Low Testosterone: What are the options? UPDATE:Testosterone megathread (Page 427 of 443)
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Originally Posted By 2tired2run: That's odd, did it have crystals floating in it? I've been on test for over 10 years and never had that happen. Originally Posted By 2tired2run: Originally Posted By 20229mm: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/438654/IMG_1368_jpeg-3669093.JPG Went to inject Sunday night. Discovered that my Testosterone was cloudy. New vial on the left. Old one on the right. Threw that out right away. That's odd, did it have crystals floating in it? I've been on test for over 10 years and never had that happen. looks like it crashed. You just put it in some hot water and heat it up until it goes back into solution. just wasted some T. |
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Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: looks like it crashed. You just put it in some hot water and heat it up until it goes back into solution. just wasted some T. Yep, thats what I said earlier Originally Posted By 20229mm: Good to know for the future. But I have zero concerns about running out of it. I have plenty. Coulda sent it to me 
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Originally Posted By 20229mm: Nope. No crystals. Just cloudy test. It’s legit from CVS. Stored in a cabinet. Room temp and away from light. I just used my next vial early Originally Posted By 20229mm: Originally Posted By 2tired2run: That's odd, did it have crystals floating in it? I've been on test for over 10 years and never had that happen. Nope. No crystals. Just cloudy test. It’s legit from CVS. Stored in a cabinet. Room temp and away from light. I just used my next vial early Call the pharmacy and the manufacturer. I had one vial that crystalized and would not reconstitute. The manufacturer replaced the vial via my pharmacy. That is really odd though. |
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Really grateful to have found this thread and read up on the resources recommended. Thank you guys. I had followup labs last week. FSH/LH, prolactin, E2, etc were all normal but my T was even lower. In the 80s!  Its been in the low 200-300s.After speaking with TRT clinic (basically a pay to play "sports" TRT mill) and finding the HRT Optimization group (hours of research), I think I know enough now to understand the best course of action. I shared all of it with my 70 year old GP, who was surprisingly cool and understanding. He consulted with an endo friend of his and is prescribing me 100mg/wk (1 injection only) I pushed back and would rather do 50mg x 2, but he said do 1 for a while and we'll change to more frequently if needed. Thats fair. We'll run labs in 2-3 months and increase the dose as needed. I tend to respond to the lowest dose of just about every drug so I'm hopeful - and at my level, ANYTHING has to help a ton. He also prescribed 1mg of some type of AI. I told him I dont plan on taking that unless I get symptoms of high E2 and my labs look way off. Again he pushed back but said cant force me to take the pill, but he's writing it anyway. He said the vials will be single use 100mg tiny vials - not the bigger bottle that I see most of you have. Anyway it sounds like I didnt get the perfectly approved protocol, but its a lot better than androgel or something, and insurance is paying for everything since I'm going through my GP. Could be a lot worse. Here's to feeling better soon hopefully! The lack of drive and energy has been absolutely crushing lately. |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: Really grateful to have found this thread and read up on the resources recommended. Thank you guys. I had followup labs last week. FSH/LH, prolactin, E2, etc were all normal but my T was even lower. In the 80s! Its been in the low 200-300s.After speaking with TRT clinic (basically a pay to play "sports" TRT mill) and finding the HRT Optimization group (hours of research), I think I know enough now to understand the best course of action. I shared all of it with my 70 year old GP, who was surprisingly cool and understanding. He consulted with an endo friend of his and is prescribing me 100mg/wk (1 injection only) I pushed back and would rather do 50mg x 2, but he said do 1 for a while and we'll change to more frequently if needed. Thats fair. We'll run labs in 2-3 months and increase the dose as needed. I tend to respond to the lowest dose of just about every drug so I'm hopeful - and at my level, ANYTHING has to help a ton. He also prescribed 1mg of some type of AI. I told him I dont plan on taking that unless I get symptoms of high E2 and my labs look way off. Again he pushed back but said cant force me to take the pill, but he's writing it anyway. He said the vials will be single use 100mg tiny vials - not the bigger bottle that I see most of you have. Anyway it sounds like I didnt get the perfectly approved protocol, but its a lot better than androgel or something, and insurance is paying for everything since I'm going through my GP. Could be a lot worse. Here's to feeling better soon hopefully! The lack of drive and energy has been absolutely crushing lately. So youre picking up the vials at the pharmacy? If so, then do the 2x wk like you want. If he didnt prescribe enough pins to do that, just order your own |
