I’m 53 and in good shape. 6’4 190, eat clean lift heavy etc…

About to start TRT but worried about muscles getting stronger but joints, tendons, etc..struggling to keep up.

It seems like a bad recipe to increase muscle mass while other parts of your body are aging.

Any thoughts on this?

Currently taking 500mg weekly in 2 pins

And 20mg of accutane

To preface, i did a light trt dose earlier this year, but now I'm about 6 weeks into a 500mg test enanthate cycle, two subcataneous pins a week , usually Wednesday and Sunday.

For the past few weeks, I've mainly been cutting down to low bf, and now I want to lean gain muscle. I do feel different, but no mood swings or anger, maybe because of my low body fat, which could also explain lower libido. Worst case it could be that I have high E conversion, I have an aromatase inhibitor on hand but haven't used it yet.

So, I really just want to know what tips and advice you guys who have been on 500mg have to maximise the mass increase i can get and also if i should take the aromatase inhibitors also any suplements that helped with overall health while on cycle , ill probably cycle off in another 6-8 weeks which I'm hoping is enough to pack on some more mass during the lean gain any advice is appreciated .

Here are the tests! Thank you.

Hello everyone
Im 186/187cm , 68kg and have a bf percentage of 15%.
I am working out now for 3 years and i also did 2.5 years of martial arts before going to the gym. I stopped with boxing because i wanted to gain weight and muscles and gained 26kg of weight but the last few months i made very little progress and im still not happy with my phsyice , i will make a blood test soon and want to hop on testosterone E for the first time.
250mg (5x 50mg per week)
How do i prevent my E2 from crashing?
What type of Syringes/needles should i use? I thought abt 25-28mm Insulin (one time usage) for glutes and leg Injection.
I talked with my coach also about Primo , should i use primo instantly with test or wait 6 weeks after getting abother blood work test?

IMPORTANT —

I want to hop on clearly bcs of aesthetics , im not interested in competetive body building or and i dont care abt sum "you can do this and this natural" , i just want to go beyond my limits more and speed up the process after learning how to proberly eat , sleep, etc.

I’m in the midst of trying to be as healthy as I reasonably can. Good sleep, diet, and training. My total test was sub 400 both times tested, before doing this.

I was going to do 12 weeks. Retest. And then consider the lifelong fix. Wondering if this is a good timeframe or what your experience was.

Hey guys, would anyone mind giving advice on how I long i should be running test and mast p? Im currently on week 4 and am taking 250mg test and 300mg mast. Eventually wanna go onto anavar... any thoughts?

Should I hop on testosterone at 18, 19 in a couple months my lh and fh were 1.7 in/L and 1.4 I[u/L](u/L). These test were done 8:30 in the morning.

Hey everyone,
I’m considering starting TRT for medical reasons, under a doctor’s supervision, and I’d like to get some honest opinions on what kind of physique I could realistically achieve over the next 6 months.
I’m 178 cm (5’10”) tall, and the first picture shows my current physique. The other two pictures are AI-generated projections of what I might look like after 3 and 6 months.

Here’s my plan:
Weight training 4 times per week
A solid diet with sufficient protein and calories
7–9 hours of sleep per night
Consistent training and progressive overload
My doctor has suggested starting with 250 mg of testosterone per week, split into two injections. I’m still evaluating the treatment and want to understand what kind of results might realistically be possible.
A bit of background: I’ve been lifting for around 4 years, but my training hasn’t always been consistent due to injuries and breaks from rugby.

My questions:
Does the 6-month projection look realistic, or is it overly optimistic?
How much actual muscle mass could someone with my training history realistically gain in 6 months?

I’m looking for honest, realistic feedback rather than exaggerated expectations. I’d especially appreciate input from people with relevant experience.
Thanks!

I am 45. 65 kg, 5’7”

I have bilateral varicoceles with significant atrophy. Libido is not great. See blood result.

Total testosterone
20 nmol/L
= 577 ng/dL

Free Testosterone
9.4 ng/dl (94 pg/ml)

[Total testosterone (other test)
19 nmol/L
~ 548 ng/dL
Free Testosterone
8.9 ng/dl (89 pg/ml)]]

SHBG
46 nmol/L

Estradiol
129 pmol/L
~ 35 pg/mL

Albumen
47.3 g/l

FSH
4.0 IU/L

Hemoglobin
15.3 g/dL

Anyone know how to get rid of severe TRT acne? Its been bothering me for a little over 2 months and Im about to jump on the Accutane train!

