TRT Question – Test P Daily Dosing (~200 mg/week) + Peptides | Harm Reduction Feedback

[DirtyDan]

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for harm-reduction and health-focused feedback from people experienced with TRT optimization and short-ester testosterone.

Background

• Male, early 20s

• Very physically active (lifting + BJJ/combat sports)

• Physically demanding job

• History of peptide use, no prior testosterone use

• Primary goals: stable energy/libido, recovery, mood, and long-term endocrine health
Testosterone Plan (Self-Directed TRT)

• Testosterone Propionate

• Target: \~200 mg/week total, split into daily micro-doses (\~28–30 mg/day)

• Rationale:

• Smoother serum levels vs larger infrequent injections

• Reduced E2 fluctuations

• Short ester allows fast adjustment if side effects occur
I understand this dose is above typical clinic TRT ranges, but I’m aiming for symptom resolution and performance support, not supraphysiologic bodybuilding doses.

Peptides / Recovery Support

• CJC-1295 (no DAC)

• Ipamorelin

• MK-677 (low dose, nighttime only)

• GHK-Cu

• DSIP (intermittent, sleep support)
These are used strictly for recovery, sleep quality, and tissue health — not stimulation.

Harm Reduction / Monitoring

• Full bloodwork

• BP monitoring

• Lipids, hematocrit, and glucose control prioritized

• Diet, omega-3s, magnesium, electrolytes

• No SERM while on testosterone

• AI only if labs/symptoms clearly warrant (no prophylactic use)
Questions for the Sub

1. For those experienced with short esters, does daily Test P dosing make sense from a TRT-optimization perspective?

2. Would starting closer to 150–175 mg/week be more appropriate before assessing labs/symptoms?

3. Any known concerns combining GH secretagogues (CJC/Ipam/MK) with testosterone in a TRT context?

4. Any labs you’d strongly recommend beyond the standard TRT panel?
Not looking to abuse anything — genuinely trying to do this cleanly, conservatively, and sustainably.

Appreciate any insight.

Edit: Im thinking about running Test E or C instead because I'm a beginner.
Ive been looking for a source for months but can't make a final decision.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for harm-reduction and health-focused feedback from people experienced with TRT optimization and short-ester testosterone.

What's up DirtyDan. This is a preliminary questionnaire before I deep dive into your very complex post. Yes, you do have me confused and I'm questioning the Dirty in DirtyDan. I want to understand who I'm dealing with here. You actually seem quite conservative. Most young adults your age want to dive right in with doses that are much higher than TRT, more of the kind of doses that build real muscle. I know your involvement in combat sports will dictate your goals, ie: not wanting to pack on a lot of muscle which will be counterproductive to your BJJ goals. But your plan isn't very harm-reduction nor health-focused for what little return you're going to get from TRT. As soon as you start TRT you're going to shut down your HPTA Endocrine System and there is no guarantee it will rebound back to a 100% once you stop your TRT. You're 20yrs old brother, do you really want to chance that for a little edge, and believe me, it's little at TRT doses. There are no preexisting signs saying you're that guy that will be shut down permanently or not. This includes your HPTA taking a hit and then having reduced production the rest of your life as opposed to just being shut down permanently.

I would like some more information about you before I deep dive and spend 3+ hours explaining the pros and cons of your stated plan, the contraindications, the redundancies, what you're missing, and what makes no sense. Can you provide basic stats: height, weight, body fat. Do you already have a blood panel showing what your current Testosterone levels are including E2 and basic blood markers for health? Have you been diagnosed with low testosterone or experiencing low energy, drive, and libido? What's your diet plan look like. Do you have a diet plan prepared for when you start this TRT regimen? Got to tell you Bro, your post reads more like a pre-med student as opposed to a jock looking for an edge in BJJ/combat sports. You've done some research, but just enough to create a shit storm of confusion. It's like you've created a potpourri of peptides and hormones you've heard of or read about and threw them all together without out really knowing what they do and how they work together or against each other. I can clarify everything in your post and lay down how I would approach your goals if it were me in your shoes. Give us as much info on yourself as you can and we'll go from there.