TRT vs Cycle

[Madeinamerika]

Hello everyone, My first test script comes in tomorrow need some advice since I'm still on the fence. Not sure if I should do TRT see how I feel and then do a minor blast or should I just do a first-round cycle and come off with a PCT.

About me:

I am 34 years old, and I've been lifting/working out since I was 21, so I've been in the lifestyle for about 13 years. My diet is pretty good, I mostly eat a well-balanced diet consisting mostly of organic food (wife is a health nut) and I almost never eat any fast food except for the occasional treat. I also have been intermittent fasting for the last 5 ish years with different eating windows and even did the OMAD diet for 5 months (157 lbs., leanest I've ever been). As of right now I am 170 lbs.

I have never done any sort of PEDS ever, no SARMS, nothing. As you will see in the pics below, I have a very attainable naturals physic.

5'8

170-180 fluctuates

Why I got prescribed test:

Since I turned 30, 4 years ago I've had what perceive to be low test symptoms.

• Significant foggy brain
• tired at the end of the day
• loss of muscle/size
• increase in anxiety

Blood labs

March 2024

All panels were in normal ranges

Test level was 740

June 20th

All panels were normal ranges

Test level 622

Neither blood lab ad free test, don't know why

I don't want to say I want to do TRT but rather I want to do test to enhance/optimize the way I feel and look. I want to be in the 1000+ test levels, I have a strong feeling I was on the higher end during my 20's but will never know because i never did labs.

TRT prescription

200mg of test cyp

2 injection a week at 100mg

HCG (not going to use, not having kids)

AI (not going to use unless I get symptoms)

just want to run straight test and no other chemicals.

Pics of me throughout the years

2019 (170-180)




2023 (157 leanest)






2024 (180-186)




So what do Yall think should I go down the TRT route or do a cycle?

 

[MarineMan]

Welcome aboard jarhead. If it were me personally I'd try TRT for 6-8 weeks and see how that made me feel before jumping into a blast or a cycle.

 

[Meetketchup]

You will make gains going on TRT. You ride that out for a long as possible before even thinking of doing a cycle.

 

[aimanabolic]

 

[Glycomann]

You don't need any steroids. You look great and you have pretty high natty test based on what's out there these days. I've seen tons of guys your age with test level in the 300s. Knock out a couple kids with that sexy health nut mamma you're with and then think about TRT when you're older. You're sitting in a good place. No need to complicate things at this point. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Curlieque]

Next time ask your doc about adding in the free test in your panel. My test was average, but free was low. Did you test your thyroid? I have some of those things you listed, I'm in my 3rd week of a low dose test and I'm still not feeling much better, but in the past, it takes a bit to fully kick in with a longer ester.
How the heck did you get prescribed trt?

 

[aimanabolic]

You don't need any steroids.

I mean technically none of us "need" steroids.

He's probably not gonna put on much more muscle from where he's at currently without gear.

I would say start with just TRT, the more times you pin per week the better. A lot of people pin MWF which I think is the minimum anyone should be doing for stable hormones. (Pinning more often keeps E2 lower usually)

Once you stop seeing gains look into adding 1 compound on top if you don't feel like you're lacking in food/nutrition/training.

Btw you don't need your doctor for bloodwork, there's websites you can order your own bloodwork if you want to fine tune your total test without raising any red flags with insurance or your doctor.

 

[Madeinamerika]

Next time ask your doc about adding in the free test in your panel. My test was average, but free was low. Did you test your thyroid? I have some of those things you listed, I'm in my 3rd week of a low dose test and I'm still not feeling much better, but in the past, it takes a bit to fully kick in with a longer ester.
How the heck did you get prescribed trt?

TRT Nation, anyone with a heartbeat can get prescribed, that's why I went with them.

 

[Maxwell]

yo wait am I reading that correctly.... my insurance might cover my tests I order myself??

@aimanabolic

 

[BBruce]

I would not go on TRT with OP’s Test levels, I think it’s a mistake.

OP, do cycles for 10-12 weeks and then PCT. If down the road you Test levels start to dip you can go on TRT but as of now it’s a mistake.

 

[aimanabolic]

yo wait am I reading that correctly.... my insurance might cover my tests I order myself??

@aimanabolic

Insurance won't pay, you can use FSA/HSA card. You don't want insurance or your doc involved with your numbers unless your doc is aware of your PEDs.

 

[Maxwell]

ya its unfortunate I told my doctors everything and now they just know lol no one wants to prescribe them to me it was a waste of time. However that being said he seemed pretty cool this yearly and said I was doing great.

 

[aimanabolic]

ya its unfortunate I told my doctors everything and now they just know lol no one wants to prescribe them to me it was a waste of time. However that being said he seemed pretty cool this yearly and said I was doing great.

