Test levels on TRT vs cycle?

[littleguy289]

Whats up all. Just got lab results back and my serum level showed 281 with a lab range of 348-1197. Doc wants to put me on TRT so I'm going back next week to start. I've always just assumed that I probably want to get my test levels as high as possible for obvious reasons, but it got me wondering how high can test levels get while on cycle?

 

[stevesmi]

T levels that are too high as you put it can lead to major lipid strain across the board.

on cycle running a moderate dose of test your T levels can easily get well over 2000.. a lot of labs cap it at 1500<

 

[buddhabuilder]

We should put together a Sticky detailing how TRT impacts Test levels and how. I see quite a few threads dealing with people who think that TRT will bring their test levels up, and then they can stop the Rx because they will have improved test levels permanently. I'm hearing in, "get my test levels as high as possible" a quandry. I think, to get my test levels as high as possible, I lift and diet consistently in order to obtain and keep quality muscle gains. I can use responsible cycling to enhance this process, but most of it is up to me and keeping my natural system in top shape. I think that TRT is completely different in that it replaces the natural system, which actually shuts down, and if you take this route, that shut down can be permanent.

Make sure you have a long talk with the doctor, and gain a thorough understanding of the big picture.

 

[littleguy289]

Hmm good point buddha. Although I do know that I've been struggling for years despite my best efforts to maximize the factors that encourage endogenous t, and minimize those that hinder it. These most recent results are pretty honest without me tampering with it much trying to get a lower reading. I wanted to see what my actual normal baseline is, meaning based on my usual routine/lifestyle of lifting hard and heavy 4-5 days per week, eating big, proper rest and nutrition, minimizing alcohol, minimizing stress, etc. IF I worked my ass off and cut more things out of my life that I enjoy and focused more on it, I *might* be able to naturally get my t up another 100 points, which would just barely put me into the low end of the normal range. And that just doesn't make any sense. Unfortunately I'm at a point where it's more about just feeling like shit all the time. But I'm not going to stop working out and I always want to maximize gains so I figured if I'm going to be on TRT anyways it would benefit aiming towards the high end of the range, right?

 

[kubes]

My last cycle I had labs run and my t levels were 3290 ng/dl

 

[littleguy289]

My last cycle I had labs run and my t levels were 3290 ng/dl

holy fuck

 

[doogle]

omg!

 

[buddhabuilder]

Hmm good point buddha. Although I do know that I've been struggling for years despite my best efforts to maximize the factors that encourage endogenous t, and minimize those that hinder it. These most recent results are pretty honest without me tampering with it much trying to get a lower reading. I wanted to see what my actual normal baseline is, meaning based on my usual routine/lifestyle of lifting hard and heavy 4-5 days per week, eating big, proper rest and nutrition, minimizing alcohol, minimizing stress, etc. IF I worked my ass off and cut more things out of my life that I enjoy and focused more on it, I *might* be able to naturally get my t up another 100 points, which would just barely put me into the low end of the normal range. And that just doesn't make any sense. Unfortunately I'm at a point where it's more about just feeling like shit all the time. But I'm not going to stop working out and I always want to maximize gains so I figured if I'm going to be on TRT anyways it would benefit aiming towards the high end of the range, right?

It sounds like you have put alot of thought, consideration, and research into this. There are guys on here who swear by blast and cruise. Just be sure to get regular bloods and maintain all the things you have been utilizing for a healthy lifestyle. Oh, and keep posts current here for other guys who may find themselves in similar situations.

 

[littleguy289]

Well, had another visit w the doc this am. 100mg cyp every 2 weeks starting next week. Will post back with updates after I start

 

[burnthiscorpse]

Cruising on 150mg wk cyp I was at 2540ng/dl. Obviously this was unexpected. It was heavily dosed UGL.
Then switched to 105mg wk of sust. This put my levels at 1400 even. Still not ideal but RBC, hemocrit ect were all in range.

This shows the difference in strength UGL's can have even at a modest dose. Most important thing is to give 2 months or so, so you know your levels are stable and then do bloods.

AND please don't let your fucking doctor do anything but 1 shot a week. Most of these shit heads like to try every 2 weeks and even every 3 weeks on test with half lives of 6 days. Your better off with straight up low T than this roller coaster bullshit.

 

[littleguy289]

Doc is insisting on every 2 weeks to start. I figure I'll give it a couple months and see how it goes. I will undoubtedly tell him to up the dose, either by going to 200mg eow but more likely just going to 100mg ew. My levels have been low and dropping for years, my last doc was a pos and wouldnt do anything about it so at this point I'm short on muscle and high on bf. I figure for now since he insists on doing the shots eow I can alternate bulking and cutting weeks. All I can do is try it and see how it goes

 

[stevesmi]

^^^ k don't think just cause you suddenly go on HRT that magically your fat will dissapear and your muscle will come on.. doesn't work like that.

every person I know on HRT is a fat cow in real life. on here its a different obviously cause most of us are lifters/bodybuilders so we live the lifestyle. point is if your lifestyle sucks you will still feel and look like shit on HRT. so get your lifestyle fixed first.

drugs, alcohol, bad fats, fried foods, dairy, fast food, breads, refined flours etc etc. need to be reduce/eliminated and lean meats (fish, turkey, chicken breast), veggies, veggies, and more veggies need to be added.

 

[littleguy289]

lol by "short on muscle and high on bf" I didn't mean I'm some lazy couch potato, I meant I've been struggling for years and still watching my years of hard work deteriorate even tho I have everything else as dialed as I can. I'm at 190/12% right now, not horrible for 38yo but that's the best I've been able to attain no matter how hard I try. My blown out back and generally beat to shit body from years of sports, physical work, lifting, and general roughhousing definitely put me at a disadvantage at this point, but hoping the hrt will help me overcome alot of that. So like I said I'm focusing on cutting as hard as I can right now until I start the test in 2 weeks, at which point I'm going to start the alternating heavy/light weeks while keeping it as clean as possible and lifting harder than ever. I'm aiming to get down under 10%bf in the next few weeks, then continue to work my way to my more intermediate goals of ~215/7%

 

[burnthiscorpse]

It doesn't matter if its 100mg EOW or 500mg EOW. its still going to have a serious peak and valley effect. He doesn't need to up the dose he needs to up the duration. This proves my point that 99% of docs know fucking shit about TRT. Any real TRT doc knows its weekly. You had better get some research together and take it and shove it in his face if you ever intend on feeling normal.

Unless its sustanon or straight test decanoate every other week is a joke.