Hello! I’m brand new to this space. Been lifting on and off for about 10 years now. I’ve never been huge or consistent long enough to get huge. But now I’m 38, fatigued, and looking to maximize my time in the gym with some help from Trt. I don’t know much about it and have been researching a ton. Its all still a bit muddy for me. I went to primary care doc who ran the labs. My Test was 571 and free test was 12.7. My doc called and said I hit the bullseye and everything was fine. This is an old school doc who I felt I could convince to let me get a prescription. I called him back and asked if he’d write me a script for injections despite my solid numbers. He said he would. Today I received the prescription for Cypionate 200mg. What I’m writing here for, is to find out if that is a good dose for a beginner, and if I should be asking for something else like the estrogen blocker, etc to go along with it. Any words of caution or encouragement would be greatly appreciated as well! Thank you!
What are your stats?
My height/weight? I’m 6’1" 195lbs, about 20% Body Fat
How is your sleep, stress levels etc.
I think you should make sure everything else is in order before jumping on “TRT” for life.
Do you really need it? Could a better routine; diet/recovery/training help your levels?
People are now really quick to jump on a prescription.
I’d echo this. TRT will only cause you negatives if you don’t need it, and the tests say that you don’t. First, be consistent on your diet and your training program for several months, then reassess.
Being 38 isn’t an excuse for being tired and flabby. I’m 51, 14% BF, can run a 6 min mile, crank out 20+ pull ups, and bench press 1.5x my bodyweight. This isn’t to brag, as I’m nothing special but am consistent with nutrition and training. I’ve never used TRT or anything stronger than creatine and whey protein. Give lifestyle and training changes a try before you look for other answers.
I’d recommend finding a doc who you trust to answer these questions. I don’t mean that to sound flippant, but there’s only so much info you can convey in an online forum vs. a few sit down meetings with a doc. And 9/10 the responses you get here will be purely anecdotal from individual posters’ own experiences as opposed to a hormone specialist who has dealt with thousands of clients in your shoes.
If I may be blunt, I am not sure I am getting this needing TRT. When I was 38 I was still lifting hard and chasing my wife around the house. There might be a lot more involved than having “normal” blood work and still wanting the prescription. Also, the prescription should come with dosage. I doubt the pharmacy hands out a “med” without instruction.
You know how hard you tried to get drugs?
Try that hard when you lift weights.
Your numbers for TT and FT are both mid range. This means you don’t need TRT. To answer your question 200mg/wk, if thats your dose, is too high to start for most. About 150mg is a good starting dose. AI is determined after you’ve run T Cyp for a period to see if you need it based on symptoms and follow up labs.
This. There are a bunch of knowledgeable people here. I’d suggest posting your current workout, diet, and any other relevant lifestyle info. Otherwise it’s going to be shots in the dark.
My lifestyle has always been very fitness oriented. I have a very nice home gym setup and I get up at 5 am daily to lift. I track macros and get my protein. I just fell off the wagon for about 9 months during my wife’s pregnancy and during the newborn stage and am looking to get back on track quickly with a short duration use of the TRT.
Thank you for your response. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for asthetics to take the TRT for a few months just once, while training and eating proper, then continue to work to maintain the results?
I always do 2 sets to failure and beyond with partials. I’m not a beginner by any means. I have just been slacking due to having a newborn and staying up many nights to help my wife out.
My age is not the reason for wanting TRT. I simply was hoping to hop on for a few months to speed up my results after having some time out of the gym due to having a newborn baby. I know quick answers arent good for long term success, but I’m eager to get jacked before I go on a trip to Mexico this winter. Then I plan to just keep up with my routine and diet to maintain the results I’ve achieved.
Being 38 isn’t my excuse for anything. My wife and I just had our second baby so I’ve just had a few months off. I’m no slouch by any means and am no stranger to good routines and a solid diet. My only reason for wanting the TRT is to accellerate my progress in the gym and improve my recovery. It’s simply for vanity reasons and not for health reasons. I know that sounds silly, but isn’t that why all folks take steroids/enhancements, to look better quickly?
Congratulations to you both!
TRT=/= short term. What you’re asking for seems like a cycle with pct.
It’s not magic. Research is.
TRT is usually taken for life, and can/will lead to hormonal problems if you stop it all of a sudden. Your body will no longer make, or effectively make, its own testosterone if you’re injecting it with an external source. You definitely want to research this much more and think more carefully longterm before getting yourself on a TRT regimen.
Also, don’t think short term. Play the long game that’s sustainable.
TRT is for life. What you are referring to is a cycle, and once you go there, there is no guaranteeing your testosterone would ever recover. Higher probability that it wont, especially the older you are.
If you dont have symptoms of low test, 500 is not a bad total T. Wait to hop on TRT until you need it…
TRT=/= short term. What you’re asking for seems like a cycle with pct.
What is pct? I haven’t picked up the prescription yet so I’m open to alternatives.
Post cycle therapy.