Does anyone not lift weights on trt? I ask this because I’ve been lifting since 8th grade, I’m 40 now, and occasionally after a good 6-8 months of solid lifting I get tired of the gym and take a few months off from that environment and the people in there, also to let my joints heal. Additionally, I find the spring more enjoyable to be outside doing yard work, shoveling rock, painting my fence, or tending to my homestead then being cooped up in a gym.

What are some of your real world experiences and alternative healthy habits that keep you fit but not gaining unnecessary amounts of muscle just cause we can now.

Some more info: I did get blood work back recently. 1080 Total Testosterone and Estradiol at 51. Some people have said those are ideal numbers for many as the total testosterone to estradiol ratio seems fine, but I've noticed Ive been getting anxiety the first half of the day and the second half Ill feel great and energetic. I do 0.24 ml EOD for dosing which comes out to 168 mg week

My husband has been a long time TRT user (almost 10 years). He was put on since 17 years old due to low T (he was obese and depressed as a child, pituitary was tested and fine).

He came off TRT after an azoospermia diagnosis. He's now on HcG and has been for 3 months and just received another 0 sperm SA. His FSH and LH were extremely low, estradiol was on the high end and we don't have his testosterone levels back yet but he does feel good and has a lot of energy.

My questions-

1. We are thinking of asking the urologist for HMG or FSH as we've heard success in addition to HcG. Has anyone else done this?
2. Did anyone see sperm come back on this protocol and if so how long did it take? We are prepared for it to take time but just want some hope it comes back at all.

We're hoping his low FSH/LH numbers means there's hope, things just need more time. TIA, I'd ask in the fertility subreddit but you guys seem to have more information.

This is the second time pinning IM. First time was 0.4mL in the glute and felt a subtle rush. Anxiety went up. It was like I had to calm myself lest I develop a panic attack. Guess im afraid to hit a vein or nerve.

Tonight i went down to 0.25 mL so i can pin 3x a week in the vastus lateralis. Aspirated for half second and saw no blood so i pushed.

Still the same rush.

What is that feeling?

Do you get it too?

What does it feel like to inject oil into an artery? A nerve?

Hello all, For the past 2 years ish I have been having problems with energy however I thought it was due to me just working full time and also a little travelling during my gap year therefore I was a bit worn out, however even in my first year of university I have been having problems with energy even when I’m not as non-stop working and getting good sleep.

I’ve also had problems with most girls (that I have always been attracted to) getting erect, sometimes under alcohol influence however sometimes I was not - I never really looked into it and thought maybe it wasn’t that big of a deal however it’s happened again and again to the point where I’m worried - to add onto that I’ve talked to my mates that are 19/20 and they’ve all got a lot more of a sex drive than me to the point where I feel like I’m not even that interested until I’m fully in the moment, which then I can’t get it up lol.

So I was just wondering if it it worth for me to get a blood test and if results about my T are low if I should try trt out? I have been trying to put it off for the last 2 years ish however I am really starting to notice it now in my day to day life with less energy and less motivation/drive.

Thanks to anyone that responds

Seems like there is quite a few experiences on here of losing benefits, particularly libido after several years without figuring it out how to get it back. Possibly this is just a very small majority of men?

I haven't started TRT yet, but I plan to. The idea of injecting myself twice a week is a bit intimidating. Does anyone have feedback or advice on using testosterone pellets as an alternative to injectable testosterone?

3 month on trt , 1 month with hcg

Im on 172 pg/ml e2. I feel tired and got sensitive nipples.

My doctor prescribed me AI to lower it. Should I stop taking hcg since I don’t plan to have kids at the moment ?

How did anyone get past the idea of pinning themselves at the ripe old age of 80 years old? Really struggling with the idea of committing for the next 40 years.

I think the title sums it up. How much has your emotions and empathy increased after starting TRT. While I know to a study that TRT makes you so manly you can’t help but be Republican — no joke, there is a study — it also seems to boost the emotion/empathy side a bunch too.

It could be me now having t kids also, which seems to spike emotions, but since starting TRT those viral videos meant to make you cry are now working on me.

Anyone else feel the same?

100mg test cyp a week. Used Tirz to go on 1600 calorie per day cut.

Wondering if anyone has nailed down approximately how much anastrazole brings E2 down. I know it’s really strong and you start small but it would be nice to have a number. For example, my E2 is 54 and I’d like to get it to 20-30. Would 0.25 do it? Or 0.5? Or more?

I don't know how to ask this without sounding crazy but before you got low testosterone addressed by trt did you have any physical changes beside no muscle mass or etc. I mean like high testicle hang or flaccid hang with less bloodflow. I always hear about no energy low or no libido but never physical aspect with penis health.

Hey guys, been on TRT for two weeks now and am currently on a 160mg/weekly schedule.

