Should I Try TRT Again?

[Novaman]

I had been on TRT for around 4 years. Went on originally because I was always low energy, tired. As a 51 year old My total T levels were as low as 180 so I decided to give it a try. Over the years it has been a struggle with side effects (poor sleep, elevated heart rate) and the docs that I was using weren't terribly helpful (all this is better documented in some older threads on this site).

Last fall I finally got fed up with it all, I was not sleeping well which made me tired anyways, and my elevated heart rate (RHR would go into the upper 80's) was a concern. I also had a few episodes where I literally felt like I was going to pass out, which scared me. So beginning of November I quit cold turkey.

Now over 4 months have passed and my RHR is in the low 70's, my BP is 110/75, and I sleep better. But I'm still sluggish all the time (low energy), my libido is near zero (on TRT it was great), and my body composition is noticeably worse. It's possible that my body is still readjusting from going off the TRT, but I am 56 now so it is also possible that this is the way I am.

I'm entertaining the thought of retrying TRT, but running low doses of Testosterone (say 80 or 100 mg Test Cyp per week split in 2 shots) with no HCG or AI.

Anyone care to chime in?

 

[Novaman]

Here is an old thread with some additional background

Help with sleep issues

 

[Novaman]

...and here is the thread I started just before I quit

What is the Lowest Dose Protocol That You Find Works Long Term?

 

[Cataceous]

I think the lower dose is worth trying. Could you stand to divide it into at least three injections a week? This would keep the trough hormone levels from being overly low.

 

[Novaman]

I think the lower dose is worth trying. Could you stand to divide it into at least three injections a week? This would keep the trough hormone levels from being overly low.

Thanks. How low would you start?

 

[Stylo]

Ill be straight up. I was you. But I started with 160mg a week. Boosted myself for the first 12 weeks. Elevated heart rate came and went so did higher BP. So started taking 2.5mg Cialis, which helped with BP. Then I settled in to a good feel. But once I shutdown I got sluggish again. So I added HCG and things started level out again. Ive noticed that folks are afraid to go anywhere near 150mg and above. The key is to bump up til you feel great. You cant always be superman. I got home early today and took a nap, but it doesnt mean Im low on T or Im in a bad place. I feel great. Dont overthink it and start with 150-60mg a week EOD shots. Adjust after 12 weeks. Youre very low on T, and low dose is just a tease. You simply wont feel better. Oh and my body looks great, libido is strong, plus erections are hardened steel like. I stopped taking Cialis 2 weeks ago and it feels like Im still taking the stuff. Dont be afraid to become the best version of you.

 

[fifty]

You were on trt for 4 years and it sucked. Why would this time be different?

 

[Stylo]

His protocol was rubbish Im sure.

 

[fifty]

If anything I would try 34mg twice a week or 22mg 3x/wk.

Everyone talks about starting low but 95% of people don’t.

 

[Stylo]

If anything I would try 34mg twice a week or 22mg 3x/wk.

Everyone talks about starting low but 95% of people don’t.

Thats a tease. This man is low on androgens. How old are you? How much do you take, and how do look and feel? 95% of people sounds like a guess. I think the majority is low and fearful of anything above 150mg

 

[fifty]

Did you read his threads?

 

[Stylo]

Yes, and it was still too low of a dose. 120 mg is simply not enough for him, and not to mention the use of an AI on that low dose. Its very clear that he was on a bad Protocol. Which is why I said I was sure. 180 natural T levels and all he had was 120mg. HCG wasnt even helping with his own natural T because his balls are shot. So he needs more T. He’s no different than me, and I sleep well, with a wife that is falling in love all over again. I was simply not afraid to go with a higher dose.

 

[fifty]

He tried 70mg twice a week and it caused him issues with high hematocrit, elevated bp & hr, and couldn’t sleep.

Also didn’t you just post that you were on 25mg eod?

 

[Stylo]

good catch, my needle marks it at .25 so thats a mistake. I take 160mg a week. I was taking (80mg).40 x2 a week. And decided to go EOD so the breakdown was .25 EOD

 

[Rock H. Johnson]

good catch, my needle marks it at .25 so thats a mistake. I take 160mg a week. I was taking (80mg).40 x2 a week. And decided to go EOD so the breakdown was .25 EOD

.25 x 200 = 50mg x 7 = 350mg / 2 = 175mg/week

 

[Stylo]

No way! Thanks for the breakdown. No wonder I feel amazing. Seriously thanks for the breakdown. Someone else helped me months ago and thats what I settled on. My total T came in at 1100 last labs. So Im not out of control. Im bad at math. Thanks for confirming that a higher dose with no AI works! Now I should mention that there is some waste due to the luer lock needles so I may not be getting a full 175mg.

 

[Rock H. Johnson]

I use BD Micro Fine 30G 8mm .3cc and have 0 waste but then I do SQ and you mentioned that does not work for you.

 

[Novaman]

You were on trt for 4 years and it sucked. Why would this time be different?

I’m thinking maybe a fresh start with my hormonal system reset to baseline might make a difference.

Fifty- you are off TRT right ?

 

[Cataceous]

Thanks. How low would you start?

From the data in your other thread it appears that when you're on 60 mg testosterone cypionate E3.5D your peak testosterone is around 1,100 ng/dL meaning your trough could be around 700-800. Peak free testosterone is close to 40 ng/dL (16-31). A reasonable goal is to keep your free testosterone in the healthy normal range throughout the injection cycle. On the E3.5D cycle this suggests you could drop to around 40 mg twice a week. If you injected more frequently then the dose could be a somewhat lower. In fact, with daily dosing one can go lower still as long as the daily peak is high enough.

 

[fifty]

I’m thinking maybe a fresh start with my hormonal system reset to baseline might make a difference.

Fifty- you are off TRT right ?

Yes I am out. If I tried again it would probably be enclomiphene or creams. Since finishing my restart over 6 months ago I haven't event tested for T but I feel ok.