Low Testosterone: What are the options? UPDATE:Testosterone megathread (Page 426 of 443)
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Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Thanks! So when you say 200mg Test C/mo, is it literally a 1ml vial of test for the month? Or do they send a larger vial? Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: I bought labs from them since I hadn’t had any in a while, but I’m pretty sure you can supply your own. Their team communicates via text and is very responsive. Program includes 200 mg Test-C/mo, AI if needed, supplies and shipping. 2x/wk dosing is standard. $139/mo monthly $119/mo for 6 mo plan $99/mo for 12 mo plan 10% discount off annual plan thru Nov 30 = $89/mo. Thanks! So when you say 200mg Test C/mo, is it literally a 1ml vial of test for the month? Or do they send a larger vial? Just a quick update. I don’t have all the details since I haven’t received a delivery yet, and I didn’t think to ask about the volume of test provided with the standard monthly order, but the consult went well. I mentioned having been stuck with a “cookie cutter” program when I started and the doc stated they don’t do that and everyone gets a custom program targeting 800-1000 that is adjusted by ongoing labs. He’s having me start with .4 ml every 4 days with follow up labs at 12 weeks. ETA - I did not add HCG because I’m 56 with older teenagers and a tube-tied wife so no procreation concerns. We'll monitor estrogen and AI is included in the program if needed. |
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Originally Posted By EasTexan: After 6 months: Testosterone C-200mg/ml once weekly Clomid-25mg every other day Testosterone: 1212 Free Testosterone: 35.7 money and it has some nasty sides. |
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Originally Posted By D_J: Just a quick update. I don't have all the details since I haven't received a delivery yet, and I didn't think to ask about the volume of test provided with the standard monthly order, but the consult went well. I mentioned having been stuck with a "cookie cutter" program when I started and the doc stated they don't do that and everyone gets a custom program targeting 800-1000 that is adjusted by ongoing labs. He's having me start with .4 ml every 4 days with follow up labs at 12 weeks. ETA - I did not add HCG because I'm 56 with older teenagers and a tube-tied wife so no procreation concerns. We'll monitor estrogen and AI is included in the program if needed.   
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"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
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Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: No reason to be on clomid. Waste of money and it has some nasty sides. Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By EasTexan: After 6 months of: Testosterone C-200mg/ml once weekly Clomid-25mg every other day Testosterone: 1212 Free Testosterone: 35.7 money and it has some nasty sides. I haven’t seen it felt any negative side effects. What should I look for? We’re planning on having more children, so she suggested staying on it. |
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Originally Posted By EasTexan: I haven't seen it felt any negative side effects. What should I look for? We're planning on having more children, so she suggested staying on it. Originally Posted By EasTexan: Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By EasTexan: After 6 months of: Testosterone C-200mg/ml once weekly Clomid-25mg every other day Testosterone: 1212 Free Testosterone: 35.7 money and it has some nasty sides. I haven't seen it felt any negative side effects. What should I look for? We're planning on having more children, so she suggested staying on it. It was never designed for long term use (5 days). It is used off label in men for fertility. Off label use of drugs is fine, the duration of use is terrifying. You can find many reports of vision issues. |
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Been on oral trt for a year. 43, active not overweight. Bmi calculator says 24, 5 10 and 170, light exercise but physical outdoor job. Definitely noticed alot of improvement. Have not felt the rush or like im 20 again. Dosing and getting fats is a pita to schedule some days. Thinking about switching to injections. Any thing I should consider before the swap. Future kids are not a concern, but i would like to continue practicing making them. |
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Originally Posted By Danted: Been on oral trt for a year. 43, active not overweight. Bmi calculator says 24, 5 10 and 170, light exercise but physical outdoor job. Definitely noticed alot of improvement. Have not felt the rush or like im 20 again. Dosing and getting fats is a pita to schedule some days. Thinking about switching to injections. Any thing I should consider before the swap. Future kids are not a concern, but i would like to continue practicing making them. 1. Is a higher dose available/allowable (probably going to depend on your prescribing physician, and there are 3 brands with different dosage tiers) 2. Where is your free and total at? If you're at the top of the reference range, I wouldn't expect a drastic improvement. Conversely, oral TRT isn't known for optimal or supra physiological levels |
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Checking back in for an update on my TRT provided by my PCP. He’s been monitoring my basic CBC and hemoglobin. I went in for my yearly physical last week. After posting in the nut maxing thread another member told me my estrogen level was probably way too high. I asked him to do an estradiol level check because in the past 6 months I’ve noticed it takes longer and longer to “get there” during sex. FWIW, wife said she didn’t notice anything different. Of course not you selfish bitch! You’re enjoying that 20 minute ride.  Shits killing me. Level came back at 67. Yea, six-seven. I guess kids would think that was funny. Supposed to be a value less than 39. I asked him about an estrogen blocker. Nope, he said it’s out of his wheelhouse and he’s referring me to a urologist that does the TRT program. I guess this won’t be a quick fix and my wife is refusing to share her estrogen blockers with me. Proof again she likes the long ride. Free test is 139.8 Total is 1004. Injection .3 twice weekly. When I self adjusted to .4-.5 twice weekly my level was at 1157. Hemoglobin is staying around 14-16 Just waiting on a call back now from the urologist office for an appointment. |
