Designing own TRT plan - View & critique pls

[hannes joubert]

Hi all, trust everyone is well.

I am new on the board, but have been enjoying everyones posts.

I am based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We are way behind the curve here regarding male HRT, amongst both the doctors and the alternative practitioners.

Therefore, I have decided to design my own treatment protocol based on research (mainly from this site) and blood work.

I would really appreciate your input and critique pls.

Info:
37 yo male
5'11''
260lbs
28% bf

First tested for low T levels in 2006 and they revealed a level in the low range/borderline for age. New blood work to be done next week.

Possible causes of low T, physical trauma to testes during assault (major swelling & black/blue/purple); edit: had a serious head injury @ 6 months and a car accident with concomittent head injuries as well; 2 injections of Deca, 2 weeks apart, 17 years ago If the trauma is the cause, then my other hormones should still be okay, not so?

Reasons for suspecting low T, Test results above (latest tests to confirm) anecdotal evidence ito symptoms. And damn, I feel like I am 73 not 37.

Suggested plan

Test E/C (cannot decide which, which is popular, and is there a "market name" for this?)
At least 200mg/week (split into two doses)
Injection site, both cheeks and quads, IM
Will not include AI or HGH at first in case physical trauma is the root of the low T
Blood work redone after 90 days, will allow 60 days for improvements to manifest
Exercise will be compound moves 2xweek, Isolation moves, whole body 1xweek + cardio 3xweek (I have done this in the past, but exercise only lasts 2 weeks, after that I am spent, sick, sore and depressed, then takes 6 weeks to recover)
Diet will be clean (Tom Venuto's BFFM as base) with cheats over weekend (you gotta live...)

Will try and get the gear through a local dr, but not hopeful and very expensive US$200+ for one month's supply, will probably have to go UG route, or internet. (budget limit is unfortunately a reality)

Any thoughts or input?

Thanks for your time.

Cheers

H

 

[hannes joubert]

Hi All. still busy with research. Not sure if I am breaking any forum rules, if I am, pls delete and flame

I have found a website "********" which seems to have reasonable prices, are they reliable, would I be able to make use of them?

Thanks okes...

edit: they do not accept credit cards for payment, bummer...

edit: sorry if I offended any users or broke forum rules by posting a supplier name, I have removed the name.

Cheers
H

 

[zedhed]

Good luck bro on your journey. You will want to discus with Radar, Need2, armaniak47, goingon4t.....in general the senior mods. They will be a big help to you. Keep us posted and best of luck!

 

[thelion2005]

The basic HRT program consists of :
-100 mg test ... any test ... divided up daily (topicals) or twice a week injections. I like bioident and test p
- 1 iu of HGH eod
- diet low on sugar to include fruits, sugars and starches; high on all proteins.
- limited supplements ... multi vit and some whey
- lots of rest recovery
- full body routine over 2 - 3 days
Have blood test first. Then another after 4 months.
Diet is very important as is recovery.
You will lean down and gain muscle.

 

[hannes joubert]

Hi there, thanks for the replies.

Well, I have done some more legwork whilst I wait for the Dr to send in the request for blood work. So far, the only test I have been able to track down through legal channels (i.e via Dr scripts) in my part of the world is Sust 250 @ US$ 30 for 1ml. Problem is, it comes in an ampule, and once that is cracked you have to use all of it, not so? Meaning I cannot do the 3.5 day regimine? I may be able to find a better price on this through another pharmacy/drug store.

Is it not possible to use pills, or does that present another plan altogether?

Cheers, have a good weekend.

H

 

[Zyglamail]

Hi there, thanks for the replies.

Well, I have done some more legwork whilst I wait for the Dr to send in the request for blood work. So far, the only test I have been able to track down through legal channels (i.e via Dr scripts) in my part of the world is Sust 250 @ US$ 30 for 1ml. Problem is, it comes in an ampule, and once that is cracked you have to use all of it, not so? Meaning I cannot do the 3.5 day regimine? I may be able to find a better price on this through another pharmacy/drug store.