My provider has me injecting 4x weekly (M/W/F/S)

I’m also taking HCG 2x a week and Dupixent every other Sunday. So the amount of injections is getting old.

It looks like everyone’s different so I just wanted some clarity.

Is it more beneficial to inject 2x weekly with a higher dosage (.4 twice vs .2 four times a week)?

Thank you!

Just had a local men’s health consult with the doctor that came highly recommended from several guys. Their regiment seemed interesting to say the least. Their TRT protocol recommended the following drugs Testosterone, Anastrozole, Enclomiphene, and Progesterone with a seven week follow up after starting. This is their basic protocol for everyone essentially from what I gathered.

What are your general thoughts on this protocol? I’m not a doctor, but ChatGPT even had questions.

Hey folks, finally starting TRT after getting multiple medical opinions.

My questions remaining:

1. Any preference / suggestion on the injection (subcutaneous vs intramuscular)? I’m not great with needles. Doctor didn’t give suggestions but I can circle back with him?

2. I was blanket suggested HCG as a 30 year old male. Has this been beneficial for you? Is it worth it? The cost isn’t bad so not worried about that, but generally avoid wanting to put more things in my body.

I haven't started TRT yet, and I’m wondering if starting with a combination of Testosterone Cypionate, Enclomiphene, Anastrozole, and Progesterone is a good idea. The Enclomiphene is meant to help maintain signals to the testes to keep sperm production going as a backup in case I decide to stop TRT in the future. Anastrozole is for regulating estrogen levels, and Progesterone is intended to help with sleep.

Are all of these necessary when starting treatment, and how long should I continue them? I’m considering starting at 100mg of testosterone per week (split into two 50mg shots), but my doctor recommended 160mg per month (split into two 50mg shots). He works at a TRT clinic but also treats various other health issues like Type 2 diabetes and cholesterol. I get the sense that he takes a more holistic approach to treatment rather than just prescribing testosterone and other medications. I feel comfortable having him treat all my issues, but he is not covered by insurance, and the monthly bill for the drugs and monitoring is around $400.

It’s worth noting that I’m in my mid-60s with a total testosterone of 315, free testosterone of 83, low SHBG (so my free testosterone is higher than expected given my low total), and a high A1c.

Thanks for reading and your responses.

36, got test checked and was 350. Clinic recommended 108mg a week split into 2 subQ. Started noticing some difference on week 2. Motivation, bit of confidence, slight increase in libido. Week 3 same but found my morning coffee (nicotine pouch) would trigger panic attacks, so reduced the morning coffee and pouches. Week 4 I start having indescribable anxiety and panic, absolute hopelessness. I've dealt with panic attacks throughout life, felt I basically got them under control some years ago. I'm waiting on blood test results now. The thoughts of playing this delicate dance of keeping E2 correct, which I just have to assume is my problem, sounds daunting. Wondering if I should cut my losses since I'm still early.

I went to get me levels checked after researching TRT. For context, my numbers below. Provider started me on Testosterone cypionate200 mg/ml oil, 2.5 ml, one shot per month against my wishes of doing weekly injections. Should I just go to a different provider or spilt up the dosing? Thank you in advance.

LH 6.1 1.5 - 9.3 mIU/ml PROLACTIN 5.3 2.1 - 17.7 ng/ml ESTRADIOL (E2) 29.9 11.8 - 39.9 pg/mL TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL 313 280 - 1100 ng/dl SEX HORMONE BIND GLOBULIN 24 22 - 113 nmol/L TESTOSTERONE, FREE 6.9 3.9 - 22.5 ng/dl

Im starting my 3rd month on TRT right now. From the very beginning it is not going very well for me.

I did drastic changes to my lifestyle as well.

Eat clean, workout like every day im getting decent activity in (kettlebell, FBW, swimming, walking)

Started on FEB 01 , Starting weight 238 pounds / 6’1

Pre TRT bloodwork: T 350, e2 10, prolactin 11

Starting dose was 100 mg/e5d with HCG 250 iu e3d but after 1 month i splited (50x2) due to spikes in e2 which was about 60, prolactin 21 at that moment with test 1200 24 hours after inj.

Within first 6 weeks i gained 17,5 pounds, despite massive activity and eating 2850 kcal.

Around week 4 or so, i started having anxiety/panic attacks that would spike my bloodpressure up to 170-200/95-100.

Without anxiety my bp is raised too, but not extremly 130-140ish/75-85ish.

I added IA in week 6, but extremly cautious 0,05 mg of Anastrazole 1 day after injection. (1/20th of a tab)

My bloodwork done 2 days after injection showed:

Total T: 980 E2: 33 Prolactin: 14

So from looking at the numbers, it’s going well. When it comes to my wellbeing/mental etc. It’s not going well at all - i feel like shit, despite taking extra B-Complex, omega 3, D3, selenium, ashwaganda, magnesium etc.

