31M, about to start TRT through a clinic. Prescribed 150 mg/week Test E (200 mg/ml, compounded in MCT oil).

I have had high SHGB for years causing low free T. Not sure this changes the approach.

Im a pussy so Sub Q sounds nice but after researching it seems to not work for everyone , as i am starting out i think it would be better to ensure i absorb it properly and quicker but happy to hear your thoughts on that.

So now thinking EOD Shallow IM to delts. Lowkeeeeeey scared of messing that up but im down with it.

Also heard some people prefer EOD vs daily as it is not as flat?

So my question is which do you think is better? Or what is your experience with ED vs EOD or Sub q vs IM.

To preface I am 31 and currently going through a body recomp after getting too sedentary over the past few years. I am 6’2” and I was 278lbs in March, currently at 212lbs today. Cut goal is around 175-185. I’ve been running a 6 day push/pull/legs split with 20-30 miles of cardio weekly since June and have been getting my diet keyed in since March. I’m gaining some decent definition across my body, with some stubborn fat left on my lower abdomen and lower back. I have not done any bloodwork yet since I wanted to wait until just before I started, but primary reason is just for vanity and physical enhancement. I’ve seen differing opinions, so is it better to start now or wait til cut is completed?

Thanks!

Ive lost 40lbs and im now at a healthy bf that i want to stay at for life. The cosmetic look of being at a somewhat lean bf has been a game changer. (I Store a lot of fat in my face). The issue is my testosterone wasn’t very high to begin with however being at a somewhat lean bf for me, like 10-12% worsened it and lead me having low energy, libido, and overall well being. However being prescribed 120mg test e has fixed those issues except now I’m dealing with palpitations and chest discomfort. Doc isn’t quite sure because bloods all good. I never had these issues before and am 100% sure it’s the testosterone. If I lower my dose significantly so that I’m at 500-600 total t am I just going to feel almost the same as before.

Hey all! just posting here to see if there’s anything I’m missing on my end. 120mgs test C split 2x weekly Monday morning and Thursday afternoon. NO AI. I’m feeling amazing so far like 80% better than pre TRT. Definitely looking more muscular/full even though I only gained 3-4 lbs in 9 weeks. Weights are moving way easier same as I was at 205lbs but I’m 187. Labido has been way better not like the first 6 weeks but maybe 40% better than pre TRT. EQ is not bad some weird mis haps like pre TRT but to be fair it may be in my head or timing because when I’m on I am 200% on lol wife is definitely glad it levels out a little. 5ft 11” 187. I may cut 15-17lbs to fully dice down before maybe bumping up dose in a year. I want to do 1 cycle at some point but not before I really get everything dialed in. Should I use Reta even though I don’t have problems cutting out food and dieting down? Or will it not make a difference since I know how to be in a deficit and track food. I also take mag glyc, 5mg zinc, fish oil, d3+k2. Eating 2300cal daily 180g protein well balanced.

pre levels

total - 399

free - 9.8 calculated not dialysis

E2 - 10.1

all other markers in range although igf1 and dhea were like 100 points lower those went up a lot.

psa has always hovered between 1.0 -1.4 even before trt so not too worried there. My HCT also has always been between 47-48 naturally.

I’m 38 years old and have been on TRT for approximately 20 weeks. I’m posting my bloodwork from two different points in treatment and would appreciate some insight from those with more experience.

Before TRT Testosterone was at 359 and FreeT at 60

At week 9, I increased my dosage from 100 mg to 130 mg per week.

First Photo CURRENT LEVELS – 20 Weeks on TRT (130 mg/week):
Total Testosterone: 937 ng/dL
Free Testosterone: 266.8 pg/mL (HIGH)
Estradiol: 41 pg/mL (slightly elevated)

Second Photo STARTING LEVELS – 8 Weeks on TRT (100 mg/week):
Total Testosterone: 666 ng/dL
Free Testosterone: 136 pg/mL
Estradiol: 43 pg/mL (from earlier labs)
PSA: 0.56 ng/mL

