, thanks for everyone's help.

[ScotchGuard02]

I don't think your numbers actually looks that bad.

[Back In Black]

Never cycled huh?

Any suggestions for a mass gaining cycle?

I'm 5'9, 185, 8%, moderately experienced with cycling.

Looking for one that is somewhat mild and not too many side effects. (esp trying to avoid MPB!)

Any insights appreciated!

[hollowedzeus]

Caught lol

[Youthful55guy]

Oh, you mean bicycling! If done intensely enough, bicycling can reduce testosterone levels. Any Lance Armstong supplements? They too can reek havoc on T levels. Glad we got that straight.