Hello all,
I’m a 35 yr old male and have started TRT this past week. The diagnosis was low T after the latest blood panel. I have had a long history with low T but did not act on it due to WADA restrictions within my profession. Since being retired, I have the freedom to try and resolve low libido, low gains in the gym, depression and overall life apathy. I’m very excited and encouraged by the potential of this treatment course. With that being said, I have a question that maybe one of you can help me with…
Should I take any other supplements to help support my TRT injections? DHEA? Pregnenalone?
Fertility is not a concern. My overall panel suggests normal levels across the board except for low T, bioavail T and free T I have healthy cholesterol levels and thyroid function.
My GP doctor sounds confident that this will help but Id like to support the treatment any way possible.
Thank you for all the great info on this forum and any specific help you can provide.
Provide labs including ranges, describe your protocol in detail. Inject testosterone two or more times a week, any less isn’t optimal. Beware most doctor have no idea what good thyroid numbers look like on paper. GP’s usually f*ck up big when hormones are concerned. Let me guess, 200mg once every two weeks, right?
Normal isn’t very useful, normal for me is 500 ng/dL at my peak in life, normal for someone else could be 800 ng/dL or even higher.
Unless you have a deficiency in pregnenolone, no you shouldn’t supplement it. Guys end up going overboard on supplements and end up doing more harm than good or just hurt their wallet. Eat healthy and maintain consistent injection schedule and exercise regularly.
Thank you for the quick reply,
Test tot 421
Test free 52
Test bio avail 111
Binding globulin 35
Albumin 4.7
Protocol is 100mg intramuscular injection 1/week
I eat clean and train 4-6 times/week.
5’9 165 lbs
You need SHBG levels to determine a protocol that will work for you. I don’t expect your GP to understand. You are about to start TRT together with a doctor who has no idea how the TRT game is played, it’s why these forums are so full of guys wondering why they feel like pure crap.
It because insurance based doctors are filling the gap for the lack of hormone experts, who often don’t even know what labs tests to order. Endocrinologists do thyroid and diabetes, Urologists bladder and prostate, GP’s don’t do hormones.
So you see there are NO specialists for TRT inside insurance networks. The only doctor that know how to do TRT are private practice, anti-aging clinics. The medical community has ignored hormone therapies for decades, there’s no profits in TRT therefore doctors don’t do it.
I suggest 50mg twice weekly, it’s a pretty standard protocol for those with SHBG in the middle ranges. Large weekly injections is known to drive up more estrogen production, high estrogen ruins the good feeling while on TRT and turns men into menopausal moody women.
100mg a week is the standard starting dose. With a SHBG of 35, it should be alright. You might get some minor E2 issues. Lower your dose before you go to an AI (if possible).
When I first started TRT, the DHEA/pregnenolone issue plagued me. It seems that down the line, some guys do end up having to supplement with them.
But I haven’t had to deal with any of those issues.
TRT increased my BP, so I had to start some BP meds. That’s the only one I have HAD to take since starting.
cue the asshole who says TRT doesn’t increase BP
TRT increased my BP. Some guys it does nothing, some guys it lowers. You’ll just have to see.
I’ll keep an eye on my BP, thank you for the suggestions. As of now I will stay away from the dhea/ pregnenolone supplements.
How often should I be getting blood work?
In the beginning, like every 6 weeks. Because you want to see where your protocol is landing you.
After you get settled in… 3-6 months.
