Looking for advice: Testosterone cycle for cosmetic/quality-of-life reasons (not bodybuilding)

[jestermaxx2026]

Hey guys,

Looking for some grounded advice about low dose TRT and HCG.

About me:

– 30s, average/slightly athletic build

– Goal: lean, sharp, “handsome fit” not bodybuilder

– Labs: mid–high T naturally, good total, free and SHBG

– Meds: finasteride + retatrutide (which has been great)

– Lifestyle: Not too active, 191cm, 85kg

Plan I’m considering:

– Daily subq testosterone, ~120–170 mg/week total (so ~17–25 mg/day) insulin syringe

– Daily hCG micro-doses subq with an insulin pin

Goal is cosmetic + psychological: better energy, libido, confidence, recomposition. Not chasing too much strength or mass but wanna be lean fit/strong.

I might get clowned on but I’d really appreciate some honest thoughts.

You think this will be beneficial for me and according to my goals, can I do this long term or only short etc? Really thankful for advice!

(I’ve also done all the bloodwork needed thus far and will do the follow-ups needed)

 

[Cman90]

If you already have mid-high T naturally 170mg a week isn't going to do shit for you other than be a pain in the ass, literally.

Lifestyle: Not too active, 191cm, 85kg

If you focus on this; Implementing intense resistance training, cardio, clean diet, you will likely be able to achieve the results you are looking for naturally.

If you are worried about lower libido due to finasteride, you could switch to a topical version, as it is significantly less systemic.

Hope this helps

 

[MoreShakesMoreCakes]

I would start with the lifestyle changes first. You said you’re not that active, start there. If you don’t want a bodybuilding level physique, why use the drugs apart from just wanting a shortcut. Even then you still have to put in a lot of work either way.

 

[jestermaxx2026]

If you already have mid-high T naturally 170mg a week isn't going to do shit for you other than be a pain in the ass, literally.



If you focus on this; Implementing intense resistance training, cardio, clean diet, you will likely be able to achieve the results you are looking for naturally.

If you are worried about lower libido due to finasteride, you could switch to a topical version, as it is significantly less systemic.

Hope this helps

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate it. From what I’ve read 120 would boost me high but that’s not true? And why is it going to be a pain in the ass I have nothing against doing the injections.


I’m really on the verge, one day I feel like starting the other day not. Is doing a 6 month try bad or do you think I will recover without a problem?

 

[jestermaxx2026]

I would start with the lifestyle changes first. You said you’re not that active, start there. If you don’t want a bodybuilding level physique, why use the drugs apart from just wanting a shortcut. Even then you still have to put in a lot of work either way.

I’m just so fucking lazy it’s crazy I can’t get my self to go to the gym or do productive things after work. Ive heard testosterone might change that?

 

[MoreShakesMoreCakes]

I’m just so fucking lazy it’s crazy I can’t get my self to go to the gym or do productive things after work. Ive heard testosterone might change that?

It gives a slight enhancement because it’s stimulatory. Androgens are. But it won’t change entire habits and behaviors like that. Also a good rule of thumb not to use the wrong band aids to fix things like this. It can backfire if your hormones get thrown off which is very easy to do.

 

[Cman90]

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate it. From what I’ve read 120 would boost me high but that’s not true? And why is it going to be a pain in the ass I have nothing against doing the injections.


I’m really on the verge, one day I feel like starting the other day not. Is doing a 6 month try bad or do you think I will recover without a problem?

120 could possibly put you in the high end of the reference range. It all depends on how you respond. You may need closer to 200. Won't know till you try and get labs done

How ever, if you are already in the mid to high end of the reference range naturally, TRT won't "boost" your levels, it will just put you at where you already are. You likely won't notice much of a change from how you are feeling or looking already. TRT is meant for people with low levels of testosterone, they are the ones who notice the difference you're looking for.

You can achieve what you want if you quit being lazy and implement life style changes. TRT isn't going to do shit for you. A 6 month "try" couldn't potentially make you hypogonadal for life, shutting you down permanently, making you dependent on TRT for the rest of your life for possibly no significant benefit.

why is it going to be a pain in the ass

This was mostly a joke, because pinning your ass can be painful. How ever, frequent injections can be annoying, as well as the lumps that sub q T leaves. If you fuck up your hormones, which is very possible, as MoreShakes suggested, that will be a real figurative pain in the ass.

Just doesn't sound like a good idea in your scenario man.

 

[AllbrandNew]

I’m just so fucking lazy it’s crazy I can’t get my self to go to the gym or do productive things after work. Ive heard testosterone might change that?

!00% this will not get fixed by injecting hormones.

 

[trtbuilder]

!00% this will not get fixed by injecting hormones.

Depends on the person. When I got on TRT it changed my life, went from zero motivation to not being able to sit still.

 

[AllbrandNew]

Depends on the person. When I got on TRT it changed my life, went from zero motivation to not being able to sit still.

