Testosterone Injections - Simple Question on Building

NeKoS

New member
Hello all - New to this forum - so a brief history before my question.

3 years ago - Age 34 - I was 210 lbs with a 38 waist at 35% body fat. Now at 5'4, that is huge and completely over weight. Paint me orange and call me a over grown oompa loompa. After spending 6 months going to the gym, working with a trainer - Things were not happening. He instructed me to have my testosterone looked at. When I was tested I came in at 185. Normal range is 600 - 800 (some say 1000). I was prescribed Testosterone. I first did the cream which sucks, so I asked for the injections. First did 1ml/ 100mg every two weeks - barely results. bumped it to 150 still barely anything. After trail and error we got to 200mg every 14 days, I have settled into every 10 days though. Within the next year and a half I dropped from 210lbs to 175lbs 14% body fat with a 34 waist. Not bad - slow and steady. I had to stop due to surgery (shoulder - Labrum Tear and Right Ankle Repair) last year so I am now at 190lbs body fat is probably at 18% but still at a 34 waist. I have been cleared to go back to the gym and continue on.

Now here is my real question after that brief history. I have read countless articles and everyone saying to build you need to increase the eating (clean) and lift heavy. In turn your body will compensate and build (which would mean your body is making more testosterone and everything else) Since I do not make enough of my own and I have to inject it - If I wanted to build - I am under the impression I am going to have to increase my dosage or lower the time before injections like 200mg every week.

Is my thought process correct on this?
 
Hello all - New to this forum - so a brief history before my question.

3 years ago - Age 34 - I was 210 lbs with a 38 waist at 35% body fat. Now at 5'4, that is huge and completely over weight. Paint me orange and call me a over grown oompa loompa. After spending 6 months going to the gym, working with a trainer - Things were not happening. He instructed me to have my testosterone looked at. When I was tested I came in at 185. Normal range is 600 - 800 (some say 1000). I was prescribed Testosterone. I first did the cream which sucks, so I asked for the injections. First did 1ml/ 100mg every two weeks - barely results. bumped it to 150 still barely anything. After trail and error we got to 200mg every 14 days, I have settled into every 10 days though. Within the next year and a half I dropped from 210lbs to 175lbs 14% body fat with a 34 waist. Not bad - slow and steady. I had to stop due to surgery (shoulder - Labrum Tear and Right Ankle Repair) last year so I am now at 190lbs body fat is probably at 18% but still at a 34 waist. I have been cleared to go back to the gym and continue on.

Now here is my real question after that brief history. I have read countless articles and everyone saying to build you need to increase the eating (clean) and lift heavy. In turn your body will compensate and build (which would mean your body is making more testosterone and everything else) Since I do not make enough of my own and I have to inject it - If I wanted to build - I am under the impression I am going to have to increase my dosage or lower the time before injections like 200mg every week.

Is my thought process correct on this?
Everything I've read says that your body will stop producing testosterone at some point because you're on trt.

I think it would be safe to say that being on trt levels of testosterone will allow you to build muscle like you would if your test levels were normal. I've been on trt for 11 months(150 mg a week for most of the time), and as much as I wish trt would've helped me look like a bodybuilder, it just didn't happen. I've gained about as much muscle as I did 15 years ago when I had healthy natural test levels.
 
Speaking for myself, I'm about 20lbs heavier, leaner and far stronger at age 50 on TRT than I ever have been, and I've been working out with weights since age 16.
 
Well then, it would be safe to say that I would need to increase my dosage - since I can not create more in any shape or form on my own. I will be speaking with my doctor about this and see if he will allow me to increase for a short period of time under his watch.
 
Well then, it would be safe to say that I would need to increase my dosage - since I can not create more in any shape or form on my own. I will be speaking with my doctor about this and see if he will allow me to increase for a short period of time under his watch.

Unless you have an unusual doctor, he is not likely to embrace raising your hormone levels short term so that you can build muscle.
The best you can hope for is a doctor who is willing to get you to "optimal levels", or "upper quartile levels".
Anti-aging types are more open to this approach, others are hostile to it. You need to know what kind of doctor you have and be careful not to raise any red flags that you are drug-seeking for bodybuilding purposes.
 
No, this is not correct. You are trying to over think this. It is simple. Guys with normal testosterone levels can pack on plenty of muscle. Given that you are taking exogenous testosterone you should have normal testosterone levels. Therefore you are perfectly capable of putting on muscle just like any other normal guy.
 
No, this is not correct. You are trying to over think this. It is simple. Guys with normal testosterone levels can pack on plenty of muscle. Given that you are taking exogenous testosterone you should have normal testosterone levels. Therefore you are perfectly capable of putting on muscle just like any other normal guy.

This ^. If you've stalled then it's time to look at your training and nutrition.
 
No, this is not correct. You are trying to over think this. It is simple. Guys with normal testosterone levels can pack on plenty of muscle. Given that you are taking exogenous testosterone you should have normal testosterone levels. Therefore you are perfectly capable of putting on muscle just like any other normal guy.

This ^. If you've stalled then it's time to look at your training and nutrition.

And again ^^^^^^Ya know OP it really is Simple Simon. Good luck
 
Thank you all - I was over analyzing the situation. Time to re-tune and re-think my nutrition and workouts.
 
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