Received my first Test Injection from Dr.

[donfrye]

Hello, everyone. I had some questions regarding the testosterone cypionate injections I am receiving from my Dr. I have been giving blood work with her for close to a year every 3 months because my total test is always "borderline low". I'm a 32 year old male and the number was always around 370 total T. Eventually she offered to put me on gel, but I have 2 young children so I asked for injections and she obliged. Today, I received my protocol from her and my first shot.

The prescription was from 1mL of testosterone cypionate every 3 weeks. Doesn't seem like much to me, honestly. From the research I've done I thought that testosterone was given with estrogen blockers as well? I don't have anything like that. I'm just wondering if this is really anything that will help or if it is too conservative. I've been pretty discouraged with this Dr. as she keeps putting me off to see if my levels rise every 3 months, I was about to switch over but she finally offered me treatment recently.

I'm not expert and she didn't really satisfy any of my inquiries when I spoke with her this morning.

Thanks.

 

[jomamma007]

Dont walk, RUN from this doctor.

First testosterone cypionaye has a half life of 5-6 days, this is why you nees to inject AT THE VERY LEAST EVERY WEEK, ideally twice weekly.

Second thats 70mgs per week, very low end of trt. Most docs should start you off at 100mgs per week, and test blood work after 6 weeks to see if an anti estrogen is needed.

If you can get the doc to let you inject at home you'll be okay, you`re a grown man after all.

 

[Brunodk]

I'm sure others can speak to the specifics better than me, as I'm still new to this. But I'm assuming 1ml is 200mg of test cypionate. The dose might actually be ok (probably too conservative by the doctor) but doing it every 3 weeks is not ideal. You will have huge peaks and valleys in your levels. Arimidex is what most guys seem to end up taking for reducing estrogen but at that low dose of T you're getting it might be unnecessary and drop your estradiol too low.

As a 32 year old in a similar situation I can honestly say that if you feel uncomfortable with your dr you absolutely need to find someone else. My GP was frankly negligent in her recommendations and clearly did not have experience in treating hypogonadism. There are so many factors to consider, especially when young. Fertility, attempting a restart if possible, transference to family, lifetime commitment and future health implications, etc that you really want someone that really knows their stuff. You shouldn't have to be the expert although you certainly want to advocate for yourself.

Anyways, good luck and I hope you start feeling better soon.

 

[71Avido]

The prescription was from 1mL of testosterone cypionate every 3 weeks. Doesn't seem like much to me, honestly.

It isn't a lot and every three weeks is a pretty long amount of time between injections but that's the game we play. You have to start somewhere and most docs would start you off slowly and work your way up.
Everyone reacts a little differently so it's a good first step, just keep an eye on your levels and how you're feeling throughout the peaks and troughs. You should be getting bloods done a day or two after the injection as well as the day prior to see where your peaks and troughs are. If you can and aren't squeamish, take over the injections yourself. I would not suggest altering the total dose, just the frequency.
You'd still be taking 200mg every 3 weeks, but it would be split up into 3x 67mg injections.

From the research I've done I thought that testosterone was given with estrogen blockers as well? I don't have anything like that. I'm just wondering if this is really anything that will help or if it is too conservative.

Maybe maybe not, it goes back to that "everybody is different" thing.
Some people aromatise test into estrogen more than others.
Whether or not you need an aromatase inhibitor or estrogen blocker will be the result of blood work.
Your doctor should be testing Estradiol along with the other blood panels.

I've been pretty discouraged with this Dr. as she keeps putting me off to see if my levels rise every 3 months, I was about to switch over but she finally offered me treatment recently.


I'm not expert and she didn't really satisfy any of my inquiries when I spoke with her this morning.

Thanks.

TRT is a very long road here brother, I've been battling it for 15 years now and I'm still nowhere near satisfied with my treatment. Give this doctor a chance, build a relationship around your health and quality of life. Sometimes we have to guide these docs to a certain treatment. If after you give them a chance you still don't feel like they're treating you right, move on. It's your right as a patient.

 

[donfrye]

Thanks for the advise, guys. This will help me when I talk to her about my follow up. They have my test in their office and I go in there to get my shot, so I guess I will have to stick with them through this, see what they say after my vial is up and try to guide my treatment from there.

 

[riprockwell]

You definitely need at least once a week injections. Generally most guys are on anywhere from 100-200mg per week. You just have to see where that puts your total T at. It is more complicated than that but you get the idea. Shooting once every 3 weeks puts you on an up and down rollercoaster with your hormones which isn't good. Generally, a good TRT protocol involves weekly or bi-weekly injections, and Aromatase inhibitor (AI) if it is shown you need one, and some Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) if you choose. Are you wanting kids down the road? If so, I recommend you inject Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) weekly as well. When you do get your blood work done again, make sure you test your estrogen as well. Read up on TRT protocols as much as possible so that you can make your argument and stance with your doctor. How can she figure you need a once every 3 week injection when the half-life of cyp is much shorter?? Again, educate yourself and go to bat with her. Personally, I would get with a clinic that knows their shit.

