Should I go on HRT?

[Harleymarleybone]

Hey fellas,

I just turned 50. I finished a cycle of Test/Deca/Dbol/HCG in April, did PCT (Nolva) through most of May, got my Test levels checked in July and they were at 170 when the normal range is 250- 900 (roughly). The doc asked me if I had done AAS, since I am pretty jacked, and I denied it, (don't want to debate the issue of telling doc - have good reasons.) I don't know what my baseline test level is since I stupidly did not get blood work done before taking AAS. More than likely my PCT was not very effective.

So my question is the following: Should I redo HCG/PCT etc. to try to get my natural test levels back up, or should I use this as an opportunity to push the doc for HRT, so I can take test legally, and maybe get it free? I am a lifer when it comes to BBing/weight training (not competitively) and I want to keep my test levels up to the highest level of normal I can when I am not cycling. This might be my ticket. I know there are arguments on both sides, but it would be great to hear some input, especially from the older guys on HRT. I am sure I could learn some things that would help me make a decision.

Thanks

 

[lostinfitness]

I think it sucks that you didn't get blood tests prior to cycling. If it is low, hammer him. Why not? He can't deny it if your test levels are low and it is putting a strain on your life.

LosT!!

 

[Harleymarleybone]

I think it sucks that you didn't get blood tests prior to cycling. If it is low, hammer him. Why not? He can't deny it if your test levels are low and it is putting a strain on your life.

LosT!!

Yeah, I just don't know if I want to become an exogenous testosterone addict for life. That would entail certain inconveniences.

 

[CremasterBlaster]

My thought would be to run the HCG over again with some low dosage letrozole (1.25mg eod). Some studies I have read suggest that natural test levels may take up to six months to recuperate. It doesn't beat the free ride if you can get on HRT but Test is so cheap anyway......and more than likely you'll be prescribed cream at first.

 

[calveless wonder]

you're 50, not 25 bro......

i'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

[airsmith2k]

yeah ur 50 i would DEFINITELY do it...i hear that testosterone that the docs prescribe it ten times better then anything ur gonna get on the black market

 

[small but working on it]

if you get on hrt, the doc is going to be on point after this and will be checking your levels forever. When you do another cycle, and if you have bloodwork done and test numbers are jacked up, he is going to figure it out pretty quickly.How did he ask you, was it accusing like or was it just a question ? Basically do you feel he would frown on it or would do what he could to just get your levels back and keep you going.

 

[Harleymarleybone]

if you get on hrt, the doc is going to be on point after this and will be checking your levels forever. When you do another cycle, and if you have bloodwork done and test numbers are jacked up, he is going to figure it out pretty quickly.How did he ask you, was it accusing like or was it just a question ? Basically do you feel he would frown on it or would do what he could to just get your levels back and keep you going.

Yeah, it would be impossible to time cycles to come in normal on the tests. As Cremasterblater suggests I could just do HRT myself, since Test is so cheap anyway,and just get blood work done myself. The Doc's question was pretty objective, so I can' t tell what he is thinking. I am not going to have this insurance forever, so I don't want to jeopardize having another company deny coverage,if he puts AAS in my record.

 

[Harleymarleybone]

you're 50, not 25 bro......

i'd do it in a heartbeat.

I plan on living another 50, so that's a long commitment

 

[Harleymarleybone]

My thought would be to run the HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - over again with some low dosage letrozole (1.25mg eod). Some studies I have read suggest that natural test levels may take up to six months to recuperate. It doesn't beat the free ride if you can get on HRT but Test is so cheap anyway......and more than likely you'll be prescribed cream at first.

Yeah, I think I am going to order the HCG and Letro. I want some on hand regardless. I'll probably give that a shot first, and if I can't get my levels up where I want them, HRT is always an option. I am getting more test results today, so I am anxious to see if there was any improvement over a couple months.

 

[Stryker1992]

I plan on living another 50, so that's a long commitment

I am a bit more conservative then some of the other bros, I would say maybe try some hcg or even not, wait a few months and have it checked again. the you can have a better idea if things are progressing or if they are where you will be at. That makes for a more well informed decision process.

