On TRT, considering first cycle, questions about testosterone c

curious_minds18.47RPOriginal post

1mo ago

I'm a 46-year-old guy weighing 227 pounds and approximately 20% body fat. Back in January, I was at 303 pounds, but I've really committed to my diet and workouts. I've been on TRT for a year now, getting 80mg of testosterone cypionate twice weekly. My insurance covers blood tests every three months. In my last four tests, my total testosterone was between 950-1100, free testosterone around 150-180, and estradiol between 45-53. My current prescription includes testosterone c, cottonseed oil, benzyl benzoate, and benzyl alcohol. After doing some research, it seems that just increasing my current dosage would be a good way to start my first cycle to minimize variables. I'm considering that or possibly a six-week cycle of 25mg Anavar, but it appears there's a lot of strong opinions about orals. Since I'm already accustomed to testosterone c, I think increasing that would be my best bet. My question is about the different carrier oils I see being used, like grape seed or Miglyol 813 MCT, or various blends. Should I be aiming for a specific carrier oil? Additionally, I've noticed some products include benzyl alcohol while others don’t. From my prescription, I know I want that, but I don't want to assume it's present in all sourced testosterone c. Lastly, I’m thinking of maintaining my current 160mg dose, doing two 80mg injections weekly, and then adding 100mg of testosterone c to bring me to 260mg for about 8-10 weeks. I realize that's a low increase, but it's a 60% boost from what I’m used to, and I figured it would allow me to gauge my response effectively. I’ll also get my blood work done again...

10 replies

rachels14.89RP

1mo ago

If you’re still at 20% body fat, keep up the good work. I wouldn’t discourage you from increasing your testosterone, but I’d advise against adding anything else, especially orals, until you’re in better shape. How comprehensive is your insurance-covered bloodwork? Do you get tests for cystatin-c, GGT, apolipoprotein B, and hs-CRP? What about hematocrit?

rustic_thoughts7.35RP

1mo ago

MCT oil appears to be the most commonly used. My TRT provider switched from grape seed to MCT some time ago, and I didn’t notice any difference. The underground lab testosterone I’ve used was also in MCT oil. The usual 1-2% benzyl alcohol acts as a bacterial inhibitor in performance-enhancing drugs. Your first cycle should be tailored to your unique situation. Don’t stress about how much others are taking. Starting off gradually is a wise approach. No one can predict exactly how your body will react to performance enhancers. The best method is to try something for a while, keep an eye on your blood pressure and how you feel, and then get some lab work to see where you stand. It sounds like you're on the right track to me.

curious_minds18.47RP

1mo ago

Thanks for your thoughtful response, much appreciated! My insurance covers standard hematocrit on the CBC, and I get the following tests every three months: lipid panel, standard metabolic panel, CBC (H/H, RBC, indices, WBC, PLT), total PSA, TSH with reflex to FT4, total testosterone, free testosterone calculation, estradiol, and total PSA. It doesn’t cover the additional tests, and to be honest, the only test I’d heard about was apolipoprotein B, especially regarding orals and their impact on the lipid profile. I’ll definitely consider the other tests you mentioned when I eventually start, so thanks for the heads up. I’m willing to pay for extra tests to make sure I’m fully informed, and I think losing another 20 pounds will put me in a better position to really consider moving forward, provided it’s fat loss with muscle retention to lower my body fat percentage. I’m trying to gather as much information as I can now so I can have everything ready and a solid plan when I reach my goal. The challenge for me is being patient, even knowing that consistent effort over time will yield the results I want. I’ve had some great improvements with my sleep, nutrition, training, and supplements, and I’m excited to see what else I can achieve. Thanks again for your response!

curious_minds18.47RP

1mo ago

Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it! I'm planning to lose a bit more weight first, and I’m really leaning towards just bumping up my testosterone. I’m familiar with testosterone c, but I’m curious about the half-life of testosterone enanthate and if it would make sense to add that as a third shot between my two testosterone c doses. It seems that every time I think I've got a plan, I end up diving into forum threads and podcasts that give me more ideas. It’s tricky to navigate!

rachels14.89RP

1mo ago

No rush to do those tests now; focus on losing that 20 pounds first, then run all the tests before you actually start your cycle. The tests you mentioned seem quite thorough, but cystatin-c and GGT will provide a clearer picture of your kidney and liver health and function. It sounds like you’re already aware of what apolipoprotein B is. Just keep at it; patience is key. Especially at 46 (I’m the same age), we want to ensure we’re around for the long haul. Is your profile picture of your own legs?

rainycanyon3.68RP

1mo ago

Congrats on the progress you’ve made! You’re on the right track with your first cycle plan. Losing another 20 pounds will help you reach a body fat level more favorable for growth, and it will reduce the aromatization from a higher testosterone dose. Try to determine your maintenance calories at the lower weight and then adjust your carbs to about a 300-calorie surplus when you start your cycle. After losing significant weight, many guys tend to fall into one of two extremes that you should avoid. One extreme is keeping calories too low due to the fear of regaining weight. The other is going overboard and eating too much, mistakenly believing the weight gain is muscle. Good luck!

curious_minds18.47RP

1mo ago

Yes! Two weeks ago, I had an amazing workout, one of the best pumps I’ve ever felt. I’m not sure what made it stand out, but I woke up at 3 am with an urge to hit the gym, and I have a Planet Fitness membership for when I’m traveling. It was an awesome leg day, so I snapped a picture in the locker room. I really wish I had taken more progress photos over the past year.

curious_minds18.47RP

1mo ago

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

rachels14.89RP

1mo ago

You’re looking pretty massive, man! How do you measure your body fat percentage?

curious_minds18.47RP

1mo ago

Thanks! My legs are where I see the most progress. If only my belly fat responded the same way, I’d be much better off! I use two methods: a scale my wife got me, which I know isn’t super accurate, and it says I’m at 19.2%. I also do a three-site skinfold test with calipers, which puts me at 20.1%. I wonder if the loose skin from my significant weight loss is affecting that a bit? I considered getting a DEXA scan, but most places nearby only seem to offer the bone density version and not the body composition one, so that might not be possible. I’d love to try one of those.