I would give IMT (IncreaseMyT) a call and let them help you out. This company is great and they definitely can get you dialed in and feeling better in no time. They are the board sponsor here in this TRT forum. They will work with you if you are located in the US. Good luck.

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks for the advise, guys. This will help me when I talk to her about my follow up. They have my test in their office and I go in there to get my shot, so I guess I will have to stick with them through this, see what they say after my vial is up and try to guide my treatment from there.

Don't just roll over and take crappy treatment. First, educate yourself on TRT. Spend a few nights reading all you can on this website. Then ask questions. Once you do that you will be ready to go find a new doctor and help guide your treatment. I promise you that in a few weeks you can know more about TRT than your current doctor does.

I would also strongly encourage you to make a call to IMT. They sponsor this forum and offer excellent TRT. They are doctors specializing in helping hypogonadal men.

 

[SolomonGrundy]

you need weekly or bi-weekly injections for nice stable hormones, 50 to 100 mg every 3.5 days

 

[DreDay187]

It isn't a lot and every three weeks is a pretty long amount of time between injections but that's the game we play. You have to start somewhere and most docs would start you off slowly and work your way up.
Everyone reacts a little differently so it's a good first step, just keep an eye on your levels and how you're feeling throughout the peaks and troughs. You should be getting bloods done a day or two after the injection as well as the day prior to see where your peaks and troughs are. If you can and aren't squeamish, take over the injections yourself. I would not suggest altering the total dose, just the frequency.
You'd still be taking 200mg every 3 weeks, but it would be split up into 3x 67mg injections.



Maybe maybe not, it goes back to that "everybody is different" thing.
Some people aromatise test into estrogen more than others.
Whether or not you need an aromatase inhibitor or estrogen blocker will be the result of blood work.
Your doctor should be testing Estradiol along with the other blood panels.



TRT is a very long road here brother, I've been battling it for 15 years now and I'm still nowhere near satisfied with my treatment. Give this doctor a chance, build a relationship around your health and quality of life. Sometimes we have to guide these docs to a certain treatment. If after you give them a chance you still don't feel like they're treating you right, move on. It's your right as a patient.

You definitely need at least once a week injections. Generally most guys are on anywhere from 100-200mg per week. You just have to see where that puts your total T at. It is more complicated than that but you get the idea. Shooting once every 3 weeks puts you on an up and down rollercoaster with your hormones which isn't good. Generally, a good TRT protocol involves weekly or bi-weekly injections, and Aromatase inhibitor (AI) if it is shown you need one, and some Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) if you choose. Are you wanting kids down the road? If so, I recommend you inject Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) weekly as well. When you do get your blood work done again, make sure you test your estrogen as well. Read up on TRT protocols as much as possible so that you can make your argument and stance with your doctor. How can she figure you need a once every 3 week injection when the half-life of cyp is much shorter?? Again, educate yourself and go to bat with her. Personally, I would get with a clinic that knows their shit.

I would give IMT (IncreaseMyT) a call and let them help you out. This company is great and they definitely can get you dialed in and feeling better in no time. They are the board sponsor here in this TRT forum. They will work with you if you are located in the US. Good luck.

Don't just roll over and take crappy treatment. First, educate yourself on TRT. Spend a few nights reading all you can on this website. Then ask questions. Once you do that you will be ready to go find a new doctor and help guide your treatment. I promise you that in a few weeks you can know more about TRT than your current doctor does.

I would also strongly encourage you to make a call to IMT. They sponsor this forum and offer excellent TRT. They are doctors specializing in helping hypogonadal men.

3 awesome posts from 3 amazing members, rapes....err I mean reps all the way around

 

[Alpin]

Lot of mainstream Endos won't touch AI's. They actually know very little on the subject.
This doc is low balling you with T doses. I assume 1 ml is 200 mg...
Your in for a rollercoaster ride....
I had an Endo preach to me 2 weeks ago: "why every week shot and not 2 "?
I walked from him.

 

[donfrye]

Lots of good info. Thank you.

I will do some reading and try to steer my treatment in a different direction.

Regarding IMT, I hate injecting myself so if I go that route I guess I'd just have to get over it.

 

[Megatron28]

Lots of good info. Thank you.

I will do some reading and try to steer my treatment in a different direction.

Regarding IMT, I hate injecting myself so if I go that route I guess I'd just have to get over it.

Not many of us enjoy injecting ourselves. And it freaked nearly all of us out in the beginning. But you get used to it pretty quickly. I wouldn't let that fear hold you back.