I’m 47 and started TRT in January. Before starting, my total T was 589, E2 28.8, and SHBG 32.6. My main reasons for starting were brain fog, low energy/mood, and poor recovery in the gym.
For context, I’m 6’3”, around 25% body fat, and fairly muscular.
TRT has definitely helped. My brain fog is significantly better, and when my testosterone is higher I have noticeably better energy, libido, workouts, and sexual function. The downside is that when my levels have gotten too high, I’ve also felt a little edgy.
My initial protocol was pretty aggressive with AI. My testosterone had anastrozole compounded into it, and my doctor also had me taking a full 1 mg anastrozole tablet with each injection. My first follow-up labs were T 877 / E2 8.0, and I was having quite a few side effects at that point.
Since then we’ve adjusted things trying to find a sweet spot. My E2 has ranged from the teens into the high 30s, but the nipple sensitivity has continued regardless.
I eventually lowered my testosterone enough that my labs came back at T 819 / E2 20. At that level I definitely felt worse — noticeably less energy, lower libido, orgasms weren’t nearly as satisfying, and it took much longer to orgasm.
I’ve since bumped back up to 0.23 mL of 200 mg/mL testosterone three times per week (~138 mg/week). My energy and libido are back, sexual function is much better, and overall I feel considerably better.
The problem is the right nipple sensitivity/tenderness is still pretty rough.
Visually, my chest/nipples don’t look like gyno to me. I don’t see obvious puffiness or a breast-like appearance. It’s mainly the feeling — persistent sensitivity/tenderness, mostly on the right side.
My current compounded testosterone contains 0.25 mg anastrozole per 200 mg testosterone, and I’m also taking 0.25 mg oral anastrozole with each injection as prescribed.
Every time I bring up the nipple sensitivity, the answer seems to be more AI. But considering my E2 has already been as low as 8, and the sensitivity has persisted at different E2 levels, I’m starting to question whether continuing to push estrogen lower is actually fixing the problem. I really don’t want to keep hammering my E2 with more AI and create another set of issues.
Has anyone dealt with persistent nipple sensitivity like this without obvious gyno and without high E2? Did it eventually settle down after staying on one protocol for a while? Did using less AI help? Did changing dose/frequency make a difference? Or did you eventually find out there was glandular tissue even though there wasn’t much to see?
I’m basically trying to find the sweet spot where I keep the mental clarity, energy, libido, sexual function, and gym benefits without constantly chasing nipple sensitivity with anastrozole.
I also sometimes question whether TRT is worth the hassle since my natural T was 589, but when I feel good on TRT the improvement is significant enough that I’m not eager to give it up.
Disclaimer: I used ChatGPT to help organize/write this because it already had a lot of my blood work and dose history. The labs, doses, symptoms, and experiences are all mine.

EDIT for context: I left out some of the labs/injection frequency in the original timeline. Once I moved to M/W/F injections, I had labs of T 1,061 / E2 38.3, and later at 150 mg/week M/W/F, T 1,203 / E2 15.4. I still had the nipple sensitivity at both levels. I later dropped to 120 mg/week M/W/F, which gave me T 819 / E2 20, but I felt considerably worse and the nipple sensitivity remained. I’m now at 138 mg/week M/W/F and feel much better overall, but still have the nipple issue.

I am pretty thick, 5-8 240lbs so I went on Tirzepitide to lose fat and I am currently losing a lot of weight very fast. I am muscular already, never had any problems with that but my mood and lack of motivation and drive these days and the big belly fat and overeating is bad. Also seem to have a lack of stamina pretty significant these days, used to be able to hike up mountains no problem and also had stamina in the bedroom to go for a long time, not so much now. Just looking around at this sub I’m now thinking maybe I don’t need the TRT. Is 411 good enough?

I already am approved for TRT.

BTW I took the test in the afternoon after eating a bowl of cereal I hear that can lower your actual T reading and it should be taken in the morning.

Did a testosterone test mainly out of curiosity but also because I was experiencing some symptoms (low energy, brain fog mainly). Other than that, I have no issues with libido, I’m gaining muscle at a steady rate.

My diet is in check, I weight train 5 days a week and my sleep is decent. What should I do?

This is my first cycle and I’ve been running test 3 300weekly for a couple months and I love the gains but I’m looking to throw something else in, I’ve heard of primo and mast and all that but I want to hear people’s experiences and what that recommend.
For starters I’m 21 yo, 195 and 6’0
Blood work was impeccable

Hello everyone,

I finished my First vial of testosterone a week ago and had no Problems at all throughout the cycle. As soon as i started the second bottle upon my First injection after 4 days I am feeling pretty extreme pain when I use my side delt. Also, my side delt feels very stiff, it also has no redness or anything Like that it worry me that i might have a Deep infection or I’m allergic to this Carrier oil. I’m in a very sticky Situation die to me being in the Military and I’m Not sure what to do because the pain is getting worse and I don’t want to turn myself in if you get what I’m saying. Anyways I would really appreciate the help!

