▲ 5 r/Testosterone
36 Considering a cycle but wanted to be informed
Hey everyone,
I'm 36M and recently got my testosterone levels checked. Here are my results:
Lab Results (January 2026):
- Total Testosterone: 635 ng/dL (Reference: 250-1100)
- Free Testosterone: 146.7 pg/mL (Reference: 35.0-155.0)
My questions:
- Are these levels average for my age? I've heard testosterone declines with age, so I'm wondering if 635 is normal/low/high for 36?
- I'm considering doing a 12-week testosterone cycle (Test E 250mg/week) to help with body composition and muscle building. What are the realistic chances my natural levels don't fully recover after PCT?
- How safe is a cycle with my current health markers? My LDL cholesterol is 136 mg/dL Should I be concerned about cardiovascular risks?
Current stats:
- Age: 36
- Height: 5'9"
- Weight: 169 lbs
- Body fat: ~28%
- Training: 4x/week
- Diet: Tracking protein, usually hitting 160-180g/day
Current lean mass: ~113 lbs (from recent DEXA scan)
Just want to optimize my physique. Would appreciate honest feedback on:
- Whether my current levels are actually low enough to warrant a cycle
- Realistic recovery rates (what % of people don't fully recover?)
- How smart this is?
Thanks for any input!
u/F-TX — 9 days ago