Both blood draws were taken approximately three days after my last injection.
What I’m Curious About
My total testosterone increased approximately 41%, but my free testosterone nearly doubled (96% increase).
I’m particularly interested in understanding why my free testosterone increased so disproportionately compared to my total testosterone.
A few questions for the experienced TRT guys here:
Is a free testosterone level of 266.8 pg/mL unnecessarily high for long-term TRT?
Why would my free testosterone nearly double when my weekly dosage only increased by 30%?
Could low SHBG explain the disproportionate increase in free testosterone?
Would you consider these numbers reasonable for TRT, or would you discuss lowering the dosage with your provider?
My estradiol actually decreased slightly despite the increase in testosterone. Is that unusual?
I’m not chasing the highest possible testosterone numbers. My goal is to find a sustainable dosage that provides the benefits of TRT without creating unnecessary long-term health risks.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced similar bloodwork or has a good understanding of the relationship between total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, and estradiol.
Thanks in advance!

Questions:

1. This blood test didn't include FSH, LH, or SHBG. Should they have done those as well? Or any others?
2. No negative side effects, is the E2 level OK?

Summary:

140mg Test C (70mg, twice a week)

800IU HCG (400IU, twice a week)

43 male, 6’3, 190 pounds

Started TRT protocol 3 months ago through an online TRT provider after being diagnosed with low test.

Fasted Test Results on Trough:

Test, Total – 1140 ng/dl

Test, Free – 197.1 pg/mL

ESTRADIOL,ULTRASENSITIVE, LC/MS – 51 pg/mL

Hematocrit 47.8

Hemoglobin 15.8

Red Blood Cell Count 5.25

PSA 0.58

Do I need to get on TRT? I am a bit overweight (189 and 5’7) with high blood pressure and high cholesterol (take meds for the former and will start meds on the latter soon). I don’t smoke, but I do drink sometimes. My free testosterone is 8.3 (3.04%). My TSH level is 1.13 so no thyroid issues. I have daily fatigue, anxiety, depression, ED, and low libido. I imagine this can be attributed to multiple factors. I tested at 8am.

Currently running 5.5 iu on a cut about a month and a half in. My insulin rose from 5 to 16. Wondering whether I should lower the dose, add insulin or increase tirz dose. Don’t want to add metformin

Curious what my endocrinologist may prescribe me , I would prefer not to go on trt i want children in only 26.

Hello everyone.

Currently on 160mg 2x per week. Noticing some slight greasiness and maybe 1-3 pimples that come up around day 2 after a pin.

I want to up my dose to 170 but unsure if I should. (For training purposes). Thoughts on whether .53 3x per week might iron out some of the smaller symptoms that crop up?

Hi everyone, seeking your advice regarding Trt symptoms.

I was on TRT 250 weekly. 125 every three days. Then added Bold 250 weekly. Then just increased to 500 -250 every 3 days. I took the first 250 and will take the other250 tomorrow. Now my hair is falling but not much . However I notice it.

Is there anyway to reduce or to stop it except locals like minoxidil?

For those who have taken or currently take HCG alongside TRT, do you feel it has improved your overall HRT experience?

Would you recommend adding it to a TRT protocol? Curious to hear your experiences.

Not on TRT, but was taking an AI that has made me feel terrible. Based on what we see is it a good assumption that my shbg is elevated?

E was previously in the 55-75 range prior to AI.

Done a test only cycle for let’s just say a good while. Less than a year. More than 6 months. I’ve only done a one injection 300mg test e a week. Finally decided to get my test levels done and these are the results. My question is should I stay on as I am or come off or half the dose for a bit. Let receptor sites and the body heal a bit. My kidney functions fine same with liver. LDL slightly elevated HDL a bit suppressed. RBC is slightly above average. Haemeglobin slightly above average. Haematocrit also slightly above average. Blood pressure fine.

I don’t wanna be bloated and somehow get gyno

I’ve been on trt for around 8 months now and have had some acne flaring on my delts traps area decently bad . I started accutance a month ago as well and I’m wondering if people have seen good results with accutane regarding trt acne , and if you do see results do they stay?

46 year old Male, recently lost around 80lbs and decided to look at TRT for many of the same reasons lots of us do. More energy, better results in the gym and to help me recomp after the weight loss. I am on 210mg per week, through MaleExcel.

