Considering TRT with Already High Testosterone Levels – Worth It for Lean Gains?

[bayardtrustin]

I’ve been strength training with a personal trainer for the past two months. My goal isn’t to bulk, but to stay lean while adding some definition.

I recently got labs done and my numbers are:

Testosterone: 865 ng/dL

SHBG: 90.6 nmol/L

Free Testosterone: 96.3 pg/mL

From what I understand, TRT typically replaces your natural production, which makes me pause since my total testosterone already seems relatively high.

Given these numbers and my goals, does it make sense to even consider TRT? Or would this be more of a case where the risks outweigh the benefits?

Would appreciate thoughts from those with experience.

♂ M51 5’10’’ SW:280 CW:177 GW:150 BF:21.4 BFG:15 St@ck: R6 Mon > Tirz7.5 Wed > R6 Fri

 

[Vash_]

You would kill your natural production for nothing. Real TRT would put about where you are currently at. Or just blast steroids. I’m assuming you don’t want to have more kids at this point.

 

[RoadRash]

I’ve been strength training with a personal trainer for the past two months. My goal isn’t to bulk, but to stay lean while adding some definition.

I recently got labs done and my numbers are:

Testosterone: 865 ng/dL

SHBG: 90.6 nmol/L

Free Testosterone: 96.3 pg/mL

From what I understand, TRT typically replaces your natural production, which makes me pause since my total testosterone already seems relatively high.

Given these numbers and my goals, does it make sense to even consider TRT? Or would this be more of a case where the risks outweigh the benefits?

Would appreciate thoughts from those with experience.

♂ M51 5’10’’ SW:280 CW:177 GW:150 BF:21.4 BFG:15 St@ck: R6 Mon > Tirz7.5 Wed > R6 Fri

With Test numbers like that you'd achieve very little with the introduction of exogenous hormones other than screw up your system.

 

[bayardtrustin]

You would kill your natural production for nothing. Real TRT would put about where you are currently at. Or just blast steroids. I’m assuming you don’t want to have more kids at this point.

Is it fair to say all these folx running Test + Reta + Roids have low test to begin with? No more kids for me!

 

[Such1943]

My TRT cruse are right around your natural levels. If it ain't broke don't try and fix it

 

[Gt3294a]

I’ve been strength training with a personal trainer for the past two months. My goal isn’t to bulk, but to stay lean while adding some definition.

I recently got labs done and my numbers are:

Testosterone: 865 ng/dL

SHBG: 90.6 nmol/L

Free Testosterone: 96.3 pg/mL

From what I understand, TRT typically replaces your natural production, which makes me pause since my total testosterone already seems relatively high.

Given these numbers and my goals, does it make sense to even consider TRT? Or would this be more of a case where the risks outweigh the benefits?

Would appreciate thoughts from those with experience.

♂ M51 5’10’’ SW:280 CW:177 GW:150 BF:21.4 BFG:15 St@ck: R6 Mon > Tirz7.5 Wed > R6 Fri

What was your e2 level? Your natural test may actually go up even more as you drop to say 15 bfp. At your levels, as somebody said, the only real query is should I do a cycle and then cruise. I would think most of us running test and Reta likely had low test (and it might have been low like mine, because I did gear in the past, and I just couldn’t PCT anymore).

 

[Vash_]

Is it fair to say all these folx running Test + Reta + Roids have low test to begin with? No more kids for me!

Test is steroids.

And no I wouldn’t say all have low T. But a lot of people are using the term TRT very loosely.

I’m personally on 200mg test, 4mg Reta weekly and 2iu growth daily.

Down 8lbs over the last 4 weeks. And have added some lean mass.

I did have low T. 276ng/dl. But I sure as shit don’t need 200mg to be in “normal” range. Not “blasting” by traditional standards. But definitely not TRT.

 

[Devilseye]

Test is steroids.

And no I wouldn’t say all have low T. But a lot of people are using the term TRT very loosely.

I’m personally on 200mg test, 4mg Reta weekly and 2iu growth daily.

Down 8lbs over the last 4 weeks. And have added some lean mass.

I did have low T. 276ng/dl. But I sure as shit don’t need 200mg to be in “normal” range. Not “blasting” by traditional standards. But definitely not TRT.

Yeah TRT is a really loose term these days. 200mg isnt huge by any standard though and will get you some nice lean gains. For TRT some could do half that and be in range.

To the OP, unless you want to use higher dosages in the 400mg range, i dont see why you would try test. You could be on TRT and still have lower values than you lol.

 

[Gt3294a]

Test is steroids.

And no I wouldn’t say all have low T. But a lot of people are using the term TRT very loosely.

