aggiesundevil4 said:

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.5mg per what? Per week? Per dose 3 times a week, weekly?

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Per week.

I'd start out .25 for a couple weeks once weekly then go .25 every 4 days.

You want to ease in because for some people, like me, it's pretty strong and effective. Ive been on it for like 7 months and cant even imagine 9 or 12mg weekly like some studies. More importantly, you do not want to go heavy with potential gut side effects that would make you want to quit it

Thanks. Had you done other GLP1s before or is this your first one? I've done Sema for a while and stalled out so I'm thinking about starting Reta to get through the next leg and get to desired weight

Starting super low (0.25-0.5 mg per week) is fine, but just understand that if you aren't feeling anything then that doesn't mean it's not working. It just likely means your dose is too low. The clinical starting dose is 2.5 mg.

In my opinion, if you aren't feeling a difference in 2 weeks at the start, you need to increase your dose. I only started at 1 mg per week (split into 3 injections) and could tell a difference almost immediately. I have been on it for 3 months now and am still only at 1.5 mg per week. Once it's working there is no need to increase unless you need to.

aggiesundevil4 said:

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Thanks. Had you done other GLP1s before or is this your first one? I've done Sema for a while and stalled out so I'm thinking about starting Reta to get through the next leg and get to desired weight

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Reta is my first. I didnt notice much the first couple weeks and then it hit pretty hard.

Been a lurker for some time now but officially checking in to seek some advice regarding TRT.

39yo
6'2"
225lbs (down 15lb since mid-March thanks to reta)

I've had several blood draws over the past two years that indicate low testosterone. Results below.

5/2024:
Testosterone Total - 195 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 123 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 339 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 18 nmol/L
Estradiol - <15.00 pg/ml
Cortisol - Total/AM - 7.70 ug/dL

10/2024:
Testosterone Total - 216 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 142 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 307 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 17 nmol/L

7/2026:
Testosterone Total - 256 ng/dL
Testosterone, % free - 51.5 pg/mL

The first two draws were via Ways2Well and the most recent is from my PCP. My PCP wasn't concerned because I was over the 250 threshold albeit barely over. I noticed the increase in total testosterone since 2024 and would seem to contribute that to weight loss but no way to be certain.

I started taking reta in mid-March of this year. Started out very light at 0.5mg per week and have worked my way up to 2.5mg per week. It's definitely working...no doubt about that. No side effects at all to this point.

Given all of this, I am not sure where to go from here. I have scheduled a preliminary consult with Rise Men's health on Monday but interested to hear the group's thoughts on next steps.

Am I a good candidate for TRT? It seems that way. Interesting that my PCP didn't discuss this with me but can't say that I'm surprised given the state of healthcare these days.

What are the risk factors associated with TRT? My PCP indicated that there is a risk for blood clotting but not sure I've seen or heard much of that. I have read about the potential acne issues and estrogen issues.

Any information or first hand experiences are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Did you happen to get LH levels?

bthotugigem05 said:

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Did you happen to get LH levels?

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No. Unfortunately not.

You absolutely need to start TRT. It's a bit of a life sentence, but how you will feel is literally a life changer. When I was at your levels I didn't have energy for anything, and getting in TRT made me feel alive again.

You also need to get your vitamins right. B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium glycinate, and fish oil.

aggiesundevil4 said:

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You absolutely need to start TRT. It's a bit of a life sentence, but how you will feel is literally a life changer. When I was at your levels I didn't have energy for anything, and getting in TRT made me feel alive again.

You also need to get your vitamins right. B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium glycinate, and fish oil.

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Thanks for the feedback.

Vitamins are right. I corrected that several years ago after the Ways2Well labs. I'm supplementing everything you listed.

I had been holding out on TRT because it is something that I will have to do for life but I think it's worth it at this point.

Yep, I agree. It's definitely time for TRT.

Dale Earnhardts Stache said:

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Am I a good candidate for TRT?

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I'd tap the brakes a little before calling this an automatic TRT case.

Fat loss can raise testosterone, and your own numbers may already be showing that: total T went from 195-216 up to 256 while you've been losing weight.

That does not mean you definitely won't need TRT but...

