41 Years old, Starting TRT - 100mg T + HCG

[GFA]

Well got my blood work yesterday but now I have to find a new doctor. Ill explain in a sec here are the results after 6 weeks of test c 100mg a week, 500 iu HCG a week, no AI.

WBC 6.6 (4.0-10.5)
RBC 6.21 (4.1-5.6) - PRETRT 5.83
Hemoglobin 17.9 (12.5-17.0) PRETRT 17.1
Hematocrit 50.9 (36.0-50.0)

Testosterone 1044 ng/DL (348-1197) PRETRT 86
Estradiol 56.6 (7.6-42.6) PRETRT 9

So unfortunately I didn't get a chance to add my AI and my doc was concerned about the results and wants me to see the endo because RBC was high (as it was previously) and E2 was out of range. Well duh E follows T. I even suggested we can try less test per week. I took this test at the peak (3 days post injection Wed morning, injection sunday morning). Anyways he felt uncomfortable doing anything so now I look for another doc.

Going to donate blood next week and have a follow up visit with the hematologist this week. Maybe he can refer me to another endo. My current endo wants me to use Androgel 1.62% 2 pumps a day even though:

1. Androgel 1% at 4 pumps a day did nothing previously so why would prescribing less work more?
2. I explained my hesitation to using a gel with 2 small kids in my house

Anyways I have enough test c (1/2 a vial left + 1 full vial) to last a while until I can find another endo/doc that will work with me.

So the plan for now is to use the androgel 1.62% for the next 3 weeks, 2 pumps a day and get my BW done with my current endo. Don't want to waste the test until I can get a steady supply and dial in my dosage then.

I am going to use the loofah to clean my arms before applying and try using moisturizer to see if that helps with absorption.

Until next time!

[zaggahamma]

All that's needed is a small dose of arimi

[kelkel]

I really wouldn't depend on a good referral from doc to doc. It's normal to refer to friends in the business. Start making your calls and interrogating potential doctors staff to see if he will treat you how you want to be treated. They know and will tell you if you use proper etiquette. If not, don't waste your time and theirs. Consider donating double red's this time.

[GFA]

Thanks guys. I am going to talk to the hematologist this week to get his thoughts. Maybe he will be willing to treat me since all the docs are afraid to do anything without speaking to the hematologist.

How much AI from experience do you think I will need at 100mg a week test? I might lower to around 80mg though. Maybe won't need much at all.

100 mg + 1mg ldex a week?

[zaggahamma]

That might be a bit much...if your not feeling negative sides if your staying at 100mg not knowing how u respond to arimidex I woulwould only do .25 twice a week and detest in a month and see where your e2 is with that combo...if your feeling good and e2 back in range u can keep it there if ur still in the 40's u have room to add another .25mg...u don't want to yo yo with it

[GFA]

Saw the hematologist today. Good news, he is going to write scripts for me for the test-cyp. Now I don't have to bother with the androgel or an endo.

This weekend I plan on doing a double red and 2 weeks later will check on my RBC. Additional blood lettings will be prescribed if necessary. He said I don't have to worry about it since my hematocrit was <55. At my age and weight, said its not really a problem below that.

But now I have a script for 4 vials of 200 mg/ml 10 ml test. That will last me a LONNNG time at 100 mg a week He also accidentally wrote 200 mg a week, even though Im taking only 100.

I am also going to add .25mg ldex 2x a week as suggested above and retest in a month or so.

[zaggahamma]

good for you bro

[GFA]

Saw the hematologist yesterday and he did a quick RBC check. Blood pressure was perfect 120/70.

My RBC, WBC, hematocrit and hemoglobin are all in range now (still at high end of range) and he wants to get my hemoglobin down to 45 (its 49 now). I asked him to wait for one more blood donation where I will do a double before he prescribes therapeutic phlebotomy.

I also got another script for a full BW which I will do in 3 weeks.

CBCs
Lipids
Total and free Test
E2
Liver
PSA

The works!

So depending on the results of the next BW and post double red donation, that will determine if I have to do some good ole fashioned blood letting... UGH.

Doc is cool too, wrote a script for 60 25g 1" needles so I dont have to order any online.