 

[st8grad]

yeah ur 50 i would DEFINITELY do it...i hear that testosterone that the docs prescribe it ten times better then anything ur gonna get on the black market

Oh here we go. Now the "white" market is better than the "black" market. Lol. Sorry bad reference to the vernon davis thread.

 

[r1]

HRT should be a last resort, bro. Although at your age, it might be needed.

R1

 

[leonidas33]

I am a bit more conservative then some of the other bros, I would say maybe try some HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - or even not, wait a few months and have it checked again. the you can have a better idea if things are progressing or if they are where you will be at. That makes for a more well informed decision process.

ok, so he does a cycle and it takes 3 months - 6 months to regain natural test levels... what is this going to do to his gains... down the shitter they go...

I was in the same boat... after 2 months after my very first cycle on a very strict pct plan, my test levels were at 99 and all my gains were QUICKLY diminshing... the last 12 weeks of hard work were for nothing... prior to cycle I had a difficult time making ANY gains. I was 31, 6'3" and 180lbs and had worked out for 5-6 years consistently only to "gain" 2 days of soreness after each workout... HRT was a no brainer for me...

if you cannot QUICKLY get your natural test levels up to a point to sustain your new muscle development, you will lose them... bottom line...

 

[Triple J]

well when you do deca your recovery is typically more difficult ... thus i would say that is most likely the real culprit vs. your age.

however given the situation i would jump on the hrt for a year or so then maybe you could come off again at that point. in all likelhood distancing yourself from any deca consumption (or other progestins) will enable you to recover fully at some point in the future

 

[slat1]

I have been having my levels checked for the last two years and finally got approved for HRT.
Its sort of a mixed blessing.
It cost me over $5,000 with all my Dr visits and tests (I am self employed).
Now that I am approved I see these numbers.
100mgs of test a week.
So that is 400mgs a month.
It cost $400 a month!!!! WTF
That is the equivalent of 2cc's of cyp for $400!!!!
I still don't know what I will do.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[Stryker1992]

ok, so he does a cycle and it takes 3 months - 6 months to regain natural test levels... what is this going to do to his gains... down the shitter they go...

I was in the same boat... after 2 months after my very first cycle on a very strict PCT - post cycle therapy - plan, my test levels were at 99 and all my gains were QUICKLY diminshing... the last 12 weeks of hard work were for nothing... prior to cycle I had a difficult time making ANY gains. I was 31, 6'3" and 180lbs and had worked out for 5-6 years consistently only to "gain" 2 days of soreness after each workout... HRT was a no brainer for me...

if you cannot QUICKLY get your natural test levels up to a point to sustain your new muscle development, you will lose them... bottom line...

that is why it helps to know your pre AAS test levels!

 

[Stryker1992]

I have been having my levels checked for the last two years and finally got approved for HRT.
Its sort of a mixed blessing.
It cost me over $5,000 with all my Dr visits and tests (I am self employed).
Now that I am approved I see these numbers.
100mgs of test a week.
So that is 400mgs a month.
It cost $400 a month!!!! WTF
That is the equivalent of 2cc's of testosterone cypionate for $400!!!!
I still don't know what I will do.
Good luck with your decision!

Shit bro, it is just cheaper (a lot cheaper) to go blakck market (as you know). no insurnace, that sucks balls. i feel for you man!

 

[Harleymarleybone]

I have been having my levels checked for the last two years and finally got approved for HRT.
Its sort of a mixed blessing.
It cost me over $5,000 with all my Dr visits and tests (I am self employed).
Now that I am approved I see these numbers.
100mgs of test a week.
So that is 400mgs a month.
It cost $400 a month!!!! WTF
That is the equivalent of 2cc's of testosterone cypionate for $400!!!!
I still don't know what I will do.
Good luck with your decision!

You can't get the test underground, or they make you buy it to stay in the program?

 

[Harleymarleybone]

Oh here we go. Now the "white" market is better than the "black" market. Lol. Sorry bad reference to the vernon davis thread.

Yea, test is test. I'd match GA Labs test against any white market test.

 

[r1]

slat1: The guy you're buying your Test from must be thanking you for putting his kids through college.

