FWIW, this is what that protocol looks like:
And this is what every 2 weeks looks like:
With either of these protocols, you will probably feel like shit at the peaks and troughs. A much more suitable protocol would be something like 62.5mg E3.5D, which would look like:
Lower peaks and higher troughs tend to make people feel better as it’s more consistent.
Graphs made on steroidplotter.com (not just for TRT stuff BTW).
Thanks for this! Appreciate further discussion, bearing in mind that the opinions of others already seem to be in favor of TRT.
All in all, the labs show nothing out of the ordinary - with the exception of creatinine. This may be explained by creatine intake as well as lifting weights. That being said, If I were your physician, I would test kidney function further with a more specific test called cystatine C (which will provide a more reliable GFR).
Actually, in my (professional) opinion, your TSH level prove your thyroid is working properly! For comparison a value of 1.0 is what you aim for when treating hypothyreosis, though many feel better having even lower levels. Good to know, is that TSH reflects the feedback on how the thyroid is producing active hormone (thyroxine) - if the thyroid is underfunctioning the brain releases more TSH = a higher TSH level (and vice versa). TSH means Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.
As far as I’m concerned, your testosterone is not that low (though SHBG is slightly high). My recommendation is to perform another FASTED morning hormone panel - for more comparison data. Even the basic guidelines for lesser knowing physicians state that repeated testing is advised, due to variability in testosterone levels.
Before heading into TRT I would seriously assess/adjust sleeping patterns, diet and any stress or mental issues. It should be no easy decision heading into a presumtive life long regime of injections. A chance/risk scenario if you ask me. No promises.
How about going the alternative route through a couple of months on tongkat ali, ashwaganda and fadogia agrestis? I know many here think shit of such supplements, but from the low risk standpoint and some evidence - it may be worth a shot. I have personally tried this combination with the addition of ecdysterone (from trusted vendors) and (for me) it actually makes a noteworthy difference in strength, recovery, bodyfat and well-being.
For what it’s worth - I wouldn’t be in favor of pursuing TRT based on these numbers, but didn’t want to speak before the professional!
Are you still concerned about the creatinine number even though we’re not seeing anything weird in urine albumin?
Good point! Thing is - creatinine is so unreliable and (if true insufficiency) only rises when the function is significantly affected. Also, there are too many different kidney diseases. Just to be certain (and safely continue my creatine and training) I would do a cystatine c blood test. Maybe alongside a fasted hormone panel?
Btw, just re the tiredness issue - I personally experienced fatigue while on a higher creatine regime (10 grams a day). I suggest you try a wash out period with no creatine for two weeks and see if you feel better? Maybe I am the only one. No science backing this up. Now I am on 2,5 grams a day and feel fine.
My markers frequently look similar, so now I’m just getting selfish: is this exactly what I’d ask for?
Absolutely agree, I’ve said it before but the UK is miles behind the US in TRT. Best thing I did in my treatment was to go on gels, have to be careful with cross contamination but it’s been a game changer for me in place of more regular lower dose injections which I won’t get on NHS
It feels like I’m selling cystatine C to the training population… 
But, in short, you need a more reliable test than creatinine to completely rule out other issues.
With all that in mind - I have yet to test myself lately though on a long ongoing creatine frenzy combined training. A couple of years ago the markers were ok though. Maybe some questions better not asked? A case of double moral on my behalf. In my profession we joke about treating the patients better than ourselves…
FWIW my creatinine was high AF before I began supplementing creatine (sounds much worse when you say it out loud). It showed up a little higher after I’d been taking 5g Creatine daily for months
(Dec '21)
(Jun '22)
EDIT: I had them swapped chronologically - it’s fixed now.
The little I’ve read says the test is very sensitive to both dehydration and muscle mass, so that makes some sense that it was high either way.
Thanks. I agree upon that, though actually the urea test is what stands out. A waste product accumulating if the kidneys are not functioning properly - OR because of dehydration and/or high protein diet (etc.).
Week 1/52 25th August
Chest
Bench 531 5 week (2m rest)
Warm up sets
65kg x 5
75kg x 5
85kg x 11
Incline DB press (1.3m rest)
30kg DBs x 10
X 8
X 6
X 6
Might lower there next week as I wanted more reps in each set
Fly 1.15m rest
61kg x 12
54kg x 12
X 10
X 10
Pushdowns single arm 1m rest
60kg
X 15
X 11
X 10
Push-ups 1m rest (as short on time)
X 14
X 9
X 7
A poor show on the push-ups but had nothing left in my triceps!!!