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Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: So youre picking up the vials at the pharmacy? If so, then do the 2x wk like you want. If he didnt prescribe enough pins to do that, just order your own Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By SDSG: Really grateful to have found this thread and read up on the resources recommended. Thank you guys. I had followup labs last week. FSH/LH, prolactin, E2, etc were all normal but my T was even lower. In the 80s! Its been in the low 200-300s.After speaking with TRT clinic (basically a pay to play "sports" TRT mill) and finding the HRT Optimization group (hours of research), I think I know enough now to understand the best course of action. I shared all of it with my 70 year old GP, who was surprisingly cool and understanding. He consulted with an endo friend of his and is prescribing me 100mg/wk (1 injection only) I pushed back and would rather do 50mg x 2, but he said do 1 for a while and we'll change to more frequently if needed. Thats fair. We'll run labs in 2-3 months and increase the dose as needed. I tend to respond to the lowest dose of just about every drug so I'm hopeful - and at my level, ANYTHING has to help a ton. He also prescribed 1mg of some type of AI. I told him I dont plan on taking that unless I get symptoms of high E2 and my labs look way off. Again he pushed back but said cant force me to take the pill, but he's writing it anyway. He said the vials will be single use 100mg tiny vials - not the bigger bottle that I see most of you have. Anyway it sounds like I didnt get the perfectly approved protocol, but its a lot better than androgel or something, and insurance is paying for everything since I'm going through my GP. Could be a lot worse. Here's to feeling better soon hopefully! The lack of drive and energy has been absolutely crushing lately. So youre picking up the vials at the pharmacy? If so, then do the 2x wk like you want. If he didnt prescribe enough pins to do that, just order your own The blue is the testosterone in your system after an injection. The bottom numbers represent days. I did the calculation for 20 weeks at once every three weeks (many doctors still prescribe this), once every two weeks, once a week and once every 3.5 days, or twice per week. It's a visual representation of your testosterone levels between injections. The white gaps represent a time period in which you virtually have little or no Testosterone in your system. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: So youre picking up the vials at the pharmacy? If so, then do the 2x wk like you want. If he didnt prescribe enough pins to do that, just order your own Correct, its going to my regular pharmacy down the street. I plan to follow the docs orders (except for the Anastrozole) for the first few weeks and adjust from there. I feel like shit - honestly perhaps the most run down and depressed I've ever felt, so a hit of 100mg sounds nice if that will make me feel better. I understand that more frequent is better though. We'll see how it goes and I'll just buy my own syringes if needed and/or my doc isnt cool with it. I'm just happy he didnt try to force T-gel or something, honestly. Edit it is: 200 mg/ml oil inject 0.5 ml (100 mg) intramuscular once weekly for 28 days, discard remainder from each vial |
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Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: No reason to be on clomid. Waste of money and it has some nasty sides. Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By EasTexan: After 6 months: Testosterone C-200mg/ml once weekly Clomid-25mg every other day Testosterone: 1212 Free Testosterone: 35.7 money and it has some nasty sides. Clomid plus very high doses of HCG are great at increasing sperm count. Pretty much 10x mine. No reason to be on Clomid while taking T though. That is just a waste. |
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| I did my first injection in the upper thigh (NGL, I was nervous AF) and only did a half dose - .25ml or 50mg. That was against docs orders but I'm always cautious starting new meds and the consensus is overwhelming that it works better. I'll do my next shot Sunday PM. |
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Originally Posted By 20229mm: I'll never understand why docs want to do a single injection a week. Like they want a roller coaster for a patient? Are you doing IM or sub-q? |
"The state is not the solution. It is the problem." --Javier Milei
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I'm posting this to help him decide whether to do once or twice a week (or more). When I started my own injections, I somehow found a calculator that shows the effect of different frequencies of injection. A google search for "testosterone injection frequency graph calculator" will bring up the one I used here. I won't hotlink because the page is geared toward a very controversial topic. The blue is the testosterone in your system after an injection. The bottom numbers represent days. I did the calculation for 20 weeks at once every three weeks (many doctors still prescribe this), once every two weeks, once a week and once every 3.5 days, or twice per week. It's a visual representation of your testosterone levels between injections. The white gaps represent a time period in which you virtually have little or no Testosterone in your system. