Pretty sure yeti is Dr Nichols FYI. I don’t mean that in a bad way.
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I had my follow-up labs this AM. Here’s everything that was on my script: CMP, CBC, Lipid Panel, PSA, TSH, T (Free and Total), SHBG, DHEA-S, Estradiol Sensitive (Ultra), Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, Thyroid Peroxidase, Antithyroglobulin
I’ll post results when I get them – hopefully before the holiday!
Just read on this thread that Dr. Nichols isn’t treating patients under 30…so, that would rule him out for me, I guess – at least for 2 more years
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I would ask them directly. I would think he’s referring to new-to-trt patients under 30. Not folks under 30 with a giant ass log that could get them great exposure on one of the best TRT forums…
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The more I’m reading on forums and Facebook groups – specifically from the Nichols/Rouzier type crowd – the more I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t have messed with SHBG. I’m wondering if oversuppressing it through Danazol 25 mg ED will end up being the biggest factor that spurred my terrible libido/mood of late.
I’ve actually felt depressed, very unlike myself, and I’m dubious whether just decreasing my dose of T to 150 would have that pronounced of an effect on my overall well-being. Curious what my SHBG value will be when I get the labs back. As a reminder, I entered HOT with it over 180! Maybe oversuppressing SHBG is akin to oversuppressing E.
For guys who inject their T ED SQ: what type of needle do you use? I used a 30 g 1/2" today, but the T came out suuuuuper slowly.
It’s crazy that I’m just remembering this, but I actually corresponded with Dr. Nichols about a year ago. He said not to mess with SHBG or E and that my issues can simply be overcome with more T – either applying cream trans-scrotally or doing daily injections of 30 mg/day…basically, the two things that have (mostly) worked for me during this saga.
Guy seems to know what he’s talking about.
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I no longer do ED SQ, I now do ED shallow IM. I was using 30g 1/2", now using 29g 1/2". The 29 is slightly easier but not much. I don’t have as much of a problem injecting as I do drawing and it is slow. Sometimes I will pull the plunger back farther than I need and put the syringe in an empty bottle while still stuck in the vial so that the test flows into it while I shower. After I hop out of the shower, squirt the excess and bubbles back into the vial to my dosage and inject. Saves me a little time that way. Hope that made sense.
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@bkb333 have you seen this article regarding SHBG?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin: New Science Questions Old Beliefs
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Yessir! That was one of the articles/sources that made me question the idea of lowering SHBG. Some would even say it’s good to be high. It seems there’s still a ton of confusion around the topic, but I think it’s clear that focusing on lowering it probably isn’t the solution.
Did you start ED injections today?
I use the same needle for my injections, into the belly fat sub-q. It takes 12 seconds to push the plunger in, I count almost every time.
Drawing sucks on those, so I back fill with a larger syringe that has 1ml already in the barrel.
I’m contemplating whether I should start ED today too or wait for blood results and then start. I think I’m just going to do it. I ordered 300 syringes last night.
I’m taking 42mg EOD. You think I should go with 20mg or 22mg ED? @dextermorgan - what are your thoughts on this?
Yes I did – excited to see if this (in combination with eliminating Danazol) helps turn things around. On the rebound to High T Rudd!
I’ve never filled on a separate syringe – always used the same one for filling/injecting. You think it’s worth it to start doing it that way? You’re right, drawing takes a ton of time…but the larger needles are also obviously more painful. I injected a 27g into belly fat once and it hurt!
I would say you should just go for the ED approach, brother – we know enough now to know that’s a really good strategy. But I’m not sure about the amount. I’m so fed up with my own situation that I’m tempted to say, Go for the higher amount! But I’m probably not speaking from a rational perspective at this point in time, so I wouldn’t listen to me, lol.
I think @bmbrady77 would caution to start at 20. However, I don’t think it will end up making that big of a difference either way.
@bcostigan41
I like more personally so I say 22. When I went from EOD to daily it took a while for me to get to feel great. Keep that in mind. Patience is key.
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Sub q in the belly always stung like a bitch to me even with a 30g. One of the main reasons I stuck with shallow IM after trying it out and not having the same issue
SubQ always stung for me too. I’m not sure if it was just that brand or what but I’d have a 1” circle around where I injected that was itchy af. I liked shallow IM better.
Interesting, guys. I tend to change my mind on which is more painful depending on the day, lol. I do tend to think scarring is more likely with IM than SQ.
Pulled over 400 for the first time today! (Yeah, my powerlifting numbers are weak.) Despite how out of it I’ve felt all fall, I’ve still lifted at least 5X every week and have been on top of my calories and macros. I haven’t been making crazy gains – it’s been nothing like the summertime, when I felt anabolically charged – but at least haven’t lost anything.
Sometimes I worry about what will happen to my fitness routine once I have kids, but I’ve realized this lifting thing really is a lifelong passion. Once you’re hooked, you’re in it – period!
@dextermorgan and @bkb333 - doing it. Starting tonight. 22mg ED. Buckle up.
@bcostigan41 Congrats! By January 16th I’m hoping you’ll be where you want to be
I’ve done several SQ and 1 shallow IM so far.
Only one that “bothered” (and I use that term loosely) me at all was an SQ on top of the quad, performed by lifting a pinch of skin,needle in the end, let the skin down and push the plunger. That was fine the rest of that day and the next, but on days 2-4 I had a…sensitive spot around the site. Felt like a mild bruise to the touch but wasn’t anything I thought about or would’ve stopped me from doing literally anything.
Other SQ and the shallow IM…Didn’t hurt going in (much less than a mosquito bite, and I tend to be sensitive to those) and never a trace that I’d pinned later. No joke on the mosquitos - when one bites me it gets a quick slap in reaction. No way I don’t notice them. They actually go after my wife more and she usually only notices when it starts itching later.
Out of curiosity, what’s your rough BF%? I think that impacts comfort level with SQ.
For example, I’m currently around 12%. SQ is more comfortable here than when I’m 8%.