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Hey everyone,

I'm 46 and have been on TRT for years, currently taking 32 mg of testosterone cypionate three times weekly (96 mg total).

My latest Quest bloodwork:

- Total Testosterone: 793 ng/dL

- Free Testosterone: 145.9

- SHBG: 35

- DHT: 78 ng/dL (High)

- Estradiol (Ultrasensitive): 57 pg/mL (High)

- PSA: 0.91 ng/mL

- Hematocrit: 48.4%

Bloodwork was taken Tuesday morning before my injection, with my previous injection on Saturday.

Lately, I've been experiencing urinary hesitancy, occasional weak or stop-and-go streams, and difficulty getting started. Sometimes my stream is completely normal.

I've also been dealing with constipation, which may be contributing.

I've been off aromatase inhibitors for several months. Although my estradiol is 57, I don't have nipple sensitivity or other obvious high-estrogen symptoms. In the past, when my estradiol dropped too low, my urinary symptoms were noticeably worse.

My main question is whether my elevated DHT of 78 could be contributing to these urinary issues.

I'm considering discussing a slight reduction in my TRT dose from 96 mg to 90 mg weekly to see whether it helps.

Has anyone experienced similar urinary problems with elevated DHT? Did lowering your TRT dose improve things?

I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks in advance!

I been on trt for almost 10 years at this point, always trying to find the best solution. Currently I’m on 140mg test cyp split into daily doses. As you can see my results came back with high e2 due to most likely to much free t. What approach would you take next. For context i was on 100mg split into 3 doses results where, e2 39 pg/ml, free t 145pg/ml and total t 714ng/dl.

25mg clomid , 300mg Rifampicin. Gonna update yall next week

Study showed 600mg Rifampicin for a week upped shbg about %75 . Ill use it for a week max then ill drop it and continue with 25mg clomid for a while

Hey all, some quick info about me, I've been on trt for 2.5 yrs now. Bloods are done every few months to keep an eye on things, numbers have been consistently good for over a year now. I'm looking to add a low dose of deca to help with my joint pain. I do strength train 3 days a week. Couple questions, how often do you guys inject? I currently do test c twice a week. Is the 2:1 ratio of test and decca still the standard?

How are you a different person on TRT vs previously? Personality, attitude, cognitive, relationships, physically - how are you a different person from when you started?

I have extremely low Shbg , its 5. And e2 sides hits me like a truck.(on trt)

Anyone used clomid successfully and rised their shbg on trt ?
Anyone have any blood work with it?

For those who have been a this a while just seeking some wisdom.

I'm 49 and have been on TRT since April 2026. I started with shoulder application and switched to scrotal application in mid-July. Shoulder didn't really absorb much.

Currently using 50 mg/day (one click) of compounded 200 mg/mL testosterone cream, applied scrotally every morning.

Latest labs were drawn approximately 5 hours after application:

How I feel:

• Good energy and improved overall mood. No aggressiveness or anything.
• Feel pretty good but not like Superman or anything.
• Libido has improved somewhat, but nothing dramatic.
• Mild oily skin and no real acne, nothing significant.
• No noticeable hair shedding. I've previously had two hair transplants totaling approximately 6,000 grafts even before TRT so I've probably lost most of what I was going to lose anyway before TRT.
• No urinary or prostate-related symptoms.
• Blood pressure is consistently excellent (110/70).
• I tolerate high Estradiol well - ran in the 50s beefore TRT before some weight loss no symptoms and still have no symptoms. I did get into the 20s pre TRT but back into the 50s now but doesn't seem to bother me, at least not yet. No AI use.

My baseline hematocrit before TRT was approximately 47%, so the increase to 51.5% is something I'm monitoring. I'm planning another CBC in about six weeks.

I'm also considering testing testosterone at 3 hours after application and immediately before my next dose to better understand my peak and trough. Maybe I peak sooner. Key thing to know is I measure cream at peak not trough.

My biggest question is the DHT. At 168 ng/dL, it's clearly above the reference range, but I'm not experiencing meaningful androgenic side effects. Any reason to worry about this or try to lower it?

My total T isn't crazy high but it seems my body is using it efficiently - my free T is pretty good and DHT is high so I don't see a reason to increase the dose right now.

For those using scrotal cream:

1. What DHT levels are you seeing, and have you experienced any side effects?
2. Has your hematocrit stabilized over time on a consistent cream dose?
3. Would you change anything with these labs?

44YO , 5”11 , 210 pounds, Male

I’m into my first ever trt dose and I just finished week 1 at 75mg a week which is divided into two shots a week with my doctor.

Am I good to start Reta at 2mg next week along with the trt injection you think? Or should I wait for the trt to fully saturate first in my body and then introduce Reta?

I’ve done Reta before several times just in case that info is needed. I’m just curious if Reta will interfere with me knowing what med is actually doing with or am I overthinking things ?