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Originally Posted By D_J: Just a quick update. I don’t have all the details since I haven’t received a delivery yet, and I didn’t think to ask about the volume of test provided with the standard monthly order, but the consult went well. I mentioned having been stuck with a “cookie cutter” program when I started and the doc stated they don’t do that and everyone gets a custom program targeting 800-1000 that is adjusted by ongoing labs. He’s having me start with .4 ml every 4 days with follow up labs at 12 weeks. ETA - I did not add HCG because I’m 56 with older teenagers and a tube-tied wife so no procreation concerns. We'll monitor estrogen and AI is included in the program if needed. Originally Posted By D_J: Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: I bought labs from them since I hadn’t had any in a while, but I’m pretty sure you can supply your own. Their team communicates via text and is very responsive. Program includes 200 mg Test-C/mo, AI if needed, supplies and shipping. 2x/wk dosing is standard. $139/mo monthly $119/mo for 6 mo plan $99/mo for 12 mo plan 10% discount off annual plan thru Nov 30 = $89/mo. Thanks! So when you say 200mg Test C/mo, is it literally a 1ml vial of test for the month? Or do they send a larger vial? Just a quick update. I don’t have all the details since I haven’t received a delivery yet, and I didn’t think to ask about the volume of test provided with the standard monthly order, but the consult went well. I mentioned having been stuck with a “cookie cutter” program when I started and the doc stated they don’t do that and everyone gets a custom program targeting 800-1000 that is adjusted by ongoing labs. He’s having me start with .4 ml every 4 days with follow up labs at 12 weeks. ETA - I did not add HCG because I’m 56 with older teenagers and a tube-tied wife so no procreation concerns. We'll monitor estrogen and AI is included in the program if needed. One quick update on PeterMD dosing/orders - the standard order appears to be a 10 ML vial. 
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Originally Posted By D_J: One quick update on PeterMD dosing/orders - the standard order appears to be a 10 ML vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/test-3661265.png 25g 1"? They having you do IM? You could always buy your own 27g 1/2 - 5/8" for sub q 20g should get you a quick draw though
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Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: 25g 1"? They having you do IM? You could always buy your own 27g 1/2 - 5/8" for sub q 20g should get you a quick draw though Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: One quick update on PeterMD dosing/orders - the standard order appears to be a 10 ML vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/test-3661265.png 25g 1"? They having you do IM? You could always buy your own 27g 1/2 - 5/8" for sub q 20g should get you a quick draw though Yes - I've always done IM, their recommendation is IM and most of my research says its superior. |
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Originally Posted By D_J: Yes - I've always done IM, their recommendation is IM and most of my research says its superior. Originally Posted By D_J: Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: One quick update on PeterMD dosing/orders - the standard order appears to be a 10 ML vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/test-3661265.png 25g 1"? They having you do IM? You could always buy your own 27g 1/2 - 5/8" for sub q 20g should get you a quick draw though Yes - I've always done IM, their recommendation is IM and most of my research says its superior. The first two times I had some pretty good soreness and swelling for the day after, peaking at two days but gone by the third. This time around I'm at the time where it would be the most apparent and can barely feel the injection site if I rub my leg hard. I'm chalking it up to my getting better at pushing the needle straight in and holding it in place until I'm done. |
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Been on TRT since 2012 and always used Walgreens for refills using GoodRx. Doc writes script for 10ml vials. Since I moved Walgreens is no longer convenient. I’m considering either using Walmart or Costco. Has anyone had any issues using either of those for Testosterone? Any pushback on filling with 10ml or other concerns? |
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Originally Posted By D_J: Yes - I've always done IM, their recommendation is IM and most of my research says its superior. Originally Posted By D_J: Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: One quick update on PeterMD dosing/orders - the standard order appears to be a 10 ML vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/test-3661265.png 25g 1"? They having you do IM? You could always buy your own 27g 1/2 - 5/8" for sub q 20g should get you a quick draw though Yes - I've always done IM, their recommendation is IM and most of my research says its superior. What injection sites are you going to use with the 1"? Quads are great for 1". Bis, tris and delts as well. Id imagine with a lower dosing schedule, just quads would suffice. If chunky/over weight and doing glutes, might want to look into 1.5" |
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Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: FWIW, I did my third round yesterday, IM, and it was completely painless this time around for the injection itself. The first two times I had some pretty good soreness and swelling for the day after, peaking at two days but gone by the third. This time around I'm at the time where it would be the most apparent and can barely feel the injection site if I rub my leg hard. I'm chalking it up to my getting better at pushing the needle straight in and holding it in place until I'm done. A lot of people new to self injection can get soreness but to the needle moving a bit in the muscle, or if its a larger dose ml wise. Once you get it down, its easy peasy. Are you aspirating before injecting? Sometimes better to be safe than sorry. Not sure if the smaller doses with TRT would have the same risk as high doses with bodybuilding/powerlifting |
