What dose are you on and protocol? Enanthate or cypionate?15yrs for me. No sides.
What dose are you on and protocol? Enanthate or cypionate?15yrs for me. No sides.
Hi! I keep reading and hearing from interviews, forums, posts in different sites reports from different people just to gather information before I take the plunge.
I keep finding reports of people dealing with side effects some of them are serious. I've seen a lot of people having issues managing their hemoglobin and other blood related issues. Some even had strokes and or heart attacks. Other people are dealing with blood pressure and some with prostate enlargement even a few with prostate cancer (I know that trt does not cause cancer however it might accelerate it)
All those issues are worrisome to me since I'm looking at the long term, next year I'll be 50 so my goal is quality of life and longevity without having to compromise one for the other ( I know that's everyone's goal)
I've been prescribed testosterone last week however I didn't start yet because my triglycerides are 4 times above normal and I want to see my cardiologist first and get more blood work done. I went 100 vegan and cut all sugar and lost 20 lbs in 2 months. I train 2 a day 5 to 6 days a week. I don't kill myself I train within my limit.
My endo says that my levels and hormones are appear to be from concussion and ptsd (I was a first responder for 15 years seen a bunch of people die, about to die or already dead almost been killed 3 times, no injuries from it just mental trauma. I also did competitive karate i have about 25 to 30 fights, 7 years mma no fights,7 years boxing no fights but sparring, and wrestling) he prescribed 130 test enanthate 1 a week. For what I read that seems like a lot to me, I would much rather start at 40 or 50 a week. I think I might be a hyper responder (I did anavar, half a dose 10 years ago and got impressed results) even now with low t I still build muscle.
I been lifting naturally for 31 years (did 2 cycles of oxandrolone for a tournament). I still lift 4 times a week plus wrestling (for fun and self defense) and boxing 2 to 3 times a week, I just hit the bag.l haven't sparred in 7 years. I do have kids so everything was working fine until 6 years ago when I had my last of 5 kids. I don't drink or smoke. No meds either, trt will be my first one but I'm worried about all this issues and all the doctor appointments some people have to go through. As you can see I have 5 kids and we are busy. I'm dealing with the ptsd and depression so I'm off work doing therapy.
I also find that there is so much conflicting information our there. To be honest it's a bit overwhelming.
Sorry for the long post but this is the most credible forum, everyone seems to be here to have a long healthy life, not to be jacked. If you have any input please let me know. Thank you!
I'm starting at 16mg daily based on wanting to run steady at high end of ref scale. After 8 weeks or so, I plan to do blood work & may titrate as needed. I know many on here may do 10-12 mg daily but as we all know, no one size fits all. Hoping to have numbers like @Vince with 16mg a day...we'll see as everyone is different.I don't usually pre-load, but like the idea. What is your daily dose these days and TT/FT?
I've been on TRT for 5 or so years, with no issues but HUGE improvements in quality of life across all areas of my life.I keep finding reports of people dealing with side effects some of them are serious.
I've been on TRT for 5 or so years, with no issues but HUGE improvements in quality of life across all areas of my life.
The amount of information you'll find on the web about TRT is skewed toward the negative in general. The millions of guys who are using it are busy living life, the guys who have "issues" are online seeking solutions or complaining.
The more aware doctors who have been working with TRT or bodybuilders and blood tests for a long time will often say things like:
"Blood work is really dynamic, someone who is not taking TRT and has just exercised hard will find their blood markers to be WAY out of range compared to what normal doctors are used to. These "normal" blood ranges are not typically measured on very healthy or fit people, so you can't put too much concern on things going somewhat out of range on one test."
...Yet TRT guys are often getting a one-off blood test and freaking out about values outside the 'normal' ranges. Those ranges are meant as rough guidelines and require a professional who is skilled in TRT to identify patterns that could authentically be problematic. Doctors without this background end up just peddling unnecessary fear."
I often wonder how much those reports of concern are actually valid, and how much they are based on a misunderstanding of things. There is SOOO much misinformation on the web and people peddling fear. I take it all with a healthy dose of skepticism and a willingness to dig deeper and find more balanced viewpoints.