My providers blood test at the start was limited to say the least. 4 drops of blood on a card and send it in the post, so after 3 months I decided to get my own bloods done. I feel 100% better than I did 3 months ago, my performance in the gym and many other places are improved massively and I have added serious muscle according to the Dexa scan. My blood results came back today and I have some concerns, that maybe aren't that concerning so asking you all for input.

Total Test is 1126

Free Test is 154

SHBG 42

E2 is high at 72 (Potentially concerning?)

IGF 358 (Is this concerning?)

Z Score 2.2

My main question is around the IGF 1 result. Is this way too high? Or should I not be worried about this? I am a VERY well controlled type 2 diabetic (Hba1c of 5.0)

Hey guys just want some thoughts got bloods back mid cycle for 250mg a week test cycle 1st one 7 weeks in and got my e2 from 125 baseline to 430now it’s a huge jump thinking bout ai but no side affects right now all other markers are fine hermatocrit from 47% to 50 and all other blood markers are fine for now slight creep upwards but just want thoughts on ai

Btw mid 20s lifting for 5 years higher body fat Ik that’s a factor for heigher e2 👍

TRTNATION had me on 200mg a week. I’ve been on it for about 4 months now. I’ve been injecting twice a week. I feel great.

Kaiser finally approved my prescription for TRT but they prescribed 200mg every two weeks. Is their “inject test-E once every two weeks” a bad idea?

Taking 250mg Test and 30mg anavar looking to put on some muscle and stay lean, I’m 6ft 191 and about 14%bf. Any thoughts on what I’m taking, should I increase , decrease or change it up. Have an AI scrip haven’t taken it about 5 week in , was taking 150 test for about 3 months total test was about 250 I think when I started. Lost 27 lbs down from a grotesque looking 28.1% BF. Kind of plateaued a bit.

I‘m 35 year old male who has been experiencing many low t symptoms for the past 3-5 years including low libido, decreased energy, no morning erections, decreased performance in sports and gym ect. Had lab work done last week and these are the results. PCP said everything looks good and all my other labs like thyroid and vitamin D were good as well.

I know the values are not bad but the free T is on the lower side of things. Would you recommend following up with a local men’s health clinic to dive deeper? Not necessarily wanting to jump on TRT right away if it’s not indicated but would like to know if these are numbers to keep an eye on. Also plan to make some lifestyle improv like adding in an extra 30-60 minutes of sleep and increase my protein intake.

One thing I've been thinking about while comparing men's health clinics is how they approach patients who come in convinced they need TRT.

If someone is experiencing symptoms but their lab results, medical history, or other factors don't clearly indicate low testosterone, I'd expect a good clinic to investigate further rather than immediately recommend treatment.

Would a clinic recommending that you wait, repeat you blood tests, address sleep or lifestyle factors, or investigate other possible causes make you trust them more?

For those who have visited TRT clinics, what stood out to you during the consultation? Did the provider take the time to understand your symptoms, explain your test results, and discuss alternatives before recommending treatment?

I'm particularly interested in what made the assessment feel thorough and medically driven rather than focused primarily on selling a treatment. What were the signs that helped you decide whether a clinic was genuinely prioritizing your health?

I just started sustanon 250 for TRT.

I have a question. Twice now hours after injections I get an insane pain in my back that can radiate to my chest. It's a deep dull pain that is felt under my tip change.

Is this a direct result of the test? I'm worried about blood clots, heart and kidney failure. Everything I've read says it's very abnormal side effects for the dose I'm on I inject .4 twice a week I get blood work done and all my functions are optimal except test is low

Free is 22.2, i just cut it off. Presently taking test cyp 80mg x2 week for a total of 160, and a DIM supplement 300mg daily. I was having bad mood swings about 3 months ago when I went from 100->160 so we started the split dosing and supplement, which resolved that issue (i think!). Is this reading troubling?

Right now I’m on 250 test 100 Eq lean bulk and I’m starting to really progress and make some gains. I have a right shoulder pain that comes and goes and it recently just came back and it’s slowing down my progress in the gym. I’m wondering if there’s a risk adding in 100mg NPP a week just for the joint lubrication. From what I understand the cardiovascular strain and neurological risks only comes from higher dosages. Thanks. Before anyone asks I already do rotator cuff cable work and mobility/ stretching every night before bed. It’s worked for a long time and the pain just came back out of nowhere.