Supraphysiologic testosterone (350 mg weekly)

[Polynaeu]

I’m in my 40’s. I’ve been lifting for 15 years consistently. I’ve been on trt for almost four years(120 mg/week) and I’m in the best shape of my life from both a strength and physique standpoint. Even better than when I was in my early 30s. And yes, I had good programs for almost that entire time so I know how to lift properly for hypertrophy. A moderate trt dose and dedication can go a long way, and you’ll probably feel much better along the way. Sure you’ll never look like prime Arnold Schwarzenegger, but you can still build a great body.

And adding in your history with depression just makes the blast and stop approach that much worse. If you take it, then like I said you can expect to enjoy some pretty good highs but also some extremely low lows.

I kinda miss that crazy high libido I used to get when my testosterone levels were up. Does that feeling fade over time? I've heard guys on TRT say they feel super driven at first, but then that intense libido starts to wear off. Is that true?

 

[FunkOdyssey]

I kinda miss that crazy high libido I used to get when my testosterone levels were up. Does that feeling fade over time? I've heard guys on TRT say they feel super driven at first, but then that intense libido starts to wear off. Is that true?

Yes, in most cases it wears off. It's called the honeymoon period, and it occurs because your brain is being flooded with dopamine beyond what you're used to. Eventually, your dopamine receptors downregulate - the brain will only permit you to feel hypomanic for so long before it tries to return to homeostasis. The new baseline will be better than unmedicated if you were hypogonadal, but you cannot maintain the initial honeymoon indefinitely.

This process happens in reverse when you come off cycle: you feel worse than normal, with a relative deficiency of dopamine signaling, until everything adjusts again. This is why cycling is so ill-advised and self-destructive for someone in your position.

What goes up, must come down.

 

[Phil Goodman]

I kinda miss that crazy high libido I used to get when my testosterone levels were up. Does that feeling fade over time? I've heard guys on TRT say they feel super driven at first, but then that intense libido starts to wear off. Is that true?

I may not be the best person to chime in because my libido was never an issue prior to trt. Sure it went up and down like everyone else, but overall I’d say I had a very healthy sex drive. It did go up initially and is still high, but it usually isn’t as increased as it was in my first few months of trt. That being said, it still goes up and down and I have sex multiple times per week. And as someone with experience, I’d even say I’d prefer to have ebbs and flows because constantly walking around like a 13 year old who is fixated on sex 90% of the time is distracting and takes away from other aspects of life. If you’re in a relationship it’s important to remember that the sexual aspect of it is something to constantly work on in order to maintain the level you want. I’d also say avoiding porn and/or constant relief from masturbation will help, because as you refrain from it your drive will naturally increase most of the time.

So to answer your question, your drive will not sustain the initial peak but will likely remain above your current baseline most of the time. And there are other lifestyle choices you can make to help it stay at a level that is best for you personally.

 

[DixieWrecked]

I have chronic depression and anxiety. What I’m doing is related to my mental health. Looking good helps reduce my depression and anxiety.

I’ve had my testosterone levels tested multiple times, and they’re generally in the 400s. It was the same even when I was 24.

My doctor said everyone is different and that if I had the test done at 6 AM, the levels might be much higher—but I’m dealing with motivation and libido issues. I’m also not very energetic, although that could be due to the depression as well.

So basically, I think my question is appropriate for this forum because my main goal isn’t muscle growth.

Also, people on steroid forums don’t seem very smart, but I’ve seen that the members here are more intelligent and tend to base their opinions on scientific research, which is why I wanted to ask here.

I don't think 350mg of test is going to have you looking good. I've tried the higher dosages and my face looked old. I retained water. Looked tired probably because my sleep suffered. I actually look much healthier on a normal dose. If you want to look goodit may be worth trying a normal dose of test and a small dose of aanother compound. A little bit of anavar can be prescribed by clinics. So can nandrolone but if your mental health is bad then i'd avoid.

 

[Systemlord]

No, I used 500 mg of testosterone per week and had no issues at all. In fact, I actually slept better and felt a lot calmer. It didn’t even raise my RBC or hematocrit.

You're talking about short-term results. So by your logic, you recently started smoking two pack of cigarettes per day or becoming an alcoholic is fine because you don't have symptoms of chronic disease?

You bodies biology will change as you get older and what you can tolerate now, this likely won't be the case down the road. Overloading hormonal pathways may not present with symptoms right away and make take years, or even decades to develop.

 

[Systemlord]

I kinda miss that crazy high libido I used to get when my testosterone levels were up. Does that feeling fade over time? I've heard guys on TRT say they feel super driven at first, but then that intense libido starts to wear off. Is that true?

The body when deficient will create more dopamine/testosterone receptors and when dopamine/testosterone is restored to normal, the body will down regulate because the body was never meant to operate in this fashion.

You have body builders that are forced to return to normal hormone levels because their bodies are getting older and can't operate at previous insanely high hormone levels. They return to normal levels but feel like they have low levels. That's because their receptors are upregulated and are stuck in this state and or short-circuited their hormone pathways.

 

[Polynaeu]

You're talking about short-term results. So by your logic, you recently started smoking two pack of cigarettes per day or becoming an alcoholic is fine because you don't have symptoms of chronic disease?

You bodies biology will change as you get older and what you can tolerate now, this likely won't be the case down the road. Overloading hormonal pathways may not present with symptoms right away and make take years, or even decades to develop.

