Normal for Dr to offer higher TRT dose for 'athletic performance / muscle building'?

[TransitPoloce]

Hi Excel

I recently changed to a clinic that specialises in TRT specifically. I live in Thailand and it's a US Doctor who has a long background in treating athletes and steroid users in the USA. Their marketing seems aimed heavily towards athletes / bodybuilders. TRT is the clinic's main offering, but they specifically offer post cycle therapy for steroid users as one of their services, as well sexual health / various mens health treatments.

The Dr explained what was wrong with the 14 day dosing schedule I was previously taking, and was annoyed that it's prescribed like that, and that AI's / HCG were never discussed with me. He seemed very knowledgable about modern TRT protocols and his approach to TRT matched what I've read on this forum and from TRT books.

I was asked my goals from TRT as well as my current symptoms. Increased Athletic performance / muscle gain was one listed on their patient info forms that I ticked.

The Dr explained that they can prescribe higher doses, (250mg/week Test E was the upper end), but it generally comes with more side effects, is harder to get the rest of your hormones in balance - but if athletic performance is your main goal they are able to offer TRT on a higher dose, along with a bit closer monitoring of blood work / side effects.

Bloodwork was taken on first visit, E2 scheduled for 2 weeks later, and full blood work scheduled 4 week after starting treatment. I ended up starting on 150mg Test E (75mg / 2x week) - but am curious about trying a higher dose at some stage.

Is this irresponsible for a Dr to offer this?

Assuming side effects are monitored closely - is increasing your dose temporarily specifically for one benefit (Athletic performance) at the possible expense of others (libido, mood etc) a stupid idea?

I have a feeling what this forums answer will be.. But I'm curious if there's possible side effects / long term health reasons I'm not considering.

Thanks

 

[johndoesmith]

Hi Excel

I recently changed to a clinic that specialises in TRT specifically. I live in Thailand and it's a US Doctor who has a long background in treating athletes and steroid users in the USA. Their marketing seems aimed heavily towards athletes / bodybuilders. TRT is the clinic's main offering, but they specifically offer post cycle therapy for steroid users as one of their services, as well sexual health / various mens health treatments.

The Dr explained what was wrong with the 14 day dosing schedule I was previously taking, and was annoyed that it's prescribed like that, and that AI's / HCG were never discussed with me. He seemed very knowledgable about modern TRT protocols and his approach to TRT matched what I've read on this forum and from TRT books.

I was asked my goals from TRT as well as my current symptoms. Increased Athletic performance / muscle gain was one listed on their patient info forms that I ticked.

The Dr explained that they can prescribe higher doses, (250mg/week Test E was the upper end), but it generally comes with more side effects, is harder to get the rest of your hormones in balance - but if athletic performance is your main goal they are able to offer TRT on a higher dose, along with a bit closer monitoring of blood work / side effects.

Bloodwork was taken on first visit, E2 scheduled for 2 weeks later, and full blood work scheduled 4 week after starting treatment. I ended up starting on 150mg Test E (75mg / 2x week) - but am curious about trying a higher dose at some stage.

Is this irresponsible for a Dr to offer this?

Assuming side effects are monitored closely - is increasing your dose temporarily specifically for one benefit (Athletic performance) at the possible expense of others (libido, mood etc) a stupid idea?

I have a feeling what this forums answer will be.. But I'm curious if there's possible side effects / long term health reasons I'm not considering.

Thanks

Not talking about hCG somewhat contradicts being knowledgeable about modern TRT protocols.

Is this a USA doc who moved to thailand?

I thought testosterone was OTC there, what do you need a prescription for?

I'd get an information only consult from defy medical. Many guys here use them, including myself, and I assure you there's no suspicion with them. I've never felt weird about defy or that they're trying to do something that's not cool.

 

[j4ever]

yeah i thought it was OTC there as well, I think op means that the Doc was annoyed that the previous provider did not discuss, ai/hcg usage.

 

[TransitPoloce]

What J4ever said - New Trt Doc was commenting on previous Dr's protocol of 250mg once every 14 days with no Ai/HCG

@ Johndoe - Yes, USA trained Dr. now living in Thailand.
He seemed very knowledgable and discussed HCG and AI options, optimal dosing schedules for stable blood levels and recommended a protocol similar to what I've read many people here are taking. I'm extremely happy with this doctor and clinic after my first experience.

Testosterone Enanthate is legal OTC here but....

AI's and HCG are prescription only, and not really available outside hospital pharmacies. They aren't typically prescribed for TRT outside a clinic that specialises in it, like this one.

I travel often and live in a country not entirely friendly to drug users - so getting a legit prescription from a Dr here is essential to getting proper long term treatment, as well as having a medical history of TRT when I need a new doctor if I move to another country. Laws also change fast here - drugs are rescheduled, pharmacies can stop stocking them for no reason.

------

I guess my question should have been this:

Is it a stupid/ irresponsible to entertain the idea of taking a higher dose of Testosterone specifically for increased athletic performance? Have you done it?

 

[johndoesmith]

What J4ever said - New Trt Doc was commenting on previous Dr's protocol of 250mg once every 14 days with no Ai/HCG

@ Johndoe - Yes, USA trained Dr. now living in Thailand.
He seemed very knowledgable and discussed HCG and AI options, optimal dosing schedules for stable blood levels and recommended a protocol similar to what I've read many people here are taking. I'm extremely happy with this doctor and clinic after my first experience.

