Switched to creams

[Rjay]

First off I just want to say I made a post a week ago stating I still was on injections at 50mg e3d so this will be controversial to that. I started creams about a week before that post and I am very impatient and wasn't sure Id stick with creams so I didn't mention I was on them anyways...

I was on 120mg/week cyp injecting e3d subcutaneous for roughly 4 months. I felt good the first two months gained a bunch of muscle mass with hard work and diet and libido showed improvement. Over the next 2 months libido and mood started to go downhill shown on labs due to really high e2 levels which was a surprise because im roughly 10% bodyfat. I had lots of mood swings, and everyday I felt different (some happy, but mostly glum/depressed). Labwork also showed I had low dht. In an effort to increase Dht and provide less peaks and valleys my doc decided to try me on a compounded cream applied scrotally. I have been applying 75mgs for the last two weeks and using 0.25mg adex with the cream roughly e4D but going by feel. In the last two weeks these are the changes ive noticed:

1. Definate* improvement in sexual function (from nearly none to 4/5 nights nocturnal wood, daily erections, increased sexual thoughts, and improved erection strength)

2. Less mood swings, I feel happy again for the most part which has been a blessing I was in a rut for a month or so where I never felt id feel better.

3. Energy slightly improved, less need for naps but still off slightly. Everyday seems a bit better

So needless to say creams and an AI have been a good change for me BUT there is one problem that nags at me...

I have been an avid athlete my entire life. My one passion in life is weightlifting. I eat clean as a whistle with lots of calories and give 100% in the gym 4-5days a week. Doing so I managed to put 15lbs on in the first 10 weeks of TRT of clean muscle. Since my last injection 3 weeks ago I have already lost 5 lbs (visible, and definately not water weight) and my strength is steadily deacreasing. This is no way relevant to training intensity or calories

So my only conclusion is my DHT and E2 levels must be more appropriate for libido benefits but my Free T might be lower? My priorities will always be the first 3 points listed but hopefully my concern is understandable. Me and my doc will do bloodwork in 2 weeks or so and she is willing to make dosing adjustments as she understands. Does anyone know what I could possibly do? She said if needed we could increase cream dose, or possibly add a small amount of cypionate back into the mix, has anyone heard of anyone doing both cyp and creams?

[SHBG]

the ai was initiated by yourself or by ur doctor? and if so by ur doctor, why didnt u attempt to lower the e2 before switching administration methods?

How does the ball sacc gell works exactly? like any normal daily apply?

[Rjay]

AI was initiated by doctor. My doc has much more experience with creams and when I initially met her she said at some point shed like to try me on creams. So after not doing well on injections for several months I agreed to give them a shot in an if it works great less injections, if it doesnt I can go back to subQ manner. Also low DHT was a big factor.

Its compounded cream (5% I believe) so the volume is small. Theres studies that support scrotal application has greater absorption rates along with higher DHT conversion. It is a cream not a gel I dont think you can apply gels scrotally

[Simon1972]

thinking out loud, injections give huge spike- shuttling protein- building mass ( kinda like opening door really wide to protein synthesis) and then you fall below your threshold until your next injection. Process begins again.

Creams keep your test levels at slightly above your required threshold, but its like keeping the door slightly ajar ( protein synthesis is slowed but steady)

all in all- alot more synthesis occurs when the door is wide open , but the door is mostly closed while injecting- resulting in mood swings and feeling crap.

did you notice spike in happiness just after injection?

im on creams at the moment- 4 days in and have yet to feel difference in anything apart from slight aggression.

[Rjay]

Simon I actually usually felt worse after injection by a little bit, even though it was low dose but I am a high converter. I felt crappy the first couple days on creams then things got better steadily. The area of which you apply your cream can make a big difference in absorption

[The Deadlifting Dog]

My two cents...
There is no way possible to lose 5lbs of muscle in three weeks without starvation.
Therefore... The AI lowered your estrogen levels... Your lower estrogen levels made you hold less water... Less water weight resulted in loss of some strength.

[xcraider37]

thinking out loud, injections give huge spike- shuttling protein- building mass ( kinda like opening door really wide to protein synthesis) and then you fall below your threshold until your next injection. Process begins again.

Creams keep your test levels at slightly above your required threshold, but its like keeping the door slightly ajar ( protein synthesis is slowed but steady)

all in all- alot more synthesis occurs when the door is wide open , but the door is mostly closed while injecting- resulting in mood swings and feeling crap.

did you notice spike in happiness just after injection?

im on creams at the moment- 4 days in and have yet to feel difference in anything apart from slight aggression.

I disagree with the cream analogy, they were like a daily roller coaster ride up for a few hours then a crash, no matter the dose. If you inject properly you don't have the up an down cycle. Also just a quote from everyone's favorite doctor, "creams are for girls, gels are for men"

Everyone is different what works for you may not work for me.

[Rjay]

xcraider In my brief experience creams have been a LOT more stable for my mood and energy. Your body naturally goes through 'a daily rollercoaster' if you aren't on TRT.