Just started TRT for low levels of ‘free testosterone’.
I have been low for 3 year but have only been ‘allowed’ to start treatment (basically first test was only total t. They would not permit me a second test…which I needed to be given treatment. This year I found a doctor who would test my whole profile 2 times and put me on treatment due to my low levels)
My question is this.
In the last 3 years I have been trying training method after training method. Peaking cycle after peaking cycle with low to minimal results.
Now that I have normal levels of T will I be able to go back and try stuff again with better results?
I felt like I was not going anywhere, but now I feel I should be able to progress on any program. Is this correct?
Depends a lot on how low your levels were to begin with. Sure, it will be easier to gain with normal ranges of testosterone, but you still need to eat enough and train hard enough. If your goals are to gain muscle mass you need to eat big - no way around that. Higher test is a help for sure, but it will not turn you into a superman in the gym.
Post your test levels, diet, and workout plan if you like. You may also want to post to the beginners, conditioning, or bodybuilding forums for more diet and training advice depending on your goals.
According to the results page The Free test is the major concern with a normal reading between 250-720.
I am a powerlifter. Before I crashed I was squating 700lbs, benching 375 and deadlifting 661…so I have a fair idea how to train
I am currently seeing a sports nutritionist and I am getting 4000cals a day and we are slowly working up to 6000[/quote]
Sorry for the response about training techniques - you clearly know what you are doing to be able to squat 700. The levels you posted are in SI units, and I am not familiar with the conversion factors (you may want to post ranges). I would suspect that testosterone levels for a powerlifter may influence performance to a much higher degree than the average Joe weightlifter (like me).
your free T and total T look a bit low. You want to be in the upper-normal range. Like I said, I am no powerlifter, but I did notice a difference in the gym after I finally got my T in the upper range of normal. It was not immediate, and not pronounced, but definitely better. For example, I was still able to make gains at a total T of 200 ng/dL, but at 850 ng/dL I feel more energetic and look forward to the workouts more. It may be a mental thing as much as a physical thing. Don’t expect gains like you would see from AAS (as I am told), but you should notice an improvement. Don’t expect miracles, and give it some time to work.
Thanks,
I am not looking for steroid like gains…but say you complete a program that was designed to put 20lbs on your bench, it would be nice to put 20lbs on my bench (just an example). I dont expect 40 or more…just the 20 that normal people would get
Before (well I guess currently) it felt like I wasn’t recovering enough for programs to work. I did a program that would normally help someone gain 20lbs…I would gain 0-5lbs, when someone with equal strength and size gets the 20.
I hope I am making myself clear.
I dont want anything amazing…just a chance to progress like a normal person
If recovery is what was holding you back, higher levels of test will help - at least that is what I found. Felt more energetic to do back-to-back days in the gym. There again, nothing huge, but at your level of training it will give you an edge you did not have before.