Switching from gel to injections - only given single dose vials

[JarrodF]

Good evening everyone,

First post here so a little background...

33y/o feeling symptoms of low T. Labs confirmed 316 ng/dl total (Kaiser doesn't order anything beyond that) and was prescribed 1% gel 2 pumps daily (minimum dose) by my primary physician. Been on gel for 5 weeks and had labs drawn at the 2-3 week mark to prep for a Defy Medical consult. I was feeling better but TT only increased to 386 ng/dl and FT was still low. I am now switching to injections in part because I'm tired of worrying about transference to my kids and also because gel daily is a little harder for me to maintain than injections would be.

My PCP prescribed me 200 mg Test Cyp every 14 days. Although he was willing to prescribe TRT, he isn't happy about it and won't even consider alternative protocols (i.e. more frequent injections, altering dose based on labs, etc.) so he prescribed me 200mg/ml single dose vial q 14 days. I'd like to know if anyone here is using single dose vials to administer more frequently (50 mg 2x weekly in my case)? At the very least, I'd like to do 100 mg per week. Would using the single dose vial for multiple doses be acceptable given I follow all other acceptable/aseptic techniques?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Systemlord]

I'm with Kaiser as well and they don't order anything beyond total testosterone, no estrogen management at all and this is key to a successful protocol. My endo's seem open to more frequent injections and at my request to split my dosage up (35mg) twice weekly, they were more than happy to do so and raise my dose (50mg x2) in the process because the endo filling in noticed my dosage was inadequate.

You're far better off going with Defy Medical, not knowing your SHBG or estrogen level pre TRT is like playing slot machines, you'll never know where you're going to land. Kaiser endo's do not prescribe AI's to help with excess estrogen conversion.

 

[JarrodF]

SystemLord:

I'm excited for my consult with Defy which is schedule for 4/16. Until then, I will continue to use T-Cyp injections. Are you prescribed 200mg/ml single dose vials through Kaiser right now? If so, you haven't had any problems using single dose vials for four injections as opposed to one?

 

[Systemlord]

Kaiser has been providing me with 10 mL 100mg vials and I'm able to refill them every 8 weeks, that leaves me with 3ml of test left or three 100mg injections.

I'm seeing a new endo on April 23rd, the one who was proactively increase my dose when I wasn't even asking for it back I was asking for two injections a week.

Perhaps this endo stays ahead of the curve in regards to TRT, we'll see.

 

[Vince]

I would also consider using an easy touch 29g 1/2" or 27g 1/2" syringe, makes injecting so painless and easy.

 

[Vince Carter]

Good evening everyone,

First post here so a little background...

33y/o feeling symptoms of low T. Labs confirmed 316 ng/dl total (Kaiser doesn't order anything beyond that) and was prescribed 1% gel 2 pumps daily (minimum dose) by my primary physician. Been on gel for 5 weeks and had labs drawn at the 2-3 week mark to prep for a Defy Medical consult. I was feeling better but TT only increased to 386 ng/dl and FT was still low. I am now switching to injections in part because I'm tired of worrying about transference to my kids and also because gel daily is a little harder for me to maintain than injections would be.

My PCP prescribed me 200 mg Test Cyp every 14 days. Although he was willing to prescribe TRT, he isn't happy about it and won't even consider alternative protocols (i.e. more frequent injections, altering dose based on labs, etc.) so he prescribed me 200mg/ml single dose vial q 14 days. I'd like to know if anyone here is using single dose vials to administer more frequently (50 mg 2x weekly in my case)? At the very least, I'd like to do 100 mg per week. Would using the single dose vial for multiple doses be acceptable given I follow all other acceptable/aseptic techniques?

Thanks in advance!

Yes you can multi-dose following the typical alcohol wipe of the top and a fresh sterile needle

 

[Saul]

Agreed. Go 100 mg per week (I did that for a bit and it was not that bad) and yes you can reuse the vile for the second shot after your first puncture, but I would verify it has 'stuff' in it to help stop bacteria after your first puncture. Most people use the 10 ml bottles for 90 days. I use 28 or 29 G needles. Good luck !

 

[blackebob]

why not just load all the syr8nges at once, and recap the extras?

 

[JarrodF]

why not just load all the syr8nges at once, and recap the extras?

My only concern with this is once the syringes are removed from the packaging, they are no longer considered sterile. Probably wouldn't be as much of an issue if the injection needles were kept packaged until injection, but my goal is to reduce negative exposure as much as possible.

 

[Vince Carter]

I load syringes for the whole week so that they're on the counter ready for me. I may be wouldn't do more than 5 or 7 though at a time. No good reason I can think of to do it or not to do it.

 

[Saul]

Re preloading syringes, I asked this once and was told it was probably fine but it increases the risk of infection and that some T may have a carrier oil or preservative that could affect the plunger or syringe. Just parroting back what another said in a post. I don't preload since filling a syringe does not take that long.