Thanks guys

Hello, after 2 full blood panels I got diagnosed with Secondary hypogonadism (doctor thinks so). I got prescribed 25mg Clomid EOD for 1 month and then we retake the blood test. Thing is, after 3 weeks in, I feel the same, even shittier than before. No energy, sleeping a lot, no motivation and I keep getting random migraines.

Do you have any experiences with Clomid and do you think it's just piss in the wind before getting treated with TRT?

I am 23M, 96KG.

Blood results BEFORE starting Clomid:

Total T: 7.32 nmol (210ng)
E2: 92 pmol
FSH: 5.4 mUI/mL
LH: 6.2 mUI/mL
SHBG: 16.6 nmol

63M, 6-1, 225lb, CPAP. Started TRT on 8/28/26 with baseline T of 302 and HCT of 45.8%. Taking 84 mg/week test-c SQ, split MWF, without HCG or AI.

First labs on 10/12 showed total T of 773 (Monday trough), free T of 122.9, E2 of 36, prolactin of 17, and HCT of 50.6% (a 4.8 increase in just 45 days). I’m feeling noticeably better in terms of energy, strength, and libido. Donated whole blood on 10/14 because of the rapid HCT increase and am thinking about reducing to 60 mg/week, still MWF, to deal with HCT.

Anyone experienced this kind of HCT increase on a relatively low dose? Did reducing your dose bring it down, or did it eventually stabilize?

Last week I met with my urologist again and was told I was a hyperresponder to testosterone.

My question is, get wrecked beta cucks. How’s it feel to not even be able to efficiently metabolize and use testosterone. Imagine having a bitch body that doesn’t even want to be a man.

Good luck!

I’m a 51‑year‑old guy in good shape who trains hard (CrossFit + lifting + conditioning almost daily). I’ve dropped `20LBS over the past 4 months and sit around 215 lbs now. I eat clean, don’t drink, don’t smoke, and generally take care of myself, but I’ve been dealing with low libido, lower drive, slower recovery, and just not feeling like I’m firing on all cylinders.

I’ve been digging into my labs and trying to understand whether TRT makes sense for me, but the risk/reward feels complicated.

My recent biomarkers :

• Total Testosterone: 518 → 646 → 702 ng/dL (normal range)
• Free Testosterone: consistently low across multiple methods
• SHBG: 60–63 nmol/L (high)
• FSH: elevated
• LH: normal
• Estradiol: 35 pg/mL (normal)
• Prolactin: 3.2 ng/mL (normal)
• PSA: 3.0 → 2.39 (borderline but stable)
• Lp(a): 75.6 nmol/L (mildly elevated)
• Lipids, kidney, liver, thyroid, inflammation: all normal
• Sleep: 4–6 hours/night
• Training load: high
• Stress: high

So I’m in this weird spot:
Normal total T, low free T, high SHBG, elevated FSH.

Not classic hypogonadism - more like SHBG-driven low free T with partial age-related testicular decline.

My hesitation:

I’ve been researching TRT heavily. I understand the commitment, the suppression, the monitoring, and the potential risks (hematocrit, PSA, estradiol volatility, cardiovascular stuff). I’m not anti‑TRT - I just want to make a smart decision.

My Hone consultation this morning:

I had a remote consult with Hone. The doctor basically said:

• My total T is “falsely good” because SHBG is high
• Free T is what matters, and mine is low
• Estradiol is “high-normal” and should be lowered
• SHBG is “killing my free T”
• He recommended immediate TRT
• Dose: 0.4 mL (80 mg) twice weekly
• Plus anastrozole 1 mg twice weekly starting day one
• Said he’d “bet his career” my estradiol will go high without an AI
• Mentioned enclomiphene but clearly preferred TRT
• Said TRT would help libido, energy, gym performance, cognition
• Follow-up labs at 90 days

I’m not saying he’s wrong - just that this was a very aggressive plan compared to what I expected. Especially the AI at initiation.

Where I’m stuck:

I’m trying to weigh:

• The desire to feel better
• The fact that my free T is genuinely low
• The risks tied to PSA and Lp(a)
• The commitment of TRT
• Whether I should try enclomiphene first
• Whether lifestyle changes could lower SHBG
• Whether starting TRT at a lower dose and monitoring closely is a safer path
• Whether I’m overthinking this entirely

My question for the community:

For guys who’ve been in a similar biomarker situation — normal total T, low free T, high SHBG - how did you decide between TRT, enclomiphene, or waiting?

If you’ve gone the TRT route, how did you weigh the risks?

If you’ve tried enclomiphene, did it actually help free T and symptoms?

If you were in my shoes, what would you want to know before making the call?

I’m not looking for medical advice - just real-world experience and perspective.
This feels like a big decision, and I want to make it deliberately.

