TCG does TRT: Sayonara soy boys.

Caleb515

Regular
Aug 20, 2020
488
1,791
Chicago, IL
Blood test done, should hear back from clinic director tomorrow to go over results and see if I qualify.

Seems like quite a few people here are on trt. If you don’t mind me asking, is it covered by your guys insurance or are you paying out of pocket? If out of pocket, how much are you guys paying?

The clinic I went to doesn’t take insurance and is $200/mo. for everything. Test, estrogen blocker, Gonadorelin, all needles/ supplies and includes blood work every 3 months.
 

willizm

Very Nice, Very Evil
TCG Premium
May 13, 2009
12,672
9,484
The Woodlands, TX
Blood test done, should hear back from clinic director tomorrow to go over results and see if I qualify.

Seems like quite a few people here are on trt. If you don’t mind me asking, is it covered by your guys insurance or are you paying out of pocket? If out of pocket, how much are you guys paying?

The clinic I went to doesn’t take insurance and is $200/mo. for everything. Test, estrogen blocker, Gonadorelin, all needles/ supplies and includes blood work every 3 months.
Insurance is covering it for me. My costs are $15 for a months supply. It may be more now that I have been increased but haven't gotten the renewal processed yet as I still have quite a bit to get through.

When you get your results try to get the reference ranges for them as well. You really want to see what free test and total test you have. You may have alot of total test but lower on free test which is what makes you feel none optimal and have symptoms of being tired, lack of confidence, lack of drive, etc. Don't just take the "you are in normal ranges" that the dr office may tell you. Actually ask for the values and the reference ranges. If you have access to a patient portal or lab portal check your results as well so you can see where you actually fall.
 

willizm

Very Nice, Very Evil
TCG Premium
May 13, 2009
12,672
9,484
The Woodlands, TX
Hey guys...I tried skimming thru 22 pages and gave up - what's the name of the TRT meds?
Testosterone Cypionate is the primary one used in the US. There is also Testosterone Enanthate but that is less prescribed. Sustanon is another testosterone medication however it is not prescribed in the US. Those are the 3 main ones but you'll find the vast majority of folks are on Testosterone Cypionate.
 
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Caleb515

Regular
Aug 20, 2020
488
1,791
Chicago, IL
Welp, natty card is being revoked I guess.

I heard back from the clinic today that I qualify and decided to move forward with it.
My total test was under 400, which for being only 30 years old and in pretty decent shape is low.

Will be starting test cyp with the goal to get my total test up to around 900-1000.

Bloodwork will be done every 12 weeks.
 

Caleb515

Regular
Aug 20, 2020
488
1,791
Chicago, IL
Sup guys, small update as today marks my 7th week on TRT.
Overall thoughts? Amazing - I would absolutely recommend it if you know you're low T or to get checked out if you're experiencing symptoms.

Some random thoughts:

Positives:
- Mentally I'm in the best place I've been in a long time. Overall I feel more clear-headed, motivated and in a better mood in general.
- Low libido? Absolutely gone and drive is through the roof. I thought people were joking or blowing things out of proportion when talking about changes in sex drive, they are not.
- Just very recently starting to notice changes in the gym. I don't get fatigued towards the end of my workouts like I used to and am increasing weight which have been plateaued for awhile.

Negatives:
- I've gained about 10 pounds since starting TRT with no real changes in diet or working out. I know this isn't muscle - I have read water retention is normal so I assume that is what's going on. Idk.
- I sweat A LOT more and feel more "oily" if that makes sense. No acne issues though.
- Needles are hard - This is a personal one, but I absolutely can not give myself a shot in the ass.. Thankfully my girl works in medicine so I have enlisted her to give it to me weekly. LOL. I can do other shots using insulin needles no problem. But the needle used to inject test is pretty damn large and I just can't do it.
 

willizm

Very Nice, Very Evil
TCG Premium
May 13, 2009
12,672
9,484
The Woodlands, TX
Sup guys, small update as today marks my 7th week on TRT.
Overall thoughts? Amazing - I would absolutely recommend it if you know you're low T or to get checked out if you're experiencing symptoms.