[GFA]

Been on TRT for 9 weeks now (10th injection) and making steady gains in the gym.

I am stronger now than I have even been.

Here are my lifts when starting TRT and today. Added roughly 100lbs to my squats and 50lbs to my bench already. I think I am ready to attempt 225 for bench, more of a mental block than anything else. I dont have a spotter so I am conservative with my lifts. I have never been able to do 225 for bench so that will be quite a milestone of me when I achieve it. According to the 1 rep calculator I should be able to do 240 1x.

Squat
135x5 185x4 135x5 155x5 155x5
135x5 155x5 175x
135x8 185x5 185x5
135x8 185x5 185x4
135x8 185x6 205x4 225x2
135x8 185x6 205x6
135x8 205x5 225x3
135x8 205x6 225x5 245x2
135x10 205x6 225x6
135x10 225x7 245x5 275x2

Bench
135x6 155x5 155x5
1358 145x5 160x5
135 x8 155x6 185x3
135x10 155x8 185x6 205x3
135x12 185x9 205x4

[zaggahamma]

stay conservative without a spotter

milestones turn into gravestones too easily

[GFA]

Haha ya thanks. Metal block is now even bigger!

I dont plan on trying 225 until I can rep out 205 8x or have a spotter.

[zaggahamma]

smart idea....its about asthetics anyway...
i could care less how much i bench

[GFA]

I care about both If I keep getting stronger, I know I am gaining or maintaining my LBM and if weight keeps going down my BF/LBM ratio is going in the right direction.

Both are related

[mlandog]

Great Thread GFA. I glad to see you got dialed in. I’m going for my first appt with an Endo who "supposedly" knows HRT. From the works outs you posted my guess is that you got 225 bench in the bag. I had the same issues with the mental block. I just went back to my work out log and was at almost the exact spot when I tried 225 and crushed it the next work out for 3 reps.
Good luck and just ask someone to spot you. It will put your mind at ease.

[zaggahamma]

I care about both If I keep getting stronger, I know I am gaining or maintaining my LBM and if weight keeps going down my BF/LBM ratio is going in the right direction.

Both are related

u can be stronger all over and bench not move or growth in chest and bench doesnt go up

[GFA]

@mlandog, thanks man. I think I might actually record it just because its something I wanted to do for a LOONG time.

@jpkman, I want to look good and be stronger. Right now Im moving in the right direction in both fronts. If I had to pick one it would be aesthetics of course!

[GFA]

Got a spotter today and went for my goal of 225 lbs bench.

Needless to say I crushed it! Bye bye mental block.

225x4 reps! Now I can focus on cutting again. Been eating more this past month just so I could get my bench up.

[zaggahamma]

Happy milestone day!

[GFA]

Thanks jpk!

And for comedy relief, the actual lift!

Next video will be 315!

Focus for next 3 months is to drop 30lbs. Solid 180 lbs while maintaining strength! We shall see.

[zaggahamma]

good vid bro

think u can get 5

fixing to post a video of who u look like...u instantly made me think of this actor......

[zaggahamma]

Attachment 122452

[Vettester]

Great progress!! Glad you stuck with your plan and made it over the hump. Keep pluggin!!

[GFA]

@jkp, Dashing young fellow I must say so myself! Ive been compared to John Cusack in my younger days as well.

@vette, Yes, my workout is pretty simple actually. I alternate push/pull days and squats 2x a week. Next week I think I will try 245 for a few reps. I did do 250 today 1x but the guy touched the bar (said he barely helped used 2 fingers <5lbs assistance) but I didnt count it. Next week going to do a quick warmup set @135, jump to 225 for 5+ reps then 245 for 1-2. I think should be able to do it. Then Ill just make 225 my working sets if I am able to do that from this point forward. If I continue these strength gains Ill def have 315 in the bag before year end.

That will be BEAST mode. Not many people in my gym can press 3-45s on each side. I'm almost up to 3 45s per side for squats. Should have that in a month. This is all assuming when I start cutting hard I don't lose strength.

