was hoping to avoid the triptorelin route unless completely necessary, i don't really mind doing trt since they'll let me take my scripts anywhere but ill look into this route
What are the chances of getting anything half decent trt wise for lifting? I'd honestly be fine with 200mg/wk I think but from what I've seen not many will prescribe that much esp at my age. Idk if I want to bring up my steroid use, I know that can stay on medical records forever but idk
I think most anti-aging clinics will only see you if you're above 30. But if you can find a sympathetic doctor and tell him that it's affecting your work performance and relationship with your wife/gf (which is entirely true, low test can cause these problems), then you might be able to get help. I actually think a lot of middle aged men are prescribed antidepressants when in reality they need TRT. But you can prob only get a script for something that puts you at about 800 test levels maybe. Good for libido, mental well being, blood work, good health, and fat loss, but probably not much gains muscle wise. I think if your doc is liberal you might get 200mg but that's a bit unusual I think.
If you are in the US I think it's not too hard to get TRT actually. It's almost unheard of in a lot of other countries.
Prob not wise to bring up AAS use unless you really have to. You would prob get a lot more sympathy if you went to one of these "anti-aging", "rejuvenation", or "wellness" clinics, as opposed to a family doc or urologist. Look out for ads with a jacked/fit looking older doctor on it, he would prob be on TRT himself and understand the benefits of testosterone.
You can try looking up nebido (testosterone undecanoate). It's injected every 10-12 weeks or something, depending on how fast you metabolise it. I read a study comparing nebido to test enanthate, nebido had more favourable pharmacokinetics because of more stable levels or something like that. I think nebido is the only thing they prescribe in the UK now. Supposed to be good. It's convenient because if your trt is only a few injects a year I don't think it's really a problem. Also, you can travel to Africa or whatever random places for long periods and still be good. If you really want to blast occasionally you could use prop or whatever other compound you wish when you feel like it.
The most "natural" TRT would actually be injecting a small amount of test prop everyday. Like 10-15mg. This can be done sub-q I think. Because it mimics the natural release of testosterone. Also would prob eliminate the need for an AI in most men. Don't forget that high estro is a health hazard also (but when you have high test you need the higher estro to maintain the proper ratio for good sex drive). Only downside is the ED injects.
Or just move to a country where you can buy test OTC without prescription legally, these I know: Thailand, Iran, Serbia. But I think there's a reason why people would rather live in first-world countries like the US than in some of these others. Thailand is prob the best out of all of these (girls, sun, OTC AAS, cheap, good food)
Naltrexone is also supposed to stimulated the HPTA in opioid users (opioid users have suppressed test production). But I dunno if it works for AAS users.
I think you have to find a test level that works for you personally. Some people are fine at lower levels, others are not. Excessively high test levels might shorten your lifespan indirectly by making you engage in more risky behaviours. I think a good test level (I'm referring to one about overall good life, not muscle gain) is one that gives you good motivation and energy but not too much aggression and risk-seeking behaviour.
There's also the issue of SHBG and free test and what not. But I don't really know much about these. I have heard taking stinging nettle root helps to elevate free testosterone levels. But watch your prostate