Some random thoughts:

Positives:
- Mentally I'm in the best place I've been in a long time. Overall I feel more clear-headed, motivated and in a better mood in general.
- Low libido? Absolutely gone and drive is through the roof. I thought people were joking or blowing things out of proportion when talking about changes in sex drive, they are not.
- Just very recently starting to notice changes in the gym. I don't get fatigued towards the end of my workouts like I used to and am increasing weight which have been plateaued for awhile.

Negatives:
- I've gained about 10 pounds since starting TRT with no real changes in diet or working out. I know this isn't muscle - I have read water retention is normal so I assume that is what's going on. Idk.
- I sweat A LOT more and feel more "oily" if that makes sense. No acne issues though.
- Needles are hard - This is a personal one, but I absolutely can not give myself a shot in the ass.. Thankfully my girl works in medicine so I have enlisted her to give it to me weekly. LOL. I can do other shots using insulin needles no problem. But the needle used to inject test is pretty damn large and I just can't do it.
That’s awesome news and very similar to how I felt. If your gf is good about giving you injections that is great. I do them myself as I don’t have any adversions. One thing to consider is if you feel like you crash on day 5 or 6 awaiting the next shot on day 7 you may want to consider splitting the dose up to do it more frequently. I’m doing every 4 days and find it keeps me completely level all the time. Your body may be different but do consider it if you find that you shoot way up and drag the last few days.
 
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1quick

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Jan 29, 2008
25,963
22,091
coal city
Sup guys, small update as today marks my 7th week on TRT.
Overall thoughts? Amazing - I would absolutely recommend it if you know you're low T or to get checked out if you're experiencing symptoms.

Some random thoughts:

Positives:
- Mentally I'm in the best place I've been in a long time. Overall I feel more clear-headed, motivated and in a better mood in general.
- Low libido? Absolutely gone and drive is through the roof. I thought people were joking or blowing things out of proportion when talking about changes in sex drive, they are not.
- Just very recently starting to notice changes in the gym. I don't get fatigued towards the end of my workouts like I used to and am increasing weight which have been plateaued for awhile.

Negatives:
- I've gained about 10 pounds since starting TRT with no real changes in diet or working out. I know this isn't muscle - I have read water retention is normal so I assume that is what's going on. Idk.
- I sweat A LOT more and feel more "oily" if that makes sense. No acne issues though.
- Needles are hard - This is a personal one, but I absolutely can not give myself a shot in the ass.. Thankfully my girl works in medicine so I have enlisted her to give it to me weekly. LOL. I can do other shots using insulin needles no problem. But the needle used to inject test is pretty damn large and I just can't do it.
You can use insulin needles it’s just harder to draw and inject, I use a half inch 29g insulin syringe but I split my shots up to 3 a week so it’s not a lot of oil I’m injecting at one time
 
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Caleb515

Regular
Aug 20, 2020
488
1,791
Chicago, IL
You can use insulin needles it’s just harder to draw and inject, I use a half inch 29g insulin syringe but I split my shots up to 3 a week so it’s not a lot of oil I’m injecting at one time
Interesting, I'll definitely look more in to that as the injection itself is my biggest issue right now. I'm using what my doc recommended / supplied which is to draw up using a 21g and then swap to a 25g and inject with that.

So far I haven't noticed any drop off as the week winds down, but something I'll be conscious of.
Appreciate the feedback!
 
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1quick

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Jan 29, 2008
25,963
22,091
coal city
Interesting, I'll definitely look more in to that as the injection itself is my biggest issue right now. I'm using what my doc recommended / supplied which is to draw up using a 21g and then swap to a 25g and inject with that.

