Add L-carnitine IM to TRT?

[miker295]

I'm about 6 weeks into TRT and have not noticed any of the fat loss impacts I was hoping for. I believe I've added some muscle and lost a bit of fat but I'm still somewhere between 19% and 22% BF. Diet has been low carb for 2 years which has stabilized weight but hasn't shed the last 10 - 20 lbs.

The TRT clinic I go to has mentioned L-carnitine as an option. I originally tried a couple of IM doses of it before going on the TRT and thought it might have been doing something, but I didn't want to add it with TRT at the beginning - too many variables.

I am stabilizing on TRT but am not 100% where I want to be. If you've seen my other threads you know that I've had anxiety issues since starting. These seem to be easing with a lower dose of both T (50mg 2x week) and AI (.25 to .5 2x week) but I have yet to have a full week without any issues. (I am also on 250mg HCG E3D.)

I imagine patience is what I need, but I'm just curious to know your thoughts on how effective the L-carnitine might be if and when I add it to my TRT regimen.

[SEOINAGE]

I gained a lot of weight going onto trt, i was dieting prior as well and doing fairly well. Retained a lot more water at first etc. I have to be strict with my diet even on trt to not just get fat. Keep your e2 in line helps, also making sure you aren't taking too high a test dose can help there too.

I took L-carnitine IM for a good 2 months, maybe my carnitine was a bad batch, but at the same time my E2 got too low, so I was experiencing the opposite of what carnitine should do, so I'm not sure how to pin point the issues. I was actually out of energy and had no endurance at all. I don't think carnitine is one of those must haves, but others have had success with it.

How do your thryoid labs look? That can have a pretty big impact as well. I managed to get my free t3 up to max range from changing my diet around and had some great fat loss during that time.

I would think that ironing out your diet or making modifications would be the first step before trying to add lcarnitine, get yourself making some progress again. Could even be something like calories being cut too low or not enough carbs from time to time.

[miker295]

I suspected my thyroid before I even went down the TRT path, but I couldn't find a doctor who would really work with me on it. I found one who noted that my T3 was somewhat low and put me on some stuff for a short time, but I don't think those had an impact and I didn't get them renewed. My current TRT doc says he rarely sees guys with thyroid issues and that usually it is T related.

Calories are consistently 1800 - 2200 a day when I'm tracking them, and overall macros are consistent with a low carb diet. Weights twice a week and HIIT once a week.

Has anyone else out there had success with L-carnitine, particularly while on TRT? Any other suggestions for breaking a stall beyond the usual suspects?

[FRDave]

I'm about 6 weeks into TRT and have not noticed any of the fat loss impacts I was hoping for. I imagine patience is what I need

Answer in bold ;-)