Injections vs creams/gels

[Yarm]

I wouldn't give up on TRT without trying the most reliable and preferrt form of administration.

I'm looking into it.
Where im from, the preferred form is creams or gels. That preference being the medical establishment.
There is also nebido, a very long lasting option.

Cutting back on my dose threw me back into a depression, so need to do something.

 

[Megatron28]

Nebido would be an excellent choice.

 

[Yarm]

Nebido would be an excellent choice.

Why is that? Everyone here seems to be on cypionate or enthenate.
With Nebido, it's may be more difficult to tailor the dosage as they are so far apart.

With creams/gels is it common to have intraday highs and lows? As in feeling hyper one hour after then flat later in the day?

 

[Megatron28]

Why is that? Everyone here seems to be on cypionate or enthenate.
With Nebido, it's may be more difficult to tailor the dosage as they are so far apart.

With creams/gels is it common to have intraday highs and lows? As in feeling hyper one hour after then flat later in the day?

Most of us are in the US here so we use Test Cyp mainly. Nebido just got approved here recently and is still very expensive. There are restrictions about self-injecting in the US too with Nebido.

I recommend you read this entire thread to learn more about Bigben66's experience with Nebido.

http://www.steroidology.com/forum/t...e-replacement-therapy-trt-log-uk-style-9.html

As for hyperness, testosterone is not a stimulant. It shouldn't have that effect on you. But uneven absorption may be messing with your hormone levels. Could be psychosomatic too.

 

[Yarm]

Most of us are in the US here so we use Test Cyp mainly. Nebido just got approved here recently and is still very expensive. There are restrictions about self-injecting in the US too with Nebido.

I recommend you read this entire thread to learn more about Bigben66's experience with Nebido.

steroidology.com/forum/testosterone-replacement-therapy/659439-bigben-s-testosterone-replacement-therapy-trt-log-uk-style-9.html

As for hyperness, testosterone is not a stimulant. It shouldn't have that effect on you. But uneven absorption may be messing with your hormone levels. Could be psychosomatic too.

By uneven absorption, do you mean too rapid.

I started splitting the dose. Initially it was two pumps of a 5% cream in the morning. And after three days it made me feel jittery. And typically it would feel beneficial for a week and then I'd crash and think what's the point.

So the dose was upped to two pumps at 7.5%, this had a marked improvement on my mood. But again a crash after 5-7 days on.

The idea to dose only once a day in the mornings was so that my own production remained active.

Then they said try three pumps. At that point I started splitting the dose. And that got me over the mild jitters. But it's a hassle.

Also applying to the scrotum didn't give me the jitters and appeared to offer a slower release mechanism.
But again the progressive improvement would last only 7 days before I'd crash out and hence discontinue.

Yesterday for example I cut my normal dosage in half, but woke early in the morning feeling very down. So I went easy on myself today, just to think about my strategy. As the more I use Trt the more dependent I will become.

Other strategies have worked in the past. Namely dietary changes (high fat, low carb) and homoeopathics. But none have lasted. Eating cabbage seemed of value.
On the other hand I'm only getting older, so the fight to address low t through diet and supplements etc. may be "pissing in the wind". So better to bite the bullet.

Today I feel ok, having taken 3/4 of my normal dosage. My mood is better. This is day 9 of the round.
Possibly I need to up my dose. I'm on 112mg per day (as a cream).

My natural t-levels are midrange, but nonetheless I tick pretty much every box in the low-t symptom list.
It was insomnia that kicked in last year that alarmed me and got me looking into Trt more seriously.
Suggestions/guidance/explanations welcome.

 

[Yarm]

Most of us are in the US here so we use Test Cyp mainly. Nebido just got approved here recently and is still very expensive. There are restrictions about self-injecting in the US too with Nebido.

I recommend you read this entire thread to learn more about Bigben66's experience with Nebido.

steroidology.com/forum/testosterone-replacement-therapy/659439-bigben-s-testosterone-replacement-therapy-trt-log-uk-style-9.html

As for hyperness, testosterone is not a stimulant. It shouldn't have that effect on you. But uneven absorption may be messing with your hormone levels. Could be psychosomatic too.

Read it. Quite inspiring. Thanks

 

[Megatron28]

By uneven absorption, do you mean too rapid.

I started splitting the dose. Initially it was two pumps of a 5% cream in the morning. And after three days it made me feel jittery. And typically it would feel beneficial for a week and then I'd crash and think what's the point.

So the dose was upped to two pumps at 7.5%, this had a marked improvement on my mood. But again a crash after 5-7 days on.

The idea to dose only once a day in the mornings was so that my own production remained active.

Then they said try three pumps. At that point I started splitting the dose. And that got me over the mild jitters. But it's a hassle.

Also applying to the scrotum didn't give me the jitters and appeared to offer a slower release mechanism.
But again the progressive improvement would last only 7 days before I'd crash out and hence discontinue.

Yesterday for example I cut my normal dosage in half, but woke early in the morning feeling very down. So I went easy on myself today, just to think about my strategy. As the more I use Trt the more dependent I will become.

Other strategies have worked in the past. Namely dietary changes (high fat, low carb) and homoeopathics. But none have lasted. Eating cabbage seemed of value.
On the other hand I'm only getting older, so the fight to address low t through diet and supplements etc. may be "pissing in the wind". So better to bite the bullet.

Today I feel ok, having taken 3/4 of my normal dosage. My mood is better. This is day 9 of the round.
Possibly I need to up my dose. I'm on 112mg per day (as a cream).

