Experience switching to cream from injections? Low DHT haven't ever felt good on injections.

[Tylurnt]

I havent been able to dial in with injections. Ive tried both cyp and E, did subq EOD for longest time, then tried daily subq, daily IM, and last resort was 2x a wk IM which im currently almost 4 weeks into. Going to wait 6 weeks and pull labs but its not looking like this protocol is gonna help me feel better at all.

I have low SHBG ... 9.5-11.5, and chronically very low DHT....and no ive never taken finasteride.

My symptoms are anhedonia, anxiety and just generally feeling unwell. Ive had moments ive felt great randomly... like taking a week off injections. And also more recently, when I switched to 2x a week, one day about 4hrs after my injection I started to feel awesome...clean energy, motivation and happy feelings! ...gone the next day. Im just not sure whats going on with me. Ive trialed pregnenolone but not for longer than a week as it starts having side effects.. (are we supposed to stick it out like trt and let it balance out?) Once in a while pregnenolone makes me feel great.

One option ive considered is keeping my protocol the same but adding in small dose cream to raise DHT... im starting to wonder if low DHT may be why I dont feel good on injections.

If I decide to go all cream, how was the transition for you? Was it rough for a while? Did you take atleast a week off injections before starting? And how do you translate dosing from injections to cream? Thank you all for you help and support!

 

[WhiteMale]

I started treating low DHT along with my Cyp injections and like you have low SHBG. I eventually transitioned all the way to cream and never looked back. Cream to the scrotum sends my DHT off the charts. Look at if you need to use the cream more than once per day. I did a complicated time consuming effort to run labs through the day that verified how fast I metabolised Test.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

What @WhiteMale said.

 

[Tylurnt]

I started treating low DHT along with my Cyp injections and like you have low SHBG. I eventually transitioned all the way to cream and never looked back. Cream to the scrotum sends my DHT off the charts. Look at if you need to use the cream more than once per day. I did a complicated time consuming effort to run labs through the day that verified how fast I metabolised Test.

What were your symptoms before you transitioned to the cream?

 

[WhiteMale]

My problem was a still is that I aromatase at a high rate and DHT converts much less or not at all, reason I started treating DHT. Me and My Nurse never found a reason that I convert so much to Estrogen. High labs and plenty of symptoms; weak erections, inability to climax, body acne, heart palpitations. We never found a dosing or strategy to otherwise inhibit that, this was a years long methodical process and it's the reason I tell everyone of you, if you need an AI< then you should use it if you've covered those bases and it's still a problem. Too I moved to testing Free Estrogen and less on LC/MS/MS UltraSensitive.

 

[Dicky]

Like you, I never felt completely well on test cypionate and after being on it for 3-4 years I switched to part injections part cream (200mg/ml). After a while I went towards using mostly cream and a small injection of 20-40mg/week of cypionate. I tend to feel better on the combination of cypionate and cream than I do just cream.

I have never tested my DHT levels, but from what I have read, creams do a better job of raising DHT.

FWIW, I have pretty high SHBG, usually between 55-70. I also do not aromatize very much and my E2 is usually between 20-28 pg/ml

 

[Mr.63]

Like you, I never felt completely well on test cypionate and after being on it for 3-4 years I switched to part injections part cream (200mg/ml). After a while I went towards using mostly cream and a small injection of 20-40mg/week of cypionate. I tend to feel better on the combination of cypionate and cream than I do just cream.

I have never tested my DHT levels, but from what I have read, creams do a better job of raising DHT.

FWIW, I have pretty high SHBG, usually between 55-70. I also do not aromatize very much and my E2 is usually between 20-28 pg/ml

Are you applying the creme twice per day? And at what dosage?

And are u injecting the cyp once or twice per week?

Thanks in advance!

 

[phalloguy100]

I think I tried compounded cream once a long time ago. It made me horny as a ram, and depression was gone pretty quickly, but it reduced my testicles to raisins, if not smaller. Plus it was so expensive compared to injections. The biggest issue for me was that, just like gels on the shoulder, it didn't absorb consistently. Sometimes too much, sometimes too little and my labs showed that.

Maybe you're not dialed in quite yet? I am taking anastrazole because I also aromatize easily, but I have also discovered that TRT doesn't seem to make feel well until TT is slightly above 700.