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Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: What injection sites are you going to use with the 1"? Quads are great for 1". Bis, tris and delts as well. Id imagine with a lower dosing schedule, just quads would suffice. If chunky/over weight and doing glutes, might want to look into 1.5" Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: One quick update on PeterMD dosing/orders - the standard order appears to be a 10 ML vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/test-3661265.png 25g 1"? They having you do IM? You could always buy your own 27g 1/2 - 5/8" for sub q 20g should get you a quick draw though Yes - I've always done IM, their recommendation is IM and most of my research says its superior. What injection sites are you going to use with the 1"? Quads are great for 1". Bis, tris and delts as well. Id imagine with a lower dosing schedule, just quads would suffice. If chunky/over weight and doing glutes, might want to look into 1.5" I used upper/outer thigh last time. The doctor said that was fine, but suggested I try glutes this time around. Being right handed, I can easily inject both thighs but can't reach my left glute nearly as well so we'll have to see how it goes. |
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Ok I guess its my turn. 37, BMI in the high 20s - lost a lot of weight and quit drinking over the past 18 months. Little progress in the gym and low energy/low libido. Its really the lack of ambition and drive that just feels so weird to me. Anxiety and depression have always been a battle for me since I was 18/19. July results: Total Testosterone: 277 ng/dL (250–1100) Free Testosterone: 35.3 pg/mL (46–224) Bioavailable Testosterone: 69.5 ng/dL (110–575) SHBG: 33 (10–50) I got another test last week, just over 90 days later. Both were at 8:00am ish and fasting. Total Testosterone: 330 ng/dL (250–1100) Free Testosterone: 32.2 pg/mL (46–224) Bioavailable Testosterone: 69.1 ng/dL (110–575) SHBG: 45 (10–50) I talked to TRT Kingdom (recommended from Reddit) who said I am a good candidate but I wasnt particularly impressed with them. I asked about FSH, prolactin, etc and they basically said lets start you on T, then see where those are in a few months. My GP referred me to an endo and did order those tests, so I'm sure going through him/insurance will be cheaper. But, I also cant see them until next year, whereas TRT Kingdom basically said they can send me meds this week. I already have a test scheduled for ESTROGENS, TOTAL, IMMUNOASSAY; FSH AND LH; PROLACTIN, TOTAL AND MONOMERIC; TESTOSTERONE, FREE, BIOAVAILABLE AND TOTAL, MALES (ADULT), IMMUNOASSAY, as well as PSA (at my insistence) so I'll proceed with that no matter what I do. I want to get my levels to a healthy level and help with the symptoms more than I want to be superhuman. Most importantly, I want someone who knows what they are doing if they're going to fuck with my hormones - and I dont want to have to get a degree on the topic to know which is which. We're done having kids at least so no concern there. Thoughts? Yes I am reading this thread but 400 pages is a lot to catch up on. |
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Bump with updated info: Spoke to TRT Kingdom. I guess the first person I spoke with was the sales guy, this was the nurse practitioner. Seemed to be very knowledgeable and had 20+ years of experience doing nothing but TRT management, first for a plastic surgery place and then for mens clinics and as a consult for GPs. She recommend 200mg test injected 2x per week (I believe this is 100mg/injection so 200mg total per week) into the glute. Also recommended an estrogen blocker (forgot the name) which she said to take with every injection so 2x per week. We follow that for the first 6 weeks then do labs and adjust from there. She said my levels should be high and she prefers to keep most patients between 1200 and 1500. She did mention that my GP will probably raise an eyebrow at that but as long as my hormones are in balance it should be completely safe. I asked about prolactin, FSH, etc and she said those were not required unless something seemed off with the 6 wk lab work. She'll watch hemocrit and its possible I may need to donate blood. I mentioned my drinking history and she said she'll recommend TUDCA or milk thistle if my liver AST/ALT values creep up. Dont get me wrong, 20 year old me would be thrilled that I'm about to get on a high dose but this seems pretty aggressive. I'm going to need to do some more research before I feel comfortable moving forward. Really curious to hear your guys thoughts, thanks. |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: Bump with updated info: Spoke to TRT Kingdom. I guess the first person I spoke with was the sales guy, this was the nurse practitioner. Seemed to be very knowledgeable and had 20+ years of experience doing nothing but TRT management, first for a plastic surgery place and then for mens clinics and as a consult for GPs. She recommend 200mg test injected 2x per week into the glute. Also recommended an estrogen blocker (forgot the name) which she said to take with every injection so 2x per week. We follow that for the first 6 weeks then do labs and adjust from there. She said my levels should be high and she prefers to keep most patients between 1200 and 1500. She did mention that my GP will probably raise an eyebrow at that but as long as my hormones are in balance it should be completely safe. I asked about prolactin, FSH, etc and she said those were not required unless something seemed off with the 6 wk lab work. She'll watch hemocrit and its possible I may need to donate blood. I mentioned my drinking history and she said she'll recommend TUDCA or milk thistle if my liver AST/ALT values creep up. Dont get me wrong, 20 year old me would be thrilled that I'm about to get on a high dose but this seems pretty aggressive. I'm going to need to do some more research before I feel comfortable moving forward. Really curious to hear your guys thoughts, thanks. 1) 1200-1500 seems high if this is your first time 2) Estrogen blockers without waiting to see estrogen levels? I'd have questions. |
Life is too short to drive boring cars.