I’m personally on 200mg test, 4mg Reta weekly and 2iu growth daily.

Down 8lbs over the last 4 weeks. And have added some lean mass.

I did have low T. 276ng/dl. But I sure as shit don’t need 200mg to be in “normal” range. Not “blasting” by traditional standards. But definitely not TRT.

Test is steroids.

And no I wouldn’t say all have low T. But a lot of people are using the term TRT very loosely.

I’m personally on 200mg test, 4mg Reta weekly and 2iu growth daily.

Down 8lbs over the last 4 weeks. And have added some lean mass.

I did have low T. 276ng/dl. But I sure as shit don’t need 200mg to be in “normal” range. Not “blasting” by traditional standards. But definitely not TRT.

It’s TRT - we are just replacing our testosterone with double the amount we had when we were 18.

 

[Vash_]

It’s TRT - we are just replacing our testosterone with double the amount we had when we were 18.

Testosterone is an anabolic and androgenic steroid.

But yes, I doubt I was at 1400+ng/dl at any stage of my”natty” life.

 

[Gt3294a]

Testosterone is an anabolic and androgenic steroid.

But yes, I doubt I was at 1400+ng/dl at any stage of my”natty” life.

Dude, I’m glad I pinned this morning, because you are killing the good feel!

 

[Omxxl]

I definitely wouldn't recommend it since TRT is a lifelong treatment.

I'm currently on 125 mg per week, and it was prescribed to me for true hypogonadism. I wish I had your testosterone levels.

You could do a 12-week cycle and then come off it. Using HGH might also give you more muscle mass, but you have to consider the potential side effects of this process.

 

[DrPEPr]

As previously mentioned, TRT isn't necessary for your situation.

While you could opt for a 'blast' (doubling or tripling your testosterone levels), please proceed with extreme caution. It’s rarely 'just one cycle.' The 'Superman' feeling (rapid gains and lower body fat) is highly addictive and very difficult to walk away from.

 

[bayardtrustin]

Thanks for the guidance. Think I'll just hold off.

 

[miameow]

Thanks for the guidance. Think I'll just hold off.

Considering your age and goals, I wonder if HGH would be a better addition. I've found it useful for myself personally, as it really helps with sleep quality and recovery. I'm on trt as my test is low and HGH was a great addition.

 

[Distinct_arrival_445]

Is it fair to say all these folx running Test + Reta + Roids have low test to begin with? No more kids for me!

Quite a few are running TRT and you can safely assume they had low T levels. If not there's someone running cycles with several other compounds simultaneously. At your natural levels, unless you're going full cycles beyond TRT, you're not going to see a benefit.

 

[bayardtrustin]

Considering your age and goals, I wonder if HGH would be a better addition. I've found it useful for myself personally, as it really helps with sleep quality and recovery. I'm on trt as my test is low and HGH was a great addition.

Good to know. I have H arriving on Monday.

 

[Tbagger]

Those levels are awesome, especially in your 50's. At that point if you are wanting to benefit from testosterone, it's going to have to be a blast cycle since you are already at a really good cruise level. Then after or between your blasts, It'll be either a life long commitment taking test just to stay where you're already at, or going through nasty PCT's to try to restart your natural production and hope it goes back up to it's current level. If the only benefit you are looking for is to cut down a little, it seems a bit excessive to me. Only you can decide if it's worth it for you, but I would recommend stacking Reta and HGH before going with test.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Just take some boron pills to boost your free testosterone by lowering your shbg.

 

[tubby]

I’ve been strength training with a personal trainer for the past two months. My goal isn’t to bulk, but to stay lean while adding some definition.

I recently got labs done and my numbers are:

Testosterone: 865 ng/dL

SHBG: 90.6 nmol/L

Free Testosterone: 96.3 pg/mL

From what I understand, TRT typically replaces your natural production, which makes me pause since my total testosterone already seems relatively high.

Given these numbers and my goals, does it make sense to even consider TRT? Or would this be more of a case where the risks outweigh the benefits?

Would appreciate thoughts from those with experience.

♂ M51 5’10’’ SW:280 CW:177 GW:150 BF:21.4 BFG:15 St@ck: R6 Mon > Tirz7.5 Wed > R6 Fri

If I'm following, it sounds like you're after a particular physique. At 21% BF, it's not a lack of muscle that is giving you a softer look, but rather your current amount of subcutaneous fat. Even larger muscles at your current size will appear softened rather than defined at your current BF percent.

While it's true that increasing testosterone could lead to a reduction in body fat, given your test results, it seems unlikely that a lack of testosterone is responsible for your current dilemma, and it's certainly not the level I would pull in your situation to try to get body fat down.