Convince Me: Do I or Don't I Want TRT?

Greetings everyone, name is JP and I’m 49. Everything in my life since 17 has revolved around working out. I would love to go on TRT...but just had a physical and blood tests and testosterone came in at 720. Before going any further with my intro, would I even qualify for any online TRT like Defy?

That's not enough info to based any decisions off of, post complete labs including SHBG. The only way you could experience symptoms of low T at that number is if SHBG is elevated high enough to choke off your free testosterone.

No mention of any symptoms, do you have any? If no most would kill to have those levels pushing 50.

Thanks for the reply, The more I know the symptoms, the more I think I have them. I do have a high libido and wake up with a hat rack every morning. Low energy, maybe but I wake up at 4. Mildly depressed sometimes. I had a Normal blood panel so it’s not that extensive. I want to get on TRT and get back a youthful feeling. But really don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars for a complete blood panel to find out I don’t qualify.

Wellsoci said:

Thanks for the reply, The more I know the symptoms, the more I think I have them. I do have a high libido and wake up with a hat rack every morning. Low energy, maybe but I wake up at 4. Mildly depressed sometimes. I had a Normal blood panel so it's not that extensive. I want to get on TRT and get back a youthful feeling. But really don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a complete blood panel to find out I don't qualify.

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I would say your symptoms are not from low testosterone levels. Hypothyroidism can cause the same symptoms as hypogonadism. I would make sure you get a complete thyroid panel, TSH, FT4, FT3, reverse T3 and antibodies.

Wellsoci said:

Thanks for the reply, The more I know the symptoms, the more I think I have them. I do have a high libido and wake up with a hat rack every morning. Low energy, maybe but I wake up at 4. Mildly depressed sometimes. I had a Normal blood panel so it's not that extensive. I want to get on TRT and get back a youthful feeling. But really don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a complete blood panel to find out I don't qualify.

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In all honesty, no reputable clinic, and you mentioned Defy, one of the most reputable, is going to initiate a TRT protocol without a full lab panel. You can short-circuit the process somewhat by visiting www.discountedlabs.com and ordering (at a reasonable discount) some/all of the labs that open the door to diagnosis and treatment. Defy will accept those labs if you choose to contact them.

CoastWatcher said:

In all honesty, no reputable clinic, and you mentioned Defy, one of the most reputable, is going to initiate a TRT protocol without a full lab panel. You can short-circuit the process somewhat by visiting www.discountedlabs.com and ordering (at a reasonable discount) some/all of the labs that open the door to diagnosis and treatment. Defy will accept those labs if you choose to contact them.

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I agree with everything that Coastwatcher, Vince and Systemlord had already stated.

With all due respect, if you are not willing to spend a couple of hundred dollars on lab work to determine why you are not feeling up to par then I think you might have just answered your own question. No one should want to go on TRT without a true need to do so. In order to determine what is ailing you it is important to know blood serum levels of specific items. In the case of TRT, you need to know tour Total T, Free T, SHBG and Estradiol (Sensitive, the LC/MS/MS assay). If you SHBG is very high then you will likely have very low Free T and regardless of your Total T being within "normal" range you could be a candidate for TRT. I wouldn't think your Estradiol is out of whack with the great libido and "hat rack" each morning. So from a TRT point of view, I would think that finding out what your SHBG and Free T are will go a long way to determine whether you should pursue TRT.

If you TRT related blood work is all fine it could be that you have a thyroid related issue as a poorly functioning thyroid can have TRT related symptoms.

Regardless, whether it is a TRT relaed matter that is making you feel sub-par or a thyroid related matter making you feel that way (or maybe something as simple as very low iron and ferritin), someone like Defy Medical could get you moving in the right direction. In my opinion a couple of hundred dollars to get back on top of my game is well worth it. Shoot, I drop a couple hundred dollars on things all the time that don't impact something as important as my health.

welcome wellsoci,

How is everything else in your life. It's great that working-out is a priority in your life. How about - sleep and diet. Is everything else dialed in? Could possible lifestyle changes help? I know when I found out about TRT, I was hesitant and spent a good year on life style changes prior to finally committing to it. Glad I did in the end, but it has been a bumpy road. What ever route you take, good luck!

LTChris said:

welcome wellsoci,

How is everything else in your life. It's great that working-out is a priority in your life. How about - sleep and diet. Is everything else dialed in? Could possible lifestyle changes help? I know when I found out about TRT, I was hesitant and spent a good year on life style changes prior to finally committing to it. Glad I did in the end, but it has been a bumpy road. What ever route you take, good luck!