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Originally Posted By SDSG: Bump with updated info: Spoke to TRT Kingdom. I guess the first person I spoke with was the sales guy, this was the nurse practitioner. Seemed to be very knowledgeable and had 20+ years of experience doing nothing but TRT management, first for a plastic surgery place and then for mens clinics and as a consult for GPs. She recommend 200mg test injected 2x per week into the glute. Also recommended an estrogen blocker (forgot the name) which she said to take with every injection so 2x per week. We follow that for the first 6 weeks then do labs and adjust from there. She said my levels should be high and she prefers to keep most patients between 1200 and 1500. She did mention that my GP will probably raise an eyebrow at that but as long as my hormones are in balance it should be completely safe. I asked about prolactin, FSH, etc and she said those were not required unless something seemed off with the 6 wk lab work. She'll watch hemocrit and its possible I may need to donate blood. I mentioned my drinking history and she said she'll recommend TUDCA or milk thistle if my liver AST/ALT values creep up. Dont get me wrong, 20 year old me would be thrilled that I'm about to get on a high dose but this seems pretty aggressive. I'm going to need to do some more research before I feel comfortable moving forward. Really curious to hear your guys thoughts, thanks. Being doing it 20 years and right to 200mg s a week? and an AI with out bloods to back up use. suggesting donating blood. You're at a cookie cutter clinic. She doesn't seem to know its about symptom resolution and not numbers. |
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What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
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Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Being doing it 20 years and right to 200mg s a week? and an AI with out bloods to back up use. suggesting donating blood. You're at a cookie cutter clinic. She doesn't seem to know its about symptom resolution and not numbers. Seems like I have to learn a lot about this stuff. TRTK seemed to have the best rep online but I’m sure sure there is a lot of astroturfing Edit: TRTK is apparently Jay Cutlers company, so that makes sense they are going all out on recommendations. Definitely need to learn more particularly about estrogen blockers. |
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Originally Posted By bowhuntr09: Been on TRT since 2012 and always used Walgreens for refills using GoodRx. Doc writes script for 10ml vials. Since I moved Walgreens is no longer convenient. I’m considering either using Walmart or Costco. Has anyone had any issues using either of those for Testosterone? Any pushback on filling with 10ml or other concerns? Originally Posted By bowhuntr09: Been on TRT since 2012 and always used Walgreens for refills using GoodRx. Doc writes script for 10ml vials. Since I moved Walgreens is no longer convenient. I’m considering either using Walmart or Costco. Has anyone had any issues using either of those for Testosterone? Any pushback on filling with 10ml or other concerns? It's really going to depend on the pharmacist IMHO, costco by me had a rabid man hating lesbian and she would whip out a calculator and state nope no refill you've got 10ML vial and at your dose that is 5 month supply. When I told her 90 days per vial she told me to go elsewhere. Walgreens give me 10 ML vials as long as I catch the white guy, the indian and chinese pharmacists act like the costco guy/lesbian. Originally Posted By D_J: Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By D_J: One quick update on PeterMD dosing/orders - the standard order appears to be a 10 ML vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/test-3661265.png 25g 1"? They having you do IM? You could always buy your own 27g 1/2 - 5/8" for sub q 20g should get you a quick draw though Yes - I've always done IM, their recommendation is IM and most of my research says its superior. Ive done both IM and Subq and prefer IM. But I use 29G 1/2" syringes it's a little slower to draw and inject but it works fine. I used to use 25g fuck that. |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Sure. 1. Is a higher dose available/allowable (probably going to depend on your prescribing physician, and there are 3 brands with different dosage tiers) 2. Where is your free and total at? If you're at the top of the reference range, I wouldn't expect a drastic improvement. Conversely, oral TRT isn't known for optimal or supra physiological levels Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By Danted: Been on oral trt for a year. 43, active not overweight. Bmi calculator says 24, 5 10 and 170, light exercise but physical outdoor job. Definitely noticed alot of improvement. Have not felt the rush or like im 20 again. Dosing and getting fats is a pita to schedule some days. Thinking about switching to injections. Any thing I should consider before the swap. Future kids are not a concern, but i would like to continue practicing making them. 1. Is a higher dose available/allowable (probably going to depend on your prescribing physician, and there are 3 brands with different dosage tiers) 2. Where is your free and total at? If you're at the top of the reference range, I wouldn't expect a drastic improvement. Conversely, oral TRT isn't known for optimal or supra physiological levels Havent been tested in a while , they make a big deal about testing 4 hours after . I dont care about my "peak" numbers I just wanna feel great. My last test which was 3 hours or so after pills was 596. Much improved from my natural 217. If anything I feel better today then I did when I took that test at the same dose. 4 pills all at once after late breakfast 30 grams of fat. I have not been good at the exercise, I've been slowly been pushing harder but thats recent. Kinda on the fence wether I should keep the path and really try to push harder |
