Lowered Test Dose - Feel Amazing!

[ripped_82]

Gentleman - I thought I'd share my personal experience as it relates to my transition from Androgel to Test-C, and my overall feeling / sex drive as I lowered my Test-C dose.

To provide some high level background:

1) 32 Years Old, 6'1 Height, 205lbs, 12% BF

2) Started TRT @ 25 as I tested in the low 400's, felt like crap, low
sex drive etc.

3) Was put on 6 pumps of Androgel 1% and 350 IU X 3/week HCG, and felt great for years, tested is low 700's

4) July of 2014, switched to 100mg Test-C/week split @ 50mg/3.5 days, and lowered HCG to 105IU/day. The change to injection was due to wife and I starting family, and I did not want to risk the Androgel transfer.

5) While on the above injection protocol, I gained a great deal of water weight, my right nipple developed a lump, felt low energy, low sex drive. My high level blood work had my Total Test @ 778, and Total Estradiol at 30. From a numbers perspective, it looks good, but felt brutal.

6) As of 5 weeks ago, I lowered my Test C dose to 80mg/week split every 3.5days while continuing my 105IU/day of HCG and I feel AMAZING. The feeling of improvement was effective week 2, has improved, and I'm back to feeling like a champ (great sex drive, energy sense of well being.

I've yet to get blood work given my new protocol, but I thought I'd share the above as I thought that sharing the above may be of interest given my experience.

[2Sox]

Excellent news! Glad you're feeling so good. Keep us posted about your blood test results and what your E2 sensitive number is.

[Beethoven]

Excellent news! Glad you're feeling so good. Keep us posted about your blood test results and what your E2 sensitive number is.

X2. I'm actually contemplating on lowering my dose as well.

[kelkel]

Nice. Goes to show more is not always a better option. Happy for you.

[ripped_82]

Thanks for the comments gentleman

I'm scheduled for blood work in another 6 months, so i'll post once I know where things are at.

In the meantime, I'll ensure to keep everyone posted should anything change, for better/worse

[johnny the blade]

This is encouraging to hear. Recently due to elevated RBC/hematocrit levels my Endo suggested lowering my dose from 100mg wk to 75mg wk. I was initially apprehensive but based on your experience, especially concerning libido, this may be ok.

[Beethoven]

This is encouraging to hear. Recently due to elevated RBC/hematocrit levels my Endo suggested lowering my dose from 100mg wk to 75mg wk. I was initially apprehensive but based on your experience, especially concerning libido, this may be ok.

I'm definitely going to try lower dose starting next pin. I will also keep you guys informed.

[MRNJ1992]

Ditto for me as well. Been taking 60mgs twice a week plus HCG 3 times a week. I gain a ton of water weight as well. Like 20 pounds. Really tired of it. Strength is great but at 49, who cares. Would rather sacrifice the strength to look better. My problem is my T numbers are low. Even when I first started TRT my doc had me up to 1.5 cc T a week. My T number then was like 700. He wanted me closer to 1000. Frustrating! Glad it worked out for you.

[ripped_82]

Ditto for me as well. Been taking 60mgs twice a week plus HCG 3 times a week. I gain a ton of water weight as well. Like 20 pounds. Really tired of it. Strength is great but at 49, who cares. Would rather sacrifice the strength to look better. My problem is my T numbers are low. Even when I first started TRT my doc had me up to 1.5 cc T a week. My T number then was like 700. He wanted me closer to 1000. Frustrating! Glad it worked out for you.

Perhaps you can start by doing more frequent HCG injections to help prevent some of the Estrogen conversion water weight. I personally do daily injections of HCG for the mentioned reason.

And Beethoven - It took me 2 weeks to start feeling better at the lower injection protocol, but it was significant when the improvement increased for me.

Good luck

[MRNJ1992]

Will run it by the doc. Nothing to lose. Thanks

[MRNJ1992]

Gotta say, injecting the HCG daily is genius for me. Doing 100 ius. Thanks for your post. Really no holding water, more vascular and feeling good.

[ripped_82]

Gotta say, injecting the HCG daily is genius for me. Doing 100 ius. Thanks for your post. Really no holding water, more vascular and feeling good.

Awesome bud, glad to hear it made that significant of a difference!

It's logical when you think about the fact that you're spreading out even doses on a daily basis of HCH vs. spikes if injecting higher volumes 2-3 times / week.

Also, I'm still feeling amazing after changing my dosage as mentioned above as an update for those following this thread

[Beethoven]

I've also lowered my dose, and though it's too early to tell, I at least feel no difference in my lowered dose. Well maybe except I don't need the AI.