My natural t-levels are midrange, but nonetheless I tick pretty much every box in the low-t symptom list.
It was insomnia that kicked in last year that alarmed me and got me looking into Trt more seriously.
Suggestions/guidance/explanations welcome.

By uneven absorption I am referring to the amount absorbed, not the speed at which it is absorbed. Although speed may play a part in it to.

I suspect that by getting uneven absorption and by changing your dosages so much that you have been on a hormonal rollercoaster. High TT to Low TT. And even worse perhaps is like High Estradiol to Low Estradiol. I suspect that is causing your "crashes". Spiking your estradiol is a terrible feeling.

If you said this already somewhere I apologize for asking again. But what was your pre-TRT natural TT, LH and FSH at?

 

[Yarm]

By uneven absorption I am referring to the amount absorbed, not the speed at which it is absorbed. Although speed may play a part in it to.

I suspect that by getting uneven absorption and by changing your dosages so much that you have been on a hormonal rollercoaster. High TT to Low TT. And even worse perhaps is like High Estradiol to Low Estradiol. I suspect that is causing your "crashes". Spiking your estradiol is a terrible feeling.

If you said this already somewhere I apologize for asking again. But what was your pre-TRT natural TT, LH and FSH at?

Pre Trt
T = 18.1 nmol/l (last test however was 11.9 after a low fat diet)
LH = 3
FSH = <2
DHEAS = 13 (normal range = 1 -9)

 

[Megatron28]

Pre Trt
T = 18.1 nmol/l (last test however was 11.9 after a low fat diet)
LH = 3
FSH = <2
DHEAS = 13 (normal range = 1 -9)

So 521ng/dl. Pretty much average. I am surprised any doctor would put you on TRT. Why not come off TRT and run PCT to get your HPTA restarted?

As for the diet, it is expected that your TT will drop if you are in a caloric deficit for too long or too severe of one.

 

[Yarm]

So 521ng/dl. Pretty much average. I am surprised any doctor would put you on TRT. Why not come off TRT and run PCT to get your HPTA restarted?

As for the diet, it is expected that your TT will drop if you are in a caloric deficit for too long or too severe of one.

I've only been on the creams for 9 days. Is PCT required for such a stint? I know I feel pretty low when I come off for a few days. Possibly I should just ease myself down, as I had recently upped the dosage in the last 9 day run.

I had blood tests yesterday, so was waiting for that prior to stopping.

For the last month it's been a week on, followed by a week off.

My issues might lie elsewhere. I've since learnt I've a strong allergy to fructose.

 

[Megatron28]

I've only been on the creams for 9 days. Is PCT required for such a stint? I know I feel pretty low when I come off for a few days. Possibly I should just ease myself down, as I had recently upped the dosage in the last 9 day run.

I had blood tests yesterday, so was waiting for that prior to stopping.

For the last month it's been a week on, followed by a week off.

My issues might lie elsewhere. I've since learnt I've a strong allergy to fructose.

I would run PCT since you have been using exogenous testosterone for a month. You have certainly affected your HPTA. You should really think twice before messing around with your hormones.

 

[Yarm]

I would run PCT since you have been using exogenous testosterone for a month. You have certainly affected your HPTA. You should really think twice before messing around with your hormones.

It's been about 16 out of 30 days. As I keep stopping after 6-7 days. The first four days are good, then not great, then pointless.

Turns out I'm over dosing. Total T was at 38.5, up from 11.9 from taking 100mg per day.

This was under the guidance from the phone GP/monitor who started me on 50mg, then to 75, then 100mg.

This is despite me saying the cream gave me the jitters at the 50mg mark, when not split into two. I'd stop and say it's not worked, he'd suggest upping the dose. But not blood tests.
Finally I found a second GP and specifically requested the blood test.
So good news is the T is getting in, no issue re absorbtion.
Bad news is that I e taken too much and still have no idea as to correct dose.
I'm forever reluctant to take Trt, but as ,entitled the first four days are great.

 

[Megatron28]

The good news is that you don't have Hypogonadism so you don't need to be on TRT. You were shutting down your HPTA for no reason.

 

[Yarm]

The good news is that you don't have Hypogonadism so you don't need to be on TRT. You were shutting down your HPTA for no reason.

Well I have all the symptoms. And they disappear to a degree in four days. Especially the depression and mental focus.
Possibly I just run a level that is considered moderate but is low for me.
Thanks for your input btw.
Went to the doc today. He has no explanation as to why I have the symptoms of low t but am still in range at 11ngmol.
He wants me to see a psychiatrist re the depression that kicks in when I'm off the creams.

 

[Yarm]

The good news is that you don't have Hypogonadism so you don't need to be on TRT. You were shutting down your HPTA for no reason.

Well I have all the symptoms. And they disappear to a degree in four days. Especially the depression and mental focus.
Possibly I just run a level that is considered moderate but is low for me.
Thanks for your input btw.
Went to the doc today. He has no explanation as to why I have the symptoms of low t but am still in range at 11ngmol.
He wants me to see a psychiatrist re the depression that kicks in when I'm off the creams.
Thanks for your input btw.

 

[Yarm]

I would run PCT since you have been using exogenous testosterone for a month. You have certainly affected your HPTA. You should really think twice before messing around with your hormones.

I spoke to my GP re a PCT cycle. He suggested it was not necessary. So my options are to stop cold turkey style or cut back to 25mg per day (as opposed to 100mg).

What would you advise.

Thanks