Starting Testosterone And Need Advice

[Serpentlike]

I have had issues with low T and am starting treatments. My numbers are half of average and I have always had trouble putting on muscle. Now that my numbers are going to be high, what should I do to make the most of this advantage? I have always done fine at getting erections and had a good sex drive, but a lot of other things made me suspect my numbers were low. Mood, late puberty, no body hair, difficulty focusing, and more. I want to really get the most out of this. Thanks for any ideas. Especially if you are a fitness expert.

 

[gluben]

Hey, I'm on prescribed TRT too. Feel free to drop me a DM if you like and I can talk to you about my experience. I'm not a "ftiness expert" and certainly not a doctor but I don't mind sharing my experience.

 

[Industrialsize]

I have had issues with low T and am starting treatments. My numbers are half of average and I have always had trouble putting on muscle. Now that my numbers are going to be high, what should I do to make the most of this advantage? I have always done fine at getting erections and had a good sex drive, but a lot of other things made me suspect my numbers were low. Mood, late puberty, no body hair, difficulty focusing, and more. I want to really get the most out of this. Thanks for any ideas. Especially if you are a fitness expert.

See a physician, not a fitness expert. Messing with your hormonal system is not the right lane for someone who show's you how to lift weights.

 

[Serpentlike]

See a physician, not a fitness expert. Messing with your hormonal system is not the right lane for someone who show's you how to lift weights.

I have a physician and he prescribed the testosterone. What I am asking about is what to do while I am on it for maximum muscle gains.

 

[DSF140]

I have a physician and he prescribed the testosterone. What I am asking about is what to do while I am on it for maximum muscle gains.

Work out like a serious athlete, and you will see gains.

 

[WadWorshipper]

I'm glad you're getting treatment for low T. I've had this problem for years as has my one stepson. I suspect you will feel a lot better. I've tried applying creams etc but the best treatment I've tried so far is biweekly injections I give myself in my thigh. It isn't perfect because it peaks in the days right after the shot, and I sometimes feel it running out of steam toward the end of the two weeks. If you are having the same treatment type, you may have to pace your workouts accordingly. If you are getting one of the newer, more constant application of T, then of course, this won't be a problem.

 

[socalfreak]

Difficult to say, really.
Dosage and scheduling protocol will have a lot to do with it.
Anything less than once a week administration isn't going to do good things for you.
But, assuming their plan is optimal at keeping your hormone levels even....
Taking test at trt dosages won't turn you into anything other than average.
The same workout/diet/recovery factors apply.
You get out of it, what you put into it.
Most people with average range test don't workout enough/consistently..
They don't eat properly/consistently..
For "maximum" muscle growth, you need maximum effort in the gym and kitchen.
You will, essentially, be the same as most "natty" fitness buffs.
Also, you're starting at a disadvantage because of your late start.
Not trying to burst your bubble.
You'll most likely feel better all around.
And that's fantastic.
But, if you think taking therapeutic doses of test will turn you into Mr Olympia/crossfit champion, that's not terribly realistic.
Big results require big effort.
To optimize things for you, hit the gym hard.... As often as your body can handle responsibly.
Watch your food... Day in and day out. Figure out your macros and stick to it. You don't eat for pleasure. You eat for function.
Liquor, tobacco, drugs, sweets... They need to go.
That's about it.
No tricks... Just hard work and discipline.
All the drugs in the world can't make up for them.

 

[DSF140]

Difficult to say, really.
Dosage and scheduling protocol will have a lot to do with it.
Anything less than once a week administration isn't going to do good things for you.
But, assuming their plan is optimal at keeping your hormone levels even....
Taking test at trt dosages won't turn you into anything other than average.
The same workout/diet/recovery factors apply.
You get out of it, what you put into it.
Most people with average range test don't workout enough/consistently..
They don't eat properly/consistently..
For "maximum" muscle growth, you need maximum effort in the gym and kitchen.
You will, essentially, be the same as most "natty" fitness buffs.
Also, you're starting at a disadvantage because of your late start.
Not trying to burst your bubble.
You'll most likely feel better all around.
And that's fantastic.
But, if you think taking therapeutic doses of test will turn you into Mr Olympia/crossfit champion, that's not terribly realistic.
Big results require big effort.
To optimize things for you, hit the gym hard.... As often as your body can handle responsibly.
Watch your food... Day in and day out. Figure out your macros and stick to it. You don't eat for pleasure. You eat for function.
Liquor, tobacco, drugs, sweets... They need to go.
That's about it.
No tricks... Just hard work and discipline.
All the drugs in the world can't make up for them.