So far I haven't noticed any drop off as the week winds down, but something I'll be conscious of.
Appreciate the feedback!
25g isn’t too bad but 29 is hardly noticeable, I’ve also found I touch it to a couple spots till I find a spot that I can tell has less feeling then work it in slowly I’ve herd if you just jam it in quickly it causes more scar tissue over time and will make future shots more painful, also after I inject I take a alcohol wipe and massage the spot kind of hard to help spread the oil out a bit in the muscle, helps to reduce the soreness it seems like, though my shots are smaller so it’s pretty rare to have any soreness
 

093LZ

Regular
May 16, 2012
411
218
Negatives:
- I've gained about 10 pounds since starting TRT with no real changes in diet or working out. I know this isn't muscle - I have read water retention is normal so I assume that is what's going on. Idk.
- I sweat A LOT more and feel more "oily" if that makes sense. No acne issues though.
- Needles are hard - This is a personal one, but I absolutely can not give myself a shot in the ass.. Thankfully my girl works in medicine so I have enlisted her to give it to me weekly. LOL. I can do other shots using insulin needles no problem. But the needle used to inject test is pretty damn large and I just can't do it.
water retention and oily skin are two very common side effects. Thankfully I'm on a diuretic for my BP so it keeps the retention at a minimum, but 24 hours after my injection ill be 3 to 5lbs heavier due to the water retention. Same with my skin; I find myself wiping my face probably 3 or 4 times a day with baby ass wipes to knock off the oil. And like 1quick said, look into using an insulin needle and breaking up the injection versus once a week. I do .5ml on monday morning then .5ml thursday night. I found that heating the test up under hot water makes it a ton easier to inject through such a small needle. But with an insulin needle you dont feel shit, you can rotate between your delts and glutes for injection sites.
 

sickmint79

I Drink Your Milkshake
Mar 2, 2008
25,747
13,854
grayslake
i happened to randomly get into some gym facebook group. every once in a while there will be a post of someone beefy, someone saying 'steroids' (last was a chick actually, i mean the beefy one) and then the OP will come out and say steroids don't lift weights, or whatever. in any case it is kind of a weird dynamic where people who seem like they are proooobably on steroids will never say they are on anything, and it seems to be because they are just too insecure about internet strangers thinking they didn't do any work or something. i think anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together understands that you're going to need to lift weights and do work to maximize the results.

i find it silly that these people can't seem to admit that they do them due to worry about what internet strangers think, but also silly is the same people claiming steroids don't actually do anything unless you do the work. but multiple studies have actually shown you can take them, watch netflix all day, and still gain muscle. iirc one of the areas this was particularly the largest in were the traps.

in any case, jeff nippard had this video; pretty crazy how much muscle some of the outliers in these studies even put on at their dosages, their genetic responses, and while not actually lifting weights.

 

rocco

Addict
Jan 19, 2012
713
433
Aurora, IL
i happened to randomly get into some gym facebook group. every once in a while there will be a post of someone beefy, someone saying 'steroids' (last was a chick actually, i mean the beefy one) and then the OP will come out and say steroids don't lift weights, or whatever. in any case it is kind of a weird dynamic where people who seem like they are proooobably on steroids will never say they are on anything, and it seems to be because they are just too insecure about internet strangers thinking they didn't do any work or something. i think anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together understands that you're going to need to lift weights and do work to maximize the results.

i find it silly that these people can't seem to admit that they do them due to worry about what internet strangers think, but also silly is the same people claiming steroids don't actually do anything unless you do the work. but multiple studies have actually shown you can take them, watch netflix all day, and still gain muscle. iirc one of the areas this was particularly the largest in were the traps.

in any case, jeff nippard had this video; pretty crazy how much muscle some of the outliers in these studies even put on at their dosages, their genetic responses, and while not actually lifting weights.