Thanks in advance for any wisdom here.

45M and first time user of test + hcg.

Levels have been at 200 ng/ml and e is at 13.

I've been dosing at 100 mg/week for my first weeks. I felt more energy, but a little "pulsy" if that makes sense. i'm injecting eod.

This week i've moved up to 150 mg/week, and i feel *way* better. Provider wants me to go to 200, and he says effectively that I have "a lot of room to go starting at sub 200 test"

forgive the dumb question can the extra 50mg/week, going from 100 to 150 mg, do that much in how you feel? anyone think it's particularly risk going all the way to 200 mg/week or should i wait?

For those of you who have taken test and lost hair during the earlier days of starting what would you have done differently with regards to taking other compounds (dht blocker) whether that be taking more of it or trying other drugs. The question also goes out to people who have maintained their hair without having any hairloss since taking trt, what have you done also?

Hello and Forgive my ignorance and rant. In my 5 week. 160mg/week 2x per week.

Clearly I needed it and my doc refused so I sought my own dealer. Legit of course. (Online)

before 266/284 ng/dl & 5.6 pg/mL, 8.2 pg/mL. Dunno what my new numbers will be. Scheduled for this Friday.

feeling like a new machine. But something odd I’m noticing and perhaps it could be my imagination.
My eyesight seem to be improving.
.
cleaned up my diet and cut out sugar (6.0” 195 lbs) was never a fatty but lost the battle to dadbod..

Is it possible testosterone could improve eyesight?

For any docs on this thread

Love everyone. Stay safe, alert and alive.

Hi, 42M, 185cm, around 106kg. Interested in hearing from blokes who had similar testosterone results and symptoms before starting TRT.

For the past 10–15 years I've struggled with progressively worsening fatigue, brain fog, virtually nonexistent libido, poor motivation and terrible exercise recovery. It's reached the point where it's seriously affecting my quality of life. I want to lift weights, do Muay Thai, sail, socialise and enjoy life, but constantly battling fatigue and low motivation makes it incredibly difficult.

MY TESTOSTERONE RESULTS (2026) June/July:

Total T 14.2 nmol/L, Free T 280 pmol/L July/August: Total T 11.9 nmol/L, Free T 229 pmol/L August: Total T 21.9 nmol/L, Free T 399 pmol/L 23 October: Total T 14.4 nmol/L, Free T 261 pmol/L 24 October: Total T 13.9 nmol/L, Free T not tested All tests were taken in the morning. Earlier dates are approximate. Lab reference range for calculated Free T: 260–740 pmol/L.

Three of my four Free T readings have been between 229 and 280, with one noticeably higher result in August.

OTHER HORMONES LH: Previously around 1, now 2 IU/L FSH: 5 IU/L SHBG: 33–44 nmol/L Oestradiol: 87 pmol/L Prolactin: 134 mIU/L

HEALTH BACKGROUND I've lost approximately 7% of my body weight this year, improved my diet and metabolic health, and been consistently treating mild sleep apnoea with CPAP for around four months. Sleep quality has improved considerably, but daytime vitality, libido and motivation remain poor. I also have ADHD and anxiety and have tried numerous treatments over the years without sustained improvement. Currently lifting weights around once a week and walking 5–10k steps most days. I'd love to train more regularly, but fatigue and recovery are major obstacles.

WHERE I'M AT I'm considering a medically supervised TRT trial after discussing my results with healthcare professionals. I understand testosterone might not explain all my symptoms, and I'm not expecting a miracle. But after struggling for so many years, I'm interested in whether treatment could make a meaningful difference.

MY QUESTION Has anyone here started TRT with similar baseline levels? Particularly interested in experiences from guys with: Total T around 12–15 nmol/L Free T around 230–280 pmol/L Low-normal LH What improvements, if any, did you notice in energy, mental clarity, motivation, libido and exercise recovery?

How long did improvements take? Were there any unexpected downsides? Looking back, was it worthwhile?

Cheers, appreciate any input.

*edit formatting

Was on during 2021-2022. Was an absolute nightmare I had to learn everything on my own. My doctor was the absolute worse. I had every side effect known to man lol blood pressure was through the absolute roof. Had to donate blood regularly. Never received anything positive from it. No energy no sex drive. Just constant misery. I came off and that was horrible as well. Straight depression for months. Would wake up to palpitations and sweats. My test has slowly evening climbing natural the past 2 years I’m not sure why. I am 37 and I am tired as heck right now. Currently sitting at 391. I just want it to work for me. Didn’t work last time. Blood pressure was 116/77 this morning with a pulse of 73. Heart issues do run in my family and that’s one thing that scares me.