I'm on HRT with Test @ 100mg/week and HCG @ 500 iu/week. A 10ml vial of prescription Testosterone Cypionate (200mg/mL) costs anywhere from $50-$100 depending on what pharmacy you buy it from. That's 2 grams and at HRT doses, that will last 20 weeks (5 months). Even you paid the more expensive $100 for the bottle, that is still only $20/month.

HCG does get a bit expensive ($50/month for me), but it is well worth it.

Don't buy GA gear for HRT, bro. You have a legitimate medical condition with legal access to pharm grade gear whose purity will never be in question. That's how it is supposed to be.

R1

 

[Harleymarleybone]

ok, so he does a cycle and it takes 3 months - 6 months to regain natural test levels... what is this going to do to his gains... down the shitter they go...

I was in the same boat... after 2 months after my very first cycle on a very strict PCT - post cycle therapy - plan, my test levels were at 99 and all my gains were QUICKLY diminshing... the last 12 weeks of hard work were for nothing... prior to cycle I had a difficult time making ANY gains. I was 31, 6'3" and 180lbs and had worked out for 5-6 years consistently only to "gain" 2 days of soreness after each workout... HRT was a no brainer for me...

if you cannot QUICKLY get your natural test levels up to a point to sustain your new muscle development, you will lose them... bottom line...

Good point. I was at 260 at the end of my last cycle, and three months later I am almost down to 245 where I started. So, it is either great PCT which is very hard to fine tune, or HRT if you want to hold your gains. Though, I have to say that at 245, I can still bench quite a bit more after AAS use, than I could when I was natural and 245, so I am thinking I made some lean mass progress. And I don't think I could have done it naturally since I was stuck for a long time at the same bench weight - couldn't do 315 even once - now I can do 5 or 6 reps even with my low test levels -nothing that awesome, but pretty good for a 50 year old I think.

 

[Harleymarleybone]

well when you do Deca-Durabolin - nandrolone decanoate - -Durabolin - nandrolone decanoate - your recovery is typically more difficult ... thus i would say that is most likely the real culprit vs. your age.

however given the situation i would jump on the hrt for a year or so then maybe you could come off again at that point. in all likelhood distancing yourself from any Deca-Durabolin - nandrolone decanoate - consumption (or other progestins) will enable you to recover fully at some point in the future

I think you were right about the Deca. Bummer, I was planning trenbolone for my next cycle. Maybe an old timer like me should fork out the extra cash and stick with Primobolan - methenolone - , if I don't go with HRT.

You think, say, 200 mg test per week for a year would shut you down much or be hard to recover from, if you decided to go off?- I would run HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - , of course, to keep my little friends awake.

 

[Harleymarleybone]

slat1: The guy you're buying your Test from must be thanking you for putting his kids through college.

I'm on HRT with Test @ 100mg/week and HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - @ 500 iu/week. A 10ml vial of prescription Testosterone Cypionate (200mg/mL) costs anywhere from $50-$100 depending on what pharmacy you buy it from. That's 2 grams and at HRT doses, that will last 20 weeks (5 months). Even you paid the more expensive $100 for the bottle, that is still only $20/month.

HCG does get a bit expensive ($50/month for me), but it is well worth it.

Don't buy GA gear for HRT, bro. You have a legitimate medical condition with legal access to pharm grade gear whose purity will never be in question. That's how it is supposed to be.

R1

Do you do cycles, too? If so, doesn't it affect your blood tests? Does your doc know you cycle?

 

[Triple J]

I think you were right about the Deca-Durabolin - nandrolone decanoate - . Bummer, I was planning trenbolone for my next cycle. Maybe an old timer like me should fork out the extra cash and stick with Primobolan - methenolone - , if I don't go with HRT.

You think, say, 200 mg test per week for a year would shut you down much or be hard to recover from, if you decided to go off?- I would run HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - - human chorionic gonadotropin - , of course, to keep my little friends awake.

difficult recoveries are almost always the result of running deca or tren and rarely a result of running T, regardless of length or dose of cycle. the longer you are on the T and at the higher dose, yea, your recovery might be a little slower, but nothing like after running deca. i agree the primo or eq, or anavar, proviron, etc. would be a better choice for a cycle at your age. however if you are going on hrt you may not care about the shutdown, however the other problem with deca, especially for older guys, it usually ends up killing your dick. no fun