No it’s true and I’ve ever experimented and tried this myself. Just upped my normal TRT dose and still gained muscle and got bigger without any weight training. The traps and delts are always a dead giveaway if someone is on a decent amount. Especially the delts. They’ll look full and round and pop out. Supposedly the traps and delts have the highest amount of receptors and respond easily on gear.
 

bimmer4life

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Feb 18, 2008
4,665
6,708
Wheaton, Illinois
i happened to randomly get into some gym facebook group. every once in a while there will be a post of someone beefy, someone saying 'steroids' (last was a chick actually, i mean the beefy one) and then the OP will come out and say steroids don't lift weights, or whatever. in any case it is kind of a weird dynamic where people who seem like they are proooobably on steroids will never say they are on anything, and it seems to be because they are just too insecure about internet strangers thinking they didn't do any work or something. i think anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together understands that you're going to need to lift weights and do work to maximize the results.

i find it silly that these people can't seem to admit that they do them due to worry about what internet strangers think, but also silly is the same people claiming steroids don't actually do anything unless you do the work. but multiple studies have actually shown you can take them, watch netflix all day, and still gain muscle. iirc one of the areas this was particularly the largest in were the traps.

in any case, jeff nippard had this video; pretty crazy how much muscle some of the outliers in these studies even put on at their dosages, their genetic responses, and while not actually lifting weights.


Good video. And Damn 15-20lbs of muscle for some in the study that did not even work out!
 

ldyzluvdis06

Supercharged C5
Sep 30, 2008
6,284
1,735
Jacksonville, IL
Sup guys, small update as today marks my 7th week on TRT.
Overall thoughts? Amazing - I would absolutely recommend it if you know you're low T or to get checked out if you're experiencing symptoms.

Some random thoughts:

Positives:
- Mentally I'm in the best place I've been in a long time. Overall I feel more clear-headed, motivated and in a better mood in general.
- Low libido? Absolutely gone and drive is through the roof. I thought people were joking or blowing things out of proportion when talking about changes in sex drive, they are not.
- Just very recently starting to notice changes in the gym. I don't get fatigued towards the end of my workouts like I used to and am increasing weight which have been plateaued for awhile.

Negatives:
- I've gained about 10 pounds since starting TRT with no real changes in diet or working out. I know this isn't muscle - I have read water retention is normal so I assume that is what's going on. Idk.
- I sweat A LOT more and feel more "oily" if that makes sense. No acne issues though.
- Needles are hard - This is a personal one, but I absolutely can not give myself a shot in the ass.. Thankfully my girl works in medicine so I have enlisted her to give it to me weekly. LOL. I can do other shots using insulin needles no problem. But the needle used to inject test is pretty damn large and I just can't do it.

pin in the quad, 10x easier than the glute. just sit down and stab your leg, depress, withdraw pin, massage leg, call it a day.
 

willizm

Very Nice, Very Evil
TCG Premium
May 13, 2009
12,672
9,484
The Woodlands, TX
i happened to randomly get into some gym facebook group. every once in a while there will be a post of someone beefy, someone saying 'steroids' (last was a chick actually, i mean the beefy one) and then the OP will come out and say steroids don't lift weights, or whatever. in any case it is kind of a weird dynamic where people who seem like they are proooobably on steroids will never say they are on anything, and it seems to be because they are just too insecure about internet strangers thinking they didn't do any work or something. i think anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together understands that you're going to need to lift weights and do work to maximize the results.

i find it silly that these people can't seem to admit that they do them due to worry about what internet strangers think, but also silly is the same people claiming steroids don't actually do anything unless you do the work. but multiple studies have actually shown you can take them, watch netflix all day, and still gain muscle. iirc one of the areas this was particularly the largest in were the traps.

in any case, jeff nippard had this video; pretty crazy how much muscle some of the outliers in these studies even put on at their dosages, their genetic responses, and while not actually lifting weights.


I think more people talk about it now openly than they did 10 years ago. To a novice though no steroid user is going to talk about it, but to anyone that does workout you’ll find it’s a much more open community from nattys to gear users. Technically being on testosterone is a steroid and usually the base for any cycle that is going to run on top of that. It’s tricky to buy it as it’s still illegal but the stigma is almost gone around it especially for guys over 40 where the side effects don’t really apply as much and it’s an age group that can benefit from light steroid use to get the gains they otherwise would not be able to.
 
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