Life is busy right now as I noted earlier this week. This article should be referenced by any/all those "other" websites who would pretend to know anything about TRT, it is BY FAR the best I've ever read or seen. Having been a "lab rat" of my own making for 45 years most of it competing and pushing hard, I have some simple thoughts for men and women looking to improve their lives through hormone therapy.
1. Find a progressive doctor who doesn't follow numbers, and will listen to YOU, and what works for YOU.
2. Do NOT think this is a quick fix, or have unrealistic expectations, it may NOT work for you, and you will need to get tested at first at least every three months or more often. It's about getting baseline numbers and then dialing in those numbers for how YOU feel and react to the therapy.
3. Having been part of the powerlifting and bodybuilding scene for so long, there ARE more issues with testosterone and women then otherwise indicated in MY experiences, that is most likely the amounts taken, but for those who do wish to avoid those issues at ALL costs, simply using Anavar alleviates any worries. Every state and clinic is different in being able to prescribe Anavar (none to MY knowledge), most likely you'd have to get it from a European lab, and NEVER buy from underground and home brewed sources. Pharmaceutical grade only for safety and dosing reasons. There are 3rd party sites that sell from European manufacturers, I'm just going to say that simply going to Professional Muscle and looking at their sponsors (Been verified for 20+ years) will get you there. https://www.kalpapharm.com/ is what I've used for decades, if this is not allowed my apologies TC, just trying to help. (My wife is taking Progesterone/Anavar and is not only unbelievably gorgeous, but in incredible shape for being 61)
4. Lab issues are the 800-pound gorilla in the room, do a google search and find the highest rated lab, or make sure your TRT doctor is well versed and TRUSTS the lab they use. There are highly rated labs that you can use yourself; Defy Medical, Marek Health, TRT Nation, Fountain TRT, and Hone Health are a few I know of or have heard of. IMO, MOST labs done are not accurate nor are even close to what "some" of these doctors are familiar with or could even begin to explain and prescribe for you. I could rant and rave over this, but I'll just say that almost everyone associated with this whole process readily admits THIS RIGHT HERE, is the weakest link BY FAR.
5. As TC mentioned, subQ is better in EVERY way, for MOST men doing subQ, they will not have to worry about estrogen, will not have to worry about HCT, will not have to worry about anything, BUT never think you should not ALWAYS be tested, things change with time, circumstance and your health.
6. Iodine, for some on TRT, you may have to supplement it.
7. HGH is now being synthesized to the point that prices are now "reasonable", depending on many things, $50 to $60 a month (buying in bulk) is what you could be paying for what is the holy grail (IMO) for anti-aging. Like Anavar, the information is out there; https://www.napsgear.org/
Dosing is VERY low for most people, insulin pins are basically painless, the issue is mixing for those who are not familiar with the how-to. There are premixed available at a higher price:
Hey Bob, could you drop me a note at my email address: tcluoma@gmail.com? I've got some questions for you. (And no, you didn't break any rules by posting links!) Thanks!
The lab variability issue is realy underrated. That 350% spread in reference values is wild, and it explains why so many guys get dismissed by doctors when they're clearly symptomatic. I've seen a few friends bounce between clinics just trying to get a consistent diagnosis. The bit about age stratification is equally problematic because it bakes in decline as normal, which feels like accepting mediocrity as policy. Also interesting that the subcutaneous method showed 41% lower hematocrit compared to IM, makes me wonder if more clinicians know about that data yet.
I do think there's a recent study that suggested that the IM method is superior to SUB-Q, but I'm still leaning towards SUB-Q, at least until more studies come out.
"Blow and hookers." Ha! The TRT places are generally okay, although they seem to use a cookie cutter approach (nearly everybody gets prescribed 200 mg. per week, which is a lot). I understand your trepidations. Although the link between TRT is largely unproven, it does tend to scare one. As far as strokes, you'd just need to monitor your hematocrit. Probably wouldn't get too high if you used san doses.
Heya,
Life is busy right now as I noted earlier this week. This article should be referenced by any/all those "other" websites who would pretend to know anything about TRT, it is BY FAR the best I've ever read or seen. Having been a "lab rat" of my own making for 45 years most of it competing and pushing hard, I have some simple thoughts for men and women looking to improve their lives through hormone therapy.
