Going from Androgel to injections. What to expect?

[bobtail]

My suck ass insurance won't pay for Androgel so I am going out of pocket on test cyp. I've been on the gel for 6 years and it does OK. Nothing to write home about.
I wanted some experience with anybody switching to shots. The doc is starting at the old standby of 200mg every two weeks.
I heard cyp is much better. Anybody have any experience doing this?

[DB1982]

You should expect a pinch of pain then nothing as long as you inject slowly. Then depending how your body reacts and your technique. Little to no pain or a Charlie horse type pain.

As far as mood/body feeling. I would expect very little change since your already dialed in on your therapy.

[sirupate]

First time around I didn't get any sort of "lift" going from Androgel to the injections. Same 100mg./wk. that you will be doing. In fact, my libido seemed to be better with the gel. But, no doubt, your T levels will be about the same as with the gel. Your daily levels will fluctuate more with the test. cyp. Is your doctor OK with weekly injections at 100mg. vs. 200mg. every two weeks? Weekly is probably preferable if you don't mind getting "stuck" more often.

I'm in the same boat as you are. My new pharmacy insurance doesn't want to cover the gel and I am switching back to test. cyp. injections shortly. My current plan is 100mg. per week and bloodwork in 6 months at my next doctor visit (yup...OK with him).

[The Deadlifting Dog]

First time around I didn't get any sort of "lift" going from Androgel to the injections. Same 100mg./wk. that you will be doing. In fact, my libido seemed to be better with the gel. But, no doubt, your T levels will be about the same as with the gel. Your daily levels will fluctuate more with the test. cyp. Is your doctor OK with weekly injections at 100mg. vs. 200mg. every two weeks? Weekly is probably preferable if you don't mind getting "stuck" more often. I'm in the same boat as you are. My new pharmacy insurance doesn't want to cover the gel and I am switching back to test. cyp. injections shortly. My current plan is 100mg. per week and bloodwork in 6 months at my next doctor visit (yup...OK with him).

I also switched from Axiron to 100mg/week.
My libido was definitely higher on the gel.
I think it stems from gels having a higher conversion to DHT.

[sirupate]

I also switched from Axiron to 100mg/week.
My libido was definitely higher on the gel.
I think it stems from gels having a higher conversion to DHT.

Agree. That is my take too. May have cost me some hair over the years though...lol.

[Beethoven]

I think you're better off with at least 100 mg a week much better than the 200 mg every two weeks. I did gel a long time ago and like the injections better. Although when I was on the gel my then Dr wasn't testing my BW so maybe I was under dosed.

[kelkel]

Your doc doesn't understand the half life of testosterone and is dosing you on it's terminal life. Do what the guys said above if possible or find another doctor. If he does not understand its half life I can't imagine him understanding estrogen conversion or HCG.

[2Sox]

All the previous comments are important and on the mark. There is a lot to learn about TRT but you don't need a PHD to understand the basics.

I switched from Androgel to shots for a similar reason - gel got much too expensive on my plan. Now you can get a vial of T Cyp for $44 at Walgreens with a coupon (don't use your insurance)- so what's to complain or worry about? You'll do fine.

Consider even more frequent dosing than once a week. And think about SQ injections. Many here do and there are lots of threads on this.

[xcraider37]

My suck ass insurance won't pay for Androgel so I am going out of pocket on test cyp. I've been on the gel for 6 years and it does OK. Nothing to write home about.
I wanted some experience with anybody switching to shots. The doc is starting at the old standby of 200mg every two weeks.
I heard cyp is much better. Anybody have any experience doing this?

Once you get on a proper protocol, you will have more stable levels than the up and down daily circus of the gel, (my experience anyways) if I were you I would consider this a blessing.

[2Sox]

Once you get on a proper protocol, you will have more stable levels than the up and down daily circus of the gel, (my experience anyways) if I were you I would consider this a blessing.

I loved using Androgel. Much higher libido and absolutely no ups and downs, which is, after all the purpose of daily application. But eventually I had to up the dose to 3-4 pumps a day and that upped my co-pay to $175/month. No thanks.

Bobtail,
I'm curious why you are taking 200mg/week. ?? That dose is usually on the higher end of the spectrum and much lower starting doses are generally the norm.

[Beethoven]

I loved using Androgel. Much higher libido and absolutely no ups and downs, which is, after all the purpose of daily application. But eventually I had to up the dose to 3-4 pumps a day and that upped my co-pay to $175/month. No thanks.

Bobtail,
I'm curious why you are taking 200mg/week. ?? That dose is usually on the higher end of the spectrum and much lower starting doses are generally the norm.

You know we've seen both ends of the spectrum, Docs who give you the 100 mg starting and are reluctant to prescribe higher, and those who write up the script for 200 mg right off the bat. Wish mine would prescribe 200 mg so I could bank some.

[sparverius]

I was on gel for years. I felt more normal on gel than on T. cyp. I did not need any AI. I do on cyp.
But after six years the gel stopped working.

Injecting every two weeks is a terrible protocol. You'll feel bad much of the time.

[APIs]

Never been on the gel and have no desire to try it from posts on here over the years. I cant provide a comparison, but have always felt great on IM Test Cyp 100 mgs e4d. If that's worth anything...