My plan was to add some mass & strength before cutting so I don't look skinny fat when I cut down. I should be ok now. I look semi bulky now. I never looked bulky before (could never really add any muscle or strength due to low test).

When I hit my goal of 180lbs Ill put up some before afters. My befores are pretty scary. All flab.

[zaggahamma]

lol...i started liking cusack as an actor the last five years

beast mode...i been hearing that one lately...must be IN

yup, although i can toss 225 for quite a while i havent come close to a one rep max in the 300's....just dont work bench press a lot..

thats a good goal

[GFA]

lol...i started liking cusack as an actor the last five years

beast mode...i been hearing that one lately...must be IN

yup, although i can toss 225 for quite a while i havent come close to a one rep max in the 300's....just dont work bench press a lot..

thats a good goal

Are you repping 225 for sets? Im still a good month away from using 225 for sets. Now that I can do it 4x Ill focus on adding reps till its a working set. 300 should be achievable in 3-6 months if I focus on adding weight to my lifts (5 rep range).

Another interesting thing I noticed form the video, my gut looks pretty big. I weighed myself and I was up 11 lbs over the weekend! Holy carb up batman! haha. I had some friends over 2 days before, drinks and pizza and last night had some longhorns steakhouse ribeye with a sweet potato. Dropped 4lbs overnight already but crazy how fast you can hold water. Ill have it all gone this week. Shouldnt look as bloated.

Full press cut mode has begun for the summer! Goal is 30lbs in 2-3 months.

[zaggahamma]

Are you repping 225 for sets? Im still a good month away from using 225 for sets. Now that I can do it 4x Ill focus on adding reps till its a working set. 300 should be achievable in 3-6 months if I focus on adding weight to my lifts (5 rep range).

Another interesting thing I noticed form the video, my gut looks pretty big. I weighed myself and I was up 11 lbs over the weekend! Holy carb up batman! haha. I had some friends over 2 days before, drinks and pizza and last night had some longhorns steakhouse ribeye with a sweet potato. Dropped 4lbs overnight already but crazy how fast you can hold water. Ill have it all gone this week. Shouldnt look as bloated.

Full press cut mode has begun for the summer! Goal is 30lbs in 2-3 months.

yeh 225 is comfortable but i could prolly go 10-10-9 or 12-10-8...something like that...well thats usually how it goes anyway the once every 2 months i may do bench...its actually embarassing to me because i'm 6'3" 240 and its not really anything to be proud about...i slow down rapidly for some reason when i add 10's from there tbh...thats why i prolly could barely get 285/290 once

guess our goals are similar but i'm guilty of what i bolded above twice a week instead of only one and thats why i remain...my long term goal keeps staying a long way away...maybe that will help you decide to order that fish next time at longhorn and keep the drinks to 1 or 2

[GFA]

This coming friday I will be going in for another full blood work. Just got my card back from red cross, cholesterol is 209 so I need to get that down. Will go in for a double red next month.

Down over 10lbs since last week so todays attempt is at <210 lbs, was 207 yesterday after my workout. Face looks leaner than last week, funny what 10+lbs of water bloat will do to you.

Managed to do 245x2 today! Woot new max. Next week I will do 225x6 and once I can hit 8 reps I will try 265.

315 end of summer maybe?

[DVC]

I am definitely secondary as I did a clomid stimulation test and responded well.

Great progress GFA!

Can you please provide the details on the clomid stimulation test: what dosages, how long and results? Thanks.

[GFA]

Great progress GFA!

Can you please provide the details on the clomid stimulation test: what dosages, how long and results? Thanks.

Hey DVC,

I did this like 10 years ago so not sure how relevant it is now. I believe it was 100mg clomid a day for 1-2 weeks then you check your test again right after you finish. This will tell you if you are primary or secondary.

I went from 300 to 700 total test I think from the clomid test from what I can recall but I knew my junk was working and tried HCG mono for awhile. I am now on straight up test-cyp because I am done having kids and there are no real long term tests using HCG mono therapy.

Google clomid stimulation test for more information.

Btw if your LH and FSH are low and your test is low, you are most likely secondary and clomid stim test will work.

If LH and FSH are high and test low, then most likely you are primary.