[BigBen86]

Hey ripped I understand you started subq in the summer. Are you still doing sq and if not what changed your mind?

[Santana1]

I was wondering if I'll feel any better or gain more muscle if I split my 160mg a week into every 3 days? I feel great but will I gain more muscle if I split? Will I feel even better then I do now?

I notice the real big muscular guys are coming in and doing the split,
Am I better off splitting instead of weekly?

Some guys say that on the 6th day before injection they feel not so good,
When I get the shot I do not feel any different from the first day to the last day,
Does this take more time to happen? I've been doing T forc12 weeks only?

[The Deadlifting Dog]

I was wondering if I'll feel any better or gain more muscle if I split my 160mg a week into every 3 days? I feel great but will I gain more muscle if I split? Will I feel even better then I do now? I notice the real big muscular guys are coming in and doing the split, Am I better off splitting instead of weekly? Some guys say that on the 6th day before injection they feel not so good, When I get the shot I do not feel any different from the first day to the last day, Does this take more time to happen? I've been doing T forc12 weeks only?

Please ignore Santana.

Well known he's a troll.

[Santana1]

Please ignore Santana.

Well known he's a troll.

Hi Deadlifting dog,
What do you mean , I'm asking some good questions , why am I a troll? Lol

[ripped_82]

Hey ripped I understand you started subq in the summer. Are you still doing sq and if not what changed your mind?

I stopped sub q as I did not feel it working for me. Felt tired with low sex drive.

I almost immediately improved once I went IM. In my case, I can say for certain that my body felt the impact of a 50mg shot next day as my nipples got puffy, whereas they never got puffy sub q.

Unfortunately, I, as numerous others feel better IM. There’s a post that you can find on the subq topic that has actual blood work of users on subq vs IM. You'll see that most reported much higher levels of Total Testosterone via IM

[BigBen86]

I tried searching, you think you can link that thread. I started my trt about 4 weeks ago cyp 50ml 2x a week subq. Did blood today, I would like to post my results in that thread when I get them. Considering goin Im depending on blood results. I was on andro gel 3 pumps for a couple weeks and felt better on that before I started the cyp sub q. But hey, I'm glad im and your trt is good to go that's great.

NM found the thread will add to it next week.

[2Sox]

I stopped sub q as I did not feel it working for me. Felt tired with low sex drive.

I almost immediately improved once I went IM. In my case, I can say for certain that my body felt the impact of a 50mg shot next day as my nipples got puffy, whereas they never got puffy sub q.

Unfortunately, I, as numerous others feel better IM. There’s a post that you can find on the subq topic that has actual blood work of users on subq vs IM. You'll see that most reported much higher levels of Total Testosterone via IM

Good that you're feeling good on IM. But it seems to me that the rest of you post is pure generalization based on anecdotal evidence completely. (As far as I know there is no scientific data to back up your statements.) And that's okay, I guess. Any intelligent person could see that.

I recommend SQ because it works so well for me. I couldn't speak for or against IM because I never did it, but I'll say that with 112mg/week SQ, (16mg daily), my Total T is in the 13 to 14 hundreds and Free T is near double the high end of the range (That's the crest. My trough is 800 TT). All else is well under control. I'm thinking of lowering my dose at this point, it works so well.

So IMO, a debate on this is really not necessary at all. If a person isn't sure which works best for him, I'd advise him to just experiment. As far as I'm concerned, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Edit: I forgot to say that the hCG I dose daily - 125iu - very definitely has a great deal to do with my levels being so good.

[BigBen86]

Good that you're feeling good on IM. But it seems to me that the rest of you post is pure generalization based on anecdotal evidence completely. (As far as I know there is no scientific data to back up your statements.) And that's okay, I guess. Any intelligent person could see that.

I recommend SQ because it works so well for me. I couldn't speak for or against IM because I never did it, but I'll say that with 112mg/week SQ, (16mg daily), my Total T is in the 13 to 14 hundreds and Free T is near double the high end of the range (That's the crest. My trough is 800 TT). All else is well under control. I'm thinking of lowering my dose at this point, it works so well.

So IMO, a debate on this is really not necessary at all. If a person isn't sure which works best for him, I'd advise him to just experiment. As far as I'm concerned, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

2sox where do you recommend injecting? I've been injecting around the perimeter of my navel for the past 4 weeks.