 

[Dicky]

Are you applying the creme twice per day? And at what dosage?

And are u injecting the cyp once or twice per week?

Thanks in advance!

I apply the cream in the morning only, around 7AM. Cypionate is once per week. FWIW I don't inject much, 20MG/ week currently. But my libido isn't as good without it.

One other huge benefit to creams is that I don't have to donate blood on my current dosage. When I was fully on cypionate, I had to donate twice a year to keep my hematocrit under control

 

[Mr.63]

I apply the cream in the morning only, around 7AM. Cypionate is once per week. FWIW I don't inject much, 20MG/ week currently. But my libido isn't as good without it.

One other huge benefit to creams is that I don't have to donate blood on my current dosage. When I was fully on cypionate, I had to donate twice a year to keep my hematocrit under control

Thanks for responding!

The 20mg cyp probably gives you just enough e2 conversion.
How many mg cream do you apply in the AM?

 

[Dicky]

Thanks for responding!

The 20mg cyp probably gives you just enough e2 conversion.
How many mg cream do you apply in the AM?

No problem mate. I take 2 clicks, which is 100mg cream.

Speaking of E2, I do not aromatize very well at all, which was the original reason for switching to cream. My provider thought I might have better results with cream. After lots of trial and error, My E2 was always low at a dose of T that felt comfortable. As a result, last year I started taking E2 cream directly. I am still in the process of dialing the dose in, but so far the increased E2 has really helped my joint pain, and increased libido. I am liking the results. My E2 cream dose is 1MG/day. One other variable in here is that I have relatively high SHBG, usually between 55-65. I'm due for labs in a few weeks. I"m looking forward to seeing what my E2 levels turn out to be.

FWIW my protocol is:

• 100MG/day T Cream
• 20 MG/Week T Cypionate
• 1 MG/day E2 cream
• 300 IU HCG 2X/Week
• 25MG/Day DHEA cream

 

[aj allday]

No problem mate. I take 2 clicks, which is 100mg cream.

Speaking of E2, I do not aromatize very well at all, which was the original reason for switching to cream. My provider thought I might have better results with cream. After lots of trial and error, My E2 was always low at a dose of T that felt comfortable. As a result, last year I started taking E2 cream directly. I am still in the process of dialing the dose in, but so far the increased E2 has really helped my joint pain, and increased libido. I am liking the results. My E2 cream dose is 1MG/day. One other variable in here is that I have relatively high SHBG, usually between 55-65. I'm due for labs in a few weeks. I"m looking forward to seeing what my E2 levels turn out to be.

FWIW my protocol is:

• 100MG/day T Cream
• 20 MG/Week T Cypionate
• 1 MG/day E2 cream
• 300 IU HCG 2X/Week
• 25MG/Day DHEA cream

Is the HCG for to prevent atrophy?

 

[Dicky]

Is the HCG for to prevent atrophy?

 

[Dicky]

The primary reason for HCG for me is that I do not feel well without it. I'm not an anxious person, but without the HCG I get turbo anxiety and this strange tired/wired feeling. Really unpleasant

That my balls don't shrink is a nice bonus.

 

[Lance69]

Pregnyl has gotten crazy expensive and scarce because of all the trannies using it! If your doc calls in to your insurance and says HCG is medically necessary to balance your hormones they will approve it. My Pregnyl costs me $16. A lot better than $218.

 

[tannu]

I havent been able to dial in with injections. Ive tried both cyp and E, did subq EOD for longest time, then tried daily subq, daily IM, and last resort was 2x a wk IM which im currently almost 4 weeks into. Going to wait 6 weeks and pull labs but its not looking like this protocol is gonna help me feel better at all.

I have low SHBG ... 9.5-11.5, and chronically very low DHT....and no ive never taken finasteride.

My symptoms are anhedonia, anxiety and just generally feeling unwell. Ive had moments ive felt great randomly... like taking a week off injections. And also more recently, when I switched to 2x a week, one day about 4hrs after my injection I started to feel awesome...clean energy, motivation and happy feelings! ...gone the next day. Im just not sure whats going on with me. Ive trialed pregnenolone but not for longer than a week as it starts having side effects.. (are we supposed to stick it out like trt and let it balance out?) Once in a while pregnenolone makes me feel great.

