Is it too soon to ask my trt doc about this?

[Rodax]

Basically I'm not too sure I can tolerate IM shots for the next (X amt.) of years in my life, but I just started in late November. Is it too late to ask my doc if subq injections are fine?

I'm coming up on my 6 week blood work here in a couple weeks and I dunno if I should wait and see the results and proceed from there or ask beforehand so that I'm dosing my Test cyp subQ about 2 weeks or so before my 6 week blood work. I don't want to just go ahead and do it without keeping them in the loop because if for some reason my levels are off, one way or another I want to be able to pinpoint the precise reason for their change. Thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks and Merry Christmas folks!

[Rjay]

I suggest you wait for your 6 week bloodwork to at least know where your levels stand via IM injections

[Beethoven]

I suggest you wait for your 6 week bloodwork to at least know where your levels stand via IM injections

Agreed. Get your BW first to see where you are befor making a change. Then try to make only one change at a time.

[kelkel]

Agree with the above. When you see your doc talk to him about Aveed.

[Lifted1]

if you plan on doing subcutaneous injections long term then it doesn't really matter what your levels are with intramuscular. just start doing subq now and push back the blood work as long as possible (you need 4 weeks after any protocol change) to get accurate info. as long as you use the same prescribed dosage, the delivery method is up to you.

[Simon1972]

if you plan on doing subcutaneous injections long term then it doesn't really matter what your levels are with intramuscular. just start doing subq now and push back the blood work as long as possible (you need 4 weeks after any protocol change) to get accurate info. as long as you use the same prescribed dosage, the delivery method is up to you.

agreed with this.

[Rodax]

Ok so maybe I'll push it back for 2 weeks then...

Kelkel-What are the pros and cons with Aveed? Aside from less shots overall?

[Score]

If you tell your doc you're not a fan of IM injections he may push you towards the lotions or pellets, just something to have in the back of your mind.

My doc does not like any injections more frequent than weekly, he's expressed every patient he's had that has tried 3.5 days have ended up taking too much and he's had to pull their script.

Go for Av and be prepared to turn down the other options for justified reasons.

[kelkel]

Ok so maybe I'll push it back for 2 weeks then...

Kelkel-What are the pros and cons with Aveed? Aside from less shots overall?

Many guys here from across the pond are on it and love it. I don't know of any real con's other than the US FDA lowered the amount to 750mgs from the 1000mgs they use over seas. Maybe less of an ability to micromanage levels if you're into all that......

[2Sox]

if you plan on doing subcutaneous injections long term then it doesn't really matter what your levels are with intramuscular. just start doing subq now and push back the blood work as long as possible (you need 4 weeks after any protocol change) to get accurate info. as long as you use the same prescribed dosage, the delivery method is up to you.

I agree, as well. But I'd suggest you begin SQ whenever you want. The next time you see your doctor simply express what you have here; that you're uncomfortable with IM and you prefer to continue with SQ. It's always good to be honest if you can. But if he doesn't consent, just continue to do SQ - and don't say anything more about it. This is exactly what I did with my original doctor/NP who wanted to follow FDA guidelines for T which is IM. I just continued SQ and over time established a relationship with him and eventually it was "By the way, I've been doing SQ all these months and I feel great." NP: Really? That's good. But the guidelines are IM. Me: Sure. You can put IM in my chart. (And he and I both knew that I was going to continue SQ and that was the end of it.) On follow up visits I'd update him about this and any other changes in my protocol. So we came to an understanding that we were both comfortable with.

This is just to make a point. You have the needles. You have the T. Do what is best for your health and state of mind. As long as your numbers are in line, your doctor doesn't have to know anything. This is your life. Just my opinion on how I would, and did, approach it.

[Rodax]

Well the main reasons why I wanted to switch to SubQ from IM was not the injections or frequency it was because I was puncturing deep into muscle tissue and over time these areas will become scarred. As someone who donated plasma 2x a week for a solid year (once in each arm each week), I'm well aware of the eventuality of scar tissue. I donated well over 10 years ago and I still have these white divots on the folds in my elbows that people ask me about when I wear short sleeves or tanks. Usually it involves a heroine joke (which I've never done) and that they are some serious tracks. Nurses know it's from plasma donation and they actually say that they come in handy for figuring out where the vein is on my arm. However if they try to inject anywhere in the divots, there's a nice bit of resistance and uncomfortably slight pain before they sink into the vein. Translate that to my quads, delts, and /or glutes over the next however many years I'm alive and eventually the tissue will add up causing who knows what to happen with the associated muscles and tissue - I'm not even mentioning the possibility of infection here at some point, but it's always a possibility too. Meanwhile with SubQ injections, the wound is superficial enough and the affected area can be easily rotated to ALMOST any place on the body that has some a decent layer of fat. I know type I diabetics (from childhood) who have had to do SubQ injections and/or pumps for 20+ years and the only thing they complain about is having to regulate their blood glucose levels. Anyway, I'm just thinking about things in the long term and if this was a 10-12 week cycle situation, I would have no concerns over IM injections at all.

I'll have to check out the Aveed idea, I assume HCG and an AI would remain part of the protocol, five IM injections a year would be a lot easier to manage rather than 52+ imho - kind of a pain that they have it at 750 here in the US vs 1000 elsewhere. Oh well lol

[2Sox]

^^^Another good reason to give to your doctor.

There are great advantages to SQ other than the avoidance of scar tissue. Of course there is less pain but the main advantage is a steadier release of T into the bloodstream. It also gives you the option to inject more often, if you wish.

[MICKY H]

Well I've been doing IM for many years, twice a week, lately got a slight phobia on injections, so jumped to once a week, but twice the dose. The only thing I have noticed is that days's 6 & 7 libido has dropped. Now Sub Q, what size needle do you use, normal insulin syringe and needle into the stomach fat, just like HCG. Last question, I add a small amount of Deca to my Test E, can this also be sub Q to help my joints.

[OingoBoingo]

Well I've been doing IM for many years, twice a week, lately got a slight phobia on injections, so jumped to once a week, but twice the dose. The only thing I have noticed is that days's 6 & 7 libido has dropped. Now Sub Q, what size needle do you use, normal insulin syringe and needle into the stomach fat, just like HCG. Last question, I add a small amount of Deca to my Test E, can this also be sub Q to help my joints.

I use a BD Ultra-Fine I, 1/2cc, U-100 syringe, which has a 30g needle. The hCG and Testosterone are loaded into one syringe, and I inject SQ into my thighs.

Don't worry about the Deca.