How Much Testosterone Are You Actually Getting From Your TRT Protocol?
If you're on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), you've probably used a steroid calculator or plotter to visualize your dosing protocol. But here's a critical question most men never ask: Does the mg/day shown on these calculators represent the testosterone ester weight, or actual testosterone?
The answer has significant implications for understanding whether your protocol is physiological or supraphysiological. This comprehensive guide explains how tools like SteroidPlotter calculate testosterone release, why 100mg of testosterone enanthate doesn't equal 100mg of testosterone, and how to determine if your TRT dose aligns with your health goals.
What Is SteroidPlotter and How Does It Work?
SteroidPlotter (steroidplotter.com) is a web-based tool that helps users visualize and plan testosterone and steroid cycles. It creates graphs showing estimated blood levels of various compounds based on dosage, injection frequency, and pharmacokinetic properties like half-life.Key Features of SteroidPlotter
• Cycle Visualization: Create graphs showing how hormone levels fluctuate over time during your protocol• Multiple Compounds: Plot testosterone cypionate, enanthate, propionate, and other hormones simultaneously
• Flexible Dosing: Input various injection frequencies from daily microdosing to weekly or biweekly protocols
• Additional Tools: Includes a free testosterone calculator and unit conversion tools (ng/dL to nmol/L)
Important: SteroidPlotter calculates actual testosterone release, not the ester weight. This is a crucial distinction that many users overlook.
Understanding Testosterone Ester Weights
Here's something that surprises many TRT patients: 100mg of testosterone enanthate does NOT contain 100mg of testosterone.Why Ester Weight Matters
Testosterone esters are created by attaching a fatty acid chain (the "ester") to the testosterone molecule at the 17β-hydroxyl position. This esterification makes the compound more fat-soluble, allowing for slower release when injected in an oil carrier. However, this ester adds molecular weight that isn't testosterone.When you inject testosterone enanthate, esterase enzymes in your body must cleave off the enanthate ester before the testosterone becomes biologically active. The ester portion is simply "dead weight" that gets metabolized and eliminated.
Testosterone Ester Weight Conversion Chart
The following table shows the percentage of actual testosterone in common ester formulations:Testosterone Ester | % Testosterone | Actual T per 100mg |
| Testosterone (no ester) | 100% | 100 mg |
| Testosterone Propionate | ~80% | 80 mg |
| Testosterone Cypionate | ~70% | 70 mg |
| Testosterone Enanthate | ~72% | 72 mg |
| Testosterone Undecanoate | ~63% | 63 mg |
How Much Testosterone Do Men Naturally Produce?
To understand whether your TRT dose is physiological (mimicking natural production) or supraphysiological (exceeding natural levels), you need to know how much testosterone healthy men produce naturally.Natural Testosterone Production Rates
• Daily production: 6-7 mg per day (average)• Daily range: 3-10 mg per day (depending on individual factors)
• Weekly production: 42-49 mg per week (average)
This data comes from clinical research, including studies showing that testosterone is secreted primarily by the Leydig cells in the testes at a daily production rate of about 6-7 mg in healthy men.
Comparing TRT Doses to Natural Production
Weekly Dose (TE) | Actual T/Week | Actual T/Day | vs. Natural |
70 mg | 50 mg | 7.2 mg | ~1x (physiological) |
100 mg | 72 mg | 10.3 mg | ~1.5x (high normal) |
150 mg | 108 mg | 15.4 mg | ~2x (supraphysiological) |
200 mg | 144 mg | 20.6 mg | ~3x (supraphysiological) |
Is Your TRT Dose Physiological or Supraphysiological?
Let's work through a real-world example from the ExcelMale forum. A user reported taking 35mg of testosterone enanthate every other day (EOD) and wanted to know if this was supraphysiological.Example Calculation: 35mg Testosterone Enanthate EOD (Every Other Day)
• Weekly dose: 35mg × 3.5 injections = 122.5mg testosterone enanthate/week• Actual testosterone: 122.5mg × 0.72 = 88.2mg testosterone/week
• Daily testosterone: 88.2mg ÷ 7 = 12.6mg/day
• Comparison to natural: 12.6mg vs 6-7mg = approximately 2x natural production
Verdict: This protocol delivers roughly double the testosterone that the average healthy young man produces naturally—making it supraphysiological. For someone prioritizing health and longevity over maximum muscle gains, a dose of 80-100mg testosterone enanthate per week would be more appropriate.
