Introduction

[mx0z77]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been lurking here for a while, and it’s finally time to introduce myself. I’m a 55-year-old man who started TRT about 18 months ago. Since then, I’ve been researching TRT, HCG, HGH, and other anabolics like Masteron, Primo, and Anavar.

Goals​

My primary goals with TRT are:

• Increased energy and libido
• Enhanced muscle mass and strength
• Overall improved well-being

Lifestyle​

• Exercise: I do resistance training with free weights at least 3x per week, fasted cardio most mornings, and play pickleball regularly.
• Diet: My meals are mostly home-cooked with single-ingredient foods (e.g., ribeye, chicken, pork chops, broccoli, potatoes, and my wife’s homemade sourdough).

My Journey​

When I started TRT, I also revamped my fitness and diet. I’m 6’1” and went from 225 lbs to 185 lbs with 12% body fat (per my latest Dexa scan). The transformation has been amazing—my wife loves it, which keeps me motivated!

After 7 months of TRT through a clinic, I transitioned to self-administration using UGL sources. I order my own bloodwork and adjust my protocol based on what I’ve learned from my health practitioner, online resources, and GPT.

Lessons Learned​

Like many beginners, I overcomplicated things early on. I ramped up my testosterone dose too quickly, added HCG, Masteron, and Anavar pre-workout, and ended up with ED issues, high E2, then crashed it with AIs, tanked SHBG, etc.

Eventually, I simplified:

• Dropped everything except testosterone.
• Reduced my T dose to 125 mg/week (split twice weekly).
• Stayed consistent for 6 weeks.

This reset resolved my ED issues in 2 weeks and left me feeling good overall. From there, I titrated up in 25 mg increments every 6 weeks, keeping things steady without needing an AI. My current TRT dose is 150 mg/week, with total T levels around 733 (my goal is to see what 1,000 feels like). Interestingly, my E2 decreased slightly as I increased my dose.

Current Cycle​

I’m currently running a cycle to help make some increased gains in muscle mass and strength:

• 400 mg Test
• 400 mg Masteron
• 10 mg Anavar pre-workout

I’m three weeks in, with no major issues so far. Libido and erections are good. Side effects include some BPH (difficulty urinating), increased edginess, and occasional night sweats. I plan to run this cycle for 12 weeks, with bloodwork at the 6-week mark to check hormones, lipids, etc.

HGH and Fat Loss​

I also use HGH, starting at 2 IU/day and gradually increasing to 4 IU/day to target an IGF-1 level of ~300. At 3 IU/day, my IGF-1 was 267, so I’m hoping the increase to 4 IU/day will bring me closer to my goal. Alongside HGH, I’ve used Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for fat loss. I’m currently on Tirzepatide and plan to taper down to a maintenance dose once I’ve eliminated the residual belly fat.

That’s my story so far! Feel free to ask questions or share advice. I’ve learned a lot in the past year and a half and am excited to keep learning from this community.

 

[JACNZPP]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been lurking here for a while, and it’s finally time to introduce myself. I’m a 55-year-old man who started TRT about 18 months ago. Since then, I’ve been researching TRT, HCG, HGH, and other anabolics like Masteron, Primo, and Anavar.

Goals​

My primary goals with TRT are:

• Increased energy and libido
• Enhanced muscle mass and strength
• Overall improved well-being

Lifestyle​

• Exercise: I do resistance training with free weights at least 3x per week, fasted cardio most mornings, and play pickleball regularly.
• Diet: My meals are mostly home-cooked with single-ingredient foods (e.g., ribeye, chicken, pork chops, broccoli, potatoes, and my wife’s homemade sourdough).

My Journey​

When I started TRT, I also revamped my fitness and diet. I’m 6’1” and went from 225 lbs to 185 lbs with 12% body fat (per my latest Dexa scan). The transformation has been amazing—my wife loves it, which keeps me motivated!

After 7 months of TRT through a clinic, I transitioned to self-administration using UGL sources. I order my own bloodwork and adjust my protocol based on what I’ve learned from my health practitioner, online resources, and GPT.

Lessons Learned​

Like many beginners, I overcomplicated things early on. I ramped up my testosterone dose too quickly, added HCG, Masteron, and Anavar pre-workout, and ended up with ED issues, high E2, then crashed it with AIs, tanked SHBG, etc.

Eventually, I simplified:

• Dropped everything except testosterone.
• Reduced my T dose to 125 mg/week (split twice weekly).
• Stayed consistent for 6 weeks.

This reset resolved my ED issues in 2 weeks and left me feeling good overall. From there, I titrated up in 25 mg increments every 6 weeks, keeping things steady without needing an AI. My current TRT dose is 150 mg/week, with total T levels around 733 (my goal is to see what 1,000 feels like). Interestingly, my E2 decreased slightly as I increased my dose.

Current Cycle​

I’m currently running a cycle to help make some increased gains in muscle mass and strength:

• 400 mg Test
• 400 mg Masteron
• 10 mg Anavar pre-workout

I’m three weeks in, with no major issues so far. Libido and erections are good. Side effects include some BPH (difficulty urinating), increased edginess, and occasional night sweats. I plan to run this cycle for 12 weeks, with bloodwork at the 6-week mark to check hormones, lipids, etc.

HGH and Fat Loss​

I also use HGH, starting at 2 IU/day and gradually increasing to 4 IU/day to target an IGF-1 level of ~300. At 3 IU/day, my IGF-1 was 267, so I’m hoping the increase to 4 IU/day will bring me closer to my goal. Alongside HGH, I’ve used Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for fat loss. I’m currently on Tirzepatide and plan to taper down to a maintenance dose once I’ve eliminated the residual belly fat.

That’s my story so far! Feel free to ask questions or share advice. I’ve learned a lot in the past year and a half and am excited to keep learning from this community.

Welcome to Meso, bro!

That’s an excellent introduction! I’m really pleased to hear that everything is going well for you and that you’ve successfully addressed your blood work and cycle.

I'm excited to follow your journey and see how it unfolds.

Please keep us updated!

 

[HeatherSwanson]

Really great intro.
You're on the warpath.
Welcome to the party.