HRT Weekly vs Bi-Weekly Shots

So I have heard so many arguments for one or the other so locally here near where I live there is a place that specializes in Men's Health so I went to their website and found this article.

I know there are many people on here who are somewhat experts and then those who think they are experts so all physicians or experts, take a look at this website and this FAQ link I am posting center4menshealth.com/PDFs/Myth_2.pdf

This place is not Johnny's Injections it is a well known, respected place and the FAQ explains the half life of Testosterone Cypionate in patients.

Are they 100% correct in their analysis, I thinks so but even so I am not saying 1 week shots are not better for some people I guess. I do them every 2 weeks and rarely crash or roller coaster. it happens here and there but not hardly. I was considering 1 week shots but I am not convinced it is going to do anything for me except maybe not let my 1st week after my shot hit the high level of T I am used to. Using .750MG is most likely not gonna raise me up like the 1.5MG does so really I am not so sure it is for me.

I may eventually to the subQ but that is what I will talk to my Dr. about on April 4th. I have a blood test Friday so I will see my numbers. I have them every 3 months anyway. use to be monthly at the start but after 2+ years I am always spot on in my tests give or take a bit. I also take 1 1/2 Arimidex pills weekly(Sun, Tues and Fri) keeps my Estrogen and Estridiol dialed in perfect for me. Not sure the E number by my Estridiol is always 12-30 ish but normally near 20.

Feel free to comment or call this Dr. and tell him weekly shots are better. Clearly they do not believe or calculate it is.

Hi,
He is correct. You will still have amount of test in your body, but....here's where people feel better. That initial 200mg shot will drive up estrodial, RBC's etc. A smaller shot will have a smoother hit, less estrodial, less RBC rise, less shock to the body. What if you can take a weekly shot, or every 3.5 days and eliminate the arimidex?

I know for me, when I was on shots, I need exemenstane (sp?) for an every 2 week shot. I then went to one week and didn't need it but my estrodial was high. I then went to every 3.5 days and estrodial came in at 27, without any AI's. I'm on Androgel now, but that was my experience with shots.

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Originally Posted by Phastroh

So I have heard so many arguments for one or the other so locally here near where I live there is a place that specializes in Men's Health so I went to their website and found this article. I know there are many people on here who are somewhat experts and then those who think they are experts so all physicians or experts, take a look at this website and this FAQ link I am posting center4menshealth.com/PDFs/Myth_2.pdf This place is not Johnny's Injections it is a well known, respected place and the FAQ explains the half life of Testosterone Cypionate in patients. Are they 100% correct in their analysis, I thinks so but even so I am not saying 1 week shots are not better for some people I guess. I do them every 2 weeks and rarely crash or roller coaster. it happens here and there but not hardly. I was considering 1 week shots but I am not convinced it is going to do anything for me except maybe not let my 1st week after my shot hit the high level of T I am used to. Using .750MG is most likely not gonna raise me up like the 1.5MG does so really I am not so sure it is for me. I may eventually to the subQ but that is what I will talk to my Dr. about on April 4th. I have a blood test Friday so I will see my numbers. I have them every 3 months anyway. use to be monthly at the start but after 2+ years I am always spot on in my tests give or take a bit. I also take 1 1/2 Arimidex pills weekly(Sun, Tues and Fri) keeps my Estrogen and Estridiol dialed in perfect for me. Not sure the E number by my Estridiol is always 12-30 ish but normally near 20. Feel free to comment or call this Dr. and tell him weekly shots are better. Clearly they do not believe or calculate it is.

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Their explanation is one of the stupidest things I have read from a professional in a long time.

Long story short...
They are saying that if you take ONE shot of 200mgs of test you will have a higher serum level of test after 8 days than after 7 days if you take ONE shot of 100mgs of test.
No shit Sherlock. You are taking twice as much test.
What they are neglecting to understand is that your serum level of test depends on ALL the shots that you take when you are on protocol. (Not just one shot.)

