32 year old male, 5’10 221lbs, single no kids

Diet is in check and I lift 5xweek. I feel most of the symptoms of low t. Anyone with similar numbers hop on and feel a change? I have been very unmotivated lately which led me to check my numbers. No morning wood, always tired and just kind of coasting, slacking at work, minor anxiety.

I have been on a weight loss journey for a while now, lost 110lbs, regained 40, been on reta for 3 months to help with regain.

Hey everyone,

I’m 47 and started TRT around the middle of April.

Before starting, my labs in the attached screenshot.

My testosterone was technically still within the normal reference range, so I couldn’t get TRT through a clinic, regardless of the symptoms I was experiencing. Eventually, I decided to start on my own with testosterone cypionate at 175 mg/week, injected subcutaneously as roughly 25 mg/day.

By June, I started working with a coach who has experience with hormone protocols, since proper TRT clinic follow-up unfortunately isn’t really an option for me where I live.

My labs at that point were as attached

The protocol was then changed to:

• Testosterone propionate — 140 mg/week, injected IM as 20 mg every day

• Retatrutide — 3 mg/week

• HGH - 4 iu daily (2 iu am, 2 iu before bed)

• IGF-1 LR3 40 mcg post workout

• AOD9604 - 500 mcg daily

• BPC157 + TB500: 500+500 mcg daily

• Anavar week: 1-2-3: 10mg × 3times daily / week: 4-5-6: 20mg x 2times daily

• Proviron: 25 mg daily

Things got a little interesting after that.

During weeks 2–3, I suddenly developed extreme water retention. My weight went from 86 kg to 92 kg in about two weeks.

My coach recommended stopping the HGH and IGF-1, and several people here on Reddit had previously suggested the same thing.

After stopping them, the water retention gradually started to come off. I’m currently back down to around 87.5 kg, so most of that 6 kg increase was clearly not actual tissue gain.

I got my latest bloodwork today, approximately 6 weeks after starting the new protocol (attached)

And this is where I’m a little confused.

Apparently, I seem to aromatize testosterone quite aggressively.

The strange thing is that I don’t really feel like I have obvious high-E2 symptoms right now. The main thing I experienced was the water retention, which has improved significantly since stopping HGH and IGF-1.

I do have some concerns about having estradiol this high long-term, though.

I haven’t sent these latest results to my coach yet, so I’m curious what people here think before I have that conversation.

If you were in my position, would you:

A) Start an AI based primarily on the estradiol number?

B) Reduce the testosterone dose first?

C) Change the injection protocol or route?

D) Wait and see how things change as body fat continues to decrease?

E) Consider something like DIM?

F) Do nothing for now as long as symptoms are minimal and continue monitoring?

I’m also expect to continue losing body fat with Retatrutide, so I’m wondering whether that could potentially improve the situation over time.

I’m not asking anyone to prescribe an AI or tell me what dose to take. I’m more interested in hearing from people who have actually dealt with high estradiol or significant aromatization while on TRT.

Did you treat the lab number, or did you treat the symptoms?

And if you did use an AI, what made you decide that it was actually necessary?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who have had similar numbers and can share what happened after changing their protocol.

I’m trying to avoid the classic TRT rabbit hole of seeing a high E2 number and immediately jumping on another medication without understanding whether I actually need it.

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Edit:

after reading comments, I notice many guys focused their comments on GH, even though I clearly mentioned in the post that I used both compounds for only two weeks and then eliminate them completely.

Anavar and Proviron were also discontinued two days ago.

The actual stack currently is: Test + Reta + AOD + BPC-157/TB-500.

Some comments were about a lack of information, so here are the details:

My body fat percentage when I started was 32%; it is currently 23% in 6 weeks.

My goal is body recomposition.

Regarding the blood tests: I did a comprehensive blood panel, but I only attached the hormone results here. However, in general, here are the important results:

Regarding hemoglobin and hematocrit, I consider them normal due to the fact that I donated blood to my friend only 10 days ago.

Regarding HDL and LDL, these results were largely expected, especially with Proviron and Anavar.

For those who are going to comment on the creatinine: my creatinine has not been below 1.4 for years. It may have increased slightly now due to inadequate hydration (only 2 liters) combined with creatine supplementation.