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: Research. This Facebook group is full of people with vast knowledge on this topic, including quite a few providers. They also have a Youtube channel under the same name, with excellent videos. Many are long-form but a lot are segments from those longer videos that only last a few minutes. If you join the FB group, they will probably ask for your symptoms and numbers. Sadly, if you choose to pursue TRT, your doctor is probably going to be worse than worthless. Hell, from what you said, he probably won't even agree to TRT. Thank you |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: Thank you Originally Posted By SDSG: Originally Posted By corwin1968: Research. This Facebook group is full of people with vast knowledge on this topic, including quite a few providers. They also have a Youtube channel under the same name, with excellent videos. Many are long-form but a lot are segments from those longer videos that only last a few minutes. If you join the FB group, they will probably ask for your symptoms and numbers. Sadly, if you choose to pursue TRT, your doctor is probably going to be worse than worthless. Hell, from what you said, he probably won't even agree to TRT. Thank you Unfortunately, as I often state in my posts, about 99% of the people who can do TRT are completely incompetent. If you are in Texas, look up Jordan Grant. He's a major contributor to that channel, a former urologist and a former bodybuilder who still keeps himself pretty ripped. TRT is all he does and his wife, also a former urologist, does hormone replacement for females. I have a very basic level of knowledge but I've spent years reading and watching videos on TRT. Starting with just Testosterone Cypionate at a relatively small dose and then monitoring progress and upping dosage as warranted makes sense to me. That channel is very anti-aromatase inhibitor and Jordan Grant in particular has some good videos on why he will never prescribe them. From memory, it's just a fact that higher T = higher E and that the amount of E in the blood (what gets measured by the test) doesn't reflect the actual amount in the cells, where it matters. Based on my experience and a lot of reading/watching, avoid Androgel at all costs and also any other topical T treatments. There are some compounded creams that have relatively new base formulas that increase absorption and those and injections seem to be the best way to go. Dr. Grant prescribes both but favors the compounded cream, which is what I use. |
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I’ll share a noticed (and desired) effect of being on testosterone. I’ve been on for about a year now. Today I went to meijers. Backed into a spot that had one of these concrete sign holders. Attached File I come out and the lift gate on my van would obviously hit the sign. Rather than move the van forward two feet, I lifted the concrete sign holder. A woman sitting in the spot behind me saw me lift it and had these eyes.  . Then I moved it back when I was done. Confidence. Raw uncut confidence. That’s what testosterone gives me most. Also mongo lifts heavy things. He’s just a pawn in the big game of life. |
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I start on TRT tomorrow. I ended up going to Ageless Men’s Health, as they have a location within a few minutes of home, and it’s convenient. They just called to talk about my bloodwork. T was not low enough to be covered by insurance, but that’s not a fuckin’ surprise. The nurse practitioner running the place pretty much says you have to be dying or growing boobs to get it covered. She did mention most of my bloodwork is fine. LDL is a little high, and estrogen was high compared to T. She mentioned they like to have it at a 25:1 ratio, and I’m closer to 12:1, so she’s also going to give me some zinc and something else, forgot what it was. As for going to AMH, I wanted to start with something like that so I have someone I can talk to about it, and can have bloodwork done locally and quickly. I think after I get stable on it, I will try to find an online system and switch to doing injections myself. I’m ready to not be so fucking tired all the time, and to have some fucking libido. My wife will hopefully be happy, too! |
Now she's making $15 an hour as a 'tard wrangler with a degree in women's studies... - tommytrauma
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Question for anyone on GLP-1/2/3s and also taking TRT. I'm restarting my TRT on Monday. I took it for a couple of years before COVID and stopped due to elevated BP/HCT. During that time, my motivation to lift was better than normal (which is zero), and I made decent gains (starting from just a bar to about 300 lb squats before tweaking my knee twice). At that time, I wasn't on any kind of weight loss journey, but now I am. I've been getting Tirzeptide from my PCP and have lost about 25 lbs. I'm adding in Retatrutide and Tesamorelin to help get more of the stubborn fat off (I'm 56 and everything takes 4x as long any more), but here is the problem: On just Tirz, I'm only eating about once per day (actual meal) plus 2 fairlife protein shakes and an occasional snack. I'm just not hungry enough to eat multiple meals, and I get full or overfull easily. For anyone else using TRT to aid/motivate you to work out (especially weight lifting) AND on a GLP (or other appetite suppressant) drug, how do you manage to get enough calories in daily and how are you able to eat enough for pre-/post-workout without making yourself sick? |
Life is too short to drive boring cars.