I think you misunderstood me. I'm getting tested for a full blood count, kidney and liver function, lipid panel, and hormone levels — specifically testosterone, estradiol, DHT, and prolactin. These tests will be done every three weeks.

I'm also using Avodart for hair loss. I asked a doctor about it, and he said that taking 350 mg of testosterone per week likely wouldn’t lead to hair loss or prostate issues since I'm already on Avodart.

@Nelson Vergel Does my plan seem solid to you?

 

[Systemlord]

I'm also using Avodart for hair loss.

So your on an endocrine disruptor, very risky, especially considering we know what will happen long term. The average person only concerns themselves with short term results, having no foresight whatsoever.

Avodart decreases DHT which contributes to hair loss and testosterone converts to DHT and therefore I don't have much faith in your doctor.

Avodart also hides prostate cancer making it undetectable making anyone using it akin to playing with fire!

Post in thread 'Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Finasteride and Dutasteride Use'

Apr 14, 2020

awesome post, thank you!

• sokaiya

• 

Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Finasteride and Dutasteride Use: It's Time to Sound the Alarm

Traish AM. World J Mens Health. 2020 Jul;38(3):323-337. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.200012

wjmh.org

Here, we advance the concept that blockade of 5α-reductases by finasteride or dutasteride in a mechanism-based, irreversible, inhabitation of 5α-DHT biosynthesis results in a novel state of androgen deficiency, independent of circulating testosterone levels. Finasteride and dutasteride are frequently prescribed for long-term treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with BPH and in men with AGA. This treatment may result in development of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), dry eye disease, potential kidney dysfunction, among other metabolic dysfunctions. We suggest that long-term use of finasteride and dutasteride may be associated with health risks including NAFLD, IR, T2DM, dry eye disease and potential kidney disease.

I think you misunderstood me. I'm getting tested for a full blood count, kidney and liver function, lipid panel, and hormone levels — specifically testosterone, estradiol, DHT, and prolactin. These tests will be done every three weeks.

There's no misunderstanding on my part.

 

[Polynaeu]

So your on an endocrine disruptor, very risky, especially considering we know what will happen long term. The average person only concerns themselves with short term results, having no foresight whatsoever.

Avodart decreases DHT which contributes to hair loss and testosterone converts to DHT and therefore I don't have much faith in your doctor.

Avodart also hides prostate cancer making it undetectable making anyone using it akin to playing with fire!

Post in thread 'Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Finasteride and Dutasteride Use'

Apr 14, 2020

awesome post, thank you!

• sokaiya

• 

Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Finasteride and Dutasteride Use: It's Time to Sound the Alarm

Traish AM. World J Mens Health. 2020 Jul;38(3):323-337. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.200012

wjmh.org

There's no misunderstanding on my part.

Just to be clear — he’s talking about using high testosterone for 12 weeks. He’s not saying you can run high test long term just because you’re on Avodart.

 

[Phil Goodman]

Just to be clear — he’s talking about using high testosterone for 12 weeks. He’s not saying you can run high test long term just because you’re on Avodart.

How long have you been on Avodart? It’s possible that it is causing or contributing to your issues.

 

[Polynaeu]

How long have you been on Avodart? It’s possible that it is causing or contributing to your issues.

I’ve been on Avodart for 4 months now. No, I had the same issues even before starting it.

 

[FunkOdyssey]

I’ve been on Avodart for 4 months now. No, I had the same issues even before starting it.

Dutasteride sure as hell isn't going to help someone dealing with depression, anxiety, low libido and lack of energy. At least you are consistent though: whenever you are at a fork in the road, where you can accept some risks and some harm to potentially improve your looks, you say, "yes please!"

 

[Polynaeu]

Dutasteride sure as hell isn't going to help someone dealing with depression, anxiety, low libido and lack of energy. At least you are consistent though: whenever you are at a fork in the road, where you can accept some risks and some harm to potentially improve your looks, you say, "yes please!"

You kind of talk like you know everything. Avodart didn’t mess with my energy levels at all — in fact, I actually feel better on it.

 

[Seagal]

I think you misunderstood me. I'm getting tested for a full blood count, kidney and liver function, lipid panel, and hormone levels — specifically testosterone, estradiol, DHT, and prolactin. These tests will be done every three weeks.

I'm also using Avodart for hair loss. I asked a doctor about it, and he said that taking 350 mg of testosterone per week likely wouldn’t lead to hair loss or prostate issues since I'm already on Avodart.

@Nelson Vergel Does my plan seem solid to you?

Supraphysiologic testosterone (350 mg weekly) - Excel Male TRT Forum

 

[Phil Goodman]

You kind of talk like you know everything. Avodart didn’t mess with my energy levels at all — in fact, I actually feel better on it.

Hmmm, suppressing your DHT made you feel better….that’s a pretty rare thing. Also, it seems odd that you are so concerned about health you’re willing to get blood tests every three weeks, yet you’re willing to take Avodart and also excessively large doses of test. If you just want to build muscle there are better options. If you want to feel better long term you should go with lower doses.

You have recieved lots of input here, yet you seem to disregard it and still plan to go ahead with your original plan. If that’s the case then just go ahead and see how it goes. I’d be interested to hear reports from your journey though.

 

[Systemlord]

You kind of talk like you know everything. Avodart didn’t mess with my energy levels at all — in fact, I actually feel better on it.

I’ve heard some reports that people feel better on DHT blockers. I wonder how long that will last.