I’m 49 years old and started TRT this past summer, so about 6 months ago. The first few months were a bit rocky as the clinic I go to was trying to dial in the most effective and safe dose. I’m currently on 120mg once a week. They had bumped me up to 140mg for 4 weeks but my HCT & HCB got too high and they ended up doing a blood dump and dropping my dose to 100mg until the numbers got back within range. Hoping I can stay on 120mg as that has been an effective dose for me.
When I went in for my consultation I was also informed about Peptides, specifically Ibutamoren and CJC-1295/Ipamorelin. Prior to the consultation I had never heard of peptides, but decided to give it a shot.
I’m eager to learn from others regarding their experiences with TRT and peptides.
So far the TRT has been great. Libido is greatly improved, gym has never felt better, and overall confidence is being restored.
Still undecided on the peptides. I feel I have gained more muscle with the Ibutamoren, but I sleep like crap when I’m on it. When I took the CJC/Ipamorelin (in troche form) I felt I lost too much weight, but had some of the best sleep in as long as I can remember.
I am 62 and have been on TRT for 18 or so years. I experimented with peptides for probably the first 10 years and had great results. I used CJC-1295 with DAC to cut down on my dosing needs. I leaned out and got quite vascular…I was never a guy that got “big” despite a clean diet and proper training with various rounds of Sust, Deca, and T-Cyp.
Here I am 8 years later after a powdered C-Spine surgery, total left knee replacement, and a torn bicep trying to get back some semblance of muscular.
I have T-Cyp, peptides, and Tren Ace this time, maybe I can get a better start back this time.
They work ok for some and not at all for others. I’m in the not at all category. My before and after labs show no results and the peptides are expensive.
Lab ranges can vary for hemoglobin and hematocrit, some lab companies top out at 50%, 51% and 52%, for hematocrit and TRT guidelines say action is to be taken after hematocrit is 55%>.
So please define your definition of high by posting labs ranges. A small elevation in hemoglobin and hematocrit can reduce your risk of dying of stroke and heart attacks, similar to living at 2000-3500 feet.
I tried Ipamorelin, it did absolutely nothing. Then I found out I was iron deficient and after correcting low ferritin, iron, IGF-1 increased substantially (139->189) without Ipamorelin.
And the hassle to reward ratio isn’t good either, unless deficient in IGF-1, GH and injecting 1-2x daily can become old real fast! You will notice more benefits getting the testosterone and estrogen ^^.
I am 49 years old and have been on a statin for most of my adult life (currently 40mg Atorvastatin). High Cholesterol runs in my family and I’ve always high rocket-high triglycerides and above range total cholesterol levels.
I had a lipid profile done in May '22, a month before I started TRT and then had another lipid profile done in October '22. The numbers were so improved in the October test that my PCP didn’t believe they were accurate so he had my test again. 2nd test had similar results. I told him the only thing that has changed was the TRT and peptides. He didn’t seem convinced that they were the reason for the improvement, but I can’t see any other explanation.
Here are some specifics:
May test
Total Cholesterol 211
HDL 32
LDL 124.4
Triglycerides 273
October test
Total Cholesterol 93
HDL 29
LDL 42
Triglycerides 106
TRT lowers triglycerides and improves liver function. You really can’t blame your doctor for not knowing, sex hormones aren’t taught in traditional medical schools.
The truth is TRT outperforms all known drugs, prevents and treats multiple disease, nothing even comes close!
Results:The T-group showed a decrease in the FLI (from a mean [SD] of 83.70 to 67.12, bilirubin (from a mean of 1.69 to 1.31 mg/dL), triglycerides (from a mean [SD] of 254.87 to 213.37 mg/dL), and gamma-glutamyl-transferase (from a mean [SD] of 39.45 to 29.11U over the duration of the study.
My triglycerides were 356 mg/dL and are now almost normal, thanks to TRT.
Economically speaking, real HGH is a better choice if you’re willing to walk on the dark side. Point being, “retail” peptides are as expensive or more than black market HGH.
I’ve been on both peptides and real HGH. To be honest, they don’t really compare.
With all that said, I would encourage you to look at BPC-157. Expensive but fantastic for injuries.
Just had labs done. Before starting TRT & Peptides my IGF-1 was 90. After 9 months on Peptides my IGF-1 is 282.
During that 9 months:
1st cycle - Ibutamoren 25mg 7 days/week for 3 months
2nd cycle - CJC 1295 / Ipamorelin 300mg/300mg in troche form 5 days a week for 10 weeks
3rd cycle - Ibutamoren 25mg 7 days/week for 3 months
Happy to see that my IGF-1 increased, as 90 is on the very low-end of range. Not certain I will continue on the peptides, though. They are $$$$ and I feel like I have dropped too much weight while on them. Granted I look the most defined and have the smallest belly that I have had in as long as I can recall. I’m still undecided.
I’m running a 9mg blend of IPA/CJC1295/GHRH-2 300mg 5x wk TRT 1cc wk 200mg Cyp trying to dial in dosage on peptide.
I’m 6’4 300lbs 26% BF
See a lot of different posts on dosage amounts. 500-1000mg
Guess it will be trail and error. Hoping this is a good starting point. Any info would be great man.
Thanks
My CJC/IPA combo is a toche lozenge 300mg of each, taken 5 nights a week. I haven’t experimented with any other dosage. I’m just following the clinics prescription.
Wish I could take as much T as you. I’m at 120mg/week. If I go any higher the clinic gets concerned about my blood getting too thick.
So I was wrong about my CJC/IPA dosage. I just double-checked my bottle. It’s 600mcg (so micrograms) of each.
Blood donation / blood dumps are next on my list to research. Seems like a no-brainer to do it. I mentioned it to my PCP and he was clearly not a fan, but if it helps keep the blood thin, I’m all for it.
40 years old, 6 ft, 252 lbs, working on getting back in shape following a motorcycle accident a few years ago, then staying derailed through Covid. Working with a prosthetic left elbow.
I’ve been on TRT for 6 months, and I’m loving it. I started with injections, needed anastrozol and was polycythemic as well. Nearly came off considering. I went with pellets and all sides have essentially gone away. No long term cholesterol values to share yet, but I’m definitely recovering faster and feeling stronger, like myself 15 years ago.
I’m on my 5th week of Sermorelin. Dosing .2 mcg nightly. Not enough time for lab comparisons but I sleep like an absolute baby. I didn’t realize how poorly I had been sleeping until starting. If this is the only benefit, I’m in. Anecdotally, I don’t feel sore after lifting. I still experience muscle tightness the day after lifting but not soreness, or very light soreness at worst. My elbow does get inflamed when pressing, but notably less on semorelin.
Curious to see how fat loss (shooting for 30lbs) works out over time.
My insurance pays for TRT with a $10 copay, even pellets. Sermorelin is $100 per month through a wellness clinic ordering from a compounding pharmacy.