It's cheaper without prescription, just pull your own bloods and learn to read bloodwork. Depending how serious you are, you could hire a trainer to help with stuff like reading the bloodwork among other things.

 

[Glycomann]

I mean technically none of us "need" steroids.

He's probably not gonna put on much more muscle from where he's at currently without gear.

I would say start with just TRT, the more times you pin per week the better. A lot of people pin MWF which I think is the minimum anyone should be doing for stable hormones. (Pinning more often keeps E2 lower usually)

Once you stop seeing gains look into adding 1 compound on top if you don't feel like you're lacking in food/nutrition/training.

Btw you don't need your doctor for bloodwork, there's websites you can order your own bloodwork if you want to fine tune your total test without raising any red flags with insurance or your doctor.

I gave my 2 cents. Most drug addicts want company. I am a drug addict. You are a drug addict. Addicted to AAS and probably other PEDs. He looks better than 90% of the board. His natty test is higher than almost everyone that is natty. Most of us would faced a year of recovery to get back to half that and after 10 years of blast and cruise would have to resort to all sorts of difficulty fathering even one child. There is more skin in this game than most realize I guess. Sometimes someone has to be the contrarian. Now you can call me a hypocrite. Fair enough. I don't care. I've lived this for 35 years so I've seen where things go and so i can serve as a warning once in a while to cause pause when someone with great genetics and natty potential pops in.

 

[LUCC1179]

Ha, you look how I want to look after being on 2 years of TRT and a 500mg/weekly blast of Test C for the last two months!!

 

[Madeinamerika]

UPDATE


While on 200mg of testosterone per week, I felt great. My libido skyrocketed, and my overall energy increased throughout the day. My strength remained stable, as I focus on longevity rather than going heavy or setting PRs. I prioritize avoiding injury and "chasing the pump" in my workouts. Although I have trouble falling asleep, I wake up feeling refreshed, even with only 5-6 hours of sleep. I haven't experienced any estrogen-related symptoms, so I haven’t used my anastrozole. Hemacratic levels are good and still haven't donated any blood. My weight pretty much stayed the same coming in at 178 lbs.

Below are my most recent labs from August 23rd, 2024 and some pics , after about 10 weeks on 200mg. Since my testosterone levels were over 1500 and my estrogen was high, I’ve since dropped my dosage to 160mg per week and trying to stay within the 1000-1200 range. I still feel just as good on this adjusted dose.

 

[Curlieque]

I think that's a win in my book, glad it's working out great for you!

 

[aimanabolic]

That's awesome, so your plan for now is just Testosterone?

Also are you keeping your total T in that range to stay in range at the doctor's office?

 

[chadmack]

Hello everyone, My first test script comes in tomorrow need some advice since I'm still on the fence. Not sure if I should do TRT see how I feel and then do a minor blast or should I just do a first-round cycle and come off with a PCT.

About me:

I am 34 years old, and I've been lifting/working out since I was 21, so I've been in the lifestyle for about 13 years. My diet is pretty good, I mostly eat a well-balanced diet consisting mostly of organic food (wife is a health nut) and I almost never eat any fast food except for the occasional treat. I also have been intermittent fasting for the last 5 ish years with different eating windows and even did the OMAD diet for 5 months (157 lbs., leanest I've ever been). As of right now I am 170 lbs.

I have never done any sort of PEDS ever, no SARMS, nothing. As you will see in the pics below, I have a very attainable naturals physic.

5'8

170-180 fluctuates

Why I got prescribed test:

Since I turned 30, 4 years ago I've had what perceive to be low test symptoms.

• Significant foggy brain
• tired at the end of the day
• loss of muscle/size
• increase in anxiety

Blood labs

March 2024

All panels were in normal ranges

Test level was 740

June 20th

All panels were normal ranges

Test level 622

Neither blood lab ad free test, don't know why

I don't want to say I want to do TRT but rather I want to do test to enhance/optimize the way I feel and look. I want to be in the 1000+ test levels, I have a strong feeling I was on the higher end during my 20's but will never know because i never did labs.

TRT prescription

200mg of test cyp

2 injection a week at 100mg

HCG (not going to use, not having kids)

AI (not going to use unless I get symptoms)

just want to run straight test and no other chemicals.

Pics of me throughout the years

2019 (170-180)




2023 (157 leanest)






2024 (180-186)




So what do Yall think should I go down the TRT route or do a cycle?

Love the username

 

[Madeinamerika]

That's awesome, so your plan for now is just Testosterone?

Also are you keeping your total T in that range to stay in range at the doctor's office?

For now, I'm trying to keep in range for longevity. Maybe some time later bump up to 350mg and some Anavar for a baby blast.