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Your numbers and libido are naturally what most of us are seeking with TRT. LT is on to something here. Because you work out and are interested in body based solutions, you immediately think of TRT as a solution. In some cases it isn't. I believe too many guys that post here are looking for a chemical solution to psychological, lifestyle, sleep, occupational, and relationship issues and think TRT is going to do it for them. With your numbers, it is unlikely. Sleep is an obvious place to start, and age 49 is a time when things like you describe begin to kick in. Yes, you want TRT, but do you really need it?

Vince said:

I would say your symptoms are not from low testosterone levels. Hypothyroidism can cause the same symptoms as hypogonadism. I would make sure you get a complete thyroid panel, TSH, FT4, FT3, reverse T3 and antibodies.

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Second step might be to have a look at your thyroid and see if any issues there.
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Do some research.
I do like Tiredthyroid as a starting point.
Easy to read sections.
References at the bottom of each section (and NOT from people wearing "tinfoil" hats)
See below:
Basic sources to research Thyroid issues and testing:
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https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/
Spend time here and get the 2 books, “STTM: The Revised Book” and “STTMII:Authored by Doctors”.
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http://www.tiredthyroid.com/
Great simple to understand articles.
Get her book.... “Tired Thyroid: From Hyper to Hypo to Healing—Breaking the TSHRule”, https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asi...Channel=system
A lot of clear researched information that is easy toread and understand.
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https://hypothyroidmom.com/
Good info here. Look around.
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https://www.restartmed.com/?s=thyroid
A LOT of good articles and a youtube page.
Spend time here looking around and reading after getting labs back.
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Do you have Hypothyroidism?
The CompleteHypothyroidism User Guide for Patients (2018 Edition)
https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroidism/
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Need information on thyroid testing....
Read here:
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/what-labs.html
And here:
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/optimal-labs.html
and here:
https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/recommended-labwork/
and here:
https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-tests/
and here:
https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-testing/
And here:
https://www.restartmed.com/normal-thyroid-levels/
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Thanks for all the info! Do I want to be on TRT? Yes. Do I absolutely need? No.
But it would be awesome. I know most if not all are on TRT for several valid, medical reasons.
And I know it probably posses some off that I just want to get on it to feel even Better and get more gains and recover faster from workouts. TRT seems more and more common. But it is a big commitment and I'm not willing to enter that kind of commitment for the rest of my life. I'll make some tweaks to my diet and sleep and maybe throw in some more supplements. You guys on this site are a wealth of info and I thank you. I'll probably be back in 5 years ready to enter TRT.

I think you are making a reasonable call on the situation. It would probably still be wise to get a full panel of tests done now when you feel well for a good baseline. Then maybe annually here on out. Just a thought!

There's absolutely NO WAY! I'd start TRT with levels like yours. I've been on TRT 8.5 years and 95% of that time has been constant struggle. Only by dropping my dose to 60mg per week am I able to feel well. You're blessed to have numbers that high at your age and I can damn well assure TRT at any dose will not make you 18 again.

I feel like you want TRT for gains in the gym for the most part. If you want to use AAS then go for it but certainly don't call it TRT.


No intent on starting a pissing match, Just calling it like I see it.

I'm new here so take my 2c for what its worth, but from what ive seen nobody here WANTS to be on TRT.
Who WANTS to take weekly, semi weekly , daily injections?
Who WANTS to have their blood monitored several times a year?
Who WANTS to have to donate blood just to stay healthy?
Who WANTS to pay for most, if not all of this out of pocket?

I damned sure dont!

Most guys here have a NEED to be on TRT to feel healthy and BE healthy. And they have the labs to prove it.

Wellsoci said:

Greetings everyone, name is JP and I’m 49. Everything in my life since 17 has revolved around working out. I would love to go on TRT...but just had a physical and blood tests and testosterone came in at 720. Before going any further with my intro, would I even qualify for any online TRT like Defy?

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Very unlikely but get a full panel done. That tells us you have very healthy TT level, and nothing else. Every man over 40 should get a full hormonal panel done yearly, or bi yearly at a minimum.

To all honesty i think you are trying to find an excuse to use hormones with the sole purpose of improving body composition. TRT vs your current testosterone levels won’t do it. I am not judging you just being honest. You are better off finding someone that would prescribe you a steroid cycle.