Testosterone Enanthate is legal OTC here but....

AI's and HCG are prescription only, and not really available outside hospital pharmacies. They aren't typically prescribed for TRT outside a clinic that specialises in it, like this one.

I travel often and live in a country not entirely friendly to drug users - so getting a legit prescription from a Dr here is essential to getting proper long term treatment, as well as having a medical history of TRT when I need a new doctor if I move to another country. Laws also change fast here - drugs are rescheduled, pharmacies can stop stocking them for no reason.

------

I guess my question should have been this:

Is it a stupid/ irresponsible to entertain the idea of taking a higher dose of Testosterone specifically for increased athletic performance? Have you done it?

Well you make a lot of great points and it shows that you've put thought into this. Sorry for being so shortsighted and not thinking about all the things you said.

Yeah, absolutely get a prescription in that case. Plus it's always safer under a doctor's care, unless your urologist thinks injections are hepatotoxic.

Now, this is a TRT forum, but I suspect there's a few who entertain supraphysiological doses so it's not exactly uncommon. I don't blast, and I see no point myself, as I don't really lift weights too often.

There are safe ways of doing it, and dangerous ways, you having access to pharma OTC will cut most of the risk if you do sufficient research.

I don't look down on anyone who does blast, it's just not for me. Please do your research, especially as AIs aren't OTC there.

 

[Vince Carter]

IF you like this Dr and feel that it's reasonable and that you're being properly cared for, I'd have no problem at all with it.

 

[Vince]

It sounds like he is a very good TRT doctor. If he does all the labs and helps you with your goals, what more can you ask for.

 

[madman]

Running 250mg/week definitely will increase the chances of you encountering side effects as once your blood levels build you will be well above the top end of the range for trt. I do not see an issue if you decide to use that dosage for the short term but make sure you understand that your body will eventually adapt to the higher test levels and the muscle/strength gains one would obtain overall at that dosage will not be significant compared to 400-500mg/weekly which is more common when one blasts. So is a little extra strength/muscle worth the chance of having to deal with estrogen/dht related issues let alone hematocrit/hemoglobin. If you have descent genetics and your diet/training/recovery are optimal one could achieve good strength/muscle gains having test levels in the upper end of the trt range with less chance of dealing with sides!

 

[TransitPoloce]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

@madman Yes I've been pleasantly surprised at the muscle/strength increase I've gotten off a relatively normal TRT dose, and my side effects are very mild / non existent at this level.

I guess I'm just inpatient, after 31 years of low T levels and having extreme difficulty adding muscle no matter what I tried, with a small amount of TRT I've seen more improvement in last 2 months than I've seen in 2 years of training.

So I'm very curious about trying a slightly higher dose, as long as it's safe. It would be temporary, depending on what side effects I encounter.

Do you have experiences using higher doses of test?

 

[johndoesmith]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

@madman Yes I've been pleasantly surprised at the muscle/strength increase I've gotten off a relatively normal TRT dose, and my side effects are very mild / non existent at this level.

I guess I'm just inpatient, after 31 years of low T levels and having extreme difficulty adding muscle no matter what I tried, with a small amount of TRT I've seen more improvement in last 2 months than I've seen in 2 years of training.

So I'm very curious about trying a slightly higher dose, as long as it's safe. It would be temporary, depending on what side effects I encounter.

Do you have experiences using higher doses of test?

This is the wrong forum for that.

 

[TransitPoloce]

@johndoesmith for what exactly?

I'm discussing trying a higher end TRT dose and whether the side effects are worth the reward. If a mod feels this crosses a line then feel free to close it.

Madman mentioned side effects from higher doses and I was asking if he had experience with them, as that's my main concern.

 

[johndoesmith]

@johndoesmith for what exactly?

I'm discussing trying a higher end TRT dose and whether the side effects are worth the reward. If a mod feels this crosses a line then feel free to close it.

Madman mentioned side effects from higher doses and I was asking if he had experience with them, as that's my main concern.

Fair enough, I assumed you meant it differently as you said "athletic performance".

If you're doing well on a TRT dose now, increasing will only give slight benefits and probably much more side effects. More isn't always better.

 

[TransitPoloce]

@johndoesmith
All good, I can see it might be kind of a grey area in terms of what this forum is intended for.

I've never seen the level of intelligent discussion that I've read here in any other forum so I would like to ask here.

I think I've gotten my answers..... higher T dose generally = disproportionately more negative side effects for diminishing therapeutic benefits.

I'll make a decision and report my experience if I ever decide to try it.

 

[johndoesmith]

@johndoesmith
All good, I can see it might be kind of a grey area in terms of what this forum is intended for.

I've never seen the level of intelligent discussion that I've read here in any other forum so I would like to ask here.

I think I've gotten my answers..... higher T dose generally = disproportionately more negative side effects for diminishing therapeutic benefits.

I'll make a decision and report my experience if I ever decide to try it.

There's an IF in that statement(which btw perfectly sums up exactly what I was trying to say).

IF you are feeling good, and/or your levels aren't low as crap on tests.