TRT?

[mustangcy]

Anyone on TRT that could say what they think? There is a ton of varing info floating around about it's safety. From what I can tell short term TRT use (3-12 months) does not cause any heart issues (which I have in my family). But I'm also struggling to lose this last 10-15 pounds of fat and busting my ass in the weight room just doesn't give me the results it used to (not even close). And I'm starting to creep toward consistant injury. Anyway, I'm 45 so needless to say I'm old enough to potentially start a short trial but I'm curious others thoughts?

 

[qwerty]

What supplements do you take?

That’s false information and I have checked with doctors on that exact thing. It’s usually found because people taking testosterone are being monitored by doctors and it’s caught that way. Unless you are a doctor and an expert in that field. Otherwise doctors will say there is no proof of that...

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[ISU22CY]

Anyone on TRT that could say what they think? There is a ton of varing info floating around about it's safety. From what I can tell short term TRT use (3-12 months) does not cause any heart issues (which I have in my family). But I'm also struggling to lose this last 10-15 pounds of fat and busting my ass in the weight room just doesn't give me the results it used to (not even close). And I'm starting to creep toward consistant injury. Anyway, I'm 45 so needless to say I'm old enough to potentially start a short trial but I'm curious others thoughts?

Have you went and gotten a full blood work panel done? I'm talking:

Total T
Free T
SHBG
E2
LH
FSH
Prolactin
complete Thyroid
PSA

If you haven't you could go and at least see what your Total and Free are to begin with. Then dive deeper if your results comeback low. And I mean low for your age not the generic range they lump all guys into.

I have been tracking mine since 18'. Been prescribed it twice in the time period but never started. 1) Hate any kind of medication period 2) wanted to try everything else before a life long commitment. Unfortunately my last bloodwork (december) showed my total T being where it normally has been all along (330) but my Free T continues to nose dive (6.7 with a range of 9.3-26.5)

 

[cytor]

I have no knowledge of TRT, so I can't help with that.

All I can say is that I used to compete in Men's physique shows (I did my last show just shy of turning 51)..
The trick to cutting the weight was eating clean. Before I did a show I always need to drop about 15 pounds to get show ready. I would train for about 16 weeks and it always worked. Eating clean makes a HUGE difference.

Good luck regardless of what you choose.

 

[Drew0311]

Anyone on TRT that could say what they think? There is a ton of varing info floating around about it's safety. From what I can tell short term TRT use (3-12 months) does not cause any heart issues (which I have in my family). But I'm also struggling to lose this last 10-15 pounds of fat and busting my ass in the weight room just doesn't give me the results it used to (not even close). And I'm starting to creep toward consistant injury. Anyway, I'm 45 so needless to say I'm old enough to potentially start a short trial but I'm curious others thoughts?

I am on TRT and have been on a schedule for a few years. I would highly suggest it after talking to your doctor. It has made me feel way better, I have way more energy. My girlfriends like it. My workouts are way better. My Ruck races are way better. I have not ran into any issue yet. I take the meltaways under my tongue twice a day. THey offered me the shot twice a week and I declined that. That is supposed to be the best. However, I don't want to jam needled into me for the next 30 years. Also hearing their is a cream. The problem with the cream is if you get it on a girl/Wife/girlfriend, it works on them also. You don't want that. haha

 

[cytor]

I am on TRT and have been on a schedule for a few years. I would highly suggest it after talking to your doctor. It has made me feel way better, I have way more energy. My girlfriends like it. My workouts are way better. My Ruck races are way better. I have not ran into any issue yet. I take the meltaways under my tongue twice a day. THey offered me the shot twice a week and I declined that. That is supposed to be the best. However, I don't want to jam needled into me for the next 30 years. Also hearing their is a cream. The problem with the cream is if you get it on a girl/Wife/girlfriend, it works on them also. You don't want that. haha

There are certain creams that are acceptable to get on your girlfriend.

 

[intrepid27]

Sincere question. Is there any validity to the theory that using TRT will prevent your body from producing its own testosterone?

 

[ISU22CY]

Sincere question. Is there any validity to the theory that using TRT will prevent your body from producing its own testosterone?

You will shut down your natural production. That is why your basketballs will more often then not ache and decrease in size because of it. Some people include HCG in their TRT program to keep the boys plumb and producing.

 

[Nader_uggghhh]

Testosterone clinics prey on insecurity. Beware of what you're getting yourself into. From Mayo:

Treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is not advisable. If you don't have a medical condition that's contributing to your decline in testosterone levels, your doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.

 

[RLD4ISU]

Have you went and gotten a full blood work panel done? I'm talking:

Total T
Free T
SHBG
E2
LH
FSH
Prolactin
complete Thyroid
PSA

If you haven't you could go and at least see what your Total and Free are to begin with. Then dive deeper if your results comeback low. And I mean low for your age not the generic range they lump all guys into.