Thanks in advance.

My question is - Do you require less protein for muscle when on TRT?

6’ 235 lbs. On about 100/wk, trying to lose weight while gaining muscle if possible, lifting weights like 5/6 times per week, 10k steps. Trying to get 200g protein while keeping calories below 2500. I feel like im not getting enough carbs. Thinking about dropping some protein for extra carbs. Thoughts and experiences?

I should take 500 ui twice a week. This pen have 26 clicks so i should inject " 2 clicks ". But 2 clicks is not marked as dose on pen. It shows "dot" that is mentioned in instruction as "preparation dose before first use" . What should i do? Do you guys have any experience with this device

I inject subq 3x a week. Same days, same times, haven't changed the dose in a while. Got my latest labs back and free T was quite a bit different from last time even though total T hadn't moved nearly as much.

Then I realized the first blood draw was the morning after an injection and this one was right before my next one.

Clinic mentioned adjusting my dose and I asked if we should maybe repeat the labs under the same conditions first. Didn't really get an answer on that. So I ordered total/free T and sensitive E2 through Goodlabs and I'm getting the draw done before my next injection again. Would rather have something consistent to compare before messing with a protocol that's been working fine. For the guys injecting 3x a week, are you always getting bloodwork done at trough?

Also curious how much the free T assay matters when comparing results. I log my injections, sleep and gym sessions religiously. Can't believe the blood draw timing is what I managed to screw up.

Been on the juice since June. Love the way I feel. Everything in my life is better… except erectile dysfunction and no libido.

Blood work is solid. Including prolactin, e2, free test, etc. The only time I have any libido and functional erections is when I completely crash my estrogen with anastrozole to the point of achy and cracking joints

Both the provider and I are clueless.

Going to start Enclomiphene 12.5mg daily while stopping injections in hopes of getting my body back to “normal”

Anyone have experience with this?

41M, been on testosterone cypionate IM for about two years. Recently switched from 200mg every two weeks to 100mg every Monday morning against my Dr’s order. He wouldn’t budge on me pinning every two weeks.

My previous labs, taken four days after a 200mg injection, showed:
Total T: 881 ng/dL
Free T: 35.1 (flagged high)
Hemoglobin: 16.1

I’ve been on the new weekly schedule for about two months and have noticed an increase in libido. But I’m sure I’m missing other markers.

I’m wondering how my current levels might compare to my previous results.

Would Thursday afternoon (3.5 days after injection) be the best time to test? Should I expect similar numbers, or would the smaller, more frequent injections produce noticeably different results?

Anyone made this switch and have labs to compare? Also curious whether your libido stays consistent or fluctuates throughout the week.

Looks like you can just buy Ancillaries on Talon wellness website now does anyone know if this is real or do you still need to jump through all the hoops ?

I’m thinking of starting testosterone injections, they’ve been prescribed already, but I’m feeling conflicted because my friend said it’s a stupid idea. I want better energy, focus, and libido. Muscle gains would be a nice side effect as well haha. What do you guys think?

Also if it’s worth mentioning, I took trt in the past and felt 10 times better.

What do you think about my blood results. Should I start with trt?
I'm 43, active, more ore less dialed up with food, but for the last few years I'm having all the low T simptoms, the one that bothers me the most is the downfall of the libido.
Wanna start with 100mg cyp weekly and see where this goes.

I’m Brand new into my research and consideration of taking trt, what should I look into/research/consider?

Had an appointment today for a hernia ive had for years. Figured I would just ask him while I was there. He didnt even hesitate and said yeah no problem.

He just had me send over my original labs from when I was low and my current labs on my current dose and he sent the script over and its already filled. Since its a controlled substance I had to do a piss test and do bloods.

Ordered a follow up in 1 month to see how its going.

Saw the script in the pharmacy website and it looks like they are prefilled 150mg shots called andrenyx. Since I was currently on once a week shots that what he prescribed. Anyone ever hear of these or use them?

Does anyone have experience ditching their TRT Clinic and switching to just using Amazon Pharmacy or a local Pharmacy to refill prescriptions?

I am tired of paying $100 a month for a vial of test which should cost at most $30 with insurance. The “check-ins” are pretty useless and bloodwork is still a pain in the ass.

Edit for clarification: I will still obviously do blood work after the switch - was just making the point that for the amount they charge you they should really make it easier.

Any advice on how to retain the prescription without paying for an online clinic? I’d like to be able to keep having it shipped to me every 8-10 weeks.

Is this something a normal doctor can prescribe and I can just order on Amazon?

Thanks in advance!

If excess testosterone is converted to estrogen, then what happens to that excess when an AI is used?

Can I have my insurance pay for my trt if I'm already on it?

I've been on it for 3 years, I just got insurance through my job. My levels are obviously currently not low.

Any advice