My diet is now 100% clean (first 6 weeks I tried 350g of carbs but that didn’t go well) simple carbs only around workouts and mix of carbs before going to bed (kiwi+cherries+oatmeal)

All other meals are not rich in carbs - max 50g/meal I tested my bloodsugar levels 1h after eating and it is always between 100-110 - thus no big insulin spikes.

Total macronutrients now: Protein 199g, carbs 200g (net 170g), fats ~120g

To the point: I feel like im doing everything super organised and clean, very detailed, according to Apple trends my activity is about 300% of pre TRT.

Yet here I am, at 253 pounds feeling bad, with 0 libido, poor sleep and anxiety.

I did weight cuts before going from 250 to 180 without trt (Keto/Low Carb) and the weightloss was linear.

I am about to lower my already low T dose to 30e3d and add masteron propionate 30e3d. Try this for 4 weeks and if this doesn’t help then quit TRT.

Does anybody have similar experience ? Did you find a solution ?

Excuse my english, im not native speaker.

These photos are actually about a decade apart. In 2017, I lost 100lbs. 285 to 180. In 2019, I was tired of being skinny fat and started lifting. I started a TRT protocol about 13 months ago. 80mg on Tuesdays and Fridays. Recently added HCG of 500IU twice a week.

43 years old. 5'11" tall. 200lbs. I have trained consistently since 2019 and my favorite exercise routines are body weight calisthenics. I use my rings for all of my bicep and tricep routines. Pullups, chin ups, rows, skin the cats. My most recent accomplishment is pistol squats. It took 3 years of progressive training to nail the first one and within two months, I'm doing sets of 8. Also working on handstand pushups.

I think I'd like to continue my cut for about 15lbs and have always wondered what it would be like to have abs.

Glad I waited until 42 to start but feeling pretty damn good about the work I've put in and the progress I've made. I don't have a motivation or discipline issue but TRT has been a nice little extra push to even out my overall health and many of the benefits have been mental, more than physical in my experience. I'm a confident mother fucker these days. 🤣

On month 4 of test cyp, pinning 140mg/week split into two doses (M and Th). Here's my recent bloodwork. Question I have is should I slightly reduce the dose to bring down the E2, RBC and Hematocrit? I added a 1 hour zone 2 cardio session once a week right now to help bring down rbc/hematocrit as well but debating if I should drop the dosage to 120mg/week.

Other than that, I have no sides/issues and not taking any AI at the moment. Feeling great at this dose actually. The mental clarity, libido and motiviation are all huge positives thus far.

If I am on TRT for 10 weeks with just testosterone 120 units per week can my fertility go to zero and never come back? I do not have access to HCG so that is not an option. I do have enclomaphine but that has been giving me eye floaters so I have since stopped taking it.

Ashamed of how I looked but posting to show with hard work, it works!

Couple years ago I ballooned to 235, at only 5’8”. Was down and stressed with no energy. 42yo father of 4, grandpa to one. No desire for future fertility.

Hit the gym 3-5x per week doing heavy weights starting last fall. Can’t do legs or many cardio activities due to needing my 5th knee surgery. Was making progress but it was slow. Energy and libido down. Terrible sleep. The boys worked fine but lacked some of the fullness I’m used to. Decided this may be the best age of my life to finally reach my fitness goals being a nearly early nester and happily married. Wife supports my journey.

Started on enclomiphene 25 mg and 2.5 tadalafil in feb 2025. Added Sermorelin in march. T went from 515 to 800+. Put on 15 lbs of water weight quickly. Free test also went up quite a bit. But I felt like crap! Brain fog got worse. My strength went up but I hated the way I felt. After reading on here learned it was way too high of a dose so went every 3 days. Still felt terrible. Started injectable T 10 days ago. So much better!

Clarity of thought, energy, strength, libido, sleep. Water weight receding. My bench press has literally gone from 185 in December 24 to 285 last week.

Tadalafil is awesome. I’m well equipped ;) according to stats but have had dysmorphia my whole life. The hang it provides gives lots of confidence. Also helps with BP, urine flow, and gym pumps. Wish I’d tried it years ago.

Not sure how much the sermorelin helps but I love the gym and going to continue to try it for a while into summer. May be a placebo but I’ll take it.

T has been a huge blessing so far and I’m not giving up til I crush my goals. Aiming for a bench of 350, leaner, and to be the hottest grandpa on the beach for my wife to show off this summer 😂.

Started TRT 2 weeks ago... 200mg per week (100mg every 3.5 days).

My feet, face and hands are moderately swollen and I have gained 11 lbs in 2 weeks. And I'm getting nosebleeds (which may be unrelated).

I don't use any other meds. I don't use any illegal drugs. I drink twice a week.

And in case it matters I am 6'3" and started at 240. I am 251 now... in 2 weeks. Wtf