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/Test_Cyp_graph_jpg-3670021.JPG Originally Posted By corwin1968: Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By SDSG: Really grateful to have found this thread and read up on the resources recommended. Thank you guys. I had followup labs last week. FSH/LH, prolactin, E2, etc were all normal but my T was even lower. In the 80s! Its been in the low 200-300s.After speaking with TRT clinic (basically a pay to play "sports" TRT mill) and finding the HRT Optimization group (hours of research), I think I know enough now to understand the best course of action. I shared all of it with my 70 year old GP, who was surprisingly cool and understanding. He consulted with an endo friend of his and is prescribing me 100mg/wk (1 injection only) I pushed back and would rather do 50mg x 2, but he said do 1 for a while and we'll change to more frequently if needed. Thats fair. We'll run labs in 2-3 months and increase the dose as needed. I tend to respond to the lowest dose of just about every drug so I'm hopeful - and at my level, ANYTHING has to help a ton. He also prescribed 1mg of some type of AI. I told him I dont plan on taking that unless I get symptoms of high E2 and my labs look way off. Again he pushed back but said cant force me to take the pill, but he's writing it anyway. He said the vials will be single use 100mg tiny vials - not the bigger bottle that I see most of you have. Anyway it sounds like I didnt get the perfectly approved protocol, but its a lot better than androgel or something, and insurance is paying for everything since I'm going through my GP. Could be a lot worse. Here's to feeling better soon hopefully! The lack of drive and energy has been absolutely crushing lately. So youre picking up the vials at the pharmacy? If so, then do the 2x wk like you want. If he didnt prescribe enough pins to do that, just order your own The blue is the testosterone in your system after an injection. The bottom numbers represent days. I did the calculation for 20 weeks at once every three weeks (many doctors still prescribe this), once every two weeks, once a week and once every 3.5 days, or twice per week. It's a visual representation of your testosterone levels between injections. The white gaps represent a time period in which you virtually have little or no Testosterone in your system. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/Test_Cyp_graph_jpg-3670021.JPG |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Something is not right with those charts. Are you sure you chose testosterone with an ester like cyp or did you choose Test no ester? Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By corwin1968: Originally Posted By StarCityShooter: Originally Posted By SDSG: Really grateful to have found this thread and read up on the resources recommended. Thank you guys. I had followup labs last week. FSH/LH, prolactin, E2, etc were all normal but my T was even lower. In the 80s! Its been in the low 200-300s.After speaking with TRT clinic (basically a pay to play "sports" TRT mill) and finding the HRT Optimization group (hours of research), I think I know enough now to understand the best course of action. I shared all of it with my 70 year old GP, who was surprisingly cool and understanding. He consulted with an endo friend of his and is prescribing me 100mg/wk (1 injection only) I pushed back and would rather do 50mg x 2, but he said do 1 for a while and we'll change to more frequently if needed. Thats fair. We'll run labs in 2-3 months and increase the dose as needed. I tend to respond to the lowest dose of just about every drug so I'm hopeful - and at my level, ANYTHING has to help a ton. He also prescribed 1mg of some type of AI. I told him I dont plan on taking that unless I get symptoms of high E2 and my labs look way off. Again he pushed back but said cant force me to take the pill, but he's writing it anyway. He said the vials will be single use 100mg tiny vials - not the bigger bottle that I see most of you have. Anyway it sounds like I didnt get the perfectly approved protocol, but its a lot better than androgel or something, and insurance is paying for everything since I'm going through my GP. Could be a lot worse. Here's to feeling better soon hopefully! The lack of drive and energy has been absolutely crushing lately. So youre picking up the vials at the pharmacy? If so, then do the 2x wk like you want. If he didnt prescribe enough pins to do that, just order your own The blue is the testosterone in your system after an injection. The bottom numbers represent days. I did the calculation for 20 weeks at once every three weeks (many doctors still prescribe this), once every two weeks, once a week and once every 3.5 days, or twice per week. It's a visual representation of your testosterone levels between injections. The white gaps represent a time period in which you virtually have little or no Testosterone in your system. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/Test_Cyp_graph_jpg-3670021.JPG |
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Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: I was planning on doing 2x, but sticking with 1x - if I did it twice per week, I'd be sore literally all the time. Are you doing IM or sub-q? You get sore at these doses/mls? Try pumping 3ccs of and get back to me
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I'm posting this to help him decide whether to do once or twice a week (or more). When I started my own injections, I somehow found a calculator that shows the effect of different frequencies of injection. A google search for "testosterone injection frequency graph calculator" will bring up the one I used here. I won't hotlink because the page is geared toward a very controversial topic. The blue is the testosterone in your system after an injection. The bottom numbers represent days. I did the calculation for 20 weeks at once every three weeks (many doctors still prescribe this), once every two weeks, once a week and once every 3.5 days, or twice per week. It's a visual representation of your testosterone levels between injections. The white gaps represent a time period in which you virtually have little or no Testosterone in your system. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/Test_Cyp_graph_jpg-3670021.JPG |