I’ll respond later to the test results stuff, lots to think about.
Firstly i had a second interview at a place this morning and smashed it, i’ll have to wait a week to hear how its gone but i’m on the shortlist so happy overall.
Thank you all for taking the time to look and talk over my results as this is completely alien to me, if you need any help with construction law in the uk i’m happy to help!
So a couple of thoughts/ responses from myself on this:
@pettersson @TrainForPain @aholding88 @Andrewgen_Receptors
Sleep - Since my operation I’ve been sleeping around 8-9 hours a night (and i’m exhausted at night). Pre operation i was only getting 6-7hours and felt much better but struggled getting to sleep (which i don’t now because I’m so tired)
Diet is good (i think) i am on a cut at the moment but i eat the same things nearly all the week. Overall i’d say i have quite a varied diet as i like to eat all different things at points.
Breakfast eggs, egg whites, tomatoes, milk & toast
Snack - protein shake
Lunch - Chicken breast or tuna, with veggies (usually rice but i’m cutting)
Snack - protein yogurt or chicken thighs
Dinner - varied meat throughout the week with potatoes or rice
I haven’t been drinking much at all compared to what i used to.
Stress - Now this is an interesting one. I was speaking to my friend who’s a nurse and she said she thought i was still massively stressed and not over the shock of what happened (the worry and the timescales of the operation and the whole thing). I also have a very stressful job but am changing jobs soon.
I am a stressy person (or an overthinker) and with work and the last year being what is was i think its had a massive effect on me. Hopefully with the job change it makes things easier.
@pettersson I’ve tried a few supplements (not these though) but wanted to understand what dosage you’d recommend of this stack (tongkat ali, ashwaganda and fadogia agrestis) and would you also recommend fish oils, zinc, magnesium and Vit D as well?
I think my plan is to change jobs, try some supplements and see how i feel. My libido and energy is definitely worse than pre operation and my wife said i have had mood swings since the op as well. If this doesn’t improve over the next few months i think TRT might be cheaper than a divorce!
Awesome!
Have you thought about talking to someone? You certainly did experience a hugely traumatic event.
Glad to hear the 2nd interview went well, and I hope the (potential) job change is only for the better!
Your sleep and diet look good to me. I too have a stressful job (Aviation Quality Assurance in the R&D department gets, uhm, interesting lol) and the only way out of it without taking a huge pay cut is to get a degree (which I’m actively pursuing), so I get you on the stress stuff.
It would have been nice to see your Estrogens panel because this could be a contributing factor to mood swings; it may also be worth your time to get your Prolactin checked as this has a significant affect on how you would feel as well.
The symptoms it seems you would want to correct could be caused specifically by the stressful line of work you are in, so I agree that routes other than TRT may be more appropriate. Of course, if those routes don’t pan out over the next few months - it is worth considering the TRT route (this is subjective as most people with Low T symptoms are clinically fine, as in “okay levels”, but still feel better when treated).
Happy to help - I would certainly trust @pettersson’s judgement more than mine as I’m just a dude on the interwebs with goals of looking like Jay Cutler, but doing so within the confines of the law
Week 1/52 26th August 22
Back Workout
Pull up (palms facing each other) 2m
Warm up on lat pull down machine
Pull ups 3 sets of 4 reps
Single arm lat pull down (1m rest)
28kg 4 sets of 10
Cable Row (1.15m rest)
63kg 3 sets of 12
Face Pull (1.15m rest)
30kg x 20
x 20
x 17
Hypers - Physio told me not to do these right now
Rope crunches - Physio told me not to do these right now
I’ve got some other exercises from my physio so will have to re-work this back programme a little while i recover.
Thanks for a detailed response. You have already received thoughtful advice from others. Thanks for the confidence @Andrewgen_Receptors - your dedication, enthusiasm and input throughout this forum has helped many.