Long story short,
In 200mgs once every other week vs. 100mgs every week...
You will have the same average serum level of test...
You will have higher highs and lower lows with the less frequent injections.

The paper written is not peer reviewed and would get laughed at if they tried to publish it.

If you want to see hard evidence for why more frequent injections are recommended by most, get labs done at your peak AND trough. The exceptionally large fluctuations in lab values between the 2 set of labs should clear up any questions that you or your doctor may have.

I have read plenty of things about it and I was posting what this clinic has to say about it. I did not post it to back my personally opinion because I don't really have one since I have only done it every other week.

THIS IS NOT MY DR.

My Dr. is basically ok with whatever dose or choice I make. It was my idea to use the Arimidex and to start donating blood as I had so much blood work and studied why my Estrogen and Estridiol was going up and why my Red Blood Cell Count was too high for my liking. I also explained how I felt my receptors were being clogged up due to no Arimidex and my FREE T was just floating around and not being used.

The last part he kind of got snippy about as if I was trying to be him but I told him that I had read plenty of things about this. I an tell you that after a while I had started to not feel as great until I started taking Arimidex. It was and still is responsible to making me feel as good as I did when I first started but that is my opinion based on not taking it and taking it and missing it because I have.

CHAUFFER - I had always wanted to get labs 2 days after my shot, then one week then the day prior to my next shot to see but the cost is not cheap for each test. I get other things tested at the same time.

Last test I asked for my HGH to be checked and it came in high actually and I was looking to get HGH prescribed so in 3 days I am going in for another test including the HGH again so I will be sure to post my results here.

My tests have always shown at the 1 week after my shot that my Total is between 900-1100 and my FREE is I want to say in the 300-350 range which according to the paper is far above normal. Don't quote that but I do know the FREE is always double normal. I feel good but possible my body is not utilizing the FREE as good as it should be.

All the other numbers that go along with HRT are typically spot on. Can't recall anything jumping out. When I get home I will look for my last test. I go to an OBGYN place because there is no wait like at Quest but I made an appointment at Quest because there paperwork is much clearer and easier to read.

I will also talk to my Dr. about a shot each week. He won't say no I will just need more needle. I use the 1.25 but I wonder if I can start using 1inch. Just easier to use for some reason.

Just a last note. I use 150MG every 2 weeks. I read how most people are getting 200MG a week or 2. My levels would be off the chart at that much and I already get pimples typically 2-3 days before my next shot which is usually when I get my tired feeling if I even get it. It comes 2-3 before and then is gone the same day. Weird I guess.

The article is confusing half-life with functional half-life, they are not the same. Actually, the article doesn't differentiate between the two.
The article also assumes that all men metabolize testosterone at the same rate, which would only be true if all men were exactly the same.
If 200mg once every 2wks worked for everyone it would certainly work for me, but it does not. Simply using myself as an example - 200mg per week, by day 6 my total will always be well under 200 ng/dl. Alternatively, 60mg 2x/wk and my total will never fall below 500 ng/dl.

As someone mentioned above, more frequent injections seems to help with side effect issues. I do not know how much this would really help with keeping things like hematocrit down, I'd be surprised if it's that significant, but it should reduce estrogen spikes or at least their severity.

When you're talking about a doctor or clinic that is considered experts in the field, while it may often be true, also remember that people like Dr. Gary Wadler are also considered experts on testosterone, and men like him would ban it outright for everyone if they could.

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Originally Posted by Low Testosterone

The article is confusing half-life with functional half-life, they are not the same. Actually, the article doesn't differentiate between the two.
The article also assumes that all men metabolize testosterone at the same rate, which would only be true if all men were exactly the same.
If 200mg once every 2wks worked for everyone it would certainly work for me, but it does not. Simply using myself as an example - 200mg per week, by day 6 my total will always be well under 200 ng/dl. Alternatively, 60mg 2x/wk and my total will never fall below 500 ng/dl.

