Switching from GEL to Injections

[DallasLift]

I just started TRT last week using Fortesta gel. I hate waiting for 20 minutes each morning for the gel to dry before getting dressed. I told my Dr I need to switch to injections which he OKed. Nurse just called to tell me I need to make an appoint for the Dr to review how to self inject. All good until she mentions the dr is prescribing injections every 2 weeks. I'm worried about the peaks and valleys if you inject every 14 days. I was hoping for twice per week to keep levels stable. What should I tell the dr? Do I need any research to support my request?

[Vettester]

Just talk to him straight up about half life (7 to 8 days) and the peak efficiency (approx. 2 to 3 days) ... Maybe it's just a simple conversation and you're GTG.

[bass]

^^^^ what Vette said! and if he insists on two weeks injections simply split your dose and do it once a week. remember with injections you may convert to e2 more so that gels. are you taking AI's as well?

[Times Roman]

I just started TRT last week using Fortesta gel. I hate waiting for 20 minutes each morning for the gel to dry before getting dressed. I told my Dr I need to switch to injections which he OKed. Nurse just called to tell me I need to make an appoint for the Dr to review how to self inject. All good until she mentions the dr is prescribing injections every 2 weeks. I'm worried about the peaks and valleys if you inject every 14 days. I was hoping for twice per week to keep levels stable. What should I tell the dr? Do I need any research to support my request?

take what you can right now (every 14 days) and skip the discussion on theoritical grounds.

after you've been on therapy for a couple of months, then begin to complain that you suffer mood swings a day or two before your next injection, AND explain you've done some research, and that it seems .5dose every week could be better for your mood swings than 1.0 dose eow.

if c or e, then no need for 2 injections a week. you can of course do it, but the difference in blood plasma levels with that and once a week is minimal, most likely way too small for you to feel the difference.

[bass]

take what you can right now (every 14 days) and skip the discussion on theoritical grounds.

after you've been on therapy for a couple of months, then begin to complain that you suffer mood swings a day or two before your next injection, AND explain you've done some research, and that it seems .5dose every week could be better for your mood swings than 1.0 dose eow.

if c or e, then no need for 2 injections a week. you can of course do it, but the difference in blood plasma levels with that and once a week is minimal, most likely way too small for you to feel the difference.

i know you have a good answer for this, but why go through the roller coaster if he can convince his doc for weekly shots? he's got nothing to lose by asking, and if the doc says no he can still split the dose himself since he's doing the injections!

[Vettester]

Agree with bass, why should the OP have to go through a couple of months of building up some case to get an adequate protocol, when maybe all that's needed is a simple discussion and request to change it up a bit, based on FACTS, not theoretical discussion. Yes, it seems that more & more of these doctors with this mentality seem to never bend, but there's always plenty of cases where the patient just needed to speak up a little and it turned out the doctor was open minded.

1x per week would be an acceptable protocol, and the doctor might easily just sign off on it. If not, the OP could always plead his case again down the road that he's not feeling good (or having mood swings), which might then be round 2 to get the doctor to change it up for him.

[DallasLift]

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Sounds like most be people think 1x per week for test c is enough. Is this correct? No advance to breaking test c into 2x per week?

[bass]

well there is a benefit to breaking the dose to twice a week, the presumption here, based on my personal experience and others is it will slow down the e2 conversion, less spikes equal less conversion. and if you do SQ injection even less conversion, but thats not scientifically proven, only based on experience.

[GetItHot]

You're getting some really good advice in this thread. You are already better off than me because you are so far ahead of the game. Avoid the roller coaster at all costs.

[zaggahamma]

this is a tough one in my opinion

we got the op wanting to ask for TWICE A WEEK INJECTIONS because there are a few on hear that swear by it

although i wouldnt want to wait 14 days to inject...i have MANY TIMES waited 10 days and noticed NOTHING from my routine (normally once a week)..thus...leaning towards times roman's advice....

geez some doctors think once a month is the way to go....


honestly, i just think its a close one....i guess the op can decide to bring it up now or a lil later but I DO AGREE that the conversation WILL need to be brought up...

one inject every 2 weeks is better than no test...i hope all agree that 2 weeks isnt a ROLLERCOASTER...yes, levels drop down ..

actually this is a moot point, the doctor is letting him self inject so he can try what he feels will work best......