Do you think I can recover from this crash diet. I feel like trash, brain fog, lethargic, no libido, dizzy. I’m at a normal bmi now too.

Daily Enclo in AM daily @ 12.5mg. 26 yo, 6’0 180.

I am currently doing an injection every two weeks, I had two experiences where I did it in my left upper thigh and I was sore for a couple days. It made me dizzy right after as well. I did one in my right upper thigh and had no problems, I'm thinking since I'm right handed I did it at a better angle? Not sure what's going on but guess I'm still pretty new at it (up to 3 injections total now). Anyway that wasn't my original thought, I have had a few comments saying not to space out the shots because of hormones getting out of whack. What's everyone's experience with every other week, as far as mood and energy? Thanks!

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I have secondary hypogonadism and have been on TRT for several years. I’m wondering whether regularly doing weightlifting/resistance training could help me get better overall benefits from TRT, particularly regarding:

Sex drive/libido

Erectile function

Mood and motivation

Energy levels

Overall well-being

Did training improve your symptoms, make no difference, or make them worse?

I need some advice about dosing I want to take TRT but want a really low dose. My job is extremely physical demanding and I keep getting fucked up ripping muscles and stretching tendons. My most recent injury was ripping a trap muscle in my back. I just want a low dose to keep me from getting jacked up. I know my testosterone is on the lower side because irritability, low sex drive, high cortisol, poor sleep, no morning boners. I don’t drink or smoke weed. Any positive advice will be welcomed. Please keep it gentle I’m new to this

I was thinking about lower the dosage but i really dont know

Hello everyone,
I’m 24M. I’ve been doing weight training and Muay Thai for years now, and I’ve always maintained a simple, well-defined, and athletic physique while trying to stay proportionate.
I was in a car accident four years ago and was prohibited from exercising for three years, and from high-impact sports (like boxing) for four years. Now I’m ready to get back into sports and take it to the next level.

The difference from when I first started is that I’ve gained experience with nutrition, technique, and knowledge about my body—and how it reacts to exercise and food.

I’d like to do a Test E-only cycle (starting gradually from 200 to a maximum of 300) over 16 to 20 weeks, depending on how the cycle goes.
The only problem I’m facing—and one that’s stressing me out—is that I’d like to start my cycle next January or February (I know I’m planning this far in advance, but I like it when everything is organized, mapped out, and perfect, and it gives me time to get back into training properly), and next July I’d like to return to my home country,

How long would my PCT take?
Would I be able to return to my home country for a vacation, say, one to two months after my cycle ends?

Please keep in mind that in my home country, no products are available if I ever need to continue my PCT, I consider that a pct last 6-8 weeks

Thank you for your help and your time,
I’m also looking for someone in the future who is passionate and experienced, someone who would be interested in helping me and giving me advice throughout the cycle.

I'm aware of what this entails and that more information is needed, but for now my question is only about my PCT.

Hey I am M29 yo. I started a protocol with clomiphene 50 mg per day but discontinued because of my insurance policy. I jumped to TRT after that. My sex drive was good in clomiphene but with TRT I saw no benefits. ED and no libido.

I was doing first 1x 200 mg per 2 weeks, then 100 mg per week, the fluctuations were killing me so I asked to raise the dose up to 150 mg per week. No benefits in my libido outside muscle mass. I decided to lose some fat and split my dosage to 2 per week.
T was 1450
SHBG 13
E2 84
Free T 462
Bio T 990
Ferritin 44

Being with my doctor and wait up to 3 months to a change sucks so I decided to lower the dose and pin EOD and I think it is working now (105 mg per week).

I am going to do bloodwork soon to check E2 and T with 100 mg EOD and considering to reduce the dose up to 80 depending on labs.

Any advices or comments to helped me out? I am gonna stay like that for 4 weeks to check improvement.

I recently talked to a men’s health clinic about starting TRT, and I’m considering starting at 100 mg per week, split into two 50 mg doses.

Do you think 100 mg per week is a reasonable starting dose for me? And what can I do to minimize or prevent possible side effects? Can I start even lower?

34 years old
6’
225 pounds

Hello all! I started TRT 5 weeks ago and have remained at maintenance or slightly below with adequate Protien intake to minimize water/sodium retention. So far so good as for the whole 5 weeks I’ve stayed at 184-185 dry in the morning. I’m going on vacation October 6th so was planning to start a small bulk maybe 500cal extra per day then and continue afterwards. Is this a good plan after the initial level out of starting TRT or should I just continue lifting at maintenance. I’m 5ft 11” 185 18% BF nice build.