Natty 49 yo male. 6’2 and 217lbs. I’ve been working out for about 18 months and I am fighting the urge to get on TRT. Not looking to blast, just maybe gain a few pounds of muscle. My diet is pretty decent, workouts are dialed in. I do have a high CAC score (800) and my LDL cholesterol is around 100 on statins. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

​

3 months on Trt, 100mg once weekly -IM Delt rotation

Have just a touch of nipple sensitivity every now and then, libido is solid for 2 days after injection but pretty "meh" the rest of the time, morning wood follows the same pattern. Last few weeks energy has crashed in the afternoons.

First bloodwork (taken 3.5 days post injection) as follows

Testosterone Total: 1112

Bioavailable: 561

SHBG: 19

Free: 291

Albumin 4.2

Estradiol: 59

Hemoglobin: 14

Hematocrit: 43

Any insight is appreciated!

Hey everyone, I’m posting this to give you a clear picture of how TRT actually works in Italy (apologies for my English!).

I’m a male under 40, with 10+ years of endurance training (cycling, running, trail running) and an 11% body fat. Over the past 3 years, I noticed my recovery times increasing drastically—going from 2 days up to 4 days even after just a simple 5 km run. I decided to get my blood work done, and my total testosterone came back consistently below 230 ng/dL. That’s when I started TRT under the care of an andrologist.

Here in Italy, your options for TRT are extremely limited:

Injections: The only pharmaceutical option available is Testoviron (testosterone enantato), sold in 250 mg ampoules meant to be injected once every 14 days (meaning you feel like a god the first week and a complete wreck by the second). Doctors are fully aware of this, but they strictly stick to the package leaflet. If you ask to split the dose into more frequent administrations, they won’t even entertain the idea and pretend they didn’t hear you. You get your prescription, go to the pharmacy for a 3-month supply, and then have to return for new blood work to get a renewal.

Vials do not exist here: Multi-dose vials aren't a thing in standard Italian pharmacies.

Transdermal Gels: Testavan was my doctor's first choice, but after 3 months, my blood levels were still stuck at 230 ng/dL, so we had to switch to injections.

Specialized TRT clinics: Dedicated TRT clinics simply do not exist in Italy. Hopefully, the first ones will open soon.

This shows that Italy is lightyears behind in modern TRT management, despite the country boasting about having some of the best doctors in the world. Because of this rigid system, many guys in Italy are turning to UGL (Underground Labs) because finding a doctor willing to prescribe compounded preparations in a vial for 3 to 6 months is a 1-in-a-million chance (and I still haven't found one).

The most frustrating part is that endocrinologists and andrologists know that micro-dosing enantato every 3.5 days is the gold standard for stable hormone levels, but they either can't prescribe it or are too afraid to step outside outdated guidelines.

Let's hope things change fast in Italy, because right now, they are lightyears behind.

This is a followup to two previous posts:

• Dosage Advice: is 60mg / wk enough?
• I think I need a new Doctor

Short summary is i am on 60mg/week, where I feel great for half the week and crappy for half of it. My high levels a few days after my shot is 510, but the morning of I'm 240. I asked to increase the dose to 80mg/week but my doctor is totally opposed to it despite that, due to the risks of increasing. She also did not want to split the dose 2x week, because she couldn't track my levels. I've tried arguing with her, to no avail.

So I got a second opinion from another doctor (both endocrinologists FYI). She had the exact same opinion on both increasing the doses and increasing the frequency. I think its something with how these endo's learned. With any other medication, if your symptoms are not gone, you'd increase the dose, while understanding the risks. But here its like "nope we can't even adjust a dose!!!!" I definitely got the sense from the second one its because of those "internet clinics" as she made an offhanded comment about them.

As I told her - yes sure, I can go there and get what ever level I want, but I'm here because I'm trying to do the right thing (plus insurance is covering it, so its way cheaper). So no wonder people ignore doctors advice on these, because they are so unreasonable.

I am going to get a third opinion anyway, and maybe make sure its a guy this time. I hate to think its because they are women and don't understand, but I also can't help but wonder if that's also part of it.

