Daily Injections Help

[HawksFan]

Hello Everyone,

so I’ve been reading a lot on forums for I recently started the trt journey. My SHBG was 22-24 last time I tested and I’ve decided after trying EOD shots that ED was the best option for me. My current protocol is 16mg of Test C Everyday. However, I’m constantly tired but have noticed improvements in most areas and in libido/erections, but not enough to be satisfied. I’m wondering what dosage those of you who are doing daily injections use. 20mg? 25mg? The goal is to not use and AI and feel energetic and a great libido. However I don’t want crazy high T levels. Hope you guys have some insight/advice for me

 

[bbex2014]

Have you had your dht levels tested? If not get dht optimized at the upper range. You could try compounded scrotal cream as many on here do, or source some proviron.

 

[HawksFan]

I’ve heard of the scrotal cream, I’m aware it raises dht etc but I would prefer to find a solution with the injections before resorting to the cream.

 

[bbex2014]

At least get your dht levels tested on your current protocol, as that is the missing libido/erection link for many. As far as fatigue, it could definitely be thyroid function, at least it was for me. I hope you get some more help on here brother, I have felt pretty great my entire time on trt, so I'm not of much help from personal experience.

 

[M.J]

I used to do 25mg EOD I think you dose is high for EOD.

 

[HawksFan]

I used to do 25mg EOD I think you dose is high for EOD.

You’re saying 16mg ED May be to high?

 

[Systemlord]

We need to know how long are you on the same dosage. You need to be on the same dosage for at least 6 weeks. This is how long it takes for the half-life to accumulate in you blood. It may take longer for your body to adapt.

 

[HawksFan]

Roughly 3 weeks

 

[M.J]

You’re saying 16mg ED May be to high?

i think not sure, just based on my experience.

 

[Vince Carter]

Hello Everyone,

so I’ve been reading a lot on forums for I recently started the trt journey. My SHBG was 22-24 last time I tested and I’ve decided after trying EOD shots that ED was the best option for me. My current protocol is 16mg of Test C Everyday. However, I’m constantly tired but have noticed improvements in most areas and in libido/erections, but not enough to be satisfied. I’m wondering what dosage those of you who are doing daily injections use. 20mg? 25mg? The goal is to not use and AI and feel energetic and a great libido. However I don’t want crazy high T levels. Hope you guys have some insight/advice for me

It'd be wrong to suggest dosing changes when you have provided us with no labs. This forum runs on lab tests unlike most others.

 

[JimboTRT]

Repeat after me... "Do NOT change your protocol before 8 weeks...EVER!" Your body needs 6-8 weeks minimum to adjust. After 8 weeks, you'll get a much better picture if a dosage increase or decrease is warranted. Changing frequency and/or dose too soon causes the majority of issues (high E2 complaints, etc.) when, in fact, high E2 / low E2, etc. is not the issue at all - Changing stuff too soon is the problem. A problem that will work itself out once you give the body proper time to adjust. Patience is the key! Honestly, I wish I would have taken my own advice early-on, and I wouldn't have wasted so much time, felt like garbage, and would have been dialed in so much quicker.

 

[OneJoe]

Repeat after me... "Do NOT change your protocol before 8 weeks...EVER!" Your body needs 6-8 weeks minimum to adjust. After 8 weeks, you'll get a much better picture if a dosage increase or decrease is warranted. Changing frequency and/or dose too soon causes the majority of issues (high E2 complaints, etc.) when, in fact, high E2 / low E2, etc. is not the issue at all - Changing stuff too soon is the problem. A problem that will work itself out once you give the body proper time to adjust. Patience is the key! Honestly, I wish I would have taken my own advice early-on, and I wouldn't have wasted so much time, felt like garbage, and would have been dialed in so much quicker.

I fell into this trap recently. I was doing just decently on a protocol and decided to change it. Worked for 2 weeks, and then as soon as it stopped feeling good I changed immediately and spiraled into changing my protocol every 2 or 3 weeks and nothing ever worked. I'm just deciding on a protocol now to stick with for at least 8 weeks before I jump the gun again and change something. I like the idea of daily injections because you have much more control over your levels and can pinpoint exactly what works for you.

 

[Vince]

I always like to wait 12 weeks after a protocol change. It takes me that long, to feel the full effect of the change.

 

[S1W]

3 weeks into a protocol change is my personal "black hole". Towards the end of week 2 and into week 4 always seems like a period where I feel "off" and am plagued by thoughts of either retreating to the familiar or trying something new.

Stick it out for a few more weeks. That's the thing with TRT - changes take lots of time, but we have our whole lives to tinker and adjust - might as well give the change a fair try.

 

[Deleted member 16042]

I always like to wait 12 weeks after a protocol change. It takes me that long, to feel the full effect of the change.

Ditto.

Regarding your dose of 16mg QD, it may be just fine for you. It is unlikely that comparing your own to others' is worthwhile. There is no standard dose for the majority of men.

 

[HawksFan]

Seems like the consensus is to ride it out for at least 6 weeks, I wil take that advice and get labs done 3-4 weeks from now. One last question, I’ve been injecting SUBQ, would it matter if I switched to IM durin this time? Or should I just be safe and keep everything the exact same

 

[Systemlord]

One last question, I’ve been injecting SUBQ, would it matter if I switched to IM durin this time?

This amounts to a change in protocol and you will reintroduce fluctuations.

 

[Deleted member 16042]

Seems like the consensus is to ride it out for at least 6 weeks, I wil take that advice and get labs done 3-4 weeks from now. One last question, I’ve been injecting SUBQ, would it matter if I switched to IM durin this time? Or should I just be safe and keep everything the exact same

Agree with systemord, but ultimately only one way to find out. Each method works better for different individuals and there is no consensus. You could try a SubQ to IM change after this current trial protocol.

 

[slicktop]

Excellent advice here, not much for me to add except to your question of daily dosing. Personally, I'm on 20mg every day, subq, and it'd take either a change in how I feel or a heap of conclusive evidence to convince me to ever do any other protocol. For the record, I started out at every 5 days, went to every 3.5, went to every other, then to dailies. Always waited at least 8 weeks in between, more like 12. I aromatize like crazy (at least in the beginning) and wanted to take the least amount of AI possible while maintaining the most stable, high (but within range) free T level I could. I've achieved my goal. However, with all due respect to previous commenters, I personally would switch to suq-q immediately, especially if you're already doing daily shots. That's a lot of beating up to your muscle tissue.

 

[Vince]

Ditto.

Regarding your dose of 16mg QD, it may be just fine for you. It is unlikely that comparing your own to others' is worthwhile. There is no standard dose for the majority of men.

Yes I would have to agree with you. When I first started my daily injections, I started with 16 mg daily and 500 IU of HCG twice a week. I'm currently using 18 mg of testosterone cypionate daily and kept my HCG protocol at 500 IU twice a week. I been injecting 500 IU of HCG twice a week for over 5 years now. Even though I've mixed up my testosterone dose, through the five plus years.