1. Find a progressive doctor who doesn't follow numbers, and will listen to YOU, and what works for YOU.
2. Do NOT think this is a quick fix, or have unrealistic expectations, it may NOT work for you, and you will need to get tested at first at least every three months or more often. It's about getting baseline numbers and then dialing in those numbers for how YOU feel and react to the therapy.
3. Having been part of the powerlifting and bodybuilding scene for so long, there ARE more issues with testosterone and women then otherwise indicated in MY experiences, that is most likely the amounts taken, but for those who do wish to avoid those issues at ALL costs, simply using Anavar alleviates any worries. Every state and clinic is different in being able to prescribe Anavar (none to MY knowledge), most likely you'd have to get it from a European lab, and NEVER buy from underground and home brewed sources. Pharmaceutical grade only for safety and dosing reasons. There are 3rd party sites that sell from European manufacturers, I'm just going to say that simply going to Professional Muscle and looking at their sponsors (Been verified for 20+ years) will get you there. https://www.kalpapharm.com/ is what I've used for decades, if this is not allowed my apologies TC, just trying to help. (My wife is taking Progesterone/Anavar and is not only unbelievably gorgeous, but in incredible shape for being 61)
4. Lab issues are the 800-pound gorilla in the room, do a google search and find the highest rated lab, or make sure your TRT doctor is well versed and TRUSTS the lab they use. There are highly rated labs that you can use yourself; Defy Medical, Marek Health, TRT Nation, Fountain TRT, and Hone Health are a few I know of or have heard of. IMO, MOST labs done are not accurate nor are even close to what "some" of these doctors are familiar with or could even begin to explain and prescribe for you. I could rant and rave over this, but I'll just say that almost everyone associated with this whole process readily admits THIS RIGHT HERE, is the weakest link BY FAR.
5. As TC mentioned, subQ is better in EVERY way, for MOST men doing subQ, they will not have to worry about estrogen, will not have to worry about HCT, will not have to worry about anything, BUT never think you should not ALWAYS be tested, things change with time, circumstance and your health.
6. Iodine, for some on TRT, you may have to supplement it.
7. HGH is now being synthesized to the point that prices are now "reasonable", depending on many things, $50 to $60 a month (buying in bulk) is what you could be paying for what is the holy grail (IMO) for anti-aging. Like Anavar, the information is out there; https://www.napsgear.org/
Dosing is VERY low for most people, insulin pins are basically painless, the issue is mixing for those who are not familiar with the how-to. There are premixed available at a higher price:
https://www.kalpapharm.com/dragon-1268/dragontropin-hgh-200-iu-86962
*If this is NOT allowed, please remove and my apologies*
Sorry, this got long, and again, if I stepped on toes, my apologies.
Have a GREAT weekend all.
Hey Bob, could you drop me a note at my email address: tcluoma@gmail.com? I've got some questions for you. (And no, you didn't break any rules by posting links!) Thanks!
The lab variability issue is realy underrated. That 350% spread in reference values is wild, and it explains why so many guys get dismissed by doctors when they're clearly symptomatic. I've seen a few friends bounce between clinics just trying to get a consistent diagnosis. The bit about age stratification is equally problematic because it bakes in decline as normal, which feels like accepting mediocrity as policy. Also interesting that the subcutaneous method showed 41% lower hematocrit compared to IM, makes me wonder if more clinicians know about that data yet.
I do think there's a recent study that suggested that the IM method is superior to SUB-Q, but I'm still leaning towards SUB-Q, at least until more studies come out.
Man, you spent some time on this one, thank you.
I’m in the right age group to consider TRT so I need to find a qualified physician to at least talk to.
Between sarcopenia and general malaise I feel like a prime candidate.
In general, any idea how the “Men Clinics “ are?
The one stop shopping places for TRT, ED, hair loss, etc?
My buddy swears by TRT, he says it changed his life.
He also wears by blow and hookers so I don’t know how valid his opinion is.
And prostrate cancer and strokes run in my family.
Decisions, decisions.
Thanks again.
"Blow and hookers." Ha! The TRT places are generally okay, although they seem to use a cookie cutter approach (nearly everybody gets prescribed 200 mg. per week, which is a lot). I understand your trepidations. Although the link between TRT is largely unproven, it does tend to scare one. As far as strokes, you'd just need to monitor your hematocrit. Probably wouldn't get too high if you used san doses.
Thank you for your insight on this, I have been training a long time but am an absolute novice when it comes to this.