Trying to get a clear understanding. I was on a low dose of test, 120 weekly for 5 - 6 months. Only reason I was on trt was low free test and high shbg, but total t was over 700 without trt. My question is I want to come off and raise free test naturally, but do I really need a pct like clomid or nolvadex. I have been using hcg this whole time as well and figured I could run that a few weeks after quitting. So far I’ve been off trt for over a week and feel fine. Thanks
You will need a PCT. I think most will probably tell you keep the hcg and add in some nolva for 4 weeks or possibly longer since you were on for 6 mo.
Why did you take TRT in the first place? Did you have blood work that showed you needed it?
If you were diagnosed with low T, I can’t imagine its wise to be coming off.
Free test was low. Shbg High. Honestly didn’t feel any better on test other than strength gains. My total test was great, therefore I will try and go the natural route on the free test. The blood always came back with some dehydration issues on trt as well as high hemocrit / rbc which I didn’t like. I did drink a shit Ton of water. I will probably try sarms if I want to do something for a cut/strength
Just curious, do you have a strategy for increasing your FT naturally? If so, I’d like to hear more about what can be done. I’m assuming a big part of that would be decreasing shbg?
It’s a fool’s errand to attempt to increase FT when one has high SHBG when TT is already high.
Your HPTA is already maxed out and you would have to get your natural TT to 1200. Your SHBG will continue to increase as you age binding up more and more androgens.
The second you increase testosterone (unlikely), it will favor TT+SHBG and FT will barely move.
Clomid will increase SHBG taking you in opposite direction you want to go, I don’t think you understand what is at play here and are making all the wrong decisions.
If there was a way to increase free T naturally (enough to make any difference) it would be posted everywhere. I’m guessing you never got TRT dialed in or you wouldn’t be talking like coming off isn’t much difference. My total T was 600 pre-trt and once I got TRT figured out (took quite a while) there’s no way in hell I’d even think about going back.
Be careful with sarms. Although I have no personal experience with them I’ve seen people have lots of issues and it never worked out like they planned.
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Lol well your wrong. I proved shbg goes down with trt. Free test went up to top and shbg went down on trt. ???
Who’s wrong and what are you saying?
Free Test was low before TRT because your SHBG was high. SHBG will bind up free test even if Total Test was normal.
Typically if SHBG is high you want to dose smaller amounts more frequently to lower it. If it’s low you want to space out the doses.
What are your numbers on TRT?
What @systemlord is saying is you won’t be able to up your FT naturally if your SHBG is already naturally high. If your SHBG went down and free test went up due to TRT at 120/week, that’s a good thing.
The bottom line is, based on your natty numbers, you probably need TRT.
RBC and HCT might be slightly elevated at 120 per week but I can’t see them being that far out of range(if at all)unless you have other health related issues.
Sure TRT lowers SHBG, but you are talking about stopping TRT and allowing SHBG to climb back to where it was pre-TRT. Naturally high testosterone will NOT lower SHBG, the unnatural spikes in testosterone cypionate lowers SHBG along with the unnatural large spike in testosterone.
Naturally we get lots of small spikes in testosterone throughout the day and this does nothing to suppress SHBG. Your argument is if TRT can lower SHBG than so can high natural testosterone and you would be incorrect.
I am trying to stop you from making a mistake on something that is going to fail.
Slightly elevated RBC and HCT is of no concern, athletes train at high altitude to gain the advantage of higher RBC and HCT.
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So I need to continue trt?
I would get some blood work done to see where you are unless it’s been pretty recent, then go from there. Seems to me based on your numbers if it were me I wouldn’t be going off.
Yes, without a doubt because if you stop SHBG will climb again and you are at square one again with high TT, high SHBG and low FT. We can help you dial in your TRT protocol to where you feel the mental benefits which can takes awhile to figure out.
“Typically if SHBG is high you want to dose smaller amounts more frequently to lower it. If it’s low you want to space out the doses.”
Actually it’s the exact opposite. Although, some experts, such as Dr. Nichols would likely argue that smaller more frequent doses are the way to go regardless of SHBG levels.
I had high total T and TRT (after finding the right dose/protocol which took a while) has me feeling immensely better than before. Even better than I had hoped.
Well my bp was 150/100. I was dizzy. Not sleeping great. Now that have stopped trt , gave blood(which could been the answer) I feel better. My total t got up to 1500 and free test at high end. I also did blood work and hemocrit/rbc/ hemoglobin super elevated so had to donate. I am basically wanting see if I can get back natural. I have since stopped chewing Tabasco for 4-5 months which might play role in increased shbg. Just a lot factors.
Tobacco*
Also wanting to have another baby. Plan on taking a month off and continue hcg. Then see where I am at once I do bloods
Drop the HCG, run Nolva 40/40/20/20/20. Go to Pharma and search PCT. Do not run HCG and Nolva or Clomid together, it’s self defeating.
I was also vitamin d deficient so supplementing a few things might help overall bloods when I come off. I wasn’t feeling terrible before just seemed like I was gaining weight easy and weaker/ tired. If I feel like shit I’ll go back on and do trt but donate because that obviously helped me