I have not tried that, but I know some guys have taken that approach, and it seems like a good option. For practical reasons – ordering a sufficient amount of T is very difficult given MA’s laws, and the inconvenience of still needing to apply cream despite switching to injections is unappealing – I don’t think I’ll take that road. But something to consider for down the road!
From what I understand (which is limited!), danazol is a much tamer alternative to SHBG-lowering options like oxandrolone or stanozolol, which would have to be used at lower doses. That said, those two more aggressive treatments would likely work better, but I see them as more short-term solutions.
I can’t say I know anything about masteron, and I believe proviron is illegal, so I don’t see that as a reasonable option. Please let me know what you decide to do. Seems we’re in a similar place!
Thanks, man. I have indeed been taking all of those (boron, b6, vitamin d, magnesium) since the start of this journey.
It’s really just lack of desire, but I’ve also lost consistent morning wood and spontaneous erections. During my ‘rushes,’ I’d get them all the time and wake up with wood every day. Outside of those ‘rushes,’ not so much.
But yeah, desire is the main thing 
I, too, think this is related to estrogen and it fluctuating. However, I’ve been really consistent with applying to the scrotum – never fewer than 2 clicks (even when I was applying to other areas as well), never more than 4. So I don’t know if the area of application is impacting that.
I get that logic and love Dr. Nichols – his info is awesome, and he’s a big reason I got started on this journey. Where I’m confused is that I’ve been taking a very high T dosage – 3-4 clicks every day, or probably about 200mg per week in terms of injections – and I haven’t solved my issues. Think I just need more T? And would you mind expanding on the benefits of high SHBG? Seems like you never actually hear about that. Could it actually help me to go up from 114?
I actually hadn’t thought about that – interesting point, and also not something my doctor discussed. Problem is, I have very little cream left – probably about 10 clicks. I started injections today. Think I should just do 1 click/day until I run out of cream?
Update that isn’t related to hormones: I’ve started messing around with carb and meal timing. I’m intermittent fasting on my rest days (4/week), and eating more on my lifting days (3/week). Here are my cals:
Rest day (at least 10K steps): 1500-1800 kcal, ~100g carbs, fast for 16-23 hours
Lifting day: 2300-2500 kcal, ~200g carbs, begin eating in morning (preworkout)
This plan is mostly reflective of what Jay Campbell laid out in the Metabolic Blowtorch Diet.
Today was my first day adding pre- and peri-workout carbs, and I definitely noticed a difference. Way better than my fasted workouts.
MA? Could you explain?
Massachusetts. You’re only allowed to order up to a 6-week supply at one time. This makes it really tricky, or impossible, to stock up or order multiple delivery systems (cream and injectable).
wow - thats insane. i thought you meant Mass when i first read but i had no idea that some states have laws like that. Thats crazy
I’m not sure other states do. From what I understand, NY (my old home) is also pretty tough. But MA cracked down on controlled substances due to the opiate crisis. There are ways to get around this – for example, you can buy name-brand injectable T – but they’re much more expensive and less convenient. You could also go the ‘off-the-grid’ route, but who really wants to do that with the risks involved? Personally not interested.
Update: first injection yesterday (I am presently transitioning from cream, applied trans-scrotally, to injections for reasons outlined above). I currently only have 30G, 1/2" needles. I injected into the delt, shallow IM.
The injection didn’t hurt (these are very small needles), but it took a super long time to get all of the medication out of the syringe. I’m guessing that’s why people don’t inject with 30G. I ordered some 27G, 1/2" syringes, and they should arrive by the time of my next injection. As a reminder, I am injecting 2X per week, 1/2 mL each time.
I also have a limited amount of cream (about 10 clicks) remaining. I plan to apply 1 click per day until I run out. This should give me at least some ‘runway’ as I transition to injections. From what I understand, it will take some time (weeks) for the injectable T to actually enter my system. I don’t want to be in a big funk during that interim period. Wish I had more cream, but gotta work with what you’ve got!
It will enter your system quick. Stable levels take 6-8 weeks given the Long half life. Doing both injection and cream may give you very high peaks.
Man nothing is going to work unless you give it time. Like Dr. Nichols says “It not like spinach in a can to Popeye” when you use testosterone. It takes time to work for some but it “works in everyone if they give it enough time”. You just never gave the cream a chance to work (months doing it correctly and having you physician adjust dosage to increase your free testosterone to an optimal level). You should pick a method and give it time working with a knowledgeable physician like a Dr. Nichols or someone like him. Manupulating other parameters like SHBG or estrogen is just going to complicate the process and interfere with the results. Look at enackers and how well he is doing. He found someone that knew what they were doing and he is following his advice.
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Appreciate your thoughts. You’re right! No question, man.
To be frank, I have full confidence the cream would work for my hormones over time, just with more tweaking and logging. However, this change really boils down to a matter of convenience. I’ve realized, given my relationship and lifestyle, injections fit in better. The cream method of delivery bothers my wife, and your partner needs to be a consideration in your treatment protocol. So, this change is much less about ‘what will work for my body,’ and more about ‘what will work for my body and my wife.’
6-8 weeks doesn’t sound that quick to me, to be real. I am not planning on applying much cream, though. After thinking about this more, I think I’ll do 1 click (to scrotum) EOD until I run out of it. Should give me a couple weeks of runway.
No, they are a T clinic (among other things) but I know the doc who runs it is very active with research (Morganthauler I believe). I go to a Beth Isreal Endo so covered by insurance.
do you have any root canal treatment ?
There a difference between reaching stable levels and the testosterone taking affect. The injected testosterone will increase your testosterone within 2 days.
Nope, haven’t had that before.
That’s good to know! What do you think of my plan of weening off the cream? How would you disperse those final 10 or so clicks (if you would disperse them, that is)?