On most messageboards related to hormonal replacement therapy, the threads relate to one’s libido, mood, sleep habits, etc. Those are obviously legitimate issues and are very important to consider when thinking about making the leap to HRT.
Since this is largely a bodybuilding website, I’d like to read about people’s experiences with HRT from a weightlifting/bodybuilding perspective.
I will be starting HRT shortly (bloodwork isn’t back from lab yet). I have many symptoms of low T, including libido and sleep issues. I’m certainly hoping a boost in my hormonal levels will help straighten those things out. I’ve also lifted weights since my late teens and have experienced a loss of muscle mass and a gain of fat tissue. I don’t have a beer gut or anything, but my once-obvious abs are now hidden by a layer of adipose. In my twenties, I carried about 215 lbs. and had low body fat. These days, I’m about 195 and any attempt I make add adding size just results in fat.
My budget won’t allow for HGH as part of my HRT regime, so the question is, with only Testosterone (and maybe HCG), if I get my test levels back to a high-normal level, can I expect to be able to see changes in my workouts, ie strength increase, muscle-building, and fat loss. To answer any sceptical replies, yes…I train very hard and watch what I eat. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be much of va recipe anymore.
If one, as you stated you are, is training hard and eating right and suffers from low T bumping up T whether naturally or through HRT can and should facilitate better gains from your gym time. You aren’t going to see gonzo gains as one would on a full blown cycle, but leaning out some and seeing some new muscle shouldn’t be unexpected.
Take advantage of maximizing muscle gains by arming your workout nutrition i.e. Surge, BCAA’s, Creatine, Flameout, BETA-7, combined with your HRT should offer some nice gains.
[quote]Dedicated wrote:
If one, as you stated you are, is training hard and eating right and suffers from low T bumping up T whether naturally or through HRT can and should facilitate better gains from your gym time. You aren’t going to see gonzo gains as one would on a full blown cycle, but leaning out some and seeing some new muscle shouldn’t be unexpected.
Take advantage of maximizing muscle gains by arming your workout nutrition i.e. Surge, BCAA’s, Creatine, Flameout, BETA-7, combined with your HRT should offer some nice gains.
D[/quote]
Thanks, Dedicated. Don’t worry, I’m not looking for gonzo gains like a full-blown cycle would give me. I’ve never done steroids and wouldn’t want friends and family to see a sudden thirty pound muscle-gain and get suspicious of illegal activity. I’m just looking for some rewards for my hard work, rather than lifting weights five days a week only to lose more size with every passing year. By the way (I’m not sure if my information says it or not), I’m 45 years-old.
Thanks again.
Anyone else have anything to offer about body response while on HRT?
Speaking from experience here,
TRT made a huge difference physically. Over the course of 6 months I have significantly increased muscle mass and lost fat. A combination of hard, intense and progressive training and well designed, consistent nutrition. The TRT was hugely influental, however, the gains were the result of the lifestyle I choose, not the medications I administer.
I have gone from 170lbs, fat,weak and depressed to 190lbs or so and much more muscular, much stronger and much leaner.
However, in my case, I am regaining lost muscle (I have been larger and stronger previousley) so, yes, some of the gains I will be experiencing will be due to ‘muscle memory’ and the normalization (to some extent at least) of HPTA function.
My E2 was high and my T was slightly below mid-range. I started with an AI and brought E2 to a decent level. With that, I noticed a change in appearance - it was much easier to lose fat, especially around the middle.
After that, I added T and moved to the high end of the range and adjusted AI accordingly. I have been on this HRT for about one year and there is a definite change in appearance, along with mood, libido, etc. Without question, it has been easier to gain muscle
You won’t gain thirty pounds of lean muscule mass, but if you dial in the right combination of T, AI, and possibly HCG you should notice a marked improvement in your appearance.
To provide some reference for you, I am 52 years old, have worked out since I was 17, and have had a fairly clean diet for most of my life.