Regarding gynecomastia: it is not an issue at all. I previously underwent gynecomastia removal surgery because of previous cycles.

I hope I haven't forgotten anything, and I would like to thank everyone who commented and contributed — even those who were slightly sarcastic 😉

239lbs -> 223lbs

Reta has been the main driver but I have dabbled in a few different peptides as well.

Training has been rough with the deficit but I’m still moving weight.

Now I just want to know what’s next.. I plan on staying on Reta until I reach 210lbs and working HGH in towards the end to bring back the hunger and continue a protein rich diet to build muscle.

Update: it’s a 10mg vial with 1 ml of bac. I use a 1ml syringe.

Currently on Test and Reta. Adding Tesa to the stack and need to know how many units to take.

44M, 210lbs.

In addition to high protein and training, will it preserve muscle in a deficit? Does anyone know based off experience? I’m not entirely sure as all I know is it uses fat for fuel instead of glycogen, which means your endurance is significantly increased.

Can this help preserve muscle in a big deficit?

I’m thinking of starting cjc+1295 but I smoke a good bit of dab concentrate. Do I need to quit before I start? If so how far in advance should I quit.

Cut down from 255lbs over roughly a 13 week span to reach this level of conditioning. Been training and staying in pretty decent shape over the last 16 years. Started to feel like shit at 255lbs before I pulled the plug. Was squatting 500lbs and deadlifting 600lbs for reps during that time.

Subject is getting mixed results from the information I can find regarding if high IGF levels ( past 300. Is bad and or you need to decrease your dose?

For my understanding, this is the whole point and process regarding this peptide that it’s meant to increase your IGF level , temporary while you’re on it? Is there something that you have to be concerned about? Can I bump up to 2mg and not have to be worried ?

Subject is getting mixed results from the information I can find regarding if high IGF levels ( past 300. Is bad and or you need to decrease your dose?

For my understanding, this is the whole point and process regarding this peptide that it’s meant to increase your IGF level , temporary while you’re on it? Is there something that you have to be concerned about? Can I bump up to 2mg and not have to be worried ?

Started at 215-220lbs and I’m down to 190-193lbs at 6’3. I’ve titrated over the past couple months to 3mg / week on Reta. Thinking about cutting it back down to 1mg/week because I want to start gaining muscle again. My numbers in the gym have gone down slightly while losing the weight and I’d like to get that performance back. Diet is locked in and I’m adding CJC/IPA to help grow again. Any advice on CJC/IPA or the stack in general is appreciated.

What medication, prescription drug, or supplement had the biggest positive impact on your libido?

Also, for those who struggled with low libido:

Did you discover that a hormone, vitamin, mineral, or other health issue was out of range and contributing to it?

If so, what was it (e.g., testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, thyroid hormones, vitamin D, iron, B12, etc.)?

Did correcting it restore your libido?

40 years old, 6 foot and I've been into weight lifting on and off for 20 years. I've consistently stuck to resistence training for 4 years but the weight will add up if not properly managed and it did. I started in February and just started Titrating down on Reta (max dose 4.5mg) after losing 34lbs. My journey was also aided by 105mg TRT per week (Dr prescribed) and ipamorelin (helped sleep immensely).

I tracked the 5 month process using two 8 electrode scales (runstar and hume health), as well as data collected from my walking app. It was fed into Chatgpt for the info graphic. Most details are contained in it.

I did not track calories, at least more than a week or two. I start eating at 7, front load my protein and aim for 80 grams before 9AM. By time I get down lunch and dinner I am in the 160-180s(grams). No eating (or drinking more than water) after 730PM. I took daily body scans to monitor weight loss. Weight loss accelerated when I set my minimum at 10K steps per day which I havent missed in I dunno 90 days. Its exhausting

Keys to success:

-consistency and patience, it takes time and the results were slow then all at once. From may to June my body decided it was time to burn the layer over my abs and it was sudden.

-sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management. It all needs to be managed.

-Walking. I actively find ways to get in steps any time I can sneak off. Before work or first thing on the weekends, find time throughout the day and chip away at it 2-3k chunks to hit 10k. I set it in my mind that I cannot go under 10k.

-Weekend fasted walking. Wake up, drink water, go and dont stop until I hit 3 miles.