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: There was only Testosterone as a choice out of a large number of substances, so I assume no ester, but that was the only page I could find that would a graph like that. |
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Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: I was planning on doing 2x, but sticking with 1x - if I did it twice per week, I'd be sore literally all the time. Are you doing IM or sub-q? Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By 20229mm: I'll never understand why docs want to do a single injection a week. Like they want a roller coaster for a patient? Are you doing IM or sub-q? |
"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
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Originally Posted By 20229mm: I’ll never understand why docs want to do a single injection a week. Like they want a roller coaster for a patient? I asked my doc about this. He said its mainly compliance. Asking people to stick themselves multiple times a week just isnt going fly unless you are really into this. Same deal for the creams - he agrees they dont work as well but self injection is just a no-go for a lot of patients. I asked him if I could split my doses and he told me not to, because that's not the "standard of care." I decided to split them anyway due to the overwhelming consensus from people who, frankly, know more about this than my doctor. I'm also ignoring his advice to take 1mg of Anastrozole a week. That seems like a lot of E2 blocker with a low test dose, especially when I dont have high E symptoms and I'm prone anxiety to begin with. The half life of testosterone cypionate is 8 days so if you're just looking at the data, weekly would make sense. Lastly it made me less anxious only taking half the dose.. I'm squeamish about meds ever since I took an OTC allergy pill (claritin maybe?) and it made me high as balls to the point I couldnt drive. Whatever weird SE's are only listed in the pamphlet that the pharmacist doesnt even know about? I'm usually the one that gets those lol. No idea why. Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: I was planning on doing 2x, but sticking with 1x - if I did it twice per week, I'd be sore literally all the time. Are you doing IM or sub-q? My thigh is sore enough to notice but its not super painful or anything. I think my muscle was tense due to the nerves of doing it the first time. Going to try in the glute next time. IM is whats prescribed but I only stuck a 1" needle in about halfway like the video showed. Chat GPT says that may have been partial IM/some SubQ but that it would work the same anyway. edit: My needles are 1" 25ga. The instructions said to use an 18ga to draw the test from the vial faster but .25mL came out with the 25ga just fine. I wanted to handle the needles as little as possible since I'm still new to this. |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: My needles are 1" 25ga. The instructions said to use an 18ga to draw the test from the vial faster but .25mL came out with the 25ga just fine. I wanted to handle the needles as little as possible since I'm still new to this. Needle swapping is probably the simplest part of the process. 1) Draw your meds 2) Put the cap back on your draw needle 3) Twist the cap (and needle) counterclockwise to remove the needle 4) Twist the injection needle cap (with needle) clockwise to screw it on 5) Remove the injection needle cap and inject meds 6) Replace injection needle cap and throw syringe w/needle and drawing needle + cap in your Sharps container |
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Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: What size needle are you using. Test c should be pip less Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By 20229mm: I'll never understand why docs want to do a single injection a week. Like they want a roller coaster for a patient? Are you doing IM or sub-q? |
"The state is not the solution. It is the problem." --Javier Milei
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
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Originally Posted By D_J: Needle swapping is probably the simplest part of the process. 1) Draw your meds 2) Put the cap back on your draw needle 3) Twist the cap (and needle) counterclockwise to remove the needle 4) Twist the injection needle cap (with needle) clockwise to screw it on 5) Remove the injection needle cap and inject meds 6) Replace injection needle cap and throw syringe w/needle and drawing needle + cap in your Sharps container But why swap them at all? The 25ga needle doesnt take long at all to draw. Then again I'm only taking .25mL at a time so maybe its a bigger deal with larger doses. Edit: apparently its to always use as sharp of a needle as possible. No one mentioned that part to me, and I wasnt sure I was drawing correctly so I put the same needle into the vial twice before I stuck myself (with the same one). No wonder my thigh is sore. Whoops.
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Originally Posted By SDSG: But why swap them at all? The 25ga needle doesnt take long at all to draw. Then again I'm only taking .25mL at a time so maybe its a bigger deal with larger doses. Edit: apparently its to always use as sharp of a needle as possible. No one mentioned that part to me, and I wasnt sure I was drawing correctly so I put the same needle into the vial twice before I stuck myself (with the same one). No wonder my thigh is sore. Whoops. 
