Once weekly IM injections, preferably large dosages. It’s those large peaks that bring down SHBG, I would start at 140mg weekly, .5mg AI twice weekly. Take first AI dosage with T injection, then another .5mg AI three days later. You’re young and you should also be on HCG, start out 250-300iu twice weekly taken with first T injection and three days later with your second AI dosage.
You can always increase the frequency of HCG dosing to three times as week if you feel it wearing off too soon, some inject HCG EOD.
I’m not sure the pharmacy will give me the right type of syringe since I’m supposed to inject SC. Would 140 mg injected SC be the same as IM? What are your thoughts on say 70-100mg injections twice a week? I’ll do what’s best but I’d prefer injecting in my thigh.
I’m not going to get hcg for another 7 weeks. Was this a mistake? I could go back soon if I need to.
SQ would be a smoother slower release, that’s not what you need. You don’t want to minimize those peaks, you need them. You can try 70-80mg twice weekly, but if you can’t get SHBG low enough to feel good once weekly will be needed. You can hold off on HCG for 7 weeks until you get a feel for TRT only, add HCG later so you know if it’s helping.
I like to add in stuff in as I go so I know what’s working for and against me. Some guys who start out on HCG with their TRT find that dropping HCG makes them feel better. Everyone doesn’t tolerate HCG, some can’t live without it and some feel nothing from it. This has been known to change in some individuals, later in life TRT doesn’t work without HCG do to depriving the body of LH.
You can buy the syringes online. Google “Easy Touch 27 Gauge”.
I think I will try 70-80mg twice a week for now. If my shbg is still high when I have my new bloodwork then I will make the adjustment to one large weekly IM dose.
I really like that approach to the hcg. This way I’ll know how I react to everything and I can find the best dosages for me. I appreciate all the input.
One last question. Do you think 6 weeks is too long to wait until my next bloodtest or should I go sooner?
I finally got my test-c and it looks like I’m going to have to inject 70mg twice a week IM. Does that make sense to inject IM twice a week.
I was hoping to inject subq but when I asked my GP, pharmacist, and Endo they all said I can’t do it that way and it had to be done IM. I thought it was a matter of preference.
I really wanted to try subq because I’ve read about all its benefits (less likely to raise e2 levels among them)and it seems easier to do on my own. Can I still do it my way somehow or should I listen to my doctors?
Subq. More even distribution of testosterone and no holes in muscle.
My doctor said the same and ordered my syringe that are big for IM. They tell you that because the manufacturer recommends IM every 2 weeks.
Most progressive Dr and Dr who really now trt suggest sub
Look up Dr John crisler YouTube search subq testosterone injections
My shbg went down but is still too high and tt is also too high now. My estradiol seems to be too low but this is not the untra-sensitive test so I dont know how accurate this number is. FHS and LH dropped as expected.
What adjustments should I make? I’ve definitely felt better and noticed improvements since I started the t-injections but I know there is still room for improvement.
I might have a hard time convincing my endocrinologist I need higher total t since it’s already above 1500 but I’ll try to persuade her that shbg will continue to fall gradually. Do you think I need hcg now? What difference does it make?
Total T is a bound hormone, Free T is what matters, if your doctors doesn’t understand this then you should look for someone who does.
Insurance doctors are guided by guidelines that are outdated, written by those with very limited hormonal knowledge. Fear and lack of knowledge often gets in the way of properly treating men who are on TRT.
As you age SHBG may increase and you will be forced to increase dosages or deal with low Free T and low estrogen, low estrogen is dangerous and can cause osteoporosis.
You have other options (going private) and aren’t force into accepting this level of care.
I may be mistaken but if your not using the ultra-sensitive that it could be over estimating your e2. So saying that, you may be even lower than stated which is not good. I’m with @anon10230041 with stopping your ai.
Hey @KSman could you weigh in on my most recent labwork. I was also wondering what my hcg dosing schedule should be. I was going to ask my endocrinologist for 250iu EOD unless there is a better option.
I was looking over the lab work sticky and I think I have been using the correct estradiol test which is the sensitive test with quest. It specifically says not to use the ultra sensitive test. I just had an appointment with my endocrinologist and we decided that I should stop using the AI altogether.