This.

 

[Dave NoCal]

I have always been a hard gainer. The ONLY way I have gained substantial amounts of muscle is through doing negative lifts. One gym I went ot was very friendly and guys would offer help with this. In general, you need a committed workout partner to do negatives consistently.

 

[Dave NoCal]

To try to be more clear, this is an example of what I am talking about.

 

[Infernal]

Just be sure to keep track of your overall health. I was on testosterone for a few years and ended up with polycythemia vera from it. It didn't go away after I stopped the testosterone.

 

[njersey]

You should be seeing a D.O. family doctor in addition to an endocrinologist if you’re making lifestyle changes.

Depending on a wide range of factors, like age, weight, and cardiovascular health, the intensity of any workout might need to be tailored to you. A D.O. can address issues more holistically than a specialist and can help your endocrinologist monitor your condition.

And remember that fitness is a relative thing. The body naturally adapts to conditions it’s put under... over a long period of time. That’s all fitness is: your body’s ability to meet the requirements of your day to day life.

Do not fall into the wellness trap. People have all sorts of wacky “tricks” that amount to superstition. Being well is not the same as being healthy, and the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to find your passions and pursue them, be good to others and your community... and to drink water.

If your passion is more muscle, then work out. Number one, though, with any hormonal treatment: your cardiovascular health. If you’ve had a hard time developing muscle, imagine what that muscle in your chest has been doing.

Again, that’s something a D.O. can really help with or they can refer you to someone who can.

Start light. Stay healthy.

 

[Zeeboop405]

Just be sure to keep track of your overall health. I was on testosterone for a few years and ended up with polycythemia vera from it. It didn't go away after I stopped the testosterone.

I’ve been on testosterone for about 12-15 years and my red count and hematocrit has increased over time and my platelet count has decreased but am still on it till my doc says otherwise.

 

[Dave NoCal]

Any update?

 

[MilfBanger78]

I have a physician and he prescribed the testosterone. What I am asking about is what to do while I am on it for maximum muscle gains.

What dosage is he prescribing you, and what frequency of injections?

Some get very low dosages, 100mg or even less a week, sometimes even every 10-14 days. On those dosages you will likely just get back to "normal" levels of test and feel better hopefully. But dont expect dramatic improvements in muscle growth, although it should be better than before.

Some Docs are more liberal with it and will prescribe 200mgs/week, especially if you go to a men's clinic. On that dosage you'll reach very high levels of test, and have an easier time building size and strength. So you wanna train hard. And testosterone significantly increases protein synthesis, so u wanna take advantage of that factor by upping your protein intake.

Personally I cruise at a "TRT+" dosage of about 250mgs/week and then when I wanna ramp it up I go up to 400-500mgs/week for 2-3 months but of course thats not TRT and I dont do it often.

 

[WilliamG]

Some get very low dosages, 100mg or even less a week, sometimes even every 10-14 days.

This is what ethical doctors should be dosing.

 

[MilfBanger78]

This is what ethical doctors should be dosing.

Eh, not really a matter of ethics, it all depends on the client. Someone with severely low Test levels isn't always gonna get much from such low dosages. Some will require more. Where as a guy with moderately low levels can perhaps get pretty good results from that. A lot of times it takes some tinkering.

 

[WilliamG]

Eh, not really a matter of ethics, it all depends on the client. Someone with severely low Test levels isn't always gonna get much from such low dosages. Some will require more. Where as a guy with moderately low levels can perhaps get pretty good results from that. A lot of times it takes some tinkering.

I'm going to be firm on this. If the patient has even "severely low" counts, doses higher than 1ml are rare at best. Higher dosing becomes unethical giving the increased risks of side effects. My integrative medicine doctor is pretty flexible on a lot of things. But testosterone is not one of them. Twice a year I have blood work to watch it.

 

[ColonelLingus]

did it make your balls shrink alot

 

[MilfBanger78]

I'm going to be firm on this. If the patient has even "severely low" counts, doses higher than 1ml are rare at best. Higher dosing becomes unethical giving the increased risks of side effects. My integrative medicine doctor is pretty flexible on a lot of things. But testosterone is not one of them. Twice a year I have blood work to watch it.

Not rare at all at Mens clinics. Depends on the need of the client. If the needs arent being met he will go elsewhere.