New member intro - 42 y/o GLP1 + TRT

[atlantafalcons]

Hello,

I have been following this thread from quite some time and have learned a lot. Below is my journey and I hope to continue to make changes in the right direction and keep learning from the members here and contribute wherever I can.

42 y/o - 6' highest BW 285 lbs, 38% bf on my withings scale. Got diagnosed with Type II DM a couple of years ago. Tried dietary changes initially with some improvement in Hba1c but not enough so started Mounjaro 9 month ago. Due to the concerns around loss of muscle mass due to GLP1 use I decided to check my testosterone levels to see if I would be a good candidate for TRT and my levels were below reference range so started test cyp 140 mg/week + HCG 500 IU twice weekly a couple months after starting Mounjaro and also prioritizing protein intake and strength training 3-4 times a week. Current BW 235 lbs, 25% BF and latest hba1c of 5.5. Attaching my progress from the withings app. I understand it is not the gold standard and plan to do a dexa scan to get a more accurate understanding of where I stand.

I decided to stop TRT this month to improve my fertility parameters and get family planning out of the way before I start dabbling in TRT again and potentially TRT+ (primo, anavar, hgh) once I get to a low enough bf%.

Looking forward to connecting with this community and continue learning.

 

[PrairieSteel]

Details scans can also be hit and miss. The best way to track your progress is liberty with a tape measure, in my opinion. I also use AI to estimate my body fat %, it seems to work okay-ish.

Starting family planning at 42 is a bold move. It sounds like you have your priorities set and are actively working toward your goals. I respect the shit out of that.

Taking HCG alone should help your fertility. Did a medical professional tell you to drop the TRT? Im not sure why that would be necessary if you are running a TRT dose along side HCG.

Congratulations on the weight loss. Being 42 myself and having lost 70+ pounds in the last couple years (after turning my back on the gym for several years prior) I can attest to how difficult it is to get back on the wagon and commit to these types of outcomes.

Well done and welcome to the forums.

 

[atlantafalcons]

Thanks. I have been tracking measurements monthly. Down 9 inches in waist. I will try the AI to track estimate my bf%. Thanks for the suggestion.

We have been working with a fertility clinic and saw my fertility numbers decline after starting TRT. So decided to stop while doing at home SA tests to see if the numbers improve. Continuing the HCG that was prescribed. I realized the image did not upload.

 

[bloodninja420]

Recombinant FSH is something you may want to look into in addition to HCG if fertility is a priority and you have a doctor on board. Sperm study (count & quality) is also worth it to take some of the guesswork out of that process.

 

[BigDadd7]

Bitchen

 

[Elektrobot]

This is with love, dear.

plan to do a dexa scan to get a more accurate understanding of where I stand.

You are fat. Thats where you stand. You don't need a dexa to tell you that.

Worrying about body fat percentage right now is like worrying about how much electricity your TV remote control is using.

Wait until you are lean enough for it to matter, and focus on other things.

Keep in mind that a dexa machine does not know the difference between water and contractile tissue. And guess what... you have a ton of water right now.

Spend your money and efforts on bloodwork and cardiac imaging. Get your cholesterol checked, including lpa and apob. Get a calcium score. Go to a cardiologist and get an echo, then hopefully a cardiac mri and or ct angiogram after that.

You are fat and diabetic. Don't think you are the only magical person to escape those things unharmed. Do the cardiac tests. Find out what you are dealing with.

What's your blood pressure?

 

[hellerhiwater]

welcome, and best of luck with the fertility journey. trying a bit of that myself albeit with a lot less stress due to already having 3.

early on in this pursuit i read that rfsh or hmg compliments hcg very well. so i added it in. my libido takes a hit withreference range e2, so i prefer to keep mine quite high with regular dhea supplementation.

have you been doing some of the other non-pharm things to try and help? like looser undies, icing the jewels or like coq10 and stuff? interested in hearing your experiences if so.

 

[atlantafalcons]

This is with love, dear.


You are fat. Thats where you stand. You don't need a dexa to tell you that.

Worrying about body fat percentage right now is like worrying about how much electricity your TV remote control is using.

Wait until you are lean enough for it to matter, and focus on other things.

Keep in mind that a dexa machine does not know the difference between water and contractile tissue. And guess what... you have a ton of water right now.

Spend your money and efforts on bloodwork and cardiac imaging. Get your cholesterol checked, including lpa and apob. Get a calcium score. Go to a cardiologist and get an echo, then hopefully a cardiac mri and or ct angiogram after that.

You are fat and diabetic. Don't think you are the only magical person to escape those things unharmed. Do the cardiac tests. Find out what you are dealing with.

What's your blood pressure?

All taken with love.

Labs done last week total cholesterol was 173 mg/dl. I did have elevated triglycerides 174 mg/dl. Have not gotten lpa and apob checked. Will look into getting those and a calcium score and go see a cardiologist to understand the damage this has already done.

Blood pressure has always been wnl at doctors visit and weekly at home BP monitoring.

I am fat and diabetic due to the bad habits over a decade which made me getting started on this journey with the glps and weight training.

 

[atlantafalcons]

welcome, and best of luck with the fertility journey. trying a bit of that myself albeit with a lot less stress due to already having 3.

early on in this pursuit i read that rfsh or hmg compliments hcg very well. so i added it in. my libido takes a hit withreference range e2, so i prefer to keep mine quite high with regular dhea supplementation.

have you been doing some of the other non-pharm things to try and help? like looser undies, icing the jewels or like coq10 and stuff? interested in hearing your experiences if so.

Thanks and best of luck with your journey too.

Yes, started HMG 2 weeks ago along with coq10, glutathione, icing the balls and theralogix conception. Got an SA done before starting it and plan to do a monthly at home testing to see how the parameters change over time. Plan is to initially try IUI once my parameters improve and see if IVF is needed or not.

 

[hellerhiwater]

Thanks and best of luck with your journey too.

Yes, started HMG 2 weeks ago along with coq10, glutathione, icing the balls and theralogix conception. Got an SA done before starting it and plan to do a monthly at home testing to see how the parameters change over time. Plan is to initially try IUI once my parameters improve and see if IVF is needed or not.

haha dude that glutathione is killer aint it? i didmy first couple shots this past week and damn it felt like I got *hurt* by a screwdriver.

thanks for the info, ill be grabbing that theralogix for sure. getting tired of these darned brazil nuts every morning anyway

 

[Elektrobot]

Labs done last week total cholesterol was 173 mg/dl. I did have elevated triglycerides 174 mg/dl.

What is your LDL and HDL? Those are what's important.

You want LDL below 70 and HDL above 60. Nuke your triglycerides.

 

[atlantafalcons]

What is your LDL and HDL? Those are what's important.

You want LDL below 70 and HDL above 60. Nuke your triglycerides.

LDL 100 and HDL 32. Not where they should be.

 

[Elektrobot]

LDL 100 and HDL 32. Not where they should be.

Get on a statin, / ezetimibe / repatha. Lots of info about those here.