Alternative Testosterone Calculators Compared
While SteroidPlotter is popular, several other tools are available for visualizing testosterone protocols. Here's how they compare:Tool | Strengths | Limitations | Best For |
| SteroidPlotter | Updated pharmacokinetics, free T calculator, unit converter | Recent update changed accuracy; some values may be off | Comprehensive cycle planning |
SteroidPlanner | Uses original SteroidCalc data; straightforward interface | Fewer features than SteroidPlotter | Simple TRT visualization |
Just1Cycle | Sums various dosages of same compound; clean UI | Newer tool with less community validation | Multiple ester combinations |
Testosterone Half-Life and Injection Frequency
Understanding testosterone pharmacokinetics helps you optimize injection frequency for more stable blood levels.Half-Lives of Common Testosterone Esters
• Testosterone Propionate: 0.8 days (requires injection every 2-3 days)• Testosterone Enanthate: 4.5 days (mean residence time ~8.5 days)
• Testosterone Cypionate: ~8 days (very similar to enanthate)
• Testosterone Undecanoate: 20-33 days (depending on carrier oil)
Injection Frequency Options
Weekly Injections: Convenient but creates larger peaks and troughs. Testosterone levels may spike to supraphysiological levels in the first few days, then decline to lower levels before the next injection.Twice-Weekly Injections: Better stability with smaller fluctuations. Many TRT patients find this frequency reduces side effects like mood swings, acne, and water retention.
Every Other Day (EOD): Even more stable levels. Popular among men who are sensitive to hormonal fluctuations or who aromatize heavily.
Daily Microdosing: Most closely mimics natural testosterone production. Typically done with subcutaneous injections using insulin syringes. Provides the most stable levels but requires daily commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much testosterone is in testosterone enanthate?Testosterone enanthate is approximately 72% testosterone by weight. This means 100mg of testosterone enanthate contains about 72mg of actual testosterone. The remaining 28% is the enanthate ester, which is cleaved off by enzymes before the testosterone becomes bioactive.
How much testosterone does a man produce per day?
Healthy men produce an average of 6-7 mg of testosterone per day, with a range of 3-10 mg depending on age, health, and individual variation. This equates to approximately 42-49 mg per week.
What is the half-life of testosterone enanthate?
Testosterone enanthate has an elimination half-life of approximately 4.5 days, with a mean residence time of 8.5 days. This is why weekly or twice-weekly injections are commonly recommended for TRT.
Is 200mg testosterone a week too much?
For most men, 200mg/week of testosterone enanthate or cypionate delivers approximately 140-144mg of actual testosterone—roughly 2-3 times natural production. While some men tolerate this well, it may be supraphysiological for health-focused TRT. Many experts suggest 80-120mg/week for true replacement therapy, with adjustments based on blood work.
Does SteroidPlotter show ester weight or actual testosterone?
SteroidPlotter calculates and displays actual testosterone release, not ester weight. The fractions it uses are reasonably close to published values (approximately 72% for enanthate, 70% for cypionate).
Conclusion: Optimizing Your TRT Protocol
Understanding the relationship between ester weight, actual testosterone content, and natural production rates empowers you to make informed decisions about your TRT protocol. Tools like SteroidPlotter provide valuable visualization, but remember:• 100mg of testosterone enanthate ≠ 100mg of testosterone
• Natural production averages 6-7 mg/day (42-49 mg/week)
• Typical TRT doses of 100-200mg/week often exceed natural production
• Blood work is essential for optimizing your individual protocol
Whether your goal is health optimization, symptom relief, or performance enhancement, knowing these fundamentals helps you have more productive conversations with your healthcare provider and make better decisions about your hormone therapy.
Resources
Original Forum Discussion: SteroidPlotter and mg/day on ExcelMaleSteroidPlotter: steroidplotter.com
Discounted Lab Tests: DiscountedLabs.com
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any hormone therapy. Individual responses to testosterone vary significantly based on genetics, metabolism, and health status.
