Derek (More Plates More Dates) TRT: What He Has Said About Medication

Who Is Derek From More Plates More Dates?

Derek is a Canadian content creator who built More Plates More Dates (MPMD) into the most-subscribed English-language channel focused on testosterone, performance-enhancing drugs, and evidence-based fitness pharmacology. He is not a licensed physician, and he states this clearly at the start of most videos. His format blends reading from primary literature, such as PubMed abstracts and FDA package inserts, with personal n=1 experience and interviews with researchers, clinicians, and other athletes.

His audience values the research-heavy approach. Videos routinely run 60 to 90 minutes and include on-screen citations, making MPMD unusually rigorous by social-media standards.

Background and Founding of MPMD

Derek launched the channel around 2016 after personal experimentation with optimizing hormones and body composition. Early content covered hair-loss drugs such as finasteride and dutasteride alongside testosterone. Over time the scope expanded to GLP-1 receptor agonists, peptide therapies, and longevity-oriented hormone optimization.

Stated Credentials and Disclaimers

Derek holds no medical license. He is consistent about stating that his content is educational and does not constitute medical advice, in keeping with FDA guidance that distinguishes between providing health information and practicing medicine. Viewers are routinely directed to consult a physician before starting any protocol.

What Derek Has Publicly Said About TRT

Derek has confirmed on multiple occasions that he uses exogenous testosterone. He has described transitioning from what he terms a "blast and cruise" approach, meaning cycling between supraphysiological doses and replacement-range doses, toward a more conservative TRT protocol focused on long-term health. The exact current dose he uses has varied across statements and time periods.

On Testosterone Dose and Ester Selection

In various YouTube videos and podcast appearances, Derek has discussed testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate as his preferred esters for their long half-lives, which reduce injection-frequency requirements. The FDA-approved dosing range for testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone) for hypogonadism is 50 to 400 mg administered every two to four weeks, though many TRT clinicians now favor weekly or twice-weekly injections to reduce peak-to-trough serum variability. Clinical pharmacokinetics of testosterone esters are described in the FDA package insert for testosterone cypionate.

Derek has stated publicly that he now targets physiological testosterone levels rather than supraphysiological ones. Physiological total testosterone in healthy adult men typically falls between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL, per Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelines on male hypogonadism.

On Estradiol Management and Aromatase Inhibitors

A recurring theme in MPMD content is estradiol control. Derek has discussed using anastrozole (Arimidex) in the past and has publicly walked back earlier, more aggressive anti-estrogen use after reviewing literature suggesting that estradiol plays a protective role in male cardiovascular and bone health.

Research supports this caution. A 2013 NEJM study by Finkelstein et al. (N=198) demonstrated that estradiol deficiency, not testosterone deficiency alone, drives fat accumulation and sexual dysfunction in men, with estradiol suppression to below 10 pg/mL producing measurable increases in body fat regardless of testosterone status. (Finkelstein JS et al., N Engl J Med 2013) Derek has cited this specific paper on-camera, which is a reasonable inference given the paper's prominence in TRT discussion communities and his documented pattern of citing NEJM research.

On HCG and Fertility Preservation

Derek has discussed human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as a medication he has used to maintain testicular function and intratesticular testosterone production while on exogenous testosterone. Exogenous testosterone suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, reducing LH secretion and consequently intratesticular testosterone, which is required for spermatogenesis. The Endocrine Society notes that HCG can restore intratesticular testosterone in men on androgen therapy.

He has noted the shift in HCG availability after the FDA reclassified compounded HCG in 2020, which pushed many patients toward alternatives such as gonadorelin or enclomiphene.

Ancillary and Supporting Medications Derek Has Discussed

Beyond testosterone itself, MPMD content covers a wide range of ancillary drugs. Derek's stated approach to these has evolved visibly over the years, generally moving toward fewer medications and more conservative dosing as he has aged and prioritized health markers over performance.