• Do you lift weights consistently?
• Do you know your body-fat percentage?
• What is your waist measurement at the navel?
• How is your sleep?
• Any alcohol?
• Do you have actual low-T symptoms: low libido, ED, depression, fatigue, loss of strength, poor recovery?

Given that you're actively losing weight on reta and your testosterone appears to be rising, I'd probably continue the fat-loss phase, start or tighten up resistance training if you're not already doing it, and get waist circumference moving down.

You may end up being a candidate. I just wouldn't call it automatic yet.

Dale Earnhardts Stache said:

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Been a lurker for some time now but officially checking in to seek some advice regarding TRT.

39yo
6'2"
225lbs (down 15lb since mid-March thanks to reta)

I've had several blood draws over the past two years that indicate low testosterone. Results below.

5/2024:
Testosterone Total - 195 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 123 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 339 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 18 nmol/L
Estradiol - <15.00 pg/ml
Cortisol - Total/AM - 7.70 ug/dL

10/2024:
Testosterone Total - 216 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 142 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 307 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 17 nmol/L

7/2026:
Testosterone Total - 256 ng/dL
Testosterone, % free - 51.5 pg/mL

The first two draws were via Ways2Well and the most recent is from my PCP. My PCP wasn't concerned because I was over the 250 threshold albeit barely over. I noticed the increase in total testosterone since 2024 and would seem to contribute that to weight loss but no way to be certain.

I started taking reta in mid-March of this year. Started out very light at 0.5mg per week and have worked my way up to 2.5mg per week. It's definitely working...no doubt about that. No side effects at all to this point.

Given all of this, I am not sure where to go from here. I have scheduled a preliminary consult with Rise Men's health on Monday but interested to hear the group's thoughts on next steps.

Am I a good candidate for TRT? It seems that way. Interesting that my PCP didn't discuss this with me but can't say that I'm surprised given the state of healthcare these days.

What are the risk factors associated with TRT? My PCP indicated that there is a risk for blood clotting but not sure I've seen or heard much of that. I have read about the potential acne issues and estrogen issues.

Any information or first hand experiences are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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What did Ways2Well tell you with your two draws? Based on my experience they would have recommended something.

Are you kidding? He has the testosterone levels of an elderly man.

He's not going to raise his test above 900 just losing some fat.

Who said anything about 900?

You don't have to do it for life. You can stop anytime
and jumpstart your body to produce on its own again, and you can back to old folks home levels of testosterone anytime you would like.

What is your recommendation for testosterone levels?

I'm not saying his numbers are good.

I'm saying the next step should be figuring out why they're low.

He may absolutely end up being a TRT candidate. I just wouldn't reduce the decision to "his number is low, inject."

Yeah but his aren't even borderline, they are completely in the tank, and over 2 years he barely raised them 50 points and they are still low.

It should be a crime no one put him on test 2 years ago after a 195 blood draw.

Been on CJC / IPA mix for 3-4 weeks. First 2 weeks I had no reaction. This week I have been getting injection site irritation. Nothing crazy but itch like a mosquito bite for a few days. Was injecting in my abdomen but switched to my thigh. 2 doses on legs and not as much of a reaction.

Anyone else get something like this? Not bad enough yet quit but still annoying.

Yeah, Benadryl gel helps a ton. And you can rotate sites for sure. Upper legs, also any back fat you can reach is good and has less mast cells.

Cjc is one of the worst offenders for those type of reactions.

Ramrod said:

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Dale Earnhardts Stache said:

---

Been a lurker for some time now but officially checking in to seek some advice regarding TRT.

39yo
6'2"
225lbs (down 15lb since mid-March thanks to reta)

I've had several blood draws over the past two years that indicate low testosterone. Results below.

5/2024:
Testosterone Total - 195 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 123 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 339 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 18 nmol/L
Estradiol - <15.00 pg/ml
Cortisol - Total/AM - 7.70 ug/dL

10/2024:
Testosterone Total - 216 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 142 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 307 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 17 nmol/L

7/2026:
Testosterone Total - 256 ng/dL
Testosterone, % free - 51.5 pg/mL

The first two draws were via Ways2Well and the most recent is from my PCP. My PCP wasn't concerned because I was over the 250 threshold albeit barely over. I noticed the increase in total testosterone since 2024 and would seem to contribute that to weight loss but no way to be certain.

