First try at using steroids

[Dingalanga]

Data:

Male
35
6'2
220
~30% BF
Fertility not a concern

Most recent bloodwork attached.

I have an appointment with a urologist coming up, but I am 90% sure I won't be given a prescription for testosterone. I have however decided to finally give it a go, with the plan being to just stay on year round, and incorporate one blast a year when I am down to 10-13% body fat.

The plan is to start off with 20mg subQ daily, 140mg weekly. 4-5 weeks in, I'll do another round of blood work. Adjusting the test dose to keep estrogen in check without using an AI, although I will keep Arimidex on hand just in case.

I want to use this log to keep track of how I feel, as that is my main motivation for doing this. See introduction for more details on that matter.
I also appreciate all advice you guys might have. Any pointers to my blood work is awesome!

Current status:

Lack of motivation in all aspects of life.
General mood bad, irritable. Libido nowhere to be found. Zero progression in lifts, but at a ~1k cal deficit that is to be expected. No pains or aches.

Feelz-rating™ - 2/10
Bod-rating™ - 5/10

As soon as I get done with the no doubt polite "not going to happen"- reply at the urologist office, I am starting this. Stay tuned.

 

[Biggerisbetternl]

Goodluck bro

 

[Cman90]

I think this sounds like a decent plan, but I'd wait until you are a healthy body weight and fit before starting TRT. You aren't hypogonadal, your low T levels are probably because you're obese (25%+ bf).

I think going from obese to fit can make a world of difference in just about every metric in your life. This could be all you need to improve your mental health. Often times using gear makes mental health worse and not better.

Are you doing anything to address your ALT? A GLP-1 could help improve those values along with weight loss. Also cleaning up your diet and cardio is a good idea too if you aren't doing that already.

I think if you do those things, you'll fix the problems you have. TRT probably isn't the magic pill you are looking for.

Edit: Just saw you are on Reta — nice. Probably a good idea to add some liver supplements.

 

[Duraclear]

I agree that it's probably best to wait before starting TRT, and it may not do for you what you expect. However, if you do decide to go this route, 140mg/wk sounds reasonable, although I suspect that you would not see much difference at a safer dose of 100 or so. You probably won't need an AI at 140, but good to have it on hand in case. Also consider maybe some Tamoxifen.

Be prepared for it to take muuuuuch longer than you like or expect to go from 30% bf to 13%. I undertook a similar journey after letting myself go during covid. It took me nearly two years, and I already knew what I was doing. However, you are a decade younger than me, so it may go a bit faster.

 

[Dingalanga]

I appreciate the advices guys. I just made an appointment to get a DEXA next week to have more than just my estimate to go by. I'll postpone the urologist, and figure out how much I have to lose, what time frame is realistic without losing too much muscle and go from there.

My diet and training is pretty decent and has been for a year +. Down ~90lbs total over the past 3 years, with Reta added to the mix a few weeks ago.

I'll update once the results from the DEXA is in.

 

[Billbo98]

Contrary to what everyone else says if you are able to hop on TRT and commit for life I say go for it and get un fat. It will help

 

[Flatriggerman]

If you get knots from sub q, use 1cc syringes with a 27g in the delt. 21g to draw. What dose of reta are you using? split or once a week. Reta is your weapon for weight loss, test for mood. If your Dr. won't prescribe find another. Shop around. More Dr's are changing to feels versus numbers imo. To a certain point. If you have a natural 750 total test you'll never get a script.

 

[hellerhiwater]

I appreciate the advices guys. I just made an appointment to get a DEXA next week to have more than just my estimate to go by. I'll postpone the urologist, and figure out how much I have to lose, what time frame is realistic without losing too much muscle and go from there.

My diet and training is pretty decent and has been for a year +. Down ~90lbs total over the past 3 years, with Reta added to the mix a few weeks ago.

I'll update once the results from the DEXA is in.

urologist appointments are a bitch to get where im at. if nothing else you can go for an in-person medical opinion based on your specific chart.

also trt isnt a cure all.

i did 8 months of hard training starting at 405lbs with infant baby girl levels of testosterone, high as fuck prolactin, and mild anemia.

i lost 80 lbs absent any/all "motivation, good feels" and anything else positive.

it fixed my depression and i powered thru. but i did finally cave and hop on trt after the anemia became severe enough to hold me back from lifting (coudlnt handle anemia PLUS mega low T, had to pick a struggle and trt could and did fix both)

anyways. i see the trt being a cure all idea being thrown around a lot. no doubt a symptom of the giant marketing push its had, and it absolutely can be helpful. but a lot of people in the normal range of testosterone going to a normal range of testosterone just without the LH and FSH will feel very similarly. just my two cents

 

[Flatriggerman]

Easy, don't go to a urologist. Do a search here and use telehealth members use or a wellness clinic that uses insurance. I go to a wellness dr and pay 10 bucks with insurance. No wonder, urologists are notorious for being dicks (NPI). A urologist is always going to be behind the curve. TRT protocols have passed them over. Do yourself a favor and go to someone who knows what they're doing and up to date on protocols.