I’m 45. I had labs drawn June 27 while not taking HCG, then again October 20 while taking HCG 250 IU every other day. The October blood draw was around 9:00 a.m.; I woke up at 5:40 a.m.

June 27, off HCG:
- Total testosterone: ~402 ng/dL
- Free testosterone: 62.0 pg/mL
- SHBG: ~27 nmol/L
- Albumin: 4.5 g/dL
- LH: 3.7 mIU/mL
- FSH: 3.6 mIU/mL

October 20, on HCG 250 IU every other day:
- Total testosterone: 340 ng/dL
- Free testosterone: 62.1 pg/mL (lab range 46–224)
- Bioavailable testosterone: ~136 ng/dL (lab range 110–575)
- SHBG: 20 nmol/L (lab range 10–50)
- Albumin: 4.8 g/dL (lab range 3.6–5.1)
- LH: 8.0 mIU/mL (lab range 2–10)
- FSH: 4.4 mIU/mL (lab range 1.5–12.4)
- Estradiol: <25 pg/mL (lab lists male range 0–50)
- Prolactin: 5.1 ng/mL (lab range 3–15)

Total T went down while free T stayed almost exactly the same, and SHBG also decreased. LH rose but is still within the lab’s range.

Does this look like no meaningful testosterone response to HCG, or could the lower SHBG explain why free T stayed stable? How would you interpret the LH increase alongside the lower total T? I’m discussing it with my doctor, but I’d appreciate help understanding the pattern.

Hello all, I was hoping for some guidance. As the title says, I am 27-years-old, and have been dealing with what feels like potentially low testosterone symptoms for over a year now. I've had noticeable low libido, constant fatigue, and occasional mood swings/irratibility. In the past, I used to chalk it up to fatigue due to having my baby and work as a first responder, but now with the kids being a bit older (and sleeping better), these symptoms have not gone away, and at times feel worst. I am a very active individual, doing weight lifting a few times a week, and running a couple miles 1-2 times a week. I am currently weighing about 175 lbs and have always tried to eat relatively clean, as well as a daily multivitamin and fish oil. Last year, I got my testosterone checked and was 4.03 ng/mL. At that point, my previous PCP said that my low libido was just "anxiety around sex", and recommended taking Viagra (felt pretty insulting to both me and my wife). This year, my testosterone was 363.6 ng/dL, and my free Free testosterone was 8.0 pg/mL, which according to their scale puts my free testosterone in the low range. My PCP says that he believes it is more depression and does not want to treat that as of now, and wants me to go on medication for depression. I don't necessarily feel depressed in the sense that I think he thinks. Other than the symptoms I listed above, I don't have any other symptoms that I would feel warrent being treated with antidepressants.

My question is, what do you guys think? If you were in my shoes, what would you guys pursue? Am I overthinking it and it could be depression? Or do you guys think I am deficient in testosterone and would benefit from something like TRT? Thank you in advance ☺️

My SHBG has been low since my initial labs on April 25th. I started Testosterone injections that day.

Anyone else have similar experience? I am not diabetic. I don't have any diagnosed conditions.

Hello guys, I recently got a blood test done to check my hormone levels.

Regarding the test:
I was still feeling a bit under the weather from a bacterial infection during the test and also slept poorly beforehand. Now I'm wondering if I have low testosterone?
M19, 188 cm, 74–76 kg

I occasionally work out, whether it's wrestling or at the gym. Physically, I'd say I'm strong for my age—50 kg weighted pull-ups for 4 repetitions.

I'm looking for anyone, UK primarily, who might have suffered with secondary hypogonadism, or knows a lot about it, whether they overcame it and how, who they might have gone to see (NHS or private), and what treatment they received that worked? In my case, what would you recommend?

I've been symptomatic for 3 years and have had a real rough time with the NHS, regardless of bloods and symptoms. Symptoms are:

- ED, no morning wood (restored with tadalafil)

- no libido

- general anhedonia

- tiredness and fatigue, unrefreshed sleep, headaches

- decreased strength, endurance and energy

- low mood made worse by ongoing NHS stress

Key endocrine results are:

- Testosterone: 5-8 nmol

- Calculated free T: 0.23 nmol

- SHBG: 10 nmol

- LH: 3.7 iu/l

- FSH: 2.5 iu/l

- Cortisol: 191 nmol (X2)

- DHEAS: 15.5 umol

- IGF1: 33.4 nmol

- Prolactin: 245 mu/l

- Insulin: 57, down to 40 recently

- Ferritin: 45 ug/L

- Serum alkaline phosphatase: IU/L

- Albumin: 44 g/l

- Oestradiol: 74 pmol

- Rheumatoid factor: 10 IU/mL

- Vit B: 241 pmol

- Vit D: 79 nmol

- Folate: 8.9 ug

- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: 2mm/h

Other tests show that my thyroid is ok, I am not suffering inflammation, lipids are ok, full blood count and haematocrit are ok.