One option ive considered is keeping my protocol the same but adding in small dose cream to raise DHT... im starting to wonder if low DHT may be why I dont feel good on injections.

If I decide to go all cream, how was the transition for you? Was it rough for a while? Did you take atleast a week off injections before starting? And how do you translate dosing from injections to cream? Thank you all for you help and support!

You’re describing classic symptoms of low SHBG + unstable serum levels. Guys with SHBG around 10 usually don’t respond well to spaced injections because levels swing too fast. That “one good day after the injection” you mentioned strongly suggests peaks/troughs are hitting you hard.


A few thoughts:


1. Daily micro-dosing usually works best for low-SHBG guys, but only if you stay consistent for 6–8 weeks. Switching too often doesn’t let your CNS stabilize.


2. Your random improvements after stopping injections indicate you may be overly sensitive to fluctuations rather than the total dose.


3. Very low DHT absolutely can cause anhedonia, low drive, poor mood and “flat” feelings, especially if estrogen is normal. A small-dose cream on top of injections has helped many guys raise DHT without crashing E2.


4. Full-cream protocols tend to be smoother for low-SHBG guys, but the transition can take 2–4 weeks. Most users don’t take a full week off — they overlap: reduce injections over several days while starting cream.


5. Pregnenolone has a startup phase, so short trials can give false impressions. Most guys need 2–3 weeks before it stabilizes.


If your labs after 6 weeks still look off, switching to a steady daily cream protocol might actually fit your physiology better.

 

[tannu]

I havent been able to dial in with injections. Ive tried both cyp and E, did subq EOD for longest time, then tried daily subq, daily IM, and last resort was 2x a wk IM which im currently almost 4 weeks into. Going to wait 6 weeks and pull labs but its not looking like this protocol is gonna help me feel better at all.

I have low SHBG ... 9.5-11.5, and chronically very low DHT....and no ive never taken finasteride.

My symptoms are anhedonia, anxiety and just generally feeling unwell. Ive had moments ive felt great randomly... like taking a week off injections. And also more recently, when I switched to 2x a week, one day about 4hrs after my injection I started to feel awesome...clean energy, motivation and happy feelings! ...gone the next day. Im just not sure whats going on with me. Ive trialed pregnenolone but not for longer than a week as it starts having side effects.. (are we supposed to stick it out like trt and let it balance out?) Once in a while pregnenolone makes me feel great.

One option ive considered is keeping my protocol the same but adding in small dose cream to raise DHT... im starting to wonder if low DHT may be why I dont feel good on injections.

If I decide to go all cream, how was the transition for you? Was it rough for a while? Did you take atleast a week off injections before starting? And how do you translate dosing from injections to cream? Thank you all for you help and support!

It really sounds like your low SHBG is the main issue here. Guys with SHBG around 9–11 almost never stabilize on spaced injections because the hormone clears too fast. That’s why you’re getting that “one good day” right after the injection and then crashing the next day — classic peak/trough problem.

Low DHT can definitely add to the flat mood, anxiety, anhedonia and that overall “unwell” feeling. Some guys with low SHBG actually need a small amount of T-cream just to push DHT high enough for mental stability.

Pregnenolone can help, but one week isn’t enough to judge it. It usually has an adjustment period and can cause temporary side effects before it settles.

If you switch to all cream:

• Most people don’t take a full week off injections
• They overlap for a few days while tapering injections down
• Cream dosing is usually adjusted by symptoms + labs, not a direct mg-to-mg conversion

For many low-SHBG men, daily cream gives a much smoother baseline compared to injections. It might be worth trying if you’ve already exhausted all injection frequencies.

Hope you find something stable soon — low SHBG protocols can be tricky, but solvable.

 

[Cataceous]

You’re describing classic symptoms of low SHBG + unstable serum levels. Guys with SHBG around 10 usually don’t respond well to spaced injections because levels swing too fast. That “one good day after the injection” you mentioned strongly suggests peaks/troughs are hitting you hard.
...

Are you generating these posts with AI?

In any case, it's a myth that low SHBG makes "levels swing too fast". Variation in levels is controlled almost entirely by the form of TRT. Inject testosterone undecanoate and your serum testosterone changes very slowly. Put testosterone nasal gel up your nose and serum testosterone changes very rapidly.

Low SHBG does yield some detrimental effects, though an interesting case study shows that it's possible to get by without having any.