Transitioning from clinic to TRT self-management

[TheWestern]

I've been lurking this forum for years, actually signed up as a member in 2020 but have never posted. I was diagnosed with low testosterone around that time at 36yo (around 290 ng/dl) with fairly severe fatigue, end of day body aches, poor sleep, inability to gain mm mass. I signed up with a well known and respected TRT clinic and found that I responded well to testosterone; with no other lifestyle changes I lost body fat, gained probably ten pounds of muscle, the fatigue was gone, the body aches were gone, several chronic injuries I'd had since the military back in 2004 hurt less for the first time ever. My provider at the clinic worked with me quite a bit to dial in my dosing. At the high end I was pinning 30mg of test a day and 10mg of nandrolone decanoate (low SHBG led to daily injections). This reduced my chronic injury pain to almost zero, but I had high hematocrit and over time some symptoms of polycythemia, with high BP (150/100 mmHg range).

Increasing water intake and donating blood helped with the hematocrit. Being consistent with cardio helped with the BP. Since I had a baseline that provides good results and seems sustainable, I decided to source my own hormones, since the clinic I was using was quite expensive. I also wanted to try a low dose HGH regimen (2iu/day) which would have been about $800/mo from that clinic.

My interests are more long term functionality/health/anti-aging than bodybuilding, I do a full blood panel every six months. I'm interested in other compounds that might not have been available from a TRT clinic but may be effective for my goals.

Here to read and learn. I work in healthcare, on the clinical care side of things, and since starting this journey I've been amazed at how little hormones are considered by most healthcare professionals, and how little they seem to know or be interested in HRT (I was obviously guilty of this in the past as well).

My goals are to find the combination of compounds that is most long term sustainable, with the fewest health side-effects, and gives the greatest effect.

Thanks all for what you've already contributed to my journey.

 

[avablanch86]

Welcome brother! Primo and test work very well together and can give you a new boost as well. It takes a little longer to see effects but very low sides.

Could also try mast, I personally like this as it’s cheaper and still gives you hard look and has very slight anti estrogen effects. This works well for me as I like to avoid taking AI.

Other AAS like deca, NPP, tren, those the most common are 19-Nors. Which comes with there own side effects.

I would first ask myself what you want for yourself and body and then find a suitable AAS that fits the need.


Now this is all assuming you run test along side.

Regards

 

[TheWestern]

Welcome brother! Primo and test work very well together and can give you a new boost as well. It takes a little longer to see effects but very low sides.

Could also try mast, I personally like this as it’s cheaper and still gives you hard look and has very slight anti estrogen effects. This works well for me as I like to avoid taking AI.

Other AAS like deca, NPP, tren, those the most common are 19-Nors. Which comes with there own side effects.

I would first ask myself what you want for yourself and body and then find a suitable AAS that fits the need.


Now this is all assuming you run test along side.

Regards

Thank you! I'm not a bodybuilder, I like to look good but much more than that, I want to function well. Not injure myself, recover quickly from injury, feel strong and healthy, brain works well, good energy. Finding that sweet spot and maintaining it for as long as possible is the goal, aesthetic advancement is an added bonus if it comes.

I've lifted weights quite a bit in the past, but really struggled to put on strength and muscle. I'd be curious to see how that has changed since starting HRT. My diet is 75% clean, I'm not counting macros or anything like that since I'm at a comfortable weight (220lbs @ 6'5"). Lots of low-level cardio is how I exercise right now but I do plan to get back in the weight room soon, at which time I will dial in my diet more for my goals.

I know this forum mostly revolves around serious bodybuilding, but that is where the experts are, so despite my goals being a little different I hope to learn a lot.

 

[avablanch86]

Thank you! I'm not a bodybuilder, I like to look good but much more than that, I want to function well. Not injure myself, recover quickly from injury, feel strong and healthy, brain works well, good energy. Finding that sweet spot and maintaining it for as long as possible is the goal, aesthetic advancement is an added bonus if it comes.

I've lifted weights quite a bit in the past, but really struggled to put on strength and muscle. I'd be curious to see how that has changed since starting HRT. My diet is 75% clean, I'm not counting macros or anything like that since I'm at a comfortable weight (220lbs @ 6'5"). Lots of low-level cardio is how I exercise right now but I do plan to get back in the weight room soon, at which time I will dial in my diet more for my goals.

I know this forum mostly revolves around serious bodybuilding, but that is where the experts are, so despite my goals being a little different I hope to learn a lot.

That’s good information you provided. You are on probably one of if not the best forums to not only research different drugs but also have real life feedback. There are some serious bodybuilders, some more gym rats (like myself but I have competed) and the more average person who likes to stay in shape but not go crazy.

Whatever you are looking for, I’m sure you can find something on this board.

Remember, AAS is just one direction you could go. If you are dealing with injuries that limit your ability to exercise, there are peptides (BPC-157, TB-500, FRAG, etc) that have pretty proven lab and real world results for healing chronic and acute injuries. These are not steroids and often come with much less side effects.

I’ve taken quite a few compounds myself so feel free to ask any question or create a thread. You’ll be surprised how generous members here can be with their experiences