The reason I am writing this and asking is I am feeling very frustrated, at times not wishing to be alive, when these symptoms combine with the logistical nightmare I'm constantly going through.

I started with the NHS GP who just told me to lift weights more.

I was finally referred to an endocrinologist who took bloods, found IGF1 raised at the time and testosterone at 5, did repeats, which came in just within NHS guidelines and diacharged me. They never had cortisol, insulin, DHEAS. They never took SHBG into account.

I waited a long time for urology, who found my bladder doesn't empty properly. Suggested a vacuum pump. Referred me to Andrology.

Waited 6 months this year for that appointment. Checked in and was promised an upcoming appointment. Was administratively discharged without an appointment, communication or an accurate reason for discharge. Was told the letter back to Uro cited that I wouldn't be seen as I hadn't engaged with therapy and believe psychosexual therapy needed doing first (I had engaged with NHS therapy who said I needed to pay for external talking therapy), so that part was incorrect. If they also took the time to see me, they'd also know that tadalafil restores morning wood, so very unlikely with all my bloods and symptoms that this is psychological.

Then on the phone his secretary told me it was because I was unwilling to try Sildenafil?! Untrue. I'd tried and barely got any on the NHS, and bought some myself privately, but it makes me ill. This is also not a good enough treatment for my complex case. Regardless, my GP also prescribed me ongoing tadalafil so I can actually have a sex life with my partner.

I've had to escalate a bloody PALS complaint after all this time and have no idea where that's going or how long it will take to hear back. My GP has written backing my case and arguing I should be reinstated.

In the meantime, my referral from my GP to a specialist wndo has been rejected today. This was a blow. Possibly because it's less in his wheelhouse.

I'm now in talks with The Men's Health Clinic and Balance My Hormones. Both have received my bloods and implied directly they'd treat me based on them. There are a few options between them, such as HCG mono with BMH.

I'm also looking into other private specialist endos, but don't even know where to start looking. I also want to see if there's a NHS hospital that might be worth my time, under the right to choose.

This has all been a massive blow to my mental health. I believe that long term stress aged 14-29 built up, culminating in the worst prolonged year of stress I've faced. While stressed, I was overtraining at the gym, intermittent fasting, masturbating too much as a coping mechanism, drinking too much. Then in the year before this started, almost a year of SSRI sertraline. I then took this for 3 weeks after several weeks of these symptoms to cope with the divorce I initiated and the stress that took on me, combined with new health issues, combined with no seeing my children as much and financially worrying.

I strongly believe it all points to a stress induced burnout on my HPTA axis, a negative loop that no amount of positive change the last few years can or has helped with. I'm physically and financially in a better place, have a good relationship and with my kids too, am in a better job with less stress and better salary, in a better home, with a better diet etc etc.

And yet...

At this point I don't truly know where to turn, and that's why I'm seeking advice, hopefully from people who have been where I am. Or someone who knows what I should do next.

With all my bloods and symptoms well documented, do I just see a specialist endo, and if so, who? I imagine I won't need to pay for many blood tests with my 4 year PDF from the NHS.

Or do I hold out for the NHS? My case has made its way back to the original Endo, but has a new replacement. I don't know how long Andrology could take now, of at all after unjust discharge.

Or do I pursue something like Mens Health Clinic or Balance my Hormones? And then it's a case of different treatments and affordability.

I'm aware of different treatments including clomid, enclomiphene, HCG and TRT, the latter of which I'm most conscious of not wanting as there are so many other bloods that are high or low or not optimal. I've got thos diagnosis on the NHS and no treatment.

So if anyone has been where I am, similar bloods and symptoms, where did you go? What did you take?

Thanks for taking the time.

Over last 2 years I have dropped 85 pounds, I am 31 years old 6.0 203pounds. I have been seriously training for 6 months and want to put on more muscle and have more energy.I fix cars for a living and play softball weekly as well as a 2 year old. looking for that extra edge. My total testosterone is at 538. Any advice ?thinking about running a low dose of test to help with gains and recovery.