If I were to suggest, I would start with the foundation - where it all begins and ends. Appearantly, people around you have reacted upon the stress you have collected over time. Also, you reflect upon your own behaviour (overthinking). This means you most likely is affected by stress + your behaviour prevents recovery. My advice is to seek a good psychologist for stress and/or recovery strategies (what can I do with myself - and with my life - in order to establish good recovery?). I would probably look for an ACT oriented psychologist (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). That being said, if there is trauma in the background, a different psychotherapy may be advised. But, you have to start somewhere - sometime!
Re diet I would make sure there is at least a minor addition of good fats in your diet. Fats are the building blocks for synthesis of hormones etc.
Re the “test boost” supplementation I have applied a lower-medium dosage regime - since you are combining 3 different products with decent evidence. No one knows about interactions (or long term bad effects re fadogia). I use a TWICE daily dosage of KSM-66 Ashwagandha, 300 mg + LJ100 Tongkat ali, 100 mg and Fadogia Agrestis stem extract, 300 mg (any good brand will do - google “fadogia best brand” and be critical).
Re vitamins/minerals I can safely advise a multi-supplement containing zinc, magnesium and vitamin D. Biotest have a version they seem to be proud of - why wouldn’t they? 
I recommend you try the above strategies in combination for 3 months. Please bear in mind that ANY therapy, treatment or intervention may require up to 3 months until healing/change/outcome has occurred. But, re psychologist it’s primarily a matter of evaluating direction after 3 sessions - and (if no trauma) the “therapy” should be finished with a decent result before or after 10 sessions (which actively makes about - 3 months LOL).
Best of luck! Please keep me informed - if you want to.
Week 2/52 29th August
Shoulders and biceps
Press 531 3 rep week
Wu sets
25kg x 3
27kg x 3
30kg x 16
Lat raises ss with shrugs (1.3m rest)
Lat roses
10kg DBs
X 11
X 10
X 10
X 9
Shrugs 4 second hold
20kg DBs x 12
X 13
X 13
Rear delt fly (1.15m rest)
33kg x 21
X 21
X 21
Ez BB curls (1.15m rest)
20kg x 9
25kg x 9
30kg x 9
Seated DB curl (1.15m rest)
9kg DBs x 15
X 15
X 13
X 10
Diet has been a little slack over the last couple of weeks. Averaging around 102kg now but feeling a little better with a bit more carbs in me.
Also going to get my natural supplements over the next couple of weeks and track any progress any results in how I feel.
Week 2/52 30th August
Legs!!
Squats 531 3 week 2m rest
WU sets
62kg x 3
72kg x 3
80kg x 8
BSS 1.2m rest
14kg DB x 12
X 12
X 13
Leg extensions SS with hammys (1.15m rest)
20kg each side
X 14
X 14
X 14
X 13
Kneeling SL ham curl
45kg each side
X 8
X 9
X 9
X 9
SL deadlift physio activity
These were horrible and I sucked really badly at these! I did 3 x sets of terrible form reps!
Hamstrings shaking on the left side crazily on the drive home!
week 2/52 1st September
Chest and triceps
Bench 531 3 week (2m rest)
WU sets
70kg x 3
80kg x 3
90kg x 10 (really happy with that)
DB incline (1.3m rest)
Lowered weight from last week as I want more reps overall.
28kg DBs
X 10
X 10
X 9
X
Fly (1.15m rest) ss with Pushdowns
54kg
X 12
X 12
X 12
X 12
Single arm Pushdowns 1.15m rest
60kg
X 12
X 12
X 12
Push-ups (1.15m rest)
X 14
X 9
X 7
Really enjoyed this mornings session. Less exercises but more meaningful sets.
Off for a 2 hour train ride to Manchester for work this morning now. Got cold pasta and cold chicken to eat on the train lol
Week 2/52 2nd September
Back
Adding reps each week so happy
Single Arm lat pull down 1m rest
28kg x 4 sets of 10
Cable Row (1.15m rest)
63kg x 12
x 13
x 13
Face Pull (1.15m rest)
30kg 3 sets of 20 reps
Single leg deadlift (physio exercise) slow and steady
3 sets of 6
BSS no weight slow and steady (Physio exercise)
3 sets of 8 reps
My back session feels like less volume than i’m used to but i think that’s maybe because I’m missing a lower back and core exercise. I’m hoping the 4 main back exercises are enough volume over all.
On to week 3 after the weekend!