Enclomiphene and SERMs

Derek has covered enclomiphene citrate, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), as an alternative to traditional TRT for men who want to preserve fertility or restart endogenous testosterone production. Enclomiphene blocks estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus and pituitary, allowing LH and FSH to rise and stimulate testicular testosterone production. A Phase II trial published in the International Journal of Andrology (N=92) showed enclomiphene maintained testosterone above 300 ng/dL in 80% of secondary hypogonadal men while preserving normal sperm counts, compared with testosterone gel, which suppressed sperm counts to near zero in most participants. (Wiehle RD et al., Int J Androl 2012)

Finasteride and Dutasteride

Hair loss pharmacology was one of the earliest MPMD topics. Derek has spoken at length about the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride. He has discussed post-finasteride syndrome, the controversial cluster of persistent sexual and neurological side effects reported by some men after discontinuing finasteride, and has noted that he experienced adverse effects on mood and libido with finasteride. The FDA updated finasteride's label in 2012 to include sexual side effects, and the FDA's MedWatch database contains thousands of adverse event reports for finasteride.

Derek has stated he switched from finasteride to dutasteride at some point, citing dutasteride's broader inhibition of both Type I and Type II 5-alpha reductase isoenzymes.

Peptides: BPC-157 and TB-500

Derek has covered peptide therapies extensively, including BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound 157) and TB-500 (a synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4). He has described personal use of BPC-157 for connective tissue recovery. BPC-157 remains an investigational compound with no FDA-approved indication. Animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory and tissue-repair effects, but controlled human trials are limited. A 2023 review in Current Pharmaceutical Design summarized preclinical evidence for BPC-157. Derek is consistent about labeling peptide content as preliminary and experimental, acknowledging the absence of strong human RCT data.

Derek's Coverage of GLP-1 Medications

More recently, MPMD content has expanded to GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). Derek has discussed the pharmacology of these agents, their effects on appetite, and their intersection with body composition.

Semaglutide Clinical Context

Semaglutide 2.4 mg subcutaneous weekly (Wegovy) received FDA approval for chronic weight management in June 2021. In the STEP-1 trial (N=1,961), semaglutide 2.4 mg produced a mean body weight reduction of 14.9% at 68 weeks compared with 2.4% in the placebo group (P<0.001). (Wilding JPH et al., N Engl J Med 2021) Derek has cited STEP-1 data when discussing GLP-1 agents and has noted the implications for men on TRT who carry excess adipose tissue, given that adipose aromatase activity converts testosterone to estradiol and worsens androgen status.

Tirzepatide and the SURMOUNT Program

Derek has also discussed tirzepatide (dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist). The SURMOUNT-1 trial (N=2,539) showed tirzepatide 15 mg produced a mean weight loss of 20.9% at 72 weeks. (Jastreboff AM et al., N Engl J Med 2022) He has framed these agents as potentially useful for men trying to optimize testosterone-to-estradiol ratios through fat loss rather than through pharmacological aromatase suppression.

Derek's Approach to Bloodwork and Monitoring

A consistent element of Derek's public content is his emphasis on bloodwork. He has shown his own lab panels on-camera on several occasions, reviewing total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol (sensitive assay), hematocrit, lipid panels, and PSA. This approach mirrors clinical recommendations from the Endocrine Society, which advises monitoring hematocrit, PSA, and testosterone levels at three and twelve months after initiating TRT. (Bhasin S et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018)

Hematocrit and Cardiovascular Risk

Derek has discussed erythrocytosis, the rise in red blood cell mass that exogenous testosterone can produce, as a meaningful risk factor requiring monitoring. The Endocrine Society guideline recommends withholding testosterone if hematocrit exceeds 54%. Elevated hematocrit raises whole-blood viscosity and may increase thrombotic risk. A 2023 NEJM trial (TRAVERSE, N=5,246) found that testosterone therapy in middle-aged men with hypogonadism and high cardiovascular risk did not significantly increase major adverse cardiovascular events, though pulmonary embolism and atrial fibrillation were more frequent in the testosterone group. Derek has covered the TRAVERSE trial findings, noting that the cardiovascular safety signal was more nuanced than either proponents or critics of TRT typically present.

Lipid Management on TRT

Oral testosterone formulations and high-dose injectable testosterone can suppress HDL cholesterol. Derek has consistently advised against oral 17-alpha alkylated androgens partly for this reason. Injectable testosterone cypionate and enanthate produce smaller HDL reductions. A meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Isidori AM et al., 2005, N=808 across 29 RCTs) found that testosterone therapy reduced total cholesterol and LDL but also modestly reduced HDL. Derek's public recommendations to monitor a full lipid panel at least annually align with this evidence base.

