I’m a 54-year-old male who’s finally decided to put on some muscle! I weigh 170 pounds at about 22% body fat, and I’m 5’6". My biceps are about 14" when flexed, but relaxed they’re just over 12".
I’ve been stable on TRT (150 mg weekly, 75 mg two times a week) for the past 2 years. Now, I’m wondering if I should consider increasing my testosterone dose to 400 mg for the next 8 weeks to accelerate muscle growth, and then return to my normal 150 mg dose afterward. Or, would it be worth trying alternatives like RAD 140 or LGD to help with muscle development?
Any advice on these options would be greatly appreciated, particularly regarding safety, effectiveness, and any potential downsides.
Neither. You’re already above natural levels at 150mg almost guaranteed. With saturated receptors, what do you think 400 mg for 8 weeks is gonna net you lasting muscle? Answer likely zero.
With your TRT you have the hormones that your genetics will allow. Sounds like you’d be better off spending some money on a coach or trainer. I’m 5’7 205lbs in my avatar and that’s off anything but 140-160mg TRT for two years.
If you do go the enhanced route you will need to run much longer than 8 weeks of T and might consider something else with it that grows muscle better.
Better asked questions…
What’s your training routine look like?
How long have you consistently been strength training?
Full stop right here. You are in no condition to use gear. Get down to 12% or so and then think about building. Your gonna have issues with that high BF and your gonna put in more fat trying to build.
You tell everyone they are in no condition to use “gear” . Coming from a guy that in his pic has no shoulders, chest , not even abs . Completely smooth there . Natty bodybuilder ? I don’t even see muscle
If you don’t look like you obviously lift weights and would need no more than 12 weeks to get into stage ready shape, you have no business using AAS. You should be lean enough to see major muscle group separation: For most people that is close to 15% body fat. I started contest countdown when I was roughly 15% body fat.
Exception: Powerlifters competing in the upper weight classes (275Lb and over).
I appreciate everyone who replied. Yes, I realize I am more than a few years late in starting to reshape my body, and fully understand my results will not be the same as a 30 year old.
I have only be ‘strength training’ for 5 months, in Jan I started with a trainer 3 days a week (M-T-W). I am following PPL, Thur & Fri I repeat my Mon-Tue upperbody workouts. (Legs only once week).
I have been eating around 3000 cal daily and trying for 200 protein.
I am going next week to get my DEXA and RMR. I am just starting to see some little muscle definition and am torn with the idea of strength training to build muscle or to slim down first.
This is perfect! With your homones being optimized with your TRT regiment.
Ride it out!
Along with some consistent diet and discipline. You’ll be amazed buy what you can do in a year’s time.
I’m not as knowledgeable as many but can tell my friends experience.
I am on TRT for 4 years now. 100mg twice per week with 1/2 mg Arimidex 12 hours after each injection. I also was able to get 50 mg of Deca added twice per week (same injection times) for joint comfort. I am 265 lbs approx 20% body fat, 18 1/4 inch arms, flexed. I also am looking to possibly add a little something extra. I mention myself in hopes of further info from others only, it has no bearing on my friend’s experience.
Friend from gym on TRT and on same dosage as myself but without the Deca. Similar in size to myself prior to his “cycle” he was 270, 5 ft 11, approx 20% bf.
He upped his T dose to 200 mg twice per week but he takes his arimidex at time of injection (says he likes it better). Still 1/2 mg with each injection. Only change he made was T dosage.
In 8 weeks he dropped 15 lbs but went to 12% bf. His arms increased in size as well as his delts and chest (these I could tell visually).
He dropped his dose back to normal after 8 weeks and has (from appearances) kept his gains and fat loss. This has been almost a year.
He is somewhat you get than me at 48 vs my 55 years of age. The downside he noticed was joint tenderness and tendinitis.
From this I would surmise you could still possibly get very nice gains/losses from an increased dose. But I would be very weary of too much at risk of tendon and joint damage. At our age those things don’t heal and grow as fast as the youngsters. I wouldn’t want to risk a tear from doing such . ( I tore my tricep a year and a half ago from a non lifting injury and it’s been a long road).
Picture of me added for reference in hopes of suggestions and guidance.
Unless there’s some special reason you want excessive muscle growth in a short period ( competitiveness, ego, etc) at our age there is no good reason. If your TRT has you at say 800 or above, you can grow a lot in a years time with proper diet and exercise.
Besides the fact I am 30+ years late in getting started, summer is approaching and I am planning a dive trip in late August. I am trying to understand the advantage vs disadvantage to bumping my dosage for 2-3 months.
Advantage: you can grow muscle faster and lose fat faster with a higher dose. (All else being equal).
Disadvantage: higher blood pressure, higher hemoglobin, and higher risk of stroke/ heart attack. Also higher risk of damaging tissues that don’t grow/ heal as fast as your muscles. (Joints, tendons, etc.) higher risk of prostate enlargement, heart enlargement. The list can go on and on. At advanced age (like mine and yours) the risks start outweighing the rewards. JMO.
No. Long while yes, short no. 12 wks minimum IMO to grow and let size hold. But it’s not gonna be a huge deal. Doubling my test dose nothing for me but it may for you since you’re undersized.
That answer really depends on dosage and personal tolerance. The higher the dosage, the higher the risk. Even in a shorter time period. But if dose isn’t crazy high and your body and organs are healthy, maybe not much different at all.