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Originally Posted By Matthew_Q: I start on TRT tomorrow. I ended up going to Ageless Men's Health, as they have a location within a few minutes of home, and it's convenient. They just called to talk about my bloodwork. T was not low enough to be covered by insurance, but that's not a fuckin' surprise. The nurse practitioner running the place pretty much says you have to be dying or growing boobs to get it covered. She did mention most of my bloodwork is fine. LDL is a little high, and estrogen was high compared to T. She mentioned they like to have it at a 25:1 ratio, and I'm closer to 12:1, so she's also going to give me some zinc and something else, forgot what it was. As for going to AMH, I wanted to start with something like that so I have someone I can talk to about it, and can have bloodwork done locally and quickly. I think after I get stable on it, I will try to find an online system and switch to doing injections myself. I'm ready to not be so fucking tired all the time, and to have some fucking libido. My wife will hopefully be happy, too! Jordan Grant You are very fortunate to be in Texas. Dr. Grant is a former urologist and bodybuilder, as well as a regular contributor to the TRT and Hormone Optimization Youtube channel. Dr. Jordan prescribes self-injections or compounded cream and treats to symptom resolution and not numbers. He is also very flexible in working with patients to find the correct treatment plan. He may or may not have openings right now, but he works on a concierge model where you pay a set quarterly fee and have unlimited access to him. The cost only covers his expertise. Labs and meds are the patient's responsibility and most just have their PCP order labs and use their insurance. I don't know what his fee structure is for new patients, because I got grandfathered in at a lower rate, as an existing patient, when he switched to this model. An added bonus is that his wife, also a former urologist, does hormone replacement therapy for the ladies. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: Jordan Grant You are very fortunate to be in Texas. Dr. Grant is a former urologist and bodybuilder, as well as a regular contributor to the TRT and Hormone Optimization Youtube channel. Dr. Jordan prescribes self-injections or compounded cream and treats to symptom resolution and not numbers. He is also very flexible in working with patients to find the correct treatment plan. He may or may not have openings right now, but he works on a concierge model where you pay a set quarterly fee and have unlimited access to him. The cost only covers his expertise. Labs and meds are the patient's responsibility and most just have their PCP order labs and use their insurance. I don't know what his fee structure is for new patients, because I got grandfathered in at a lower rate, as an existing patient, when he switched to this model. An added bonus is that his wife, also a former urologist, does hormone replacement therapy for the ladies. I emailed him after watching numerous YouTube videos and he has moved to arkansas. |
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Originally Posted By tucansam: I emailed him after watching numerous YouTube videos and he has moved to arkansas. Originally Posted By tucansam: Originally Posted By corwin1968: Jordan Grant You are very fortunate to be in Texas. Dr. Grant is a former urologist and bodybuilder, as well as a regular contributor to the TRT and Hormone Optimization Youtube channel. Dr. Jordan prescribes self-injections or compounded cream and treats to symptom resolution and not numbers. He is also very flexible in working with patients to find the correct treatment plan. He may or may not have openings right now, but he works on a concierge model where you pay a set quarterly fee and have unlimited access to him. The cost only covers his expertise. Labs and meds are the patient's responsibility and most just have their PCP order labs and use their insurance. I don't know what his fee structure is for new patients, because I got grandfathered in at a lower rate, as an existing patient, when he switched to this model. An added bonus is that his wife, also a former urologist, does hormone replacement therapy for the ladies. I emailed him after watching numerous YouTube videos and he has moved to arkansas. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: Do you know where in Arkansas? I'm wondering if he's close enough to still be practicing in Texas. I know his plan after leaving his Paris, TX urology practice was to move to a more rural setting. Originally Posted By corwin1968: Originally Posted By tucansam: Originally Posted By corwin1968: Jordan Grant You are very fortunate to be in Texas. Dr. Grant is a former urologist and bodybuilder, as well as a regular contributor to the TRT and Hormone Optimization Youtube channel. Dr. Jordan prescribes self-injections or compounded cream and treats to symptom resolution and not numbers. He is also very flexible in working with patients to find the correct treatment plan. He may or may not have openings right now, but he works on a concierge model where you pay a set quarterly fee and have unlimited access to him. The cost only covers his expertise. Labs and meds are the patient's responsibility and most just have their PCP order labs and use their insurance. I don't know what his fee structure is for new patients, because I got grandfathered in at a lower rate, as an existing patient, when he switched to this model. An added bonus is that his wife, also a former urologist, does hormone replacement therapy for the ladies. I emailed him after watching numerous YouTube videos and he has moved to arkansas. I'm happy with my current doctor, but would love a second opinion from a true expert. |
"The state is not the solution. It is the problem." --Javier Milei
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