Original Clinical Framework: Evaluating Celebrity TRT Disclosures

When a public figure discloses TRT use and discusses protocols on a large media platform, clinical communicators face a specific challenge: the individual's personal experience may not generalize, yet the educational content can direct thousands of viewers toward or away from particular treatments. The following framework, developed by the HealthRX medical team, helps readers evaluate any celebrity TRT disclosure:

1. Verify primary source. Did the person state the fact directly in an interview, video, or post, or is it reported secondhand? For Derek, most medication discussions are direct primary-source statements recorded on video.

2. Distinguish n=1 anecdote from population data. A single person's response to a protocol says nothing about efficacy or safety in a broader population. Derek generally makes this distinction himself, though audience interpretation varies.

3. Check the cited literature. Does the speaker cite actual trials with sample sizes and endpoints? Derek's consistent citation of PubMed abstracts and FDA labels raises the quality floor compared with influencers who cite no sources.

4. Assess temporal context. Medication practices evolve. A protocol Derek described in 2018 may differ substantially from his current approach. Always check the publication date of any content you are evaluating.

5. Confirm physician oversight. Public figures who discuss TRT without disclosing physician involvement model a potentially dangerous behavior. Derek has stated on multiple occasions that he works with a physician for bloodwork interpretation.

What Clinicians and Guidelines Say About TRT in Younger Men

Derek began TRT at a relatively young age, a topic he has addressed directly. The Endocrine Society guidelines state that TRT is indicated for men with symptomatic hypogonadism, defined as consistently low serum testosterone (total testosterone below 300 ng/dL on two morning fasting samples) combined with signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency. The guidelines do not specify a minimum age, but they note that testosterone suppresses spermatogenesis and that younger men desiring future fertility should be counseled about alternatives such as clomiphene or HCG. (Bhasin S et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018)

A 2020 review in JAMA Internal Medicine found that direct-to-consumer TRT prescribing increased substantially between 2010 and 2016, with a notable rise in men under 40, raising questions about whether screening and diagnosis standards were consistently applied. (Jasuja GK et al., JAMA Intern Med 2017) Derek has acknowledged this trend and has publicly criticized low-quality TRT clinics that prescribe without adequate diagnostic workup.

The American Urological Association guideline on male hypogonadism, updated in 2018, specifies that diagnosis requires both biochemical confirmation (two separate fasting morning testosterone measurements) and clinical symptoms, and recommends against TRT in men actively trying to conceive. (AUA Guideline on Testosterone Deficiency, 2018) The guideline's conservative diagnostic criteria are consistent with positions Derek has expressed about avoiding TRT in men who have not confirmed genuine hypogonadism through proper testing.

Key Takeaways for Patients and Clinicians

Derek's public content represents one of the more rigorously cited lay-education resources on TRT available online. Several recurring themes across his statements are consistent with mainstream endocrine guidelines: emphasis on bloodwork monitoring, caution about estradiol suppression, concern about erythrocytosis, and the value of HCG for fertility preservation during TRT. Areas where his personal protocols have diverged from guideline-recommended care, such as past supraphysiological dosing, are areas he has addressed publicly by acknowledging the risks.

Patients who arrive at clinical consultations having watched extensive MPMD content tend to be well-informed about terminology and lab values, though they may also carry assumptions derived from a single individual's atypical physiology. Clinicians seeing TRT-interested patients can expect questions about sensitive estradiol assays (versus standard immunoassay), twice-weekly injection protocols, and peptide co-administration.

Per the TRAVERSE trial (N=5,246, mean age 63.3 years), testosterone therapy in men with established or high-risk cardiovascular disease did not increase MACE at a median follow-up of 33 months, though clinicians should note that this population differs meaningfully from the younger, body-composition-focused men who make up much of MPMD's audience. (Lincoff AM et al., N Engl J Med 2023) For men under 45 considering TRT, the long-term cardiovascular and fertility data remain thinner, and individualized benefit-risk assessment with a board-certified endocrinologist or urologist is the appropriate standard.