Is it not possible to use pills, or does that present another plan altogether?

Cheers, have a good weekend.

H

If your goal is to pin 2x a week, you could break the amp, pull half cc into one pin, shoot it, load rest into a second pin and use it 3 days later. Im not a big fan of preloading syringes but 3 days should be fine.

Orals are tough on the liver and not suited for long term use.

 

[hannes joubert]

Ah, preload syringe, did not think of that, thanks!!

Got the bloodwork request this morning, to take it to the lab soonest. Dr has asked for the following to be checked for:

1) Serum-Test / S-Free Test (SHBG)
2) Progesterone / DHEA / Cortisol
3) US CRP / Homocysteine

Sound about right?
Will post results as soon as I have them...Am going to the lab tomorrow (woohoo)

BTW, what are you guys paying per 1ml for Sust 250 (or anything else for that matter?)

Will logon again soon.

Blessings
H

 

[hannes joubert]

Hi all.

Went for the bloods this morning, had to be in a fasted state and all that...

Lab says two days then I can have the results of the above. Will keep you informed of the results and what the Dr says...

Cheers
H

 

[hannes joubert]

Tomorrow is the big day...

Will let you all know what the outcome is and what the remedies are...

Cheers

H

 

[zedhed]

Hey bro, just fyi, you can get labs online. Just check it out, and keep posting.

 

[hannes joubert]

Hey there, well I don't know if I should laugh or cry...

I got the test results and consulted the Dr, the following is the result.

What I want to laugh about is the fact that I finally have confirmation in the test results that my Test is non existent...

Test results:

CRP: 0.1 (apparently this is good)
Homocysteine: 11.8 umol/l (Range 0.0 - 14.4) (apparently this is okay too.)
Progesterone: Undetectable... (apparently this is not so good )
Total Test: 8.0 nmol/l (apparently this is not so good)
Free Test: .26 nmol/l (Suprised I'm still standing?)
DHEA: 5.35 umol/l
Cortisol: 173nmol/l
SHBG: 16.10 nmol/l

As far as I can see this values are pretty poor and I have no real presence of any sex hormones.

The diagnosis offered by my Dr is Adrenal Fatigue. Prognosis is "good"

Treatment protocol is:

50mg Progesterone cream once a day
50 mg DHEA once a day

Rationale is to increase the pre cursors to Test/Est and Cortisol in the hope that an increase in these hormones will result.

Dr also gave me 3ml of Test/p to inject (1ml over 3 weeks). I do not want to inject the test in fear of the endocrine shut down (the little that there is) and the drop off after 3 weeks.

Reconsult in 12 weeks...Dr avoided prescribing Test at all and my connection to UG lab is not responding...That is what I want to cry about. Perhaps I can convince him after the 12 weeks.

What do you all think about the above?

Help!!!

 

[caribeman]

I would look for another doctor...

 

[hannes joubert]

I would look for another doctor...

No disprespect, may I ask why caribeman? I'd like to educate myself so that I can argue with the man...

Thanks in advance

H

 

[caribeman]

Reason why is that if you have low levels of Test you sure dont want to take a shot every 3 weeks and have your blood levels on a rollercoster. instead, at least 1 shot per week should be administered to keep levels consistant. As you mentioned, you shoot 1 shot and youre gonna get shut down. if you read messages on this board, you will find the recommendation is (at a min) 1 shot per week.

 

[zedhed]

^^^Fo sho^^^ If at all possible find a more open minded Dr or Endo. This guy isnt gonna do you any good bro.

 

[hannes joubert]

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies.

Well, it's official, I've had enough of being jerked around by every Dr and his receptionist...

I now know that I have low test levels, so...

I am looking at following the recommendation earlier in this thread:

100ml Test E once a week for 30 days, after that continue 100ml Test E every week, with possibly 250iu HcG on Day 5 & Day 6. Will see about HgH, cost is a limiting factor, but will be doing everything in faith.

How does this sound as a starting point for TRT?

Will let u know when I start the TRT and the subjective feedback during it before the next bloodwork.

