How much test needed?

[Axl]

How much testosterone in the blood does on usually require to achieve normal muscle gains when doing weight training? I have recovered from (a lifetime hypogonadal state of) 220ng/dl to 553 ng/dl and I was wondering if these levels are good enough to start weight training and to achieve "normal muscle growth".

My free T is 180 pg/ml now.

My complete profile can be viewed at this thread:
250mg T not enough?

I'm 32, 5.6 ft, 141 lbs with a fat% of 19%.

Any input greatly appreciated!

[lou123]

If you don't mind me asking how long were you Hypogonadle and how long did it take to recover and how did you recover

[Axl]

Originally Posted by lou123

If you don't mind me asking how long were you Hypogonadle and how long did it take to recover and how did you recover

I don't mind. I think I have had this all my life: I didn't have a normal puberty, like most of my friends. On average, I lagged behind about 4 years on in physical development. When I first attended universtiy at the age of 18, some students thought I was a whizz-kid that skipped a few years... At the moment, I still don't have hair on my arms, chest nor facial hair.

I only got the guts to see a specialist at the age of 28. (Actually, it was my girlfriend at that time who kicked me in the doctor's office). Now I'm 32 and I'm on Testosterone Replacement (TRT 250 T enanthate IM every 10 days, 0,25 mg Adex every 3 days, 250 IU HCG one day and two days prior to my next injection).

I've lost three years looking for good endo's and doing all kinds of tests. None of the so-called specialists had any clue how to treat me. One even told me I had Cronic Fatigue Syndrom and Fibromyalgia and that I needed to live with it. My T-levels were 200 ng/dl at that time. These are the T-levels of an 80-year old male!! Of course I was tired all the time!

You guys are so lucky to have SWALE, believe me!

I'm on TRT since 10 months, and I have seen a lot of results on the psychological side, but on the physical side, the results are very moderate. That's why I asked the question over here wether 553 ng/dl is sufficient enough to start training...

[squareblockhead]

I've started TRT a few months ago and prior to that my test level was under 200 ng/dl.

During that time I still continued working out and stayed in good shape. There are many factors besides your test levels that will determine what kind of results you'll get from weight training. Diet being the most important followed by your training routine and the amount of volume and intensity you put forth into your workout.

Are you currently getting any form of exercise? Going on TRT alone and expecting physical changes in your body without any kind of exercise will be minimal at best.

Starting a workout program with both weight training and cardio can only help.

[Axl]

I used to do weight training some years ago with very little results. Now I know why. I stopped everything two years ago to allow my body to recuperate. I am now doing 2 hours of cardio-cycling and 1 hour of jogging a week. I'm also keeping a very close eye on my diet. I'm trying to reduce my bodyfat%. I'm getting guidance from a nutricionist.

When I was a 200ng/dl I could not lose fat tissue, everytime I watched my diet, I lost muscle mass, but no visceral fat.

I am certainly not genetically prone to get "big".