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Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: 25ga x 1". I've looked all over for smaller gauges with at least 1" length, and can't find them anywhere. I thought I had with my pharmacy, but they ended up sending me 1/2" insulin needles. Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By 20229mm: I'll never understand why docs want to do a single injection a week. Like they want a roller coaster for a patient? Are you doing IM or sub-q? |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: But why swap them at all? The 25ga needle doesnt take long at all to draw. Then again I'm only taking .25mL at a time so maybe its a bigger deal with larger doses. Edit: apparently its to always use as sharp of a needle as possible. No one mentioned that part to me, and I wasnt sure I was drawing correctly so I put the same needle into the vial twice before I stuck myself (with the same one). No wonder my thigh is sore. Whoops. And injecting they thigh is really not the best spot due to nerves and vessels. Go delt, ass or ventrogluteal. |
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Is 1/2" long enough to reach IM in the glute? I bought 27ga 1" for that. I'm 5'10 200lbs so not obese, but still fatter than I should be. I know the consensus is subQ vs IM shouldnt matter but anecdotally I've read a ton of people whose numbers dropped when they switched to subQ. I managed to do a full workout today despite the thigh soreness so its not that big of a deal. But feeling this pretty much full time would probably get me back to 1x/wk injections. I'll keep experimenting |
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Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: I have 27G 1.25" Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By 20229mm: I'll never understand why docs want to do a single injection a week. Like they want a roller coaster for a patient? Are you doing IM or sub-q? Where'd you find them? |
"The state is not the solution. It is the problem." --Javier Milei
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
"If this is how the state treats its law-abiding citizens, it doesn't deserve to have any"
--Solzhenitsyn
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Originally Posted By SDSG: Is 1/2" long enough to reach IM in the glute? I bought 27ga 1" for that. I'm 5'10 200lbs so not obese, but still fatter than I should be. I know the consensus is subQ vs IM shouldnt matter but anecdotally I've read a ton of people whose numbers dropped when they switched to subQ. I managed to do a full workout today despite the thigh soreness so its not that big of a deal. But feeling this pretty much full time would probably get me back to 1x/wk injections. I'll keep experimenting I do 2x/week in my glutes with a 25g 1" needle. Zero pain, even when I have to awkwardly inject my left side with my left hand, and shift my hand around to push the plunger with the heel of my palm (previously I pulled the needle only to find I hadn't injected the full dose and had to do it a second time).
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Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Where'd you find them? Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Originally Posted By 20229mm: I'll never understand why docs want to do a single injection a week. Like they want a roller coaster for a patient? Are you doing IM or sub-q? Where'd you find them? That seemingly would've been a very helpful addition to his post, eh?  I've got them from gpz med lab before |
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Anyone ever get a batch of test that is REALLY hard to inject? When plunging it. My last batch was like that, i guess just thicker oil? Originally Posted By SDSG: I asked my doc about this. He said its mainly compliance. Asking people to stick themselves multiple times a week just isnt going fly unless you are really into this. Same deal for the creams - he agrees they dont work as well but self injection is just a no-go for a lot of patients. I asked him if I could split my doses and he told me not to, because that's not the "standard of care." I decided to split them anyway due to the overwhelming consensus from people who, frankly, know more about this than my doctor. I'm also ignoring his advice to take 1mg of Anastrozole a week. That seems like a lot of E2 blocker with a low test dose, especially when I dont have high E symptoms and I'm prone anxiety to begin with. The half life of testosterone cypionate is 8 days so if you're just looking at the data, weekly would make sense. Lastly it made me less anxious only taking half the dose.. I'm squeamish about meds ever since I took an OTC allergy pill (claritin maybe?) and it made me high as balls to the point I couldnt drive. Whatever weird SE's are only listed in the pamphlet that the pharmacist doesnt even know about? I'm usually the one that gets those lol. No idea why. My thigh is sore enough to notice but its not super painful or anything. I think my muscle was tense due to the nerves of doing it the first time. Going to try in the glute next time. IM is whats prescribed but I only stuck a 1" needle in about halfway like the video showed. Chat GPT says that may have been partial IM/some SubQ but that it would work the same anyway. edit: My needles are 1" 25ga. The instructions said to use an 18ga to draw the test from the vial faster but .25mL came out with the 25ga just fine. I wanted to handle the needles as little as possible since I'm still new to this. I think your approach is reasonable, probably the biggest issue would be longer to see results. I do kind of worry about my start of banging 150mg of test cyp weekly right off the bat. After almost 3 months, so far so good. I have 1" long 25gauge needles as well, they come with my 4 pack of premeasured syringes. I was instructed to inject them about 3/4 of the way in. Sometimes I am very sore, sometimes only a little. If I take one at the clinic I do the deltoid, and if really sore it's enough to wake me up when rolling over in my sleep. If i do myself I do in the leg, just feels like a bruise usually, not bad. A tip I got when self injecting in the leg, is to cough when you stab it. Did seem to help me at least. |