I started taking reta in mid-March of this year. Started out very light at 0.5mg per week and have worked my way up to 2.5mg per week. It's definitely working...no doubt about that. No side effects at all to this point.

Given all of this, I am not sure where to go from here. I have scheduled a preliminary consult with Rise Men's health on Monday but interested to hear the group's thoughts on next steps.

Am I a good candidate for TRT? It seems that way. Interesting that my PCP didn't discuss this with me but can't say that I'm surprised given the state of healthcare these days.

What are the risk factors associated with TRT? My PCP indicated that there is a risk for blood clotting but not sure I've seen or heard much of that. I have read about the potential acne issues and estrogen issues.

Any information or first hand experiences are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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What did Ways2Well tell you with your two draws? Based on my experience they would have recommended something.

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Yeah, good point. Left that part out. Sorry. They recommended TRT and sent me to my PCP to make that happen. I had a prescription for some kind of cream from my PCP but decided to hold off as I wanted to do some additional research and here I am two years later.

I have an appt with Rise Men's Health on Monday so interested to hear what they have to say.

MosesHallEnforcer said:

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It should be a crime no one put him on test 2 years ago after a 195 blood draw.

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I had those exact thoughts.

Dale Earnhardts Stache said:

---

Ramrod said:

---

Dale Earnhardts Stache said:

---

Been a lurker for some time now but officially checking in to seek some advice regarding TRT.

39yo
6'2"
225lbs (down 15lb since mid-March thanks to reta)

I've had several blood draws over the past two years that indicate low testosterone. Results below.

5/2024:
Testosterone Total - 195 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 123 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 339 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 18 nmol/L
Estradiol - <15.00 pg/ml
Cortisol - Total/AM - 7.70 ug/dL

10/2024:
Testosterone Total - 216 ng/dL
Testosterone Bioavailable - 142 ng/dL
DHEA-S - 307 ug/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 17 nmol/L

7/2026:
Testosterone Total - 256 ng/dL
Testosterone, % free - 51.5 pg/mL

The first two draws were via Ways2Well and the most recent is from my PCP. My PCP wasn't concerned because I was over the 250 threshold albeit barely over. I noticed the increase in total testosterone since 2024 and would seem to contribute that to weight loss but no way to be certain.

I started taking reta in mid-March of this year. Started out very light at 0.5mg per week and have worked my way up to 2.5mg per week. It's definitely working...no doubt about that. No side effects at all to this point.

Given all of this, I am not sure where to go from here. I have scheduled a preliminary consult with Rise Men's health on Monday but interested to hear the group's thoughts on next steps.

Am I a good candidate for TRT? It seems that way. Interesting that my PCP didn't discuss this with me but can't say that I'm surprised given the state of healthcare these days.

What are the risk factors associated with TRT? My PCP indicated that there is a risk for blood clotting but not sure I've seen or heard much of that. I have read about the potential acne issues and estrogen issues.

Any information or first hand experiences are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

---

What did Ways2Well tell you with your two draws? Based on my experience they would have recommended something.

---

Yeah, good point. Left that part out. Sorry. They recommended TRT and sent me to my PCP to make that happen. I had a prescription for some kind of cream from my PCP but decided to hold off as I wanted to do some additional research and here I am two years later.

I have an appt with Rise Men's Health on Monday so interested to hear what they have to say.

---

I started that route as well, using my PCP, then another PCP, then a urologist, and all I learned is those three guys knew nothing about testosterone levels. Rise understands the levels and where optimization should be since that's their bread and butter.

MosesHallEnforcer said:

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Are you kidding? He has the testosterone levels of an elderly man.

He's not going to raise his test above 900 just losing some fat.

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I've never seen anything stated that a normal range is over 900. Where are you getting that? Normal for who?

Good idea holding off on the cream, because it sucks (unless you just absolutely will not inject, then cream is better than nothing)... but I'm still of the opinion you need to be on TRT, years ago.

Yes, there are things you may be able to do to raise your testosterone naturally (losing weight, supplements, etc.), and because your T is so low you may start to feel "better" with any small increases. But as Moses said, you aren't getting to 900+ naturally at this point, and at that level you can go from feeling "better" to feeling "amazing". If I were you, I'd want to feel amazing.