As someone mentioned above, more frequent injections seems to help with side effect issues. I do not know how much this would really help with keeping things like hematocrit down, I'd be surprised if it's that significant, but it should reduce estrogen spikes or at least their severity.

When you're talking about a doctor or clinic that is considered experts in the field, while it may often be true, also remember that people like Dr. Gary Wadler are also considered experts on testosterone, and men like him would ban it outright for everyone if they could.

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Ok so let me ask you this since from reading your self example I am a bit confused.

If I take 150MG every 2 weeks and I go weekly am I not supposed to go to 75MG a week?

I would also be a bit concerned if it is going to lessen the Estrogen Spike because my dose of Arimidex is perfectly dialed in to my 2 week shot amount.

I have a feeling I would need a blood test after only 1 month to assess the difference. Is there any cheaper way to get the numbers besides going to my Dr. I would only be looking for the Testosterone effects not my cholesterol and so on like I get from my Dr.

Lastly if I am feeling ok as is, what can I expect from going weekly. I understand it would make it smoother but it is really fine as is, what can be better for me? I am assuming there is something better for me by going weekly so what more could I expect.

Better gym results, better energy I didn't feel? My bedroom antics are not in question as well.

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Originally Posted by Phastroh

Ok so let me ask you this since from reading your self example I am a bit confused.

If I take 150MG every 2 weeks and I go weekly am I not supposed to go to 75MG a week?

I would also be a bit concerned if it is going to lessen the Estrogen Spike because my dose of Arimidex is perfectly dialed in to my 2 week shot amount.

I have a feeling I would need a blood test after only 1 month to assess the difference. Is there any cheaper way to get the numbers besides going to my Dr. I would only be looking for the Testosterone effects not my cholesterol and so on like I get from my Dr.

Lastly if I am feeling ok as is, what can I expect from going weekly. I understand it would make it smoother but it is really fine as is, what can be better for me? I am assuming there is something better for me by going weekly so what more could I expect.

Better gym results, better energy I didn't feel? My bedroom antics are not in question as well.

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There are some men that respond to fairly well to less frequent shots, I'm not saying such men do not exist. That is sometimes a hard thing for a message board to accept but I can assure you they exist.

In regards to your questions - you always want to think long term. While you're using anastrozole now and it's working well for you, the goal shouldn't be to stay on anastrozole long term. In any TRT plan, when possible you want to reach a point to where you need less and less of an anti-estrogen to none at all. I've yet to meet anyone that has maintained the same amount of use of anastrozole for years and years without need for a change, such men may exist as well but I haven't seen them. You also don't meet too many that stay on the same dose of testosterone indefinitely. Our body changes over time whether we want it to or not.

As far as you needing or not needing to adjust your protocol to weekly injections, that's not a call I can or would make even if I could online. I could only do that if I were working with you directly.

What are you paying for blood work?

I am not sure of the cost of bloodwork because it is covered by insurance but my portion varies afterward. It has been as low as $40 to as high as $130

When he tests my Estridiol and now HGH it costs more.

My HGH was actually a bit high(I think like 30-31 can't recall the measurement) so we are testing it again. I asked for it to be checked thinking I may get on HGH if needed but then that came in.

If I go weekly I am going to ask him to send me just for a Test and Estridiol Blood Test and hopefully is cheaper. I will go the day before my weekly shot after the 1st week and then the 4th week and then the 8th week maybe. My concern is the Estridiol because when it was high or low I was not too happy. I felt like it had an affect in the bedroom maybe. Eh I wish I had a test kit at home like the one for my pool.

To answer part of you question Yes, if you decide to go weekly (personally I recommend at least giving it a try. 90% you will like it) then you only use 1/2 of what you were using every 2 weeks.

The problem I see with the way you were being tested is what sense does it make to test your levels 8 days after injection if they are not going to give you another injection for another week? Why not do the test the day before or day on just before injection? Sure it's good to know the in-between levels but you need to know the end also.