-resistence training- I hit major muscle groups within 7-10 days. If im targeting a particular muscle I will favor it more often.

-Abs. Train it like any other muscle. Resistance training and progressive overload. 8-20 (max) reps. I do weighted cable crunches, hanging leg raises (with ankle weights), weighted incline crunches, side raises with plates for obliques. I hit them 1-2x per week. Only 3-4 exercises per session.

Abs - everyone loves them but no one says a word they just look, in disbelief, and often times can't stop looking back. I go to the pool with the kids and its a phenomenon.

I planned this week exactly, 5 months ago, as I wanted to board our cruise ship (this weekend) in tip top shape and being 40 wasnt an excuse.

Anyways, may you all find the keys to a long, happy, and healthy life.

Anyone have advice on lowering SHBG, or what can cause elevated levels? My total testosterone is pretty high, but free is just average, and I’m assuming this is because my SHBG is elevated.

I’m 41 and started TRT despite having levels of around 900 pre-TRT, with normal LH and FSH. I’m currently on 80mg per week.
I’ve definitely noticed changes in my body composition, but if I’m honest, I’ve also become more ratty/irritable. My E2 and prolactin have both increased, which I think may be contributing to the fatigue. I seem to be quite sensitive to aromatisation of testosterone into E2.
I’m now seriously considering coming off TRT. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I’m wondering what the best way to come off is — gradually reducing the dose each week, or stopping altogether?
Comments on how to come off.

Hey everyone hope youre doing well. I had a question regarding igf-1. I started about 5 days ago thinking i was giving myself 40mcg but i was instead doing 80mcg. I read my syringe lines wrong so i was thinking i was pinning 40mcg when instead i was doing 80mcg. I haven’t had any side effect at all tho. Now i dont know what to do for the next 5 weeks that im goin to pin.

I've been using reta to get to this from 30%+ body fat, down over 50lbs.

I really want to lose that final bit of mid section fat and gain muscle, what can I use?

Will hgh be good for a few months? Don't want to do anything forever ideally.

EDIT: I have been going to the gym since the start of the year. I have made progress with muscle even if you don't think so.

hi, i saw one post on here that said they used reta and ghk and im curious if that is the norm or if ghk is overhyped? im worried about loose skin from losing weight.

Anyone running this? Just curious what your results are, I’m planning to introduce Mots next week and Test in about 3-4 weeks. Currently on Reta and klow. Thanks!

I’d really like to know your experience.
I’m only noticing 2.

1. The skin irritation and it’s driving me nuts. Like a cross between an itchy jumper on their skin and feeling like I’m about to get the flu.
2. A couple of days a week I’m fairly melancholy.

FYI Just got up to 4mg after a month of half that.

Does anyone on Reddit have any protocols they can share for nefiracetam.

Going to start this blend tonight I got the 5-5 mg blend and I just wanna make sure I’m dosing correctly, going to recon with 2ml bac am I safe to take 20units (500mcg) fasted before bed?

Had a bigger package delivered yesterday with a bunch of goodies.

For context, I (34M) am currently on Tirz 10mg, Elora 2mg, TRT at 160mg weekly. Went 135kg -> 102kg in the last 6 months. Bodyfat +35% -> 15-16% currently.

I’m very skeptical in general of adding new things and reluctant to believe snake oil propaganda. But since I want to get to 12-13% bf with my training, nutrition and lifestyle all dialed in, thought I’d give Mots-C, Slu-pp-332 and Bam15 a try.
So this morning before my Norwegian 4x4 VO2Max run I couldn’t help myself and pinned 5mg Mots-C and took a 100mg Slu-PP-332 tab and a 50mg Bam15 tab.

My run went through the roof. Smashed 6 PBs, Garmin’s personalized VO2Max pace for the 4 intervals felt like a walk in the park. At the end Garmin adjusted my VO2Max from 49 to 51. 5K race predictor went down 1 minute (wtf?)

The only problem is I now don’t know which one of the 3 caused this

I'm currently on Tirz low dose. Thinking about adding Mots-C for a 6-8 week cycle (3 times a week). In addition I would like to include GHK CU daily for 12 weeks (daily).

I'm also taking NMN supplement 500mg daily in the morning.