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Originally Posted By StylesBitchley: Anyone ever get a batch of test that is REALLY hard to inject? When plunging it. My last batch was like that, i guess just thicker oil? I think your approach is reasonable, probably the biggest issue would be longer to see results. I do kind of worry about my start of banging 150mg of test cyp weekly right off the bat. After almost 3 months, so far so good. I have 1" long 25gauge needles as well, they come with my 4 pack of premeasured syringes. I was instructed to inject them about 3/4 of the way in. Sometimes I am very sore, sometimes only a little. If I take one at the clinic I do the deltoid, and if really sore it's enough to wake me up when rolling over in my sleep. If i do myself I do in the leg, just feels like a bruise usually, not bad. A tip I got when self injecting in the leg, is to cough when you stab it. Did seem to help me at least. I think the one time I wasn't was also the time I noticed that the needle was bent after drawing, so I swapped them out. I'm going to swap needles after drawing on Monday and see if I get the same results. My theory right now is that it's a combination of factors: piercing the vial seal bends the tip of the needle over, making it tear the skin on the way in and out - but I bet that wouldn't be an issue if I had better injection technique to begin with. I think I'm "dragging" one side of it instead of going straight in. |
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Originally Posted By 20229mm: 1/2” is not enough to reach muscle. I've never had a problem but I'm pretty lean on my legs. Been injecting into my thighs for years. My delt is a challenge because my shoulders aren't terribly flexible. |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: Is 1/2" long enough to reach IM in the glute? I bought 27ga 1" for that. I'm 5'10 200lbs so not obese, but still fatter than I should be. I know the consensus is subQ vs IM shouldnt matter but anecdotally I've read a ton of people whose numbers dropped when they switched to subQ. I managed to do a full workout today despite the thigh soreness so its not that big of a deal. But feeling this pretty much full time would probably get me back to 1x/wk injections. I'll keep experimenting I'm 6'2" 250lbs. I have zero fat on my ass though. Skip the thighs and hit the muscles i listed befire |
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What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
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Originally Posted By SimonPhoto: Where'd you find them? here ya go a bunch of places IF you search you can find syringes and needles together for cheap. Think i got 100 for $20 I use med-and-lab supplies Get nipro or excel needles I like the excel syringes because the plunger has a nipple on it to get all the oil out. |
"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
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I’ve read this thread off and on for years. Just got my first script filled I’m 73, no libido, mostly couch potato anymore. Total Testosterone 417 Free Testosterone 6.2 My primary care doctor wrote the script for 200 mg once a month. Based on what I’ve read once a month isn’t enough, correct? Open to comments, please I was planning to split the injections every two eeeks, but I’ve read injections twice a week is best |
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Originally Posted By stevec223: I've read this thread off and on for years. Just got my first script filled I'm 73, no libido, mostly couch potato anymore. Total Testosterone 417 Free Testosterone 6.2 My primary care doctor wrote the script for 200 mg once a month. Based on what I've read once a month isn't enough, correct? Open to comments, please I was planning to split the injections every two eeeks, but I've read injections twice a week is best Once a month is idiotic. All of the providers I trust say once per week is the bare minimum and that some guys do well on that, but most do better with twice or three times per week. |
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: Are you self-injecting? Once a month is idiotic. All of the providers I trust say once per week is the bare minimum and that some guys do well on that, but most do better with twice or three times per week. Yes, I plan to self inject My PCP is not a HRT specialist, so probably not the most knowledgeable. She wrote the script for 4- 1ml of 200 mg vials, so I could do more to see how it goes, but I would run out quickly. I’m not trying to have T levels of a 25 yo, but just enough to have some interest in sex again and want to get off the couch |
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Originally Posted By stevec223: Yes, I plan to self inject My PCP is not a HRT specialist, so probably not the most knowledgeable. She wrote the script for 4- 1ml of 200 mg vials, so I could do more to see how it goes, but I would run out quickly. I'm not trying to have T levels of a 25 yo, but just enough to have some interest in sex again and want to get off the couch TERRIBLE PROTOCOL! She doesn't know shit. you will nuke your natural production and feel like shit for the last 2 weeks until next months injection. same with 100 every 2 weeks. And T isn't a magic bullet to fix libido but that protocol will nuke it too,. |