A lot of good comments already, I will try not to just repeat what others have said. I have been on TRT for 12 years.Hi! I keep reading and hearing from interviews, forums, posts in different sites reports from different people just to gather information before I take the plunge.
I keep finding reports of people dealing with side effects some of them are serious. I've seen a lot of people having issues managing their hemoglobin and other blood related issues. Some even had strokes and or heart attacks. Other people are dealing with blood pressure and some with prostate enlargement even a few with prostate cancer (I know that trt does not cause cancer however it might accelerate it)
All those issues are worrisome to me since I'm looking at the long term, next year I'll be 50 so my goal is quality of life and longevity without having to compromise one for the other ( I know that's everyone's goal)
I've been prescribed testosterone last week however I didn't start yet because my triglycerides are 4 times above normal and I want to see my cardiologist first and get more blood work done. I went 100 vegan and cut all sugar and lost 20 lbs in 2 months. I train 2 a day 5 to 6 days a week. I don't kill myself I train within my limit.
My endo says that my levels and hormones are appear to be from concussion and ptsd (I was a first responder for 15 years seen a bunch of people die, about to die or already dead almost been killed 3 times, no injuries from it just mental trauma. I also did competitive karate i have about 25 to 30 fights, 7 years mma no fights,7 years boxing no fights but sparring, and wrestling) he prescribed 130 test enanthate 1 a week. For what I read that seems like a lot to me, I would much rather start at 40 or 50 a week. I think I might be a hyper responder (I did anavar, half a dose 10 years ago and got impressed results) even now with low t I still build muscle.
I been lifting naturally for 31 years (did 2 cycles of oxandrolone for a tournament). I still lift 4 times a week plus wrestling (for fun and self defense) and boxing 2 to 3 times a week, I just hit the bag.l haven't sparred in 7 years. I do have kids so everything was working fine until 6 years ago when I had my last of 5 kids. I don't drink or smoke. No meds either, trt will be my first one but I'm worried about all this issues and all the doctor appointments some people have to go through. As you can see I have 5 kids and we are busy. I'm dealing with the ptsd and depression so I'm off work doing therapy.
I also find that there is so much conflicting information our there. To be honest it's a bit overwhelming.
Sorry for the long post but this is the most credible forum, everyone seems to be here to have a long healthy life, not to be jacked. If you have any input please let me know. Thank you!
Awesome info, thank youA lot of good comments already, I will try not to just repeat what others have said. I have been on TRT for 12 years.
No side effects, a lot of positives. My total T was actually higher than yours, about 350 ng/dl, though my SHBG is usually around 48 (19.3-76.4)
Typically men will get a 7-10% rise in HCT, but since mine was ~42 (37.5-51) when I started, going to ~46 (highest I have ever seen it was 48), it has not been a problem. The rise in HCT is a good thing as long as it doesn't get out of range. Your HCT at 44 is not very likely to go over 51.
IMO the rise in HCT is increased by frequent sharp spikes and drops in total testosterone. This opinion is based on tables that show how some different T esters are likely to cause a big rise in HCT.
In my case, I started with Nebido, (testosterone undecanoate) which gives a sharp rise once every 3 months. Those doing testos C report that more frequent injections like eod or twice a week results in a less side effects. My guess is because the spikes up and down are not as large though more frequent.
Like you, I want low maintenance. testosterone undecanoate is injected every 10-14 weeks and it tends to be the ester that effects HCT the least. Nebido is available in Canada. The only negative is that it's harder to self inject in the glute, and in the US I have to import it.
Natesto appears to be even better at low side effects, but you have to use it 2-3 times a day, and without insurance it is too expensive.
Before you start TRT, there are a typical range of blood tests you should get.
I would add a full iron panel. TRT tends to use more iron and a lot of men report that their ferritin levels get too low.
Since I have been on TRT for 12 years, 58>70 age, at age 70 it's difficult to determine what effect TRT has Vs just getting older. My blood pressure was perfect for the first 9 years, psa maybe went up ~20%, now it's harder to keep BP in range and PSA started to go up a few years ago, due to increase prostate size, though no bad effects. (no drugs, but I do take GABA which for me lowers BP).
