After 7 weeks on retatrutide and 37.1 pounds down, I got baseline blood work done before adding tesamorelin. Just got the results back: **testosterone at 243 ng/dL** - officially flagged as "Low" by Labcorp. ## The Numbers | Marker | My Results | Normal Range | Status | |--------|------------|--------------|---------| | **Total Testosterone** | 243 ng/dL | 264-916 ng/dL | **Low** | | **Free Testosterone** | 48.0 pg/mL | 30.3-183.2 pg/mL | Low-Normal | | **SHBG** | 26.9 nmol/L | 16.5-55.9 nmol/L | Normal | The good news? My SHBG is healthy, so the problem is production, not binding. This suggests secondary hypogonadism - likely from years of high body fat and metabolic stress. My [recent DEXA scan](https://retatrutidelog.com/posts/dexa-scan-results-body-composition-6-weeks-retatrutide) showed extremely high visceral fat (VAT 1536g, 319 cm²) - one of the biggest drivers of testosterone suppression. My hypothesis: as I continue losing fat with retatrutide + tesamorelin, my natural testosterone should rebound on its own. The supplements are there to support that recovery process. ## My Natural Recovery Plan The low number explains what I've been feeling - lower energy, reduced libido, and slower recovery. But here's the thing: I'm betting this recovers naturally as I continue losing fat. TRT can be life-changing, but once you start, you're often on it long-term. I want to give my body a real chance to fix this on its own first. Started tesamorelin Monday night, and Tuesday added a testosterone support stack: **The Stack:** - **[Earth Elixir Fadogia Agrestis + Tongkat Ali](https://earthelixirsupplements.com/products/fadogia-agrestis-tongkat-ali?sca_ref=9467426.Kx4u2yhRbK&sca_source=retatrutidelog.com)** - Morning dose. Fadogia may help increase luteinizing hormone, which signals testosterone production. Tongkat Ali is traditionally used to support free testosterone levels and reduce cortisol. - **[Nature's Bounty Zinc 50mg](https://amzn.to/41NvPBP)** - With breakfast. Zinc deficiency directly impacts testosterone production, and many people are deficient without knowing it. - **[Nature's Bounty Selenium 200mcg](https://amzn.to/4mRyt1u)** - With zinc. Works with zinc for thyroid function and may help protect testosterone-producing cells from oxidative stress. - **[Nature's Bounty Magnesium 400mg](https://amzn.to/4fLzK7S)** - Before bed. Magnesium deficiency can suppress testosterone, plus it helps with sleep quality which is when most testosterone is produced. **Continuing:** - Retatrutide 6mg/week - Tesamorelin 2mg/day (5 days/week) - 10 vials x 10mg for $195 ## The 3-Month Test This isn't about avoiding TRT forever - it's about making data-driven decisions. **Retest Timeline:** Mid-November (12 weeks) **Labs:** Total/Free testosterone, IGF-1, estradiol, full panel **DEXA Scan:** Body composition changes **Decision Points:** - **If testosterone improves** (expecting >400 ng/dL): Continue natural approach, prove the fat loss theory - **If still suppressed**: Then consider TRT - but I'm optimistic about natural recovery ## Why I'm Not Running to a TRT Clinic Yet Look, I know some guys would take these lab results and immediately head to a clinic for a prescription. And honestly, TRT might be the right answer eventually. But here's my thinking: I've put my body through hell for years - gained massive amounts of weight, lived on junk food, drank 500ml of whiskey nightly. My system is probably just scrambled from rapid changes. I'm hoping this low testosterone is my body responding to rapid weight loss and lifestyle upheaval, not permanent dysfunction. Now that I know there's a problem, I can monitor it and give some good old-fashioned supplements a chance to help my body right the ship. If in 3 months I'm still low after losing significantly more fat, I'll likely talk to a clinic about TRT. I know it's basically a life-long commitment once you start, and while I'm not worried about fertility - I have all the children I want - I don't want to make that decision prematurely. My body deserves a real chance to fix this naturally first. ## What This is Costing Me The supplement stack runs about $62 for a two month supply. I'd be getting the DEXA scans and blood work anyway to monitor progress, so those aren't really additional costs. For comparison, the TRT clinics I looked into charge $250 for the initial consultation, $200 for their required labs, then around $200 monthly for the prescription. So really I'm comparing $30/month in supplements vs $200 monthly for testosterone. I might be delaying the inevitable, but worth a shot I think. ## What's Next Week 8 will cover my first tesamorelin experiences and whether the combination creates any interaction effects. I'll be tracking energy, mood, sleep quality, and metabolic markers daily. If you've been on a GLP-1 or struggling with low T during weight loss, I'd love to hear your experiences. Drop a comment below - I'll include community feedback in future updates. ::subscribe[{"variant":"default"}] --- **Disclaimer:** The information provided on this site is for **educational and informational purposes only** and reflects my **personal experiences and opinions**. It is **not** intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Retatrutide is an **investigational drug** that is **not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)** for any use outside of clinical trials. Do not attempt to obtain or use this compound without proper legal authorization. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medications, supplements, or medical treatments. The author does **not** sell or distribute any pharmaceutical products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this site may be affiliate links.