TRT for 4 months - No change in labs

fifty · Dec 3, 2018

I would try eod and try IM but not both changes at the same time. EOD seems like it may be the fix you need.

stick_figure · Dec 3, 2018

fifty said:
I would try eod and try IM but not both changes at the same time. EOD seems like it may be the fix you need.

Thanks for the advice -

I will try EOD. I didn't want to change anything after he changed my dose because I didn't want to change more than one factor at a time.

Additionally - Labs were drawn Wednesday before my Wednesday dose. So my last inj before lab work was Monday morning.

Evilwhitey · Dec 3, 2018

stick_figure said:
I just wanted to update this. To recap -> My first labs after starting TRT were:

Total test: 317
Free Test: 7.3
Estrogen: 2.9
SHGB: 24.2

The protocol was:
.25ml cyp 200m/ml 3 x week m/w/f
hcg 500iu 2 x week m/f
anastrozole 2 x week

After that I had my consult and he changed my protocol to:
.3ml cyp 200m/ml 3 x week m/w/f
hcg 500iu 2 x week m/f

My estrogen was super low, so I stopped taking the anastrozole all together. I have been on this protocol for about 60 days now and my recent labs came back as this:

TT: 468
Free T: 11.1
estrodial, sensative: 18.1

I am still a little suprised at the TT being only at 468. I am currently taking everything subq. I might try and switch to IM injections to see if that helps at all. Just wanted to know your guy's thoughts on this..

** Edit: I know Vince mentioned to trying moving to EOD inj. Do you think that would help? like .25ml EOD? That should put me at a similar dose.

Also, I forgot to mention, I am finally starting to feel a little better. After years being in the low 200s, it is nice to start to feel a little normal.

I'd absolutely go IM if I were you and see if it helps.

Ronnny · Dec 3, 2018

So is 1/2" needle is long enough for IM injection? I am not on TRT yet but I am on Clomid now. IM injection does not require long needle?

Evilwhitey · Dec 3, 2018

Ronnny said:
So is 1/2" needle is long enough for IM injection? I am not on TRT yet but I am on Clomid now. IM injection does not require long needle?

Depending upon you body fat % and location of injection, yes, shallow IM can be 1/2" needle no problem.

Ronnny · Dec 3, 2018

I think my body fat is about 24%. So if I decide to inject on my shoulder 1/2" should be long enough?

Evilwhitey · Dec 3, 2018

Ronnny said:
I think my body fat is about 24%. So if I decide to inject on my shoulder 1/2" should be long enough?

In the shoulder, I'd have to think absolutely.

Ronnny · Dec 3, 2018

If I decide to inject in my glut/buttock area what is the minimum size would I need?

stick_figure · Dec 4, 2018

I was planning on trying my 1/2" for my shoulders and quads. I am around 17-18% bf. My plan as of now is to run this for about 60 days and then get labs redrawn

stick_figure · Dec 4, 2018

Evilwhitey said:
I'd absolutely go IM if I were you and see if it helps.

That is what I am thinking. As of right now, I would think the dosing would be more than sufficient. So IMO it really comes down to either changing up the frequency or the location. That is really what I am going to have to decide on which one to focus first. No way I will do both because than I will not know what effect the change had.

Systemlord · Dec 4, 2018

Ronnny said:
I think my body fat is about 24%. So if I decide to inject on my shoulder 1/2" should be long enough?

When I started TRT I was 33% body fat and hit muscle with a 1/2" syringe everytime, I've done SQ before so I know when I'm going into muscle.

If I inject into the belly, there is no way I'll hit muscle.

Checkdis · Dec 4, 2018

Not sure if this was mentioned earlier but what syringe are you using and where are you drawing back to?

stick_figure · Dec 31, 2018

I apologize for the delay. I use a 1 CC syringe and draw back to the number 3. I believe it is something like an u-100 easytouch syringe.

lemonflavor · Jan 1, 2019

Systemlord said:
When I started TRT I was 33% body fat and hit muscle with a 1/2" syringe everytime, I've done SQ before so I know when I'm going into muscle.

If I inject into the belly, there is no way I'll hit muscle.

How do you know if you're getting to muscle or not? I do subq and tried in my thigh a couple of times recently. I literally couldn't feel a thing, either in my leg or hand that injected. 1/2", 30 gauge. I'm around 18%. I liked it better than subq in the belly, but I could do either.

stick_figure · Jan 1, 2019

lemonflavor said:
How do you know if you're getting to muscle or not? I do subq and tried in my thigh a couple of times recently. I literally couldn't feel a thing, either in my leg or hand that injected. 1/2", 30 gauge. I'm around 18%. I liked it better than subq in the belly, but I could do either.

Once you push the needle in, you have draw back. If you are in the muscle, you will see small air bubbles; this process is called Aspirating. That is how you know you are in the muscle.

fifty · Jan 1, 2019

Getting air bubbles from aspirating in muscle? Uhhh

stick_figure · Jan 1, 2019

fifty said:
Getting air bubbles from aspirating in muscle? Uhhh

Yes usually one to two small bubbles. You do not want to see blood.

And maybe I am a little overly cautious but for IM injections I always change my needle between drawing back the med and injecting.

stick_figure · Mar 28, 2019

Hey I just wanted to give you guys an update. It has been a couple minutes since I have switched from subQ to IM. One other change I made was adding back in the anastrozole. After a few weeks of IM my body order was horrible so I figured my estrogen was high.

Since switching My labs were as follows:

SubQ -

TT: 468
Free T: 11.1
estrodial, sensative: 18.1

IM -

TT: 860
Free T: 23.3
TT: 468
Free T: 11.1
estrodial, sensative: 23.3

I have another follow up call tomorrow with the PA. As of right now, I have been feeling great. My mood has increased, I have more motivation, and overall a better feeling about myself. I am still on HCG 500 iu x 2 week.

tmaxey1 · Mar 28, 2019

stick_figure said:
Hey I just wanted to give you guys an update. It has been a couple minutes since I have switched from subQ to IM. One other change I made was adding back in the anastrozole. After a few weeks of IM my body order was horrible so I figured my estrogen was high.

Since switching My labs were as follows:

SubQ -

TT: 468
Free T: 11.1
estrodial, sensative: 18.1

IM -

TT: 860
Free T: 23.3
TT: 468
Free T: 11.1
estrodial, sensative: 23.3

I have another follow up call tomorrow with the PA. As of right now, I have been feeling great. My mood has increased, I have more motivation, and overall a better feeling about myself. I am still on HCG 500 iu x 2 week.

Do you fast before your blood draw?