A few years back, I tried creams / testosterone cypionate, they both worked. I did this as a fall back if testosterone undecanoate became too difficult to acquire. If i had to quit testos-u, i would go to testos-cypionate 3 times a week.
Your doc prescribed 130 test enanthate 1 a week. If you are self injecting, I would just inject less more often ending up with excess enanthate, which for a while I would accumulate. You can use this to increase if you feel necessary. Also I would ask about Nebido just to see if the doc would prescribe and insurance would cover it. IMO cypionate or enanthate would work OK for me, but it's just more hassle and more expense, so I am not adamant about only using nebido.
If in 6+ months you decide TRT is not for you, I didn't have a hard time quitting (about 5 years ago for 1 year to increase sperm count). I don't know the stats, but the vast majority of men can quit TRT, their levels will fall back, for a short time your level may even go lower than what you started at before you start again producing your own natural T.
I started to go bald at age 35, mostly bald before I started TRT. so I have no opinion about that.
BTW, I think you are doing fantastic considering your total T is pretty low.
No, I'm starting to think that the endo is barely reading the lab report. My triglycerides are dangerously High and he still prescribed testDid your endo test SHBG and free testosterone?
That’s the not out of the ordinary, TRT improves lipids, and lowers triglycerides. My triglycerides were very high pre-TRT and are now normal, without TRT I would still have high triglycerides.My triglycerides are dangerously High and he still prescribed test
I’m 70… Started TRT two months ago… I’m a research guy and I haven’t seen those kinds of issues… But I wish you the best in your journeyHi! I keep reading and hearing from interviews, forums, posts in different sites reports from different people just to gather information before I take the plunge.
I keep finding reports of people dealing with side effects some of them are serious. I've seen a lot of people having issues managing their hemoglobin and other blood related issues. Some even had strokes and or heart attacks. Other people are dealing with blood pressure and some with prostate enlargement even a few with prostate cancer (I know that trt does not cause cancer however it might accelerate it)
All those issues are worrisome to me since I'm looking at the long term, next year I'll be 50 so my goal is quality of life and longevity without having to compromise one for the other ( I know that's everyone's goal)
I've been prescribed testosterone last week however I didn't start yet because my triglycerides are 4 times above normal and I want to see my cardiologist first and get more blood work done. I went 100 vegan and cut all sugar and lost 20 lbs in 2 months. I train 2 a day 5 to 6 days a week. I don't kill myself I train within my limit.
My endo says that my levels and hormones are appear to be from concussion and ptsd (I was a first responder for 15 years seen a bunch of people die, about to die or already dead almost been killed 3 times, no injuries from it just mental trauma. I also did competitive karate i have about 25 to 30 fights, 7 years mma no fights,7 years boxing no fights but sparring, and wrestling) he prescribed 130 test enanthate 1 a week. For what I read that seems like a lot to me, I would much rather start at 40 or 50 a week. I think I might be a hyper responder (I did anavar, half a dose 10 years ago and got impressed results) even now with low t I still build muscle.
I been lifting naturally for 31 years (did 2 cycles of oxandrolone for a tournament). I still lift 4 times a week plus wrestling (for fun and self defense) and boxing 2 to 3 times a week, I just hit the bag.l haven't sparred in 7 years. I do have kids so everything was working fine until 6 years ago when I had my last of 5 kids. I don't drink or smoke. No meds either, trt will be my first one but I'm worried about all this issues and all the doctor appointments some people have to go through. As you can see I have 5 kids and we are busy. I'm dealing with the ptsd and depression so I'm off work doing therapy.
I also find that there is so much conflicting information our there. To be honest it's a bit overwhelming.
Sorry for the long post but this is the most credible forum, everyone seems to be here to have a long healthy life, not to be jacked. If you have any input please let me know. Thank you!
You found guys having problems because you’re looking for it. This thread your created and the experiences of those on TRT who posted here are overwhelmingly positive and still you’re hung up on the bad experiences.I keep finding reports of people dealing with side effects some of them are serious. I've seen a lot of people having issues managing their hemoglobin and other blood related issues.