SubQ lab results and Questions

[Lawman]

Hey fellas,

I started injecting subq after finding Dr. Crisler's youtube video where he states that injecting subq is a better method than IM and that is the way he injects. In the past, I was injecting 100mg once per week and experienced what I know now to be some bad E2 side effects (fatigue, depression, no motivation) at age 33.


I then started injecting IM twice per week, which was better, but I still experienced some of the same side effects. Here was my blood work on the twice per week IM protocol of Test E:

IM 50mg twice per week:

Total Test: 618 (range 348 - 1197)

Estradiol (non-sensitive): 36.9 (range 7.6 - 42.6)

Here are my results doing SUBQ injections of 30mgs - 40mgs every 2.5 days:

Total Test: 439 ng/dl (range 348 - 1197)

Free Test: 16.73 ng/dl (range 5.00 - 21.00)

% of Free Test: 3.81 % (range 1.50 to 4.20)

Estradiol (Sensitive): 27 pg/ml (range 3 -70)

The bottom line is I feel a lot better doing subq injections, as you can see my E2 is pretty much perfect. However, my testosterone at 439 seems too low (but then again, it is a lot higher now than what it was when I was diagnosed at 185 ng/dl). Overall, I feel pretty good, but I miss those peaks sometimes.

So I went in to see my doc last week and showed him my labs. He did not know that I was doing subq, as he still thinks that I am doing 100 mgs IM once per week. He thought my total test seemed really low for my age even though I was in range; however he was pleased with my percentage of free test. He told me to experiment with my dosage and try injecting more Test up to 150mgs per week (no complaints there).

My question is what would be a good subq protocol to get my total Test numbers up and how to divide this up throughout the week? I tried upping it to .25 ml from .2 every 2.5 days and seemed to experience slight side effects from higher E2, but no labs to prove it. Should I try injecting around 20mgs subq every day? I'm not sure if this would bring my total test up though. Do some people not require the higher test levels to feel optimal? Please, any thoughts welcome. Thanks!

 

[Daniel_IMT_Staff]

Subcutaneous injections vs intramuscular injections will basically change the solubility of the injected medication. Pharmacodynamics will not change, consult with your doc about these questions rather than fellows over the internet, if you don't have faith in your current doc. Switch over to one that is knowledgeable in this field!

 

[Megatron28]

I agree that you should talk to your doc. Tell him you are doing SubQ now. What's the harm in telling him?

However, I think it is OK to talk to people on this forum as well. We have either already gone through what you are experiencing or we can learn from it. I don't see any harm in sharing with each other and learning from each other.

Like your doc said, you are going to have to play with your dose and injection frequency. You should aim to get your TT higher. The risk is that every person has a "tipping point" at which aromatization becomes a problem that can then only be managed with an Aromatase inhibitor (AI).

Your choices become, stop at the highest dose you can tolerate without needing an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) or exceed that point and include an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) in your protocol. Both are good approaches. Some guys prefer using less medication. Some guys prefer the higher TT levels that most can only obtain with the inclusion of an Aromatase inhibitor (AI). You will have to find your own tipping point. For me it was going from 50mg every 3.5 days to 60mg every 3.5 days.

I decided that if I have to do this whole testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) thing that I should at least get to have TT levels near the top of the range. I am now taking 100mg every 3.5 days along with .25mg of Arimidex every 3.5 days.