Hello fellow lifters,
I just have a quick question regarding lab tests:
Which values are needed for an ongoing TRT and in which range should they be?
Goal of the TRT:
Maximizing Health and Performance.
Reason for the question:
I´ve read trhough the forum for research but could not find a comprehensive list. (Just different lists by several users.)
In my country it´s possible to find a doctor supporting TRT but very unlikely to find one who is as competent as doctors in the US who specialize in this field.
I also hope that a standart list of values can help others who are contemplating TRT, starting out or want to countercheck what their doctor is doing during TRT.
Further info:
34 year old male
lifting and playing sport since 17 years
Thyroid problems have been ruled out
Nutrition is good (high protein, high in vegetables and fruit)
The TT ranges you should shoot for will be determined by other biomarkers, for example I have low SHBG and only need a TT at 500 to have FT at the top of the ranges, a guy with SHBG higher will need more testosterone to equal the same FT levels.
No one can tell you what ranges to target because we are all so different, not everyone will do well in the high normal testosterone ranges. You’ll have to tinker around and figure out what levels are optimal for you and this could take the better part of a year to figure out.
I don’t know what esters you have access to, but generally if you want to decrease estrogen, frequent smaller shots will do the trick. When on TRT I inject 7mg daily (49mg weekly), this produces the best results for me, most would need quite a bit more.
- Total T
- Free T
- SHBG
- Estradiol (E2)
- CBC-complete blood count
Most TRT doctors will give you enough to eliminate low testosterone symptoms, but if aiming for lab values and optimization, they will go for the higher end of whatever the range is for your lab.
Thank you both 
From further research I think for general observation of the hormonal levels, the following values are necessary:
SHBG: (16.5-55.9 NMOL/L)
Free test: (4.8-25.7 NG/Dl)
TSH: (0.5-4.7 UIU/ml)
T3: (2.3-4.2 PG/ML)
T4: (4.4-12.4 UG/DL)
FSH: (1.5-12.4)
To control for potential adverse effects:
Blood lipids
Hemoglobin
Estradiol: (10.0-25.7)
Am I right so far?
Are there additional values necessary?
Another question:
Are transdermal gels a good alternative for administration?
Generally, these tests are used to start, plus or minus two or three dependent on the individual’s history and presentation:
total testosterone
free testosterone
FSH
LH
prolactin
E2
IGF-1
DHEA-S
SHBG
TSH
free T3
free T4
lipids
CMP
CBC
VitD
PSA
Not really. They’re more expensive, you have to spread them over a larger area, increased risk of transfer to others, daily application is necessary and they are poorly absorbed, as little as 30%. I think I read the manufacturer of Androgel projected a market of 600,000 for them, not sure though.
Scrotal creams are around 70% absorbed, require daily or twice daily application, risk of transfer, seem to convert more to DHT. Compounded.
Injections are 100% absorbed, cheapest, usually (90%+) once weekly, easy to adjust dose. But, it’s an injection, a problem few some.
Pellets, more expensive, minor surgery, once in, they’re in, difficult get out, if need be. Good for 4-6 months.
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No, gels are not absorbed well enough.
Already answered well… but to emphasize it again… gels suck. 20% cream on the other hand can work very well for some people. It’s 10x stronger AND absorbs better, so it’s not really comparable as far as blood levels go
My brother in law has been on gel for a year and I had better results after a month of injections. Plus when you have a wife and children, you don’t have to worry about hurting them.
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