Thanks again for all the support.

Cheers
H

 

[hannes joubert]

Aaarghh, I cannot decide between 100mg/week (2x50) or 200mg/week (2x100) Pls help!!!!

Thanks

 

[caribeman]

Relax, either one will improve your current situation. Start with 100mg (either 1 shot or 2 xs per week). Use your HCG 250iu (I take mine 2 days prior to shot then again the day before the shot) and give it a month or so. See how you feel overall at that time you can decide to stay at 100 or increase. Your increase can also be done at .50mg at a time. Plan your next blood test and get a full panel. Let us know if you have further questions.

The secong thing I recommend is for you to change your eating habits. It seems (from your original post) that you have high BF percentage. You need to get your eating habits in order as well as your work-out/cardio program. As well, I am sure we can all help out with suggestions/comments on that.

 

[hannes joubert]

Okay, busy lining up suppliers.

Will start with 100m/g week, 2xinjections per week for 1st 30 days, then will bump up to 200mg week, also 2 injections. This is a concrete decision and will happen.

I have a goal to 1) Bulk up (the sourthern hemisphere summer is already in full swing so it is to late for me to cut and "show off") for 3 months, lay off for 3 months and then cut for 3 months in order to be ready for next summer. Are there any cycles that you can recommend in conjunction with TRT? Ideally I would like to gain strength and stamina, as well as size whilst keeping these gains during the cutting cycle (am I expecting too much ?) If I don't have to worry about PCT then I may as well go big (no pun intended).

Sorry if these questions have been asked elsewhere, I have looked but found nothing...

Thanks

H

 

[caribeman]

remember that Test e is a long acting ester and you probably will not feel it for a few weeks (usually 3 for me) so 30 does not makes sense. U can stay on 100mg per week for a few months and in that time develop a good workout-eating plan to compliment your extra test. No need for you to be on then come off to go back on again. Stay on, do a bloodtest 3 months down the road and see where you stand. Keep an eye on any sings of Gyno as well as blood pressure. I think this is a good start. Down the road you can add/increase/mix if you see the need.

 

[hannes joubert]

Hi there Caribman, sorry if I am not explaining myself properly...

What I meant to say was,I am doing TRT as a matter of course, and will be remaining on this indefinately. If I got the dosages incorrect (going from 100mg/week to 200mg/week) thanks for the correction. So I won't be cycling the TRT

What I then planned to do was to do a bulking cycle on top of the TRT, then 3 months TRT only, and then a cutting cycle and then come back to plan TRT only...Does that make more sense, and is it doable/advisable?

Any advice would be really appreciated...

Cheers,

H

 

[caribeman]

I believe Im getting what youre saying. You can run your Test at 200mg per week (shooting frequency is up to you. 1 shot or 2 shots for your total of 200mg). If you want to bulk you can either up your test to 400 or 500mg per week or add some Deca (Deca always 1/2 of your Test). No knowing what you have access to you can also try NPP (Short acting Deca), Equipoise as well but rememeber that Test is King and you always need to run it higher than your deca. But this will be an "aid" to your total caloric intake. If you dont eat/workout right you're not going to get the best results. So, basically run your TRT (for say.... 3 months) then "bulk" for another 16 weeks, then back to cruising on your TRT. If you're cutting (again, watch your caliric intake), you can add some Tren, Winstrol, EQ (some peeps "cut" on this) or even some Primo.

As mentioned before, keep an eye on your blood pressure and do regular blood test.

 

[hannes joubert]

Hi there Caribman, yip, I believe that we are now on the same page

If I understand you correctly then, it is okay for me to up dosages in order to do a traditional cycle, ontop of the TRT...I must just be careful to choose the correct gear for my purposes (bulk/cut) and of course physiology? Excellent...

Again, thanks for your help and feedback, you're a good guy.

H

 

[hannes joubert]

Hi All, I don't want to break any forum rules here, so I thought I migh turn a normal question around...

Are there any brands of gear that I should AVOID?

Thanks...