Conversion happens in the blood stream, not AT the site of injection. Injecting into fat isn’t going to increase the conversion.
Some people report lowering of e2 because of a slower absorption rate.
I cant say either way. Have only ever done SQ for an extended amount of time.
Iv been injecting 0.25ml subq e3.5 days with 26g half inch insulin needles either a few inches either side of my belly button or round the sides in the “love handles”.
Though Iv got the shots pretty much sensationless, I get usually get a small painless lump which has usually dissipated by the time I do the weeks 2nd shot but sometimes its a bigger more painful lump which lasts much longer. Im assuming it’s because im pretty lean and was using a 45 degree angle. This week I’v changed to 90 degrees.
Im fine with the small needle but I really didnt like the idea of injecting into muscle regularly or the sizes of the needles used.
My first bloods after 6 weeks showed high TT and FT, a sharp drop in my high SHBG and a slight drop in oestrogen. Not sure I can attribute those drops to my protocol and subq.
I did IM for 7 months and currently on subQ. My experience is probably skewed though. Before subQ I came off of test cold-turkey and stayed off for about 9-10 months.
IM was great but I was on the typical protocol prescribed by uro/endo (200mg, every two weeks). Some days pinning would go fine, others I’d feel like I’d been hit full force with a baseball bat at the injection site. My energy, focus, libido/arousal, physicality and general sense of well being was at an all-time high for 7 months. There were no build up of effects, I felt better almost immediately after starting treatment. Felt like I had been wandering the desert for years and finally got a tall glass of ice cold water handed to me. That was until my E2 hit close to 50 and I was having panic attacks for 2-3 days after each shot.
As for subQ, I’ve been on them for 4 weeks now. This time around has been less than desirable. Bouts of anxiety, depression, fatigue, etc. The pinning itself is great though, less discomfort and faster process. Some on the forum have told me just to wait it out. Some of their experiences starting were similar to my current one, so I am waiting it out.
Again, I’m sure crashing my hormones into the floor from going cold-turkey has something to do with my rough start on subQ though.
I Don’t think this article has anything to do with exogenous testosterone
Well you know that im worked. Can always try 100 mg a week IM. Should avoid that e2 spike you had when you did 200 at once v
If this subQ thing isn’t working after a couple of months I do think I’ll try shallow IM. As far as frequency/dosage it’s tough.
On one hand I felt great at a higher dose, less frequently during the first try with TRT. On the other I can hand I could barely handle 30mg subQ EOD due to panic symptoms. At 20mg EOD right now, things aren’t perfect but a lot better. Another thing is, when I was at the higher dosage/lower frequency I didn’t know anything about SHBG’s role in treatment. Now that I do it makes me hesitatant to try that again.