"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
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I did my second injection Sunday night and basically did everything wrong, but somehow had no soreness whatsoever! I used a 23ga to draw from the vial but forgot to swap it to the 27ga for injection. I injected in the outer thigh but pushed in the juice very slowly this time, and had the needle inserted nearly all the way (1"). Zero blood. I massaged it for about 5 mins gently and then put a heating pad over it for about 10 mins (read that online somewhere). Zero, and I mean zero discomfort the next day and I had to walk several miles covering a tradeshow so I was worried about it. I know most people recommend against thigh but I'm going to stick with what works. My guess is the thicker 23ga needle dulled/bent less when I used it to draw from the vial. I'll make a note to swap them next time regardless though. Sticking with 50mg 2x a week (sundays and thursdays). I swear a had less joint pain the next day but I know most people say its placebo before 3-4 weeks of treatment. Just for curiosities sake has anyone tried this stuff? It has an autoinjector like ozempic https://www.xyosted.com/ Originally Posted By stevec223: Yes, I plan to self inject My PCP is not a HRT specialist, so probably not the most knowledgeable. She wrote the script for 4- 1ml of 200 mg vials, so I could do more to see how it goes, but I would run out quickly. I’m not trying to have T levels of a 25 yo, but just enough to have some interest in sex again and want to get off the couch I did a deep dive on this. Long story short, you want to break up the injections to as frequently as you can manage. Some guys even do it daily but that seems excessive. 2-3x a week is what most end up with. Double check your math on how much to do each one. Its like if you planned to eat 20 breakfasts on monday morning and then not eat again until the next week. Yeah, the math says you ate an average amount over that time, but thats not how it works. No idea why docs perscribe it like this |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: I did a deep dive on this. Long story short, you want to break up the injections to as frequently as you can manage. Some guys even do it daily but that seems excessive. 2-3x a week is what most end up with. Double check your math on how much to do each one. FWIW I inject daily and prefer it. The individual injections are so small I get zero soreness no matter where I inject (I prefer upper thigh generally). Also, I don't know if the frequency has anything to do with this or if it's just individual response, but I only inject 140 mg / week and always test out between 1000 and 1200 total. |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: I did my second injection Sunday night and basically did everything wrong, but somehow had no soreness whatsoever! I used a 23ga to draw from the vial but forgot to swap it to the 27ga for injection. I injected in the outer thigh but pushed in the juice very slowly this time, and had the needle inserted nearly all the way (1"). Zero blood. I massaged it for about 5 mins gently and then put a heating pad over it for about 10 mins (read that online somewhere). Zero, and I mean zero discomfort the next day and I had to walk several miles covering a tradeshow so I was worried about it. I know most people recommend against thigh but I'm going to stick with what works. My guess is the thicker 23ga needle dulled/bent less when I used it to draw from the vial. I'll make a note to swap them next time regardless though. Sticking with 50mg 2x a week (sundays and thursdays). I swear a had less joint pain the next day but I know most people say its placebo before 3-4 weeks of treatment. Just for curiosities sake has anyone tried this stuff? It has an autoinjector like ozempic https://www.xyosted.com/ I did a deep dive on this. Long story short, you want to break up the injections to as frequently as you can manage. Some guys even do it daily but that seems excessive. 2-3x a week is what most end up with. Double check your math on how much to do each one. Its like if you planned to eat 20 breakfasts on monday morning and then not eat again until the next week. Yeah, the math says you ate an average amount over that time, but thats not how it works. No idea why docs perscribe it like this |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Xyosted is nuts expensive for most people. I have a diy setup using an automatic insulin injectior (spring loaded no pushing plunger, dial your dose), that is painless with 31g 8mm pen needle tips. I load up a 3ml cartridge, and with 270mg/ml that can be a couple months worth before I need to refill it. I've made detailed posts on it but no one seemed to have any interest and like drawing doses and going through all kinds of rituals. Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By SDSG: I did my second injection Sunday night and basically did everything wrong, but somehow had no soreness whatsoever! I used a 23ga to draw from the vial but forgot to swap it to the 27ga for injection. I injected in the outer thigh but pushed in the juice very slowly this time, and had the needle inserted nearly all the way (1"). Zero blood. I massaged it for about 5 mins gently and then put a heating pad over it for about 10 mins (read that online somewhere). Zero, and I mean zero discomfort the next day and I had to walk several miles covering a tradeshow so I was worried about it. I know most people recommend against thigh but I'm going to stick with what works. My guess is the thicker 23ga needle dulled/bent less when I used it to draw from the vial. I'll make a note to swap them next time regardless though. Sticking with 50mg 2x a week (sundays and thursdays). I swear a had less joint pain the next day but I know most people say its placebo before 3-4 weeks of treatment. Just for curiosities sake has anyone tried this stuff? It has an autoinjector like ozempic https://www.xyosted.com/ I did a deep dive on this. Long story short, you want to break up the injections to as frequently as you can manage. Some guys even do it daily but that seems excessive. 2-3x a week is what most end up with. Double check your math on how much to do each one. Its like if you planned to eat 20 breakfasts on monday morning and then not eat again until the next week. Yeah, the math says you ate an average amount over that time, but thats not how it works. No idea why docs perscribe it like this Compounded Test? That's an unusual concentration. |
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
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Originally Posted By 2tired2run: Compounded Test? That's an unusual concentration. Originally Posted By 2tired2run: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By SDSG: I did my second injection Sunday night and basically did everything wrong, but somehow had no soreness whatsoever! I used a 23ga to draw from the vial but forgot to swap it to the 27ga for injection. I injected in the outer thigh but pushed in the juice very slowly this time, and had the needle inserted nearly all the way (1"). Zero blood. I massaged it for about 5 mins gently and then put a heating pad over it for about 10 mins (read that online somewhere). Zero, and I mean zero discomfort the next day and I had to walk several miles covering a tradeshow so I was worried about it. I know most people recommend against thigh but I'm going to stick with what works. My guess is the thicker 23ga needle dulled/bent less when I used it to draw from the vial. I'll make a note to swap them next time regardless though. Sticking with 50mg 2x a week (sundays and thursdays). I swear a had less joint pain the next day but I know most people say its placebo before 3-4 weeks of treatment. Just for curiosities sake has anyone tried this stuff? It has an autoinjector like ozempic https://www.xyosted.com/ I did a deep dive on this. Long story short, you want to break up the injections to as frequently as you can manage. Some guys even do it daily but that seems excessive. 2-3x a week is what most end up with. Double check your math on how much to do each one. Its like if you planned to eat 20 breakfasts on monday morning and then not eat again until the next week. Yeah, the math says you ate an average amount over that time, but thats not how it works. No idea why docs perscribe it like this Compounded Test? That's an unusual concentration. |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Lol yeah... Compounded... Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By 2tired2run: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By SDSG: I did my second injection Sunday night and basically did everything wrong, but somehow had no soreness whatsoever! I used a 23ga to draw from the vial but forgot to swap it to the 27ga for injection. I injected in the outer thigh but pushed in the juice very slowly this time, and had the needle inserted nearly all the way (1"). Zero blood. I massaged it for about 5 mins gently and then put a heating pad over it for about 10 mins (read that online somewhere). Zero, and I mean zero discomfort the next day and I had to walk several miles covering a tradeshow so I was worried about it. I know most people recommend against thigh but I'm going to stick with what works. My guess is the thicker 23ga needle dulled/bent less when I used it to draw from the vial. I'll make a note to swap them next time regardless though. Sticking with 50mg 2x a week (sundays and thursdays). I swear a had less joint pain the next day but I know most people say its placebo before 3-4 weeks of treatment. Just for curiosities sake has anyone tried this stuff? It has an autoinjector like ozempic https://www.xyosted.com/ I did a deep dive on this. Long story short, you want to break up the injections to as frequently as you can manage. Some guys even do it daily but that seems excessive. 2-3x a week is what most end up with. Double check your math on how much to do each one. Its like if you planned to eat 20 breakfasts on monday morning and then not eat again until the next week. Yeah, the math says you ate an average amount over that time, but thats not how it works. No idea why docs perscribe it like this Compounded Test? That's an unusual concentration. ...I think know that compounder
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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
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Couple of quick questions for those in the know. I’ve been on on Testosterone for 7 weeks and wear an Apple Watch most days. I got a notice from my health app stating my resting heart rate went from 74bpm to 83bpm in the past 7 weeks? Normal? It’s perfectly in line from when I started injections. Also this past week when towards the end of a sex session, I get a nasty headache that comes on quick and last for 10-15 min after. I have not had this happen before but since being on testosterone we have moved from 1-2 times a week to 5-7 times a week. Not sure if my bodies just working to hard I plan to bring this up to my Dr tomorrow when he goes over the results of my bloodwork but definitely worried about headaches. |