I know everyone is different, but what were your T levels like before? No science behind it, but anecdotally it seems folks with low T felt the boost in motivation, but the few I've talked to that started at a good level didn't get any boost until well outside of TRT range.

I'd just not bank on it if I was OP and make the necessary lifestyle changes before jumping on replacement levels or more.

 

[Thriso]

I’m just so fucking lazy it’s crazy I can’t get my self to go to the gym or do productive things after work. Ive heard testosterone might change that?

"TRT will give you the energy of a 20yo" is just HRT clinic marketing and really only applies to guys with legitimately low testosterone, even then it's case to case.

Personally I was crazy low T, 51ng/dl when I got my pre-TRT blood work done and I was expecting to feel full of energy and 10 years younger - never happened

Every one is different though, just don't expect too much from it.

Most people consider above 150-200mg a week "sports TRT" which usually mean high end of the reference range to a bit above it, like 800-1200ng/dl.I think that sounds closer to what you are looking for if you want to send it anyway.

 

[trtbuilder]

I know everyone is different, but what were your T levels like before? No science behind it, but anecdotally it seems folks with low T felt the boost in motivation, but the few I've talked to that started at a good level didn't get any boost until well outside of TRT range.

I'd just not bank on it if I was OP and make the necessary lifestyle changes before jumping on replacement levels or more.

I was between like 350 - 410 on the tests I had. Not super low but not very high either.

 

[Elektrobot]

Go read the new member rules and etiquette. Do what it says to do.

I’m just so fucking lazy it’s crazy I can’t get my self to go to the gym or do productive things after work. Ive heard testosterone might change that?

You are not deficient in testosterone. Use your common sense to realize that taking something you aren't deficient in is not going to change your lazy habits.

Stop being lazy

Don't use drugs to try and fix things that you refuse to fix for yourself.

That's not performance enhancement, it's just straight up drug abuse

Get off your ass

 

[trtbuilder]

Go read the new member rules and etiquette. Do what it says to do.



You are not deficient in testosterone. Use your common sense to realize that taking something you aren't deficient in is not going to change your lazy habits.

Stop being lazy

Don't use drugs to try and fix things that you refuse to fix for yourself.

That's not performance enhancement, it's just straight up drug abuse

Get off your ass

Good job man, you fixed him.

 

[Elektrobot]

Good job man, you fixed him.

 

[adrenalytic]

Not to dogpile but my dude you really just need to get off your bitch ass. Drugs are for when your good habits are already in place, they don't fix bad habits. Most backasswards thinking I've ever heard.

Figure out why you are not motivated and address it. Hint: it's not hormones. It's you.

Good luck brother.

 

[adrenalytic]

 

[jestermaxx2026]

Go read the new member rules and etiquette. Do what it says to do.



You are not deficient in testosterone. Use your common sense to realize that taking something you aren't deficient in is not going to change your lazy habits.

Stop being lazy

Don't use drugs to try and fix things that you refuse to fix for yourself.

That's not performance enhancement, it's just straight up drug abuse

Get off your ass

Well I also tried to lose weight for 10 years, tried every fucking thing and just continued to gain weight. Jumped on retatrutide slightly over a month ago and I’ve almost lost 8-9kg. I eat so much better, feel so much better and confident.
This altered/made me more open-minded about other possibilities. Since I’ve previous in my life been super anti these kinds of stuff, but fin 0.25mg and minoxidil literally saved my hairline and Reta my weight. Not I’m not so sure anymore.

Total Testosterone: 28 nmol/L / ~808 ng/dL
Free Testosterone: 12 nmol/L / ~347 pg/mL
SHBG: 46 nmol/L

This is my current test levels

 

[Burly]

Well I also tried to lose weight for 10 years, tried every fucking thing and just continued to gain weight. Jumped on retatrutide slightly over a month ago and I’ve almost lost 8-9kg. I eat so much better, feel so much better and confident.
This altered/made me more open-minded about other possibilities. Since I’ve previous in my life been super anti these kinds of stuff, but fin 0.25mg and minoxidil literally saved my hairline and Reta my weight. Not I’m not so sure anymore.

Total Testosterone: 28 nmol/L / ~808 ng/dL
Free Testosterone: 12 nmol/L / ~347 pg/mL
SHBG: 46 nmol/L

This is my current test levels

Why would you do testo injects when your up in de high ref. range ?

Ref: 8.6-29nmol/L

 

[Psychokoak]

You need knowledge and a field that makes you happy in your life.
Happiness is a good source of motivation. Stronger than testosterone.

Not drugs that will do things for you. Because that's not the case, no one injects themselves with motivation. Except the drug addicts who screw up their body and their mental health.

You'll regret it with time (because you don't need TRT), and frustrated to see that it didn't change anything, you'll feel like a piece of shit in front of yourself.