As you said you dont crash OFTEN. At all is not good. Some people just dont feel the swings as much as others. I am one of those people also but I know for a fact that if I stay consistent on 1x a week or even better 2x a week I definitely feel better.

Since starting trt, I've tried every two weeks, once a week,and am now doing twice a week. Overall I don't really "feel" any different btw the different protocols. The benefit for me is in the side effects. I get less acne on twice weekly shots and my E2 stays well in normal range so no AI needed.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I had posted elsewhere that I wanted to start off with a Winstrol only cycle. My reason is mainly because most of the other types are a bit scary for me. I am not looking to do Tren or anything like that.

So I was directed here to read up on cycles and HRT. I guess I have not found much yet.

They kind of said why would you use Winstrol first but I am already using Test Cyp.(which is very good on its own) but not at an amount recommended I figured I am basically stacking the Winstrol with it. Been taking the Cyp for years. I am not so sure I need to up my shot because I had been off the chart on total and FREE is always over double normal.

Here was my plan after reading so much stuff I am dizzy.

So this would be my cycle plan.

Every Week - 1 shot of 75MG of Test Cyp.(I take 150 every 2 weeks now) My FREE T is always above normal.
Every other day - 1 shot of 35MG of Winstrol (6 Weeks)

I would be taking liver care and eating healthy along with it. I already lift and run plenty. Every day it is one or the other or both.

I do know my dose choice is under the normal amount but I am ok with that. I have friends who have used that amount and I saw it worked and friends that have used 100MG every other day and both looked far better.

I like the Winstrol due to it not needing Arimidex which I take already anyway.

I will say again that I have reviewed all the kinds of stuff here and I really feel this is my best choice. I can get the injectable but the oral seems like too much of a pain.

As far as PCT I really do not know what to do because I have been using HRT so long without a PCT I am not sure I would notice or need anything. Not sure how much I produce on my own but I think it has slowly ticked up because my numbers remained equal when I cut my does of T Cyp from 150MG to 140MG Not a huge difference but I was coming in over range half way through my cycle till I cut back.

You've kind of thrown a curveball here by switching to cycle questions, this is a whole different discussion from trt dosing. First off, what are your current stats (height,weight,bf%,training history), and what is your goal for the cycle? Winstrol is generally only used for cutting and is only considered effective if you're already very low bf% and trying to drop even lower. If you've been on trt for years and are happy with you're protocol, I wouldn't argue with doing a blast but you do need to know your goals and read up a bit more on running a cycle first. No pct is needed, just resume regular trt dosing after the cycle, and your natural test is already 100% shut down and has been for a long time. The total and free test results you see are strictly from your trt dose, there's nothing natty being added in there.

I posted that because I was told I could also get cycle info for HRT users here.

My stats are
5'11" 258lbs BF% 20-25% not to sure anymore because it is nearly all belly fat. I'm decently lean and muscular everywhere. You can tell I lift easily. I've been on and off lifting for about 7 years.

I lift hard every other day and run the days in between that but I run 2.5-7miles a session even if I have to walk some. I'm always in a marathon of some sort.

I started at 310 but I've been bumping around from 251-265 but I'm on the down trend again and I've been really cutting back to almost no junk. I chug protein shakes to up my intake because it's low cal. I drink the premier premade vanilla it's 160cal 30grams of protein. It's also the best vanilla I've had. Honestly besides the shakes I eat fruit, veg, nuts, and rarely bread or pasta.

Why Winstrol? It's not gonna need Arimidex. It will help me cut fat and gain strength which in turn with my cypionate grow bigger. I'm not looking for too much size, I have big muscles I'm not a little dude in the muscles.

It's a shame though that my belly is just sticking around. Got a little neck fat. If I justndidnt have a belly is be ready to cut seriously but I guess from seeing others use it I really think it will help me.

In the end if it only helps me get stronger and lose 10lbs I'll celebrate. Less weight for me and I can run faster lol