[2Sox]

2sox where do you recommend injecting? I've been injecting around the perimeter of my navel for the past 4 weeks.

That's fine. Where else? Anywhere, really - especially where there is some loose skin to grab. Upper thigh is good - anywhere around it. I even tried the fat in the pubic area. I don't like the love handles because I have to twist around too much and I seem to bruise there more. But most of the time I do the belly. All SQ.

[Lifted1]

Good that you're feeling good on IM. But it seems to me that the rest of you post is pure generalization based on anecdotal evidence completely. (As far as I know there is no scientific data to back up your statements.) And that's okay, I guess. Any intelligent person could see that.

I recommend SQ because it works so well for me. I couldn't speak for or against IM because I never did it, but I'll say that with 112mg/week SQ, (16mg daily), my Total T is in the 13 to 14 hundreds and Free T is near double the high end of the range (That's the crest. My trough is 800 TT). All else is well under control. I'm thinking of lowering my dose at this point, it works so well.

So IMO, a debate on this is really not necessary at all. If a person isn't sure which works best for him, I'd advise him to just experiment. As far as I'm concerned, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I'm going to agree with Sox here as I do subq injections also and have great results. Even if 100mg IM gives you a slightly higher free/total than 100mg subq, you would just raise the subq dose by 20mg and retest 4 weeks later. Rinse and repeat until you reach your sweet spot.

Imo subq makes Trt a lot less painless and I personally wouldn't do it any other way.

Fwiw, I had to recently lower my dose due to puffy nipples.

[MRNJ1992]

just got my bw back. Mind you 80 mg of T a week. and 100 ius of hcg. Total T was 803, My E was 15..thanks again

[nyjetsfan]

just got my bw back. Mind you 80 mg of T a week. and 100 ius of hcg. Total T was 803, My E was 15..thanks again

mrnj- I am n the same protocol and works extremely well. Do you take an AI? Thx

[MisterD]

How are you guys spliting that protocol up....

40mgs Test- Mon, Thurs 3.5 days
100 HCG daily?

If yes why the daily shot of HCG and not 3 times weekly. Whats the benefit of the HCG daily?

[thewarrior8845]

MRNJ1992 your E is low do you have any side effects? i have also lowered my t dose. i was on 70mg twice per week. now i take 50 mg twice per week. just had my levels tested, total T was 873 day after the injection. i feel better all around. i was having some anger issues and those have resolved.

[ripped_82]

Total E does seem a little low, but I'm curious if he has any negative sides.

[MRNJ1992]

yes 2x a week

[MRNJ1992]

I held alot of water when i took HCG 3x a week, but daily
hcg i have hardly any water retention.

[lovbyts]

Nice. Goes to show more is not always a better option. Happy for you.

Now where have we heard that before?

Great news OP.

I have been thinking about lowering mine as well. Most of the time I do 80-100mg a week or if I remember 50mg 2x a week but I'm TERRIBLE at remembering to do it 2x a week. Yeah yeah I need to set another reminder on my gmail calendar. lol

Hell if nothing else by lowering my dose it will help me save up a little more and in that case to much is never enough. Ive added one more to my excess supply since this photo. I need to start a new drawer. lol

[RIB]

Thx for sharing, thats fantastic!

[chuckt12345]

no real reason to split the dose up, your levels wont be much diff at all from 100 a wk or 50 twice a week with cyp

[OingoBoingo]

no real reason to split the dose up, your levels wont be much diff at all from 100 a wk or 50 twice a week with cyp

Levels are different (for example; no trough), but a big reason for doing so is E2 control. Smaller more frequent injections cause less of a Testosterone spike, which in turn causes less conversion.

[suprarob]

Levels are different (for example; no trough), but a big reason for doing so is E2 control. Smaller more frequent injections cause less of a Testosterone spike, which in turn causes less conversion.

Then why not split up your dose and inject daily? Works for Hcg maybe for test cup too?

[OingoBoingo]

Then why not split up your dose and inject daily? Works for Hcg maybe for test cup too?

I do!

[suprarob]

I do!

What dose Test and what days a week?

[OingoBoingo]

What dose Test and what days a week?

13mg SQ daily.

[lovbyts]

13mg SQ daily.

Damn, that little bit seems hardly worth pinning for. lol

[OingoBoingo]

Damn, that little bit seems hardly worth pinning for. lol

Feel good, kill it in the gym, and haven't had to take Anastrozole for two weeks.

As long as I stay in the upper quartile, I'm happy.

I also load hCG into the same syringe with the test, so only have to pin once a day.