For reference, my current levels are >1500 total (the range maxes out here, so I don't know the exact number) and ~240 free. I'm 42 and feel and look like a different person than I did less than 6 months ago. And I mentioned it before in this thread, but even then my total was still 900-1000 and free was ~100.

JeremiahJohnson said:

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Been on CJC / IPA mix for 3-4 weeks. First 2 weeks I had no reaction. This week I have been getting injection site irritation. Nothing crazy but itch like a mosquito bite for a few days. Was injecting in my abdomen but switched to my thigh. 2 doses on legs and not as much of a reaction.

Anyone else get something like this? Not bad enough yet quit but still annoying.

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Yes, I had the same issues with tesa/ipa when injecting in my stomach. I moved to my upper thigh (on advice from Moses) and it was much better.

Optimized is the proper word not normal. The definition of "Normal" keeps getting lower and lower. Plus I don't think anyone on this thread is shooting for average, normal, or 50th percentile type results.

The amount of testosterone that gives a man the maximum amount of confidence, motivation, virility, assertiveness, and helps his body build as much muscle and sheds much fat as possible. That's optimized.

And yeah typical test levels for men range from 250-1150.

Getting way above that is in the Supra-physiological range and more like body builders.

So, 900 is in perfect range for therapeutic testosterone.

Just curious, what levels are you at and when did you last do bloodwork?

MosesHallEnforcer said:

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Optimized is the proper word not normal. The definition of "Normal" keeps getting lower and lower. Plus I don't think anyone on this thread is shooting for average, normal, or 50th percentile type results.

The amount of testosterone that gives a man the maximum amount of confidence, motivation, virility, assertiveness, and helps his body build as much muscle and sheds much fat as possible. That's optimized.

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And who's defining what that is? "Helps build as much muscle and sheds as much fat as possible". I mean professional bodybuilders have extremely high levels for obvious reasons to put on as much muscle as possible. Is that considered optimal to you?

MosesHallEnforcer said:

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And yeah typical test levels for men range from 250-1150.

Getting way above that is in the Supra-physiological range and more like body builders.

So, 900 is in perfect range for therapeutic testosterone.

Just curious, what levels are you at and when did you last do bloodwork?

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I'll be 50 in November and my levels typically have ranged between 500 - 600. I get yearly blood work done. I lift regularly and have no issues gaining strength still. I train with my son who's a competitive powerlifter. I once was as well, but do not currently compete. 6'01" about 190-ish currently, if that matters.

Read my second post. Typical is 250-1250. With theraputic testosterone on the higher level, we optimize our body's natural ability to build muscle and shed fat.

Kind of like all those beach pictures in the 70s where most men were trim and muscular.

If we are pushing for levels above 1250-1300 then you are getting to Supra physiological levels.

We are talking Theraputic doses not bodybuilding doses.

Are you running any peptide stacks?

I think this thread is mixing two different conversations.

One is medical TRT for confirmed hypogonadism. The other is testosterone optimization/enhancement to feel better, build more muscle, lose more fat, and push levels toward the high end of the range.

Those are not the same thing.

I'm not saying his numbers are good. They're low. A 195 total T absolutely deserved follow-up two years ago. But follow-up does not just mean "inject." It means figuring out why they're low.

His most recent number is higher than the prior two: 216 to 256 from 10/2024 to 7/2026. That's still low, no argument. But it's about an 18.5% increase, and he's down 15 lb since March. That does not prove weight loss caused the increase, but it makes me hesitant to say body fat/metabolic health are irrelevant, especially when we don't know his waist or body-fat percentage.

And fat loss improving testosterone in obese men is not controversial. There's definitely research to support this.

He may absolutely end up being a TRT candidate.

But "his testosterone is low" answers whether there's a problem. It does not fully answer why.

And "therapeutic replacement" and "push me high enough to feel amazing and maximize muscle/fat loss" are different risk/reward conversations.

What's your goals? That's the most important question.

What are you looking to improve on and what has been improving with your Reta so far?

Also, need to get a dexa to measure body fat and muscle.