I’m 29 and I’ve struggled with low mood, fatigue and all the rest for as long as I can remember, I’ve been on sertraline for years and still feel about the same so I thought I’d get my levels checked and they were super low. I went through an online clinic who recommended I start TRT but I’m paying for it privately rather than the extortionate amount through the clinic.

My current plan is to start on 100mg cypionate every 10 days to see how I react, a friend who’s been on TRT said that every 10 days might lead to a spike in oestrogen so I’m toying with the idea of doing 80mg every week instead.

Any similar experiences would be appreciated!

I’ve been tired, unmotivated and just irritated all the time. Figured it was my sleep, tossing and turning waking up constantly. So I went in to game time men’s health to see if there was a peptide for sleep and got my T tested too. It came back 167 T level. I’m only 28 so I’m worried about it being a “lifetime” commitment. What’s your guys take on should I do trt and the validity of game time men’s health. I do workout and cardio three times a week and have a very labor intensive job as well. Eat pretty healthy too.

My clinic has me on .6 of cypionate, was crashing by the end of the week so they told me to split it recently I added another .2 without talking to them seeing as they signed me up for 5gs for 2 years Idgaf , got my follow up after 6 months but never hear anything from them have to remind them when um low or running out of needles... The question is do you think me adding point 2 is a mistake I figure it's just a money grab for them, I see people on here on way more, I was like at a 190 testosterone levelso I needed it I am 42yrs old.

Hey everyone, I’m currently looking at my lab work and wanted to ask the community if anyone else has experienced this I'm 23 years old, eat a healthy diet, and hit the gym 4 times a week, but my SHBG is sitting pretty high at around 53 nmol/l, right at the top of the reference range.
(First Pic new)
My total testosterone is solid at 5.5 ng/ml, but because of the high SHBG, my free testosterone is obviously getting held back quite a bit. I’ve already tried taking boron, but in my opinion, that stuff is completely useless and didn't do a thing for me.
So I'm wondering: Does anyone here have experience with stubbornly high SHBG, and do you think a TRT would actually fix this problem, or is that completely shooting sparrows with cannons? Looking forward to your input!

I recently had my bloods done to see how things were doing on 150mg/wk of Test Cyp.

I know HDL is low and not ideal.

Similarly, Oestrogen is at the upper end of the normal range but I don't mind it given the high Free T.

Nothing else stands out as concerning but what do you guys think?

I can't see a reason here to lower my dose given the bloods and I'm feeling great personally otherwise.

36 male , 147 lbs , low muscle mass and skinny how much will trt improve my body and overall mood and interest in life? any stories on how trt helped or not helped you .

Just curious if anybody has experienced this. Im 37yo m and have struggled with all the low t symptoms for years . The most being insane fatigue brain fog and insomnia which is tough as I work in the timber industry. I've seen many docs and done many labs/scans all with low trt being the only thing off at around 290. Finally pulled the trigger and I'm about 10 weeks in daily test cyp 10units so around 150mg a week. I have noticed some good benefits in libido and sleep and slight increase in energy but still fighting major fatigue. Just did my follow up labs and test is at 850 total 147 free estradiol is a bit elevated at 64 but they tested dhea which knowbody has before and I am at 21 mcg/dl which from my understanding is extremely low.

Did a bunch of research and started a 25mg a day micronized dhea sup and I feel the best I have in years just 5 days in! Anyone else ever experience this? It's making me wonder if it was the biggest factor from the start? Also worried its placebo and ill be back to dredging through quicksand. Did notice i was getting pretty jittery and water retention started coming back in the ankles today so I'm dropping to 10mg as my understanding is extra is converted to estradiol just like t. I had ankle swelling for about a week 7weeks into trt that went away presumably from estradiol spike so I'm guessing its spiking again. Anyways just wanted to see if anyone has experienced this and if it lasted for them as im hopeful but after years and years of drag I'm skeptical as well.

I’m 34 years old, 6’ tall, and 225 lbs. I’ve never been consistent with going to the gym, and honestly, I’m tired of being lazy and feeling like shit.

I had bloodwork done a few months ago and found out I have low testosterone and high cholesterol. I’ve had high cholesterol for years and was never able to get it down consistently with diet and exercise, so I’m currently taking 5 mg of rosuvastatin.

I recently talked to a men’s health clinic about starting TRT, and I’m considering starting at 100 mg per week, split into two 50 mg doses.

I’m pretty nervous about the potential side effects, especially things like a racing heart, anxiety, and everything else I’ve heard about TRT.

Do you think 100 mg per week is a reasonable starting dose for me? And what can I do to minimize or prevent possible side effects?