I have been tracking mine since 18'. Been prescribed it twice in the time period but never started. 1) Hate any kind of medication period 2) wanted to try everything else before a life long commitment. Unfortunately my last bloodwork (december) showed my total T being where it normally has been all along (330) but my Free T continues to nose dive (6.7 with a range of 9.3-26.5)

Be very specific with what thyroid labs need to be done. I'm Hypothyroid and every single time I ask a doctor for a full thyroid panel, they order just TSH, Free T4 and T3 Total. That's not a true full panel. This is:

TSH
Free T3
Total T3
Free T4
Reverse T3
Thyroid Antibodies

 

[mustangcy]

I am on TRT and have been on a schedule for a few years. I would highly suggest it after talking to your doctor. It has made me feel way better, I have way more energy. My girlfriends like it. My workouts are way better. My Ruck races are way better. I have not ran into any issue yet. I take the meltaways under my tongue twice a day. THey offered me the shot twice a week and I declined that. That is supposed to be the best. However, I don't want to jam needled into me for the next 30 years. Also hearing their is a cream. The problem with the cream is if you get it on a girl/Wife/girlfriend, it works on them also. You don't want that. haha

So are they telling you that you will be on it for the rest of your life? Did you go to your regular doctor or did you go to one of these TRT clinics?

 

[CyCrazy]

If it isnt approved by the FDA I wouldn't use it. My doctor says all the vitamins and health **** wont do you any good except for a placebo effect.

 

[h-man64]

I've been taking the injections for a year. I'm 58 and my total T was 160 in the intial test. I've lost 25 punds. (need to lose 25 more). I would say if you are tested and your T is low, you should try it. It significaly helped my libido, most likly helped me become leaner, and I probaly feel better due ot the weight loss. That said, eating a better diet might do the same thing.

 

[Drew0311]

So are they telling you that you will be on it for the rest of your life? Did you go to your regular doctor or did you go to one of these TRT clinics?

Well I just assume u don’t build up your testosterone and it stays there. When you quit. It goes back to normal levels

 

[ISU22CY]

Be very specific with what thyroid labs need to be done. I'm Hypothyroid and every single time I ask a doctor for a full thyroid panel, they order just TSH, Free T4 and T3 Total. That's not a true full panel. This is:

TSH
Free T3
Total T3
Free T4
Reverse T3
Thyroid Antibodies

Excellent point and I should have for sure put that.

 

[ISU22CY]

So are they telling you that you will be on it for the rest of your life? Did you go to your regular doctor or did you go to one of these TRT clinics?

Yes it is a lifetime thing you are replacing your body's natural production. It isn't something to just hop on and off like a steroid cycle. It's gotten a bad rap because of these for-profit clinics that are writing scripts to guys with 500-600 levels that don't actually need it they just need to reevaluate their lifestyles and it would bring their levels up to "optimal". For those that are truly low it can be a game changer.

The other downfall to a lot of these clinics are they just shove out cookie cutter programs like 200mg/wk and then all of a sudden joe who wasn't even really low gets a whole mess of side effects from bloating, raised bp, etc. That and they will prescribe an AI and guys will tank their Estrogen and the whole host of stuff having to deal with that.The good ones that tknow what they are doing now are having guys start at much lower doses sometimes 80-100 mg/week injecting multiple times a week to mimic a more natural production to help avoid the roller coster rides.

For those that don't break below 250 you won't get your doctor to prescribe it to you. Most likely even if you do fall below that they will send you off to a specialist who will want to do some protocol of 200mg shot every 2 weeks which is just as dumb as the clinics because the peaks and valleys. Honestly there are some really good clinics that specialize in this but it is hard to find them.

Edit: sorry for the long winded reply. Just something that I have been "studying" for the last 5 years since it became aware to me.

 

[RLD4ISU]

Excellent point and I should have for sure put that.

It’s much easier to say thyroid panel. I just started thinking of all the problems I’ve had with getting the right labs and thought I’d help!

 

[Dopey]

I don't have a problem with the premise, but I'd be a bit careful. There is a huge range in what's "normal". And your hormone levels drift throughout the day and vary quite a bit day to day.

I have no doubt I'd feel better and see great results if I jumped on it. I just don't think it's needed and worth the unknown risk.

Eat clean. Lift heavy (legs too). Do sprints (airdyne for me... Less injury risk), and SLEEP.

 

[ISU22CY]

I don't have a problem with the premise, but I'd be a bit careful. There is a huge range in what's "normal". And your hormone levels drift throughout the day and vary quite a bit day to day.

I have no doubt I'd feel better and see great results if I jumped on it. I just don't think it's needed and worth the unknown risk.

Eat clean. Lift heavy (legs too). Do sprints (airdyne for me... Less injury risk), and SLEEP.

Yep that's why it is critical to actually get tested. But keep in mind the "range" includes all ages so a person needs be sure they are looking at what's in their age.

Your point about drifting is the one big reason why I haven't began. Its a huge commitment and I wanted to do everything possible to move the levels up plus wanted to get a general trend to be certain one bloodwork up wasn't just a fluke thing.