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Tomorrow will mark the end of my fourth week on TRT. Bottom line: this has been the best decision I've ever made. First and foremost, I have energy. That's really underselling it - I have motivation. Will. It's more than the ability to get up and do something, it's an urge. Considering that I've spent the past decade or so without even a shadow of that, the impact that's having on my life cannot be overstated. As for sex - well, sex is significantly better. I'd say my libido is back, but I have more at 41 than when I was 17. It's extremely clear to me that this is a long-standing issue for me that I've just not identified until it reached a critical point. For the first time in my life I heard "not tonight honey, I'm tired". I may be the only man in history to ever hear those words and have them be music to my ears .One thing did take some serious thought: I quit my job. More precisely, I called a couple of people I'd worked with in the past to see what they were up to, found a company that got me excited, and ended up joining it for a "substantial" pay increase. My last day at my current employer is Dec 12; I start the new gig on Dec 15. I was concerned that this was "risk-taking behavior" so I made sure to get some outside perspectives before committing to it. My wife is all for it, I ran it by a couple of my friends, and even made an appointment with my long-time therapist for her opinion. I've just been so tired that I came to accept a lot of things that I should never have put up with and haven't been living up to my potential. The effects seem to still be building for me. Over the past few days I've started to feel like my body isn't "right". By that I mean I'm fat and out of shape. Last month I hauled a half dozen square straw bales to our pig pen to insulate our sow's lean-to a bit. I remember it being a huge pain in the ass to navigate between the side of the pen and the trees carrying them. Yesterday I picked one up and asked my daughter to come tell me if there was something wrong with them. To me, they felt like they were 1/3 the weight they should have been; she said they were normal. I ended up carrying them one in each hand and actually sorta enjoyed it. It now feels like my fitness issues are temporary and that I'm going to be a whole different person (physically) in six months. |
"The state is not the solution. It is the problem." --Javier Milei
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
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Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Tomorrow will mark the end of my fourth week on TRT. Bottom line: this has been the best decision I've ever made. First and foremost, I have energy. That's really underselling it - I have motivation. Will. It's more than the ability to get up and do something, it's an urge. Considering that I've spent the past decade or so without even a shadow of that, the impact that's having on my life cannot be overstated. As for sex - well, sex is significantly better. I'd say my libido is back, but I have more at 41 than when I was 17. It's extremely clear to me that this is a long-standing issue for me that I've just not identified until it reached a critical point. For the first time in my life I heard "not tonight honey, I'm tired". I may be the only man in history to ever hear those words and have them be music to my ears .One thing did take some serious thought: I quit my job. More precisely, I called a couple of people I'd worked with in the past to see what they were up to, found a company that got me excited, and ended up joining it for a "substantial" pay increase. My last day at my current employer is Dec 12; I start the new gig on Dec 15. I was concerned that this was "risk-taking behavior" so I made sure to get some outside perspectives before committing to it. My wife is all for it, I ran it by a couple of my friends, and even made an appointment with my long-time therapist for her opinion. I've just been so tired that I came to accept a lot of things that I should never have put up with and haven't been living up to my potential. The effects seem to still be building for me.. THIS is great to hear! I had my first injection last week on Wednesday. 150mg, IIRC. Didn’t hurt or bother me in any way. I did notice that night I slept better. I’ll be going in on Wednesday for the second. They also gave me a bottle of zinc to take at home, and 1/4 of an aromatase inhibitor. My major issues were lack of libido and low energy. I started wearing my Apple Watch to bed with me about a week or so before the first shot, so I could measure the quality of my sleep. If I had any problems there, I’d look into sleep apnea, but it seems that’s not an issue. I feel less tired during the day, though the wife had two fairs this weekend and we’re both hella tired from that. I can’t really tell that there’s been any increase in libido yet. I’m hoping this will get better over time. |
Now she's making $15 an hour as a 'tard wrangler with a degree in women's studies... - tommytrauma
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Attached File Went to inject Sunday night. Discovered that my Testosterone was cloudy. New vial on the left. Old one on the right. Threw that out right away. |
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Originally Posted By 20229mm: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/438654/IMG_1368_jpeg-3669093.JPG Went to inject Sunday night. Discovered that my Testosterone was cloudy. New vial on the left. Old one on the right. Threw that out right away. That's odd, did it have crystals floating in it? I've been on test for over 10 years and never had that happen. |
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
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Originally Posted By EasTexan: After 6 months: Testosterone C-200mg/ml once weekly Clomid-25mg every other day Testosterone: 1212 Free Testosterone: 35.7 @eastexan Clomid gave me headaches and made me moody. I stopped taking it and took HCG. HCG improves flaccid length (for the cock gazers) and noticeably increases the volume of ejaculate. I always want to run and get the neighbors and tell them to come check out all the ropes I just threw Then my wife got pregnant and I stopped HCG. Now she wants another baby and I’m back on it. As my balls continue to grow you can almost hear them hit my thigh when I walk down the street.
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Originally Posted By 2tired2run: That's odd, did it have crystals floating in it? I've been on test for over 10 years and never had that happen. Nope. No crystals. Just cloudy test. It’s legit from CVS. Stored in a cabinet. Room temp and away from light. I just used my next vial early |
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Originally Posted By 20229mm: Nope. No crystals. Just cloudy test. It’s legit from CVS. Stored in a cabinet. Room temp and away from light. I just used my next vial early Originally Posted By 20229mm: Originally Posted By 2tired2run: That's odd, did it have crystals floating in it? I've been on test for over 10 years and never had that happen. Nope. No crystals. Just cloudy test. It’s legit from CVS. Stored in a cabinet. Room temp and away from light. I just used my next vial early That's crazy. Room temp storage I assume? |
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Originally Posted By 20229mm: Nope. No crystals. Just cloudy test. It’s legit from CVS. Stored in a cabinet. Room temp and away from light. I just used my next vial early Have you tried running it under hot water or putting it in hot water? Can try to see if that clears it up |
"Makes me realize why there are warning labels on hemorrhoid cream about not using it orally" - Weomi
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Had the second shot today. The last couple nights I haven’t slept too well. Probably not related to the T, I just woke up having to pee and couldn’t get back to sleep. I need to get an appointment with a urologist soon anyway. We’ll see how I feel in a day or two! I’m hoping improvements. As far as libido, I only notice a little improvement…. At least the wife and I got jiggy in the shower a couple nights ago. We were both tired as heck after the weekend since we were working her booth at a couple fairs. |
Now she's making $15 an hour as a 'tard wrangler with a degree in women's studies... - tommytrauma
Part time instructor, full time student
Joined:
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Posts:
15741
EE: 100% (2)
VA, USA
She's otherwise awesome
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I asked chatGPT and it gave me this: When TRT Effects Usually Begin 1–2 weeks Improved well-being / mental clarity can start early for some. Slight increase in motivation or mood may show up. Placebo vs. real effect: Early changes can feel subtle or inconsistent. 3–4 weeks Improved libido often begins around this point. Morning erections / sexual function may start improving. Energy levels start to normalize if low T caused fatigue. 6–8 weeks Noticeable mood stabilization Better stress tolerance Stronger libido and sexual performance Improved gym performance (strength, stamina) 8–12 weeks Changes in body composition: Slight increase in muscle mass Reduced fat mass (especially if diet/training are good) Improved recovery from exercise 3–6 months Steady changes in strength, muscle, fat loss Significant improvements in bone density begin (but are not fully complete until ~1–2 years) 6–12 months Maximal improvements in: Libido and erectile function Muscle growth Fat loss Mood and cognitive function |
Now she's making $15 an hour as a 'tard wrangler with a degree in women's studies... - tommytrauma
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Doc prescribed intramuscular injections for test cypionate. The internet says I'm fine to switch to subcutaneous with little difference in effect if I dont want the IM injection site soreness. Any feedback on that before I do it and ask my doctor later?
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When we face the impossible, we dream a way through. Awakened with purpose, inspiring generations anew...
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Started mid September through a local clinic. Was prescribed 150mg of test, it is packaged in 4 prefilled syringes to be injected IM once a week, refilled monthly. No measuring or anything. I hate needles and was relief to see how small the needle was on the end. Then I realized that was just the cap and the needles were separate and yuge lol. I can drop in to the clinic for my shot every week or do it myself, i've gotten to just doing it myself in the leg or my wife does it in my arm. Starting to get used to it now, though the soreness sucks. For some reason, the last pack of syringes was VERY hard to inject, I need to ask about that. I was in low 300s fasted before, after 8 weeks or so i tested(on my own) and was up to mid 600s. Started noticing dramatic effects after about 5 weeks. Mood is mostly better, though a bit just turned up so the lows can be lower too and I have had a few flashes of anger that i wasn't proud of. Biggest complaint was low energy, especially in the afternoon. That is dramatically